If, like us, you’re familiar with London’s food scene, you’ll be fully aware that spots are cropping up (and closing down) almost every day. So, if you fall under this category, you’ll be pleased to know that we'll update this list of London's best new restaurants at the beginning of each month. But if you’re after something more specific, we also share recommendations spanning from ever-trendy fusion flavours to traditional afternoon teas. 

In this article: 

• Simpson’s In The Strand, Strand 

• Hoppers Shoreditch, Shoreditch 

• Sale e Pepe Mare, Marylebone 

• Hell’s Kitchen London, Marble Arch 

• Padella, Soho 

• MA/NA, Mayfair 

• Automat, Mayfair 

• DakaDaka, Mayfair 

• Tiella, Bethnal Green 

• Claridge’s Bakery, Mayfair 

February 2026

Simpson’s In The Strand, Strand 

Opening: February 2026. 

Best for: lovers of London history. 

Order: the roast. 

It’s hard to picture how long ago 1828 was. But if you need help, this was a time before penny-farthing bicycles were invented and when horse-drawn carriages ruled the road. It was also when the first Simpson’s In The Strand opened. Some 200 years later, restauranteur Jeremy King is giving this legendary London restaurant a new lease of life. The revival will feature two dining rooms, one of which will offer traditional British roasts served tableside. 

simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk 

Hoppers Shoreditch 

Opening: 4th February.

Best for: Sri Lankan comfort cooking. 

Order: the bone marrow varuval. 

If you don’t know, get to know: Hoppers comes from the same group as Gymkhana (one of Mayfair’s best restaurants, if not, one of the world’s best). This Sri Lankan and South India-inspired spot has sites in Soho, Marylebone, and King’s Cross, with a brand-new Shoreditch site swinging open its doors. Ordering the bone marrow varuval and roti is an absolute must – along with an egg hopper or two. 

hopperslondon.com 

Sale e Pepe Mare, Marylebone 

Opening: 2nd March. 

Best for: Amalfi-inspired flavours. 

Order: the gamberi scottati. 

The original Sale e Pepe in Knightsbridge is one of London’s best Italian restaurants, so there’s naturally been plenty of hype around its sister site inside The Langham. When we attended the hard hat preview last year, the space was still a building site. Since then, those exposed wires have given way to a beautiful blue-hued dining room with a walk-in wine room, a roaming tiramisu trolley, and lots of warm red prawns swimming in an Amalfi lemon sauce. 

saleepepe.co.uk 

Hell’s Kitchen London, Marylebone 

Opening: spring 2026. 

Best for: British classics. 

Order: the beef Wellington. 

This time last year, Gordon Ramsay took his cooking to new heights, opening two spots inside 22 Bishopsgate, London’s tallest skyscraper – including a 12-seat chef’s table in the clouds. Now, fresh from a family wedding, the celebrity chef is walking Hell’s Kitchen down the Marble Arch aisle, following the concept's success across the US and Europe. There’ll be long-time favourites like lobster risotto and beef Wellington – and, with any luck, no shouting about missing lamb sauce.  

thecumberland.com 

Padella, Soho 

Opening: spring 2026. 

Best for: pasta that’s worth the wait. 

Order: pici cacio e pepe. 

It’s true: all good things come in threes. And to prove that theory, the ever-popular Padella is opening its third outpost in Soho this spring. Scoring a reservation may be harder than getting Glastonbury tickets – mainly because there aren’t any. But good things also come to those willing to queue. The reward? The group has confirmed that its creamy (and curly) pici cacio e pepe, plus beef shin ragu pappardelle, are both coming to the Carnaby site.  

padella.co 

MA/NA, Mayfair 

Opening: early 2026. 

Best for: omakase. 

Order: the shrimp tempura. 

The Thesleff Group, the hospitality giants behind some of our favourite London hangouts (Los Mochis, JUNO, Sale e Pepe... you get the idea), are opening its first spot in Mayfair. The opening date has moved more than once already, but what we do know is that it’ll be a sleek omakase spot on Upper Grosvenor Street, serving dishes like shrimp tempura with black truffle and king crab salad with caviar, obviously. In other words: very on brand for the postcode. 

manarestaurants.com 

January 2026 

Automat, Mayfair 

Opened: 7th January. 

Best for: New York-style nights out. 

Order: the lobster rolls. 

Things come back in fashion. Polaroids are popular again. Vintage brooches are in vogue. And this American diner has had a resurgence after shutting shop in 2012. But you have to find it first: there’s a secret door at the back of a leather goods shop on Mount Street. Those who remember the original Automat will have fond memories of the lobster rolls, while visitors to the new version can make the most of the three-hour martini hour, Tuesday–Thursday.  

automatdining.com 

DakaDaka, Mayfair 

Opened: 17th January. 

Best for: traditional Georgian dishes. 

Order: the khachapuri.  

Georgian restaurants are still sadly something of a rarity in London, which makes DakaDaka a welcome addition to the mix. But just because they’re scarce doesn’t mean they’re any less impressive. The same goes for the khachapuri: a hollow, boat-shaped bread filled with molten cheese and a glossy egg yolk. Come hungry and ready to get stuck in. This dish is best enjoyed the traditional way: tearing off the bread by hand and scooping up the gooey centre. 

dakadaka.london 

Tiella, Bethnal Green 

Opened: 21st January. 

Best for: comforting Italian cooking. 

Order: the ricotta di Romagna. 

You might remember Tiella from The Compton Arms (Dara Klein’s much-loved pop-up trattoria in Islington). And if you’ve been missing it, you’re in luck: she’s just opened a permanent spot inside a former Victorian pub. Favourites from the original residency have returned, including ricotta di Romagna, Calabrian chilli, and wild Sardinian honey, alongside new arrivals like her mother’s meatball recipe. Deliziosa.  

tiella.co.uk 

Claridge’s Bakery, Mayfair 

Opened: 21st January. 

Best for: nostalgic British bakes. 

Order: the Marmite cheese straws. 

Just when you thought there were enough buns in the oven at this time of year, Claridge’s has had a new venture in the pipeline for several months. Now open and headed up by critically acclaimed baker Richard Hart, it’s already proving to be a recipe for success. Those with a sweet tooth should opt for the jammy dodger tarts, and savoury lovers should order the Marmite cheese straw. But be quick: both sell out like hot cakes by midday. 

claridges.co.uk