We know you’re a sucker for a new opening. Just the word ‘new’ in the title of this article was enough to lure you in, the promise of fresh drinking and dining spots too enticing to miss. And luckily, London has one of the most exciting food scenes in the world; an ever-changing tapestry of fusion flavours, best-in-class chefs, and ritzy, glitzy openings that you simply must try.
So, here they are: the finest new restaurants in London this November – from the first permanent site from pop-up royalty to the stylish new Italian restaurant on South Audley Street.
Bottarga
On the hunt for a new neighbourhood hangout? Head to Chelsea – you’ll find what you’re looking for where Chicama used to be. It’ll share some similarities with Notting Hill’s zēphyr (they are sister restaurants, after all) but is more broadly Mediterranean than strictly Greek; zēphyr’s classic chilli-butter grilled fish is still on the menu, but there are plenty of new, head-turning dishes as well. try the sesame-wrapped tapioca bites, the Greek-style meatballs with burnt butter potatoes, and one of the huge desserts.
383 King's Rd, SW10 0LP | Images by Jessica Wang
AngloThai
AngloThai’s been a long time coming. Originally a pop-up, the British-Thai concept has finally found a permanent home in Marylebone. Chef and co-founder John Chantarasak will serve an English-accented take on Thai cuisine, cooked using British produce and served alongside European wines selected by his wife, Desiree. The space, led by Thai American designer May Redding, is also set to be pretty special, with furniture and art installations made by Thai artisans.
22–24 Seymour Pl, W1H 7NL
Nipotina
What’s in a name? In the case of Nipotina, which means ‘granddaughter’ in Italian, everything. The stylish new Italian is the latest addition to Samyukta Nair’s family of restaurants and its name nods to Nair’s relationship with her grandfather – as well as the recipes head chef Somaia Hammad learnt from her nonna. It’s a laidback spot serving comforting cooking; the kind of place you could drop in for a breakfast frittata and then return to at 3pm for a Nipotina Negroni.
49 S Audley St, W1K 2QD
SiLVA
In a word, SiLVA is polished. But in a few more, SiLVA is a two-floor, all-day restaurant on Bruton Place (where you’ll also find The Cocochine and The Guinea). Plenty of marble, mixed woods, and moss-green accents add a subtle forest feel, and the private dining room – with its herringbone floor and floral castings – is stunning. Breakfast is set to be a highlight here, with dishes like gratinated crab and Gruyère omelettes, as is the ‘broker’s list’ of blowout wines.
26–28 Bruton Place, W1J 6NG
Claro
It’s taken the team behind Claro six years to find their dream London venue – and they’ve finally settled on a double-height former banking hall in St James’s. But the location isn’t the only thing they’re banking on; the food, inspired by the Eastern Mediterranean, is equally impressive. The team plans to curate relationships with farmers and producers to create a menu that shows off the very best of seasonal British produce.
12 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AU
Amélie
There are not one but three new openings at the former Pantechnicon building in Belgravia, including the return of beloved Japanese restaurant SACHI. However, we’re most excited about Amélie – an elegant Provençal restaurant on the ground floor. Its glimmering interiors and pastel parasols immediately evoke a sense of the Côte d’Azur, as does its menu, which former Annabel’s chef Steve Raveneau has crafted using ingredients from a select community of French producers. Other things we’re excited about: the all-in caviar menu and all-out dessert trolley, and the gold-splashed wine room.
