London’s Best New Restaurants Of 2023
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London’s Best New Restaurants Of 2023
End-of-year round-ups can be a mind-numbing affair, be it rinse-and-repeat lists or think pieces on how crusts of bread have become a symbol of unity. This year, the London restaurant world felt like it was having a little more fun, so we thought we’d do the same. Out with the words and in with the stats.
The usual restaurant suspects still reign supreme: 35mm-primed wine bars, seductive small plates, and those fever dream Italian cosplay-staurants. But, more than anything, some of our favourite London restaurants of 2023 were letting loose. Whether in the form of a pumping Beyoncé-soundtracked burek specialist in Sydenham, a steaming hot Sri Lankan knockout in London Bridge, or a couple of taco-makers extraordinaire, these are London’s best new restaurants of 2023. Looking for the best places to eat in London, full stop? Check out our guide to the 25 highest-rated in town.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we giddily booked dinner before we’d even finished lunch.
A Perfect Order For A Night Of Romance
Half a dozen oysters, escarole salad, rabbit with mustard sauce, chips, and a spoon battle over the crème caramel.
The Best Time To Go
On a brisk Thursday night, post sharpener at St. John’s bar. Nothing will make you happier than butter and chips after.
Collective team visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we giddily booked dinner before we’d even finished lunch.
A Perfect Order For A Night Of Romance
Half a dozen oysters, escarole salad, rabbit with mustard sauce, chips, and a spoon battle over the crème caramel.
The Best Time To Go
On a brisk Thursday night, post sharpener at St. John’s bar. Nothing will make you happier than butter and chips after.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Shortly after a drop of peppercorn oil and a whiff of crab custard-topped jollof rice made us think of the bill as Monopoly money.
A Perfect Order For Celebrating Your Upcoming Retrospective In Head-To-Toe Issey Miyake
The full evening tasting menu with wine pairing, and no regrets.
The Best Time To Go
When your taste buds are bored and your wallet is full.
Collective Team Visits
2
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Shortly after a drop of peppercorn oil and a whiff of crab custard-topped jollof rice made us think of the bill as Monopoly money.
A Perfect Order For Celebrating Your Upcoming Retrospective In Head-To-Toe Issey Miyake
The full evening tasting menu with wine pairing, and no regrets.
The Best Time To Go
When your taste buds are bored and your wallet is full.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Anywhere between our first sip of the weapons-grade plantain sazerac and the regretful final spoon of rice ice-cream.
A Perfect Order For Three Greedy Friends
A trio of main courses to choose from means three’s a perfect crowd. A strategic trip for the lunchtime-only yassa is also a must.
The Best Time To Go
Anytime the person you love to eat out with most is available.
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Anywhere between our first sip of the weapons-grade plantain sazerac and the regretful final spoon of rice ice-cream.
A Perfect Order For Three Greedy Friends
A trio of main courses to choose from means three’s a perfect crowd. A strategic trip for the lunchtime-only yassa is also a must.
The Best Time To Go
Anytime the person you love to eat out with most is available.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we tested our quad strength and squatted in an alley to eat our tacos because we couldn’t wait until we got home.
A Perfect Order For Understanding The Hype
Carne asada taco, barbacoa quesadilla, and nopales taco with a cheese crust. And repeat.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday from 1pm—lunch orders wind down and people return to work, orange salsa stains on their white t-shirts. Just us?
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we tested our quad strength and squatted in an alley to eat our tacos because we couldn’t wait until we got home.
A Perfect Order For Understanding The Hype
Carne asada taco, barbacoa quesadilla, and nopales taco with a cheese crust. And repeat.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday from 1pm—lunch orders wind down and people return to work, orange salsa stains on their white t-shirts. Just us?
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
We zoned out for a good five minutes while watching the freshly baked roti get scrunched.
A Perfect Order For You And Your Favourite Friend Group
Gundu dosas, buttermilk fried chicken, red northern prawn curry, turmeric potatoes, and one portion of soft serve per two people.
The Best Time To Go
On a Friday night when Borough Market is buzzing with post-work drinks and you were smart enough to make a dinner reservation.
Collective Team Visits
6
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
We zoned out for a good five minutes while watching the freshly baked roti get scrunched.
A Perfect Order For You And Your Favourite Friend Group
Gundu dosas, buttermilk fried chicken, red northern prawn curry, turmeric potatoes, and one portion of soft serve per two people.
The Best Time To Go
On a Friday night when Borough Market is buzzing with post-work drinks and you were smart enough to make a dinner reservation.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After the first bite of beef and taleggio pie that left a mark on our heart and our fluffy jumper.
A Perfect Order If You’re Taking Away
Two slices of pie. They’re all fantastic but make one the house slice, plus get the hot ajvar oil and a sour cherry baklava bun.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday night, with a bottle of wine under your arm, to listen to female power anthems and feel like the hot slice you’re eating.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After the first bite of beef and taleggio pie that left a mark on our heart and our fluffy jumper.
A Perfect Order If You’re Taking Away
Two slices of pie. They’re all fantastic but make one the house slice, plus get the hot ajvar oil and a sour cherry baklava bun.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday night, with a bottle of wine under your arm, to listen to female power anthems and feel like the hot slice you’re eating.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our first dunk into the salsa platter. It’s like dip roulette, but one where you’ll never lose.
A Perfect Order For Solo Lunch At The Counter
Crispy potatoes with chorizo, salsa tasting platter, roasted broccoli tacos, and a glass of horchata.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday night for a self-care session involving tacos, rainbow-coloured mood-boosting artwork, and a hip-hop soundtrack.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our first dunk into the salsa platter. It’s like dip roulette, but one where you’ll never lose.
A Perfect Order For Solo Lunch At The Counter
Crispy potatoes with chorizo, salsa tasting platter, roasted broccoli tacos, and a glass of horchata.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday night for a self-care session involving tacos, rainbow-coloured mood-boosting artwork, and a hip-hop soundtrack.
photo credit: Amy Heycock
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a dollop of crème fraîche, accompanying a perfect potato pie, made us emotional.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Pork and duck rillettes, potato pie, and rice pudding. Ask for a steer on which wine they’re loving.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday, post-7pm, when the flickering candles are out, cheeks are flushed, and the natural wine is flowing.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When a dollop of crème fraîche, accompanying a perfect potato pie, made us emotional.
A Perfect Order For Date Night
Pork and duck rillettes, potato pie, and rice pudding. Ask for a steer on which wine they’re loving.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday, post-7pm, when the flickering candles are out, cheeks are flushed, and the natural wine is flowing.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we cried actual tears while eating the aloo mattar sabzi (VERY spicy potatoes), and finished the whole bowl anyway.
A Perfect Order For Absolutely Anyone
The set dinner menu, a highlight reel of the best dishes here, including paneer korma smoother than a keratin treatment.
The Best Time To Go
After a long day at work, when you don’t want to make any decisions and would rather feel like you’re at a friend's dinner party.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we cried actual tears while eating the aloo mattar sabzi (VERY spicy potatoes), and finished the whole bowl anyway.
A Perfect Order For Absolutely Anyone
The set dinner menu, a highlight reel of the best dishes here, including paneer korma smoother than a keratin treatment.
The Best Time To Go
After a long day at work, when you don’t want to make any decisions and would rather feel like you’re at a friend's dinner party.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After vaguely saying “I fancy something juicy, fizzy, with oomph but not too much” and receiving a perfect glass of lambrusco.
A Perfect Order For Drinking Several Glasses Of Lambrusco
Bread and oysters (a must), big snacks like dripping toast, and a big plate like sausage and lentils. And anything deep-fried.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, as candles burn down, windows steam up, and you might start leaning in to engage with your date’s pheromones more.
Collective Team Visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After vaguely saying “I fancy something juicy, fizzy, with oomph but not too much” and receiving a perfect glass of lambrusco.
A Perfect Order For Drinking Several Glasses Of Lambrusco
Bread and oysters (a must), big snacks like dripping toast, and a big plate like sausage and lentils. And anything deep-fried.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, as candles burn down, windows steam up, and you might start leaning in to engage with your date’s pheromones more.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When an off-menu vesper martini was made to a sensational standard on a Monday night.
A Perfect Order For Two Friends With An Interest In Gout
Bacon and garlic snail bon bons, luscious scallops with beurre blanc, sirloin with bordelaise sauce, and truffade.
The Best Time To Go
When your butter levels are dangerously low and you’re in dire need of a Friday night that rolls into Saturday.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When an off-menu vesper martini was made to a sensational standard on a Monday night.
A Perfect Order For Two Friends With An Interest In Gout
Bacon and garlic snail bon bons, luscious scallops with beurre blanc, sirloin with bordelaise sauce, and truffade.
The Best Time To Go
When your butter levels are dangerously low and you’re in dire need of a Friday night that rolls into Saturday.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After a single slurp of specialty beef noodle soup, we called our GP and told them we’d found someone else.
A Perfect Order With Your Favourite Podcast
A noodle dish, tian jin crepes, and cucumber in chilli sauce for greenery.
The Best Time To Go
Alone, tired, and in a bit of a mood on a Monday lunchtime—because headphones and homemade soup cure all.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After a single slurp of specialty beef noodle soup, we called our GP and told them we’d found someone else.
A Perfect Order With Your Favourite Podcast
A noodle dish, tian jin crepes, and cucumber in chilli sauce for greenery.
The Best Time To Go
Alone, tired, and in a bit of a mood on a Monday lunchtime—because headphones and homemade soup cure all.