LDNGuide
10 Exciting New Restaurants Opening In 2023
All the London restaurant openings to look out for in 2023, plus alternatives for the meantime.
Big second album locations, pop-ups going permanent, and new faces with exciting new ideas. There’s a lot to look forward to in the London restaurant world in 2023. These are our picks of the bunch, as well as a few like-minded restaurant suggestions to tide you over until they open.
THE SPOTS
January / Notting Hill / @akub.london
Before coming to London, chef Fadi Kattan was cooking at a restaurant in Bethlehem and he’s bringing this experience to Akub, a Palestinian restaurant in Notting Hill. Expect modern dishes with a Palestinian taste, like arak-cured sea bass or freekeh risotto.
Until then try: Maramia, Mr. Falafel
January / Soho / @darjeelingldn
Celebrity go-to Darjeeling Express is moving from Covent Garden to Soho. Paul Rudd’s favourite curry house has a new space on the top floor of Kingly Court and, along with head chef and owner Asma Khan, an all-female kitchen. Come for the methi chicken and stay for the excellent hospitality.
Until then try: Bibi, The Tamil Prince
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February / Hackney / @forno.london
A certified triple threat will be opening in east London very soon. Forno is a new bakery, pastificio, and deli from the team behind Ombra in Hackney. Expect more of their hunking tiramisu, Roman-style pizzas, and more.
Until then try: Manteca, Mele e Pere
photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli
Sonora Taquería
Spring / Stoke Newington / @sonora.ldn
Having first made its name as a stall called Pollo Feliz in Netil Market, then becoming Sonora Taquería, the next evolution of London’s finest tortilla-makers is to get some seating involved as well. Sonora’s first fully fledged restaurant promises to keep delivering their superb barbacoa-filled goose fat tortillas, as well as a menu featuring more traditional plates.
Until then try: The Quarter Kitchen, KOL
AngloThai
££££
TBD, LondonSummer / TBC / @anglothai
After hugely successful pop-ups in Clapham and at Newcomer Wines in Dalston, as well as a Thai sausage hot dog meal kit that flew off the proverbial shelves, AngloThai are opening their first permanent restaurant. Husband and wife team John and Desiree Chantarasak will continue to combine the best British produce with northern Thai flavours. The location will be somewhere in central London, but, for now, it’s TBC.
Until then try: Singburi, Kiln
Rambutan
Winter / Borough Market / @rambutan_ldn
British Sri Lankan cook and writer Cynthia Shanmugalingam released her first cookbook last year and her first restaurant will be under the same name. Rambutan will be a ‘diaspora Sri Lankan restaurant’ that celebrates Tamil Sri Lankan cooking as well the influences of London diaspora communities and will have a soft serve residency inside it as well.
Until then try: Jaffna House, Paradise
TBC / TBC / @chishuru
There’s a new location in store for Chishuru after a dazzling couple of years in Brixton. The West African restaurant fronted by Adejoké Bakare is known for the brilliant and full throttle flavour of its dishes, from goat ayamase to groundnut soup and chargrilled cauliflower. Word is that Chishuru could be heading north of the river towards the West End but, for now, we’ll have to wait and see.
Until then try: Tatale, Chuku’s
TBC / East Dulwich / @ericslondon
Helen Evans, the former head baker at Flor Bakery, is opening her own spot in East Dulwich. The neighbourhood bakery will champion UK-grown wheat and offer a truly enticing array of bread (from porridge breads to 100% rye tins), to breakfast pastries, doughnuts, coffee, and more.
Until then try: The Dusty Knuckle, Chestnut Bakery
Homie's On Donkeys
TBC / Walthamstow / @homiesondonkeys
The much-loved taqueria inside Walthamstow’s Wood Street Market has finally outgrown its original shoebox-sized counter space. Plans are afoot for somewhere bigger in the area but until then, it’s a waiting game. One thing is for sure: the messy and flavourful tacos that made Homie’s On Donkeys so adored will certainly be coming with.
Until then try: La Chingada, Bake Street
Manzi's
TBC / Soho / @manzissoho
Named in celebration of a former London seafood institution, The Wolseley Hospitality Group’s (formerly Corbin & King) big new Soho seafood celebration is down to open this year. They say it will follow the hugely successful formula of one of their other spots, Brasserie Zédel, in being both “fun and affordable”.
Until then try: J Sheekey, The Delaunay
