The new London restaurants to try in April 2026

The menu opens with thoughtful bites, including a standout Locket’s savoury: a salty-sweet mouthful of Stilton on toast, with a fruity finish. Starters showcase the kitchen’s finesse, particularly a delicately balanced asparagus tartlet with Old Winchester, and a Dorset crab royale lifted by peas and lovage. Mains are richer and more robust, from an artichoke and hazelnut vol-au-vent to beef sirloin with wild garlic, Cornish mussels, and a deeply flavoured haunch of deer. Desserts are a highlight. A marmalade ice cream sandwich walks the line between bitter and sweet, while a marshmallow teacake paired with Earl Grey custard offers a playful finish.

While traditional British menus can lean heavily towards meat, Teal makes a strong case for its vegetable dishes, which stand confidently alongside their counterparts. The wine list is thoughtfully curated yet accessible, with English options such as Sussex sparkling wines appealing to the local crowd. Service is warm and assured, completing a restaurant that already feels like a natural fixture in the area.

Address: Teal by Sally Abé, 52 Wilton Way, London Fields, E8 1BS
Website: tealbysallyabe.com

Taverna Ermou

Taverna Ermou, Marylebone

Taverna Ermou is the closest you’ll feel to being in a Greek taverna in London. Tiled chequered floor, marble tables topped with a little candle, traditional chairs made of wood and straw and lots of framed hand crochet doilies often seen in old-school Greek homes. Staff dressed in white shirts and black aprons run around serving a packed out and very loud restaurant off the already busy James Street in central London. This is the second branch of Ermou, following the original in Athens. It’s warm, welcoming and slightly chaotic – a recipe for a fun evening with friends. The menu is like the interiors: extremely traditional. Expect classics like tzatziki, Greek salad, and super succulent chicken souvlaki. Plates are meant to be shared, served on stainless steel platters and thrown in the middle of the table – we were happy to find there’s no skimping on portion sizes either. Every dish was big enough for at least three or four people to share happily. You’ll want to order a bunch of dips, we can’t recommend the deconstructed spanakopita dip enough – a warm spinach and feta paste served with crispy bread. Then order mezze plates, including the Saganaki, which we have seen pop up all over our Instagram: a runny graviera cheese coated in a flaky kataifi phyllo sprinkled with pistachios and spicy honey. A fresh salad and a few bigger plates from the grill and pasta section, such as spiced beef and lamb kebabs, charred octopus and rich creamy crab orzo. We’ve also heard great things about the brunch menu. This all-day dining spot might have just taken the lead as the best Greek restaurant in London. Sophie Knight

Address: Taverna Ermou, 38-40 James Street, London W1U 1EU
Website: ergonfoods.com

Fish dish at Burro, LondonHelen Cathcart

Burro, Covent Garden

Burro – or butter, in Italian – certainly lives up to its name. Simple ingredients reign supreme here, but in our three-course dinner, we had anchovies with butter and crostini, sole with a butter-and-prosecco sauce, and garlicky Jersey royal potatoes swimming in the good stuff. Personally, I had no complaints (the more butter, the better), but diners should be warned that it’s easy to lean towards heavy dishes… although, isn’t that what lovely Italian dining should be about?

It’s very easy to over-order when the menu starts with a selection of antipasti so tempting you could ask for one of each, but I’d certainly recommend the aforementioned anchovies, plus pillowy-fresh foccacia and melty Salumi. When it came to Primi, we misjudged; the fettuccine with duck and porcini ragù was heavy and a little salty; in all honesty, I had hoped for a little more flavour or fun. The sole lifted my spirits a little, but it was dessert – rhubarb granita with vanilla cream – that really left me wanting more. It’s rare for me to skip a tiramisu, but in this case, I was ready for something a little bit lighter, and thank god, because I stumbled upon one of my favourite puddings in a long time.

The restaurant is undoubtedly set for big things: its location in Floral Court in Covent Garden is pretty perfect, and comes from a known name in the industry, Conor Gadd, co-owner of much-loved Highbury restaurant Trullo. This is a more suave, grown-up version, where theatre-goers mingle with after-work diners, and the vibe inside is relaxed and fun – helped along by a great team of staff who happily share suggestions. High ceilings, fancy tablecloths, and art dotted across the walls add to the opulence. I’ll certainly return to try the constantly changing menu, but I’ll be hoping the granita remains. Abigail Malbon

Address: Burro, 2, Floral Court, Floral Street, London WC2E 9FB
Website: trattoriaburro.com

Taq, Notting Hill

As a (now former) Taqueria Notting Hill regular, I panicked when I first caught wind that my favourite neighbourhood taco joint was “reopening”. For years, it was an unpretentious go-to where you could share what felt like endless birria or shrimp tacos – alongside the best margarita in town – for under £30 per person. But when I walked through the post-revamp doors and was greeted by the same faces I’d known from Taq’s previous life – plus the new-to-here smiles of chefs Jackson Boxer and Eduardo Yishima from behind the grill – I felt immediately comforted. I’m told Boxer was asked to help relaunch the blackboards-on-brick resto as he did with Dove (formerly Orasay), as a mentor, and was equally thrilled to hear Eduardo Yishima is now Taq’s culinary director. (I’m a fan of the NoMad’s Side Hustle, where Tishima was previously sous chef, which is a great option for a more chi-chi version of what Taq offers). With the whole Taqueria team still in-house, including chef Elias Marin and managers Natalia Patino and Milton Vazquez, I could tell the restaurant’s new lease on life wouldn’t be at the expense of its soul.

The menu is new, yet it didn’t leave me missing any of my past orders. I requested the tuna tostada twice (it’s a good size and a dream to pair with a spicy marg), and I deem the brisket-style mushroom tacos better than any carnitas or steak equivalent I’ve ordered. Still, you’ll be in heaven if you’re a meat lover: while the menu is undeniably Mexican, there’s a subtle nod to Boxer’s Notting Hill hit restaurant, Dove, which famously serves up only 10 highly coveted burgers a day. Here, the Dove blackboard taco is made with dry-aged beef rib, red Leicester and grilled onion and stands out from other beef-based menu items. For starters, the sautéed corn kernels in chipotle mayo are a must, as are the quesadillas (opt for the corn shell) and the frijoles. Best of all remains the margarita – and for a tenner it’s a no-brainer. The classic marg, chile and fruitier options are all authentic as can be – but the mezcalita jalapeño is the freshest and my favourite and one that (despite the alcohol) feels like a cleanse. Don’t sleep on the micheladas either, or, if you’re opting for no booze, the just-sweet-enough horchata is a must-order. From tempura fish tacos to the freshest guac-topped tuna tartare, everything you could ever want out of a buzzing taqueria you’ll find here. Tamara Southward

Address: Taq, 141-145 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RR
Website: taq.london

Best new London restaurants in March 2026

Cece’s is in the old Casa Cruz site in Notting Hill

Andrew Urwin

Cece’s, Notting Hill

In the former Caza Cruz on Clarendon Road, Cece’s whole shtick is fancy food that’ll keep you full, old-school Italian glamour, and delightfully trippy modern interiors: think copper panelling, palm tree motifs, and a mirror-wrapped staircase that feels like walking up a kaleidoscope. It’s the type of place where you might imagine an intimate post-BAFTAs bash, or a cusp-of-spring supper that trickles into the late hours. We ordered cocktails: The Last Word, developed at the Detroit Athletic Club in 1910 and composed of gin (which I swapped for tequila), green Chartreuse, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur. I was genuinely curious about how good the food would be, due to some suspicion about a will-be-booming restaurant a nudge north of Portobello Road, with a look that makes it (rightfully) prone to becoming Instagram fodder. But after my first bite, I see what the place is all about: come for the vibe and interiors, stay for the menu. We had to-die-for sea bream carpaccio (there’s an option to top this with caviar), impeccable Piedmont-style carne cruda and gigantic polenta fries dusted in parmesan – all accompanied with an olive oil I still need the name of. For entrees, we had a risotto with shredded crab that is unsurprisingly already a hit, and a medium-rare beef fillet topped with a spinach alla parmigiana that might just have convinced me to eat my greens a few decades ago. Go for the rhubarb sugar-dusted bombolones for dessert, or the dark chocolate tart with sour cream. Cece’s is sophisticated without compromising fun, serves up excellent food that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and though much of its owner’s DNA is apparent (the restaurant is Public House’s latest opening), it stands out from its neighbouring Notting Hill Favourites – the Fat Badger, Pelican and Canteen – as a place worth dressing up for. Tamara Southward

Address: Cece’s, 123A Clarendon Road, London W11 4JG
Website: ceceslondon.com

Jason Lowe

Osteria Vibrato, Soho

Soho is no stranger to an unexpected hideaway on its streets, and the latest addition on Greek Street is no exception. Osteria Vibrato, brings a contemporary, yet bespoke Italian dining experience. Charmingly, nestled behind unassuming latticed windows and a pullout brick-red canopy, the candlelit atmosphere is perfect for an intimate date night or a quick spot of solace away from the bustle of central London nightlife. The menu had been thoughtfully and seasonally put together to offer diners the opportunity to craft their own meal experience, with half portions of pasta and the flexibility to amend dishes to suit dietary requirements. We recommend starting with the Crostino of bagna cauda, roasted pepper and parsley, alongside shaved artichokes, pecorino romano, olive oil and the aged ricotta, served with Sarawak black pepper, doused in Bosana olive oil, produced 10 minutes away from the cheese. Another menu standout is the tagliatelle with white courtyard ragù and deliciously grilled sole with Pantelleria capers. All to be washed down with a freshly made sicilian lemonade, or a glass of nebbiolo red wine. Then end things with a surprisingly fiery palette cleanser of Kiwi sorbet. Alice Morey

Address: Osteria Vibrato, 6 Greek St, London W1D 4DE
Website: osteriavibrato.co.uk

The Grand Divan

HELEN CATHCART

Seafood is a mainstay on the menu

DAVID LOFTUS

Simpson’s on the Strand

When Simpson’s on the Strand closed its doors in the early days of Covid, there was a collective sigh from those loyal to London’s finest and oldest restaurants – but, also, apologetic whispers that perhaps it had become a bit tired, anyway. Enter Jeremy King, of Arlington (once Le Caprice, Princess Diana’s favourite restaurant) fame, and the man behind Brasserie Zedel, The Ivy and The Wolsey before his uncoupling from those restaurants a few years ago. King had been trying to buy Simpson’s for more than 20 years – because it’s London’s grand dame, he told us in an interview on the reimagining of this legacy eatery a few days before opening. It’s vast: 21,500 square feet with two restaurants and two bars. The main dining room, the Grand Divan, is on the grand floor – all polished wood and glossy walnut banquettes and lighting that makes everyone look good. Look closely and you’ll spot chess motifs throughout: a nod to Simpson’s former life as the world’s premier chess club. On the menu, things are comfortingly old school: half pints of prawns with dollops of mayo, a prawn cocktail, deep-fried scampi with tartare sauce. There’s a dedicated ‘Pies and Puddings of the Day’ menu – ox cheek, curried mutton – and, the showstopper, the hot trolley: roast rib of Devonshire beef carved at the table from a gleaming silver trolley. Even the pudding list is school-dinner chic: spotted dick, treacle tart, clementine jelly. For a rip-roaring trip back in time at a London landmark saved by one of the industry’s best, this is the hottest table in town right now. Sarah James

Address: Simpson’s on the Strand, 100 Strand, London, WC2R 0EW
Website: Simpson’s on the Strand

A Martini at Forza Wine

A peek inside Forza Wine’s new site in Soho

Forza Wine, Soho

Since opening their Peckham outpost in 2019, followed by a spot inside the historic National Theatre, Forza has steadily established itself as the “it-girl” of small-plates-slash-wine-bars across the capital. Now, their largest site to date has opened in the middle of Soho. I stopped by during the restaurant’s buzzy opening week to see how the brand was holding up north of the river.

Buzzy, it certainly was. The 100-cover restaurant was packed to the brim with trendy diners seeking their Italian-coded fix. In keeping with its sister sites, the interiors lean towards an industrial aesthetic, with polished metals and rustic woods combining for an effortlessly cool finish. Plus, come the warmer months, the crown jewel will undoubtedly be the expansive outdoor terrace here – prime real estate in this part of town.

Wine may be in the title, but it would be rude not to start with a cocktail or two. We kicked things off with a fiery chilli mezcal martini that packed a serious punch, the smoky mezcal offering a welcome departure from the usual vodka or gin base. On the food front, an enormous mound of burrata with anchovies and chargrilled leeks made a pleasing opener, followed by juicy cod and winter tomatoes. The real show-stopper, however, was a generous tangle of Genovese ragù that practically melted in the mouth. A chilled French Tavel, recommended to accompany it, proved dangerously drinkable too. To finish, my sweet tooth was satisfied with a pistachio-and-olive-oil cake. That said, Forza’s trademark Custardo was also mighty tempting – an ideal pick-me-up before heading off into the glittering streets of Soho. Lucy Bruton

Address: Unit 1, Ilona Rose House, Manette Street, London, W1D 4AL
Website: forzawine.com

Best new London restaurants in February 2026

WILLIAM PAGE-BROWN

WILLIAM PAGE-BROWN

Cometa, Fitzrovia

At Carousel, the restaurant from brothers Ed and Ollie Templeton, a rotating cast of guest chefs from all over the world takes over the kitchen for pop-ups that might spotlight everything from Chinese cuisine to French cooking. So perhaps it’s no surprise that the team have now revamped the old ground-floor wine bar to become Cometa, a Mexican seafood joint. White-washed walls and candelit wooden furniture create a cosy canvas. From the raw bar stocked with seabream crudo and delicate scallops, we ordered oysters to knock back and house Margaritas (made with tamarind) to sip while we browsed the rest of the menu. Tempura pumpkin was light and crunchy, while slices of smoked beetroot with mole are cut through with zingy horseradish salsa. Platos are designed for two or three, though I’d say, size-wise, they’re better suited to a party of two – we tried the succulent lobster swimming in a smoked butter sauce. Round things off with a crispy chocolate and hazelnut buñuelo and a Mexican take on an Espresso Martini, and it’s easy to imagine you’re somewhere a little sunnier than Charlotte Street in February. Sarah James

Address: 19-23 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RW
Website: carousel-london.com

Tiella Trattoria & Bar

Caitlin Isola

Tiella Trattoria & Bar, Columbia Road

Like any self-respecting, London-based Italophile, I’ve followed the trajectory of Dara Klein’s Tiella since word of lip-smacking, authentic dishes trickled down to me through the grapevine. That said, unlike any self-respecting foodie, I’d failed to make it to The Compton Arms, home to Dara’s residency and, many say, North London’s finest dishes. Grazie a Dio, then, for Tiella Trattoria & Bar – a permanent bricks-and-mortar haven devoted to regional Italian fare. The aesthetic is as integral to the experience as the flavours, with 109 Columbia Road, once a Victorian pub and later a pizzeria, serving as a trattoria. Inside, faces are illuminated by flickering candlelight, the bodies of Dara’s attentive and trusted team cast somewhat ominously onto buttermilk-yellow wal;s that flow into panels merging with wallside tables – prime people-watching territory. Couples feast on stools opposite the bar – these offer the best chance of walk-in spaces – while the more organised gourmands shuffle around the bar, past the open kitchen, to tables mostly laid for groups of two to four. A carafe of dry white is followed by hunks of warm bread. We use half to mop up pools of glistening Sicilian olive oil peppered with balsamic and spread lavish helpings of ricotta (itself doused in Sardinian honey) on the other. Doing as the Italians do, we take another step from our drizzly February evening towards il bel paese as we savour spoonfuls of hearty passatelli in brodo. Delightfully al dente morsels of pasta, formed from breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and egg, bob in a rich, meaty broth, the dregs of our wine refreshing our taste buds before the main event of Maria Pia’s polpette. The gargantuan meatballs, optionally sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan – no, I’ll say when – perch in a tomato sauce and come alongside bread that means dishes return to the kitchen as if fresh from the dishwasher. The tender polpette are reason enough to return, as is the prospect of Dara’s ever-changing, seasonally-focused menu, meaning no two visits are ever the same. If one thing were to linger a while, though, fingers crossed, it’s the bay leaf panna cotta with Campari rhubarb that we found ourselves incapable of tackling. That, and Dara’s infectious energy, for the fruition of a project a long time coming. She leaves us, in place of pudding, with shots of ‘kumquatcello’ – a house take on the lemony tipple – and animated tales of expelling the walls’ centuries-old secrets by saging her new site. If the volume of replies to my Instagram stories is anything to go by, friends seething with jealousy as I bag a table within weeks of opening, it appears we’ll be back for more of the same soon. Connor Sturges

Address: Tiella Trattoria & Bar, 109 Columbia Road, London E2 7RL
Website: tiella.co.uk

Brasserie Angelica

Brasserie Angelica, Fitzrovia

On the ground floor of the newly opened Newman Hotel, Brasserie Angelica is an elegant addition to Fitzrovia’s dining scene. Enter through the lobby, and you pass a smaller, lounge-like space for coffee and cocktails before arriving at the main dining room: light-filled, communal and immediately inviting. The interiors, by design duo Pernille Lind and Richy Almond of Lind + Almond, nod to Art Deco glamour, softened with Scandinavian restraint; think clean lines, a neutral palette, and warmth. The all-day menu features modern European comfort food, familiar yet cleverly modernised, with techniques such as pickling and smoking that add depth. Begin, as you should, with the goats’ cheese gougères – three per serving, golden, indulgent and oozy. After this decadent first bite, starters such as the herring plate or a winter endive salad offer a bright, tart opening before the menu leans into heartier territory. Mains are European classics – cod loin, a roast chicken pie, a well-judged beef burger – elevated by thoughtful accompaniments like sage gravy or a soft potato bun. The wood-fired dishes are the real stars, particularly the charred aubergine with crispy artichoke hearts, yoghurt, lemon oil and pine nuts. Steaks are generous cuts, from sirloin to ribeye and fillet, served with Béarnaise or a rich bone marrow gravy. Skinny, salty fries, grilled hispi cabbage and pickled cucumber salad make excellent sides. Pudding is non-negotiable: a cinnamon doughnut with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce is pure nostalgia, while the crème caramel has the perfect amount of wobble. Cocktails are classic, and the Beyond the Smoke riffs on an Old Fashioned, but with a longer pour, and the house Champagne, a Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, cuts neatly through the menu’s richness. With a well-priced prix-fixe menu, a lunchtime sandwich trolley and space for over 100 covers across the dining room and bar, Brasserie Angelica is certain to become a dependable Fitzrovia favourite. Chloe Laws

Address: Brasserie Angelica, 49 Newman Street, London W1T 3EB
Website: thenewman.com

Dishes at DakaDaka

DakaDaka, Mayfair

In this edit of the best new restaurant openings across London, we’ve covered everything from Cantonese to Caribbean cooking, eaten dishes from Syria to the South of France by way of Vietnam, Italy, New York, the Basque Country, Thailand and India, all in the past six months alone. So it is always a delight, as a greedy Londoner, to try a cuisine I haven’t experienced before. I confess to not knowing much about Georgian cooking before I arrived at DakaDaka, a steamy, low-lit restaurant on Mayfair’s least-flashy and most-delicious thoroughfare, Heddon Street. But when I mentioned my dinner plans to those who had tried Georgian food before, their faces lit up. “Order the khinkali,” my colleague Lucy told me eagerly, recalling her trip to Tbilisi last year. “And the khachapuri.”

Settling into a snug table of two-storey DakaDaka with a view of the Persian marble bar and open kitchen (a hive of energy where half a dozen chefs cook in ballet-like harmony), I’m pleased to see that both of these recommendations are on the menu. We order a helping of each, as well as a flurry of other plates – fried oyster mushrooms, lamb skewers, bean stew, breads – and a round of 0% Basil cocktails with Everleaf Marine, coriander seed cordial and fresh basil. The khinkali arrives first – steaming-hot soup dumplings filled with Iberico pork pluma, aged beef that are doughy and peppery. Succulent lamb skewers, cooked over an open-fire charcoal grill and wood-fired hearth, pair wonderfully with Pomidvris Salati, a classic Georgian winter tomato salad. Our standouts, though, were two unassuming dishes – the umami Soko (crispy oyster mushrooms with tarragon aioli and burnt onion) and an earthy bean stew, best scooped up with husks of fluffy bread. Sommelier Honey Spencer’s wine list celebrates Georgian bottles, spotlighting natural producers such as deep amber Pheasant’s Tears. Sarah James

Address: DakaDaka, 10 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BX
Website: instagram.com/dakadaka.london

Best new London restaurants in January 2026

Won Ton Charlie’s, London Fields

Recently named the world’s best food city, London owes much of its reputation to its diverse cuisines. Case in point – a homage to Hong Kong’s reverence for the humble noodle soup, Wonton Charlie’s is a little taste of Cantonese culture right in the railway arches on London Fields. From the group behind Mr Bao, Daddy Bao and Good Measure, Frank Yeung and Abhinav Malde’s latest venture is all about taking things back to a simpler plane, where one dish and one dish only rules the menu – the wonton soup, of course.

The restaurant is walk-in and lunch service only, with groovy interiors, the hum of lively chatter and sumptuous steam that billows out the open door. Central to the tiny, 18-cover restaurant is the kitchen with counter-top dining that wraps around in a horseshoe shape, creating a communal feel. I arrive and hover inside the doorway while I wait for a seat to come free, sipping on some delicious sour plum tea and letting the comforting sounds and smells wash over me. I don’t have to wait long, and before I know it, a practically overflowing bowl of noodle soup is in front of me. Diners can choose from three different wontons: pork (my selection), prawn or fish skin, served with either broth, noodles, or a combination of the two. I top my order with fish balls and crispy fish skins for a little extra oomph. For me, a short menu places more impetus on doing one thing well, and I think that’s what Wonton Charlie’s has nailed here. Plus, in a world of seemingly endless decision-making, there’s a quiet delight in simply turning up and knowing exactly what to expect. Lucy Bruton

Address: 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH
Website: instagram.com/wontoncharlies

The dining room at Maset

Sarah Frances Kelley

Maset sits on Marylebone’s Chiltern Street

Sarah Frances Kelley

Maset, Marylebone

Sometimes in London – in fact, never more so than during the 74 damp, dismal days of January – you need to create your own sunshine. When I walk into Maset – which takes its name from the vineyard houses that dot France’s Mediterranean coast – one such drizzly evening on Marylebone’s Chiltern Street, there’s a fresh, breezy energy that I’ve not felt in the city since the clocks changed last autumn. Creamy, aioli-hued stone walls, curvy arched doorways and linen-y chairs the colours of almonds create a grounding, bright atmosphere in the dining room, where couples and groups of friends lean towards each other over steaming plates for gossipy chatter. We swiftly order a Champagne spritz aux olive and a Luberon Old Fashioned, made with lavender honey, to sip while we greedily eye the menu. As the name might suggest, chef-founder Melody Adams (also of Basque-inspired restaurants Lurra and Donostia) has looked to France’s southern regions to create the summery dishes. Panisse with anchoïade (a chickpea fritter with umami anchovy and punchy garlic) would be my choice to kick things off, followed by the fluffy bouillabaisse croquettes. The satisfyingly vivid green pâtes au pistou (spinach and basil linguine) is silky and salty and worth any splashes of sauce you might accidentally fling at your dinner date. The star of the show, however, is the monkfish for two – meaty, melty fish served on the bone like a pork chop, served with lardo and Moroccan lemon, best eaten with a side of fries for a deeply chic Provençal take on fish and chips. Top tip: the lunchtime set menu (two courses for £28, three for £34) is brilliant value. This sunshiny opening might just make January bearable after all. Sarah James.

Address: 40 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7LQ
Website: maset.london

Harriet Langford

2210 by Nattycancook

When Nathaniel Mortley, aka Nattycancook, spoke to CNT in 2025, he said: “I want to be the person that takes Caribbean food and gets its first Michelin star.” He had just won the One to Watch award in The UK’s Top New Restaurants, and had a residency at Peckham pub, The Greyhound. Less than a year later, it seems his dreams are on their way to becoming a reality; the young chef opened his own restaurant in trendy Herne Hill (just opposite Brockwell Park) in late 2025, and the reception has been overwhelming.

I visited on a midweek December evening, the kind when most people would be at Christmas parties or holed up at home, saving energy and money. When I turned up for my 6.30pm reservation, I expected to find a mostly empty restaurant; instead, I saw diners already tucking into their mains. By 7.30pm, every table was full. But that’s the power of Natty. The young chef has a dedicated social media following (on Instagram, he refers to himself as ‘your gyal’s favourite chef’), and it seems like he’s hit the nail on the head. Fortunately, you could never describe him as ‘all talk and no substance’; the food speaks for itself, and Natty knows it.

I started with a cocktail – the 2210 rum punch – which tasted like a holiday and instantly made me crave summertime. Then onto the starters, which were potentially the highlight of the meal: the saltfish beignets came with a sauce so buttery and moreish we could have sipped it, while the soft shell crab with pickled veg was a perfect blend of flavours and textures. Visitors who loved it at The Greyhound will be pleased to know that the roti with scotch bonnet butter is still very much on the menu, and is as good as ever. I’d probably return just for that dish, to be perfectly honest. Mains are exactly what Natty wanted them to be – he told CNT: “I want to be the person that takes Caribbean food and gets its first Michelin star.” – and the inventive twists on classic dishes certainly showcase this ambition. The Wiri Wiri lamp rump comes with a delicious mint crust and a gorgeous artichoke puree, and I’ve heard great things about the pan-seared pimento duck, although we didn’t manage to stretch our stomachs that far this time. On my next visit (and there will be one), I’ll definitely indulge in the lobster rasta pasta, which I imagine to be a gorgeous summer dish. Bring your partner, bring your friends, bring your family – all are bound to love this charming opening. Abigail Malbon

Address: 75 Norwood Rd, London SE24 9AA
Website: 2210bynattycancook.com

Best new London restaurants in Winter 2025

Poon’s, Somerset House

The story of Poon’s is an irresistible yarn: a much-loved London Chinese eatery resurrected – via pop-ups, a range of sauces and now a permanent venue in Somerset House – by Amy Poon, daughter of Bill and Cecilia. The pale pink walls of the restaurant’s latest incarnation are adorned with photos of the family, who first opened Poon’s of Covent Garden, around the corner, in 1973. Amy’s parents’ recipe for wind-dried pork sausage is still going strong, and diners can enjoy it in the form of a sausage roll served with an exceedingly shrimpy WO sauce. It’s a dish that proves a useful avatar for the whole menu – an example of a time-honoured classic with something just a touch askew. There’s a sense of: it certainly ain’t broke, but might it still be fun to wrap it in pastry?

I can’t help but order the Ode to Fuchsia, named after food writer Fuchsia Dunlop, which turns out to be a plate of unctuous silken tofu and avocado scattered with bottle-green coriander and gorgeously pungent chunks of century egg, whose sulphuric smell transports me to a Budapestian bath. A quartet of wontons similarly steep, more literally, in a chilli vinegar dressing, my dining partner terms “celeriac-y” – we are joyfully baffled at its depth of flavour. We don’t take quite so much pleasure in the prawn-meets-lardo toasts – perhaps due to the long, wobbling shadow cast by that tofu. Main wise, the poached poussin served with a superlative spring onion and ginger relish proves a comforting example of boldly simple, ingredient-led cooking; the slippery braised glass noodles, impregnated with red tofu sauce and bejewelled with firm-yet-yielding pumpkin chunks and Chinese mushrooms, offers a moment of pure, clarifying nourishment; and the Zha Jiang aubergine might be our favourite plate of the night. It’s all accompanied by claypot rice, carefully just-crisped at the bottom, and gorgeous glasses of wine, well-recommended by Michael Mackenzie, including a Sauvignon from Burgundy that proves as delicious as it sounds unlikely. Later, at home, I can’t help but peruse my copy of Dunlop’s Invitation to a Banquet, which lovingly describes how the pursuit of balance and harmony is at the centre of Chinese cuisine. The menu at Poon’s certainly serves as an invigorating example. Suzie McCracken

Address: Lancaster Pl, London WC2R 1LA
Website: poonslondon.com

90-cover Luso is brightening up Fitzrovia’s restaurant scene

Luso, Fitzrovia

A peckish tear was shed by many a Londoner when Nuno Mendes‘ Lisboeta closed its doors this summer. Alas, all was not lost. MJMK Restaurants jumped at the chance to capitalise on the prime Charlotte Street location, transforming the site into Luso – a brand-new concept with classic flavours. Piri piri spices scent the 90-cover restaurant as we seek shelter from the chilly winter’s evening, dashing waiters pouring crimson wines by flickering candlelight. Chefs dance around flames in the open kitchen to the back of the tiled ground floor, lobsters and hefty hunks of steak kissed by fire and slid onto plates for the team to whisk away. We settle into a cosy top-floor spot, watching the festive chaos at the intersection of Charlotte and Rathbone Streets through expansive sash windows. Our selection of starters is charcuterie-esque, with thick requeijão (a ricotta-like cream cheese) spread on chunks of warm sourdough between slivers of marbled Ibérico Ham. British wagyu croquettes follow, a crunchy breaded coating giving way to a salty, creamy filling that works despite our initial reservations. Portuguese chef and Mugaritz alumnus Leandro (Leo) Carreira’s menu is a celebration of the Iberian Atlantic coastline, and the Frango piri piri takes pride of place above all the large plates. Succulent morsels of breast, thigh and legs rest in a comforting, oily sauce, and we divvy up portions alongside grilled red peppers and a skillet of baked butter rice so good I considered requesting Tupperware to transport the crispy scraps home once defeated. I’m the first to admit to small plates fatigue at times; however, when I return, I’ll be returning with reinforcements and a subsequent excuse to scoff everything there was no room for on my first visit. Connor Sturges

Address: 30 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2NG
Website: luso.restaurant

Cakes at Lillibet’s

Lilibet’s, Mayfair

London’s dining scene can be split into two categories – mouth-watering food or eye-wateringly beautiful decor. Rarely do the two ever meet. Which is why Lilibet’s Mayfair, which manages to pull both off with equal flair, is currently the talk of the town. Taking its name from HRH Elizabeth II, who was born at the Bruton Street address, the restaurant is the creation of Ross Shonhan (Nobu, Zuma, Bone Daddies), who, peculiarly, wanted to imagine what life would have been like for Lilibet had she never become queen. The whimsical interiors, by Russell Sage Studios (Fife Arms, Sloane Club) are indeed princess-worthy, with glamorous ruby-red velvet chairs, fringed lamps and a dizzying array of chintz, silk, heirloom-worthy objects and art for eyes to feast on. The grandeur is furthered by the plentiful staff flurrying about in sharp chocolate suits adorned with vintage brooches, wheeling old-fashioned wooden trolleys with soup tureens and carrying teapots on silver trays.

Just to witness it all with average food would be enough, but nay, the actual feast is equally as joyful. The menu is not the traditional roast or scones that you might expect, but an unexpected, hold-onto-your-hat, seafood adventure. Anchovies are served on eclairs, oysters come dressed, fire roasted and fried, while an ‘unsung heroes’ section offers up sea urchin, garfish and sea cucumber. Be sure to order the curiously named ‘Lilibet’s triptych,’ which translates to fish served three ways – raw, grilled and then lastly as a punchy soup. And don’t scrimp on the vegetable sides – I haven’t stopped talking about the sprouting broccolini and the mashed potato, served on a knockout shellfish bisque sauce and topped with lobster. For pudding, there’s a rogue Prego steak sandwich option (a post-seafood dessert alternative borrowed from Portugal), as well as decadent portions of chocolate mousse and choux à la creme, plopped into pretty art deco dessert bowls. The cocktails are equally worthy of a visit in their own right – pull up a pink chair at the marble bar, order a beautifully balanced tomatini and feel the royal fantasy. Lauren Burvill

Address: 17 Bruton St, London W1J 6QB
Website: lilibetsrestaurant.com

Field Notes in East London

Field Notes, London Fields

It can be hard to make an impact on a dining scene that ebbs and flows as much as London’s. Field Notes, near London Fields, is one of the places quietly trying to make its mark, not with splashy marketing or the latest food trends, but with its honest approach to sustainable eating and drinking. And helmed by Ivan Tisdall-Downes, formerly of Green Michelin-starred Native, this commitment to a more ethical way of dining makes perfect sense. On a wash-out evening in November, I’m enticed by the warm, glowy vibe of this cosy, 24-ish cover restaurant. I’m seated at the counter (my preferred seat in any restaurant), giving me a prime view of Ivan and the team at work. The menu is short and deeply considered, with an array of snacks and just three plates for both starters and mains, perfect for an indecisive diner like me. We start with plump Porthilly oysters and a bite of fish toast, then move on to a pristine scallop crudo and wild mushrooms, with a confit egg yolk perfect for dipping my focaccia into. An uncomplicated skin-contact Spanish wine makes a lovely accompaniment as we dance between land and sea, from mushrooms to trout, venison and more. One of Chef Ivan’s signatures, we couldn’t leave without trying “the marrowmel” – half a shin bone filled with the richest of caramel and made from, you guessed it, bone marrow. Whether choosing to dine greener, or simply after your new cosy date-night spot, Field Notes is definitely worth taking note of. Lucy Bruton

Address: Monohaus, Studio 3 •, Helmsley St, London E8 3FW
Website: fieldnotes.uk

Sushi at Tobi Masa

Tobi Masa plates a dish

Eager Hearts Photography

Tobi Masa, Mayfair

London’s most notable new hotel this year, The Chancery Rosewood, has also been responsible for some equally impressive new additions to the city’s dining scene. First, there was glossy Serra, serving up Southern Mediterranean on the ground floor. Then the opening of cult New-York it-restaurant Carbone – not part of the hotel, but in the same complex – and now another famed New York name, Tobi Masa, has moved into the ex-American embassy address.

The original, Masa, is a midtown institution, having introduced a new standard for omakase to the US back in 2004, and going on to earn three Michelin stars. At Tobi Masa – Tobi means ‘to fly’ – the sizable menu includes some of the New York signatures, as well as the kind of food Chef Masa Takayama himself likes to eat himself. This ranges from the decadent – foie gras shiso – to laidback comforts – grilled soy chicken wings. And while there is an omakase counter within the expansive oak and bronze space, it also includes other open stations where you can watch meats sizzling on an open charcoal grill, seafood being plated, a sake bar, as well as a glowing cocktail bar where the classics are given a Japanese twist. My favourite was the Shizuku martini, a vigorous glass of vodka, gin and sake, brought to the table then theatrically topped with drops of sesame, scallion and chilli oil.

Kick things off with the stellar Peking duck tacos – a New York favourite for a reason. The duck is so succulent, we doubled down and ordered the duck fried rice as well. The surprise of the night was the grilled oysters, which arrived at the table sexily sizzling away and full of beautiful smoky flavour. For some fresh greenery, the petite pot of cucumber avocado taki salad is zesty on the tongue and the wallet – £18 in case you’d forgotten you were in Mayfair. Likewise, there’s all manner of caviar, truffle and wagyu creations. The sushi, as is tradition in Japan, is served at the end, with the Tuna toro roll, a large seaweed wrapped roll plumped with chopped fatty tuna topped with caviar, the celebrated signature. If you’re a purest, though, you’re best to select from the long list of nigiri and sashimi, which also includes Toro tuna, as well as Botan ebi (sweet shrimp) and Petrossian trout roe. Lauren Burvill

Address: 30 Grosvenor Sq, London W1K 6AN
Website: rosewoodhotels.com

Mark Scott

Motorino, Fitzrovia

Launching a restaurant with hype around it is all well and good, but creating something that makes people want to return time after time is the real challenge. Motorino, from ex-Lita chef Luke Ahearne and chef-owner of Town Stevie Parle, is certainly shooting its shot – a bold, sultry and surprisingly large space that promises “modern London-Italian” cooking, foodies across the city are already starting to shout about the fresh ingredients and first-class service.

The menu is, admittedly, a little overwhelming; diners can choose from snacks, starters, primi, mains and sides (plus, of course, desserts, cocktails and wines). We skipped the snacks in favour of some starter plates: a fresh Bluefin tuna carpaccio and grilled sardines sitting on pretty disks of red, yellow and green tomatoes. The latter was a favourite – fresh, salty and with a tangy vinegar dressing – but it was the primi plate, Gigli al Gin with fennel sausage, tomato & Ford’s gin, that really wowed me. Thinking back, I wish we’d ordered two – the sausage was crisped to perfection, the pasta a perfect bite and the sauce full of flavour – but we didn’t want to miss the peposa: slow-cooked beef cheek with peppercorns and polenta, inspired by a traditional Tuscan stew.

The hedonistic, low-lit decor – all pine wood and green furnishings – and openness of the wait staff make it easy to hole up in here for hours, meaning you will undoubtedly find yourself ordering dessert. I’m a tiramisu aficionado, but I’d actually recommend the lemon meringue here – the hint of fennel added a new depth of flavour and it was easy to stomach, even after the many courses on the menu. I’d come here again for date night, or on a weekend with a group of friends to order endless plates of pasta and indulge in cocktails and gossip. Abigail Malbon

Address: 1 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
Website: motorino.london

Bonheur by Matt Abé, Mayfair

Everything glides at Bonheur by Matt Abé, the newly opened, luxuriously poised Mayfair restaurant from Gordon Ramsay’s protégé – and investment – Matt Abé. Impeccably trained staff seem to appear before you’ve realised you need them; Russell Sage’s interior flows with softly curving banquettes and globe lighting, while plates from the five or seven-course tasting menus materialise seamlessly throughout the evening.

Set at 43 Upper Brook Street, the address carries its own weight of history. This was once home to Le Gavroche, the first UK restaurant to earn three Michelin stars, where Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing and Ramsay himself learned their craft. These are, undeniably, big shoes to fill.

Abé honours that legacy with a mostly French menu, laced with nods to his Australian roots and a devotion to seasonal British produce. A delicate riff on Quiche Lorraine arrives as buttery pastry filled with Gruyère-coated leeks and topped with morsels of smoked pork belly, while a heady Vin Jaune sauce is poured tableside. It’s decadently elevated, yet retains a sense of warmth and approachability.

A standout plate sees fallow deer from Aynhoe Park, meltingly tender, offset by a tart blackberry accompaniment. Earlier, a procession of canapés showcases Abé’s artistry, while a dessert of ‘Toasted Grains’ combines a caramelised structure studded with nuts and drenched in a Macallan sauce you could sip by the mugful.

Expect a well-heeled crowd, impeccable service and a dining experience that feels both polished and personal. It’s a graceful continuation of Mayfair’s most storied dining address.

Address: 43 Upper Brook St, London W1K 7QR
Website: bonheurbymattabe.com

The Hart, Marylebone

When I first pull up to the corner of Chiltern and Blandford Street on a Thursday evening, the taxi has to park a few feet away from The Hart, there are so many people outside. Really, I wouldn’t have expected anything less from a Public House opening in Marylebone. The bite-sized group with a big west London presence was founded by pals and hospitality stalwarts James Gummer, Phil Winser and Olivier van Themsche – and some of their sister pubs, like Notting Hill’s The Pelican and The Fat Badger, are my firm go-tos for pre- or post-dinner. Downstairs, The Hart is buzzing but intimate: pubgoers shake raindrops from their umbrellas in the doorway before making a beeline for the booths, stools, and bar area, where people mosey with the comfort of being in their own living room. But as we’re here for supper, we follow the maitre d’ up a narrow staircase, past a lively open kitchen, until we’re in a rabbit hole of a dining room. It’s all dark woods, low-lit by lamps and flickering candles, partition screens between tucked-away banquettes, gas fireplaces, and even stained-glass windows. Waiters flit to and fro with enviable plates of crab cakes (I can testify, a must), leek tart and fried mushrooms, as we take a seat at a corner table next to a pair who are already gushing over their starters.

In some ways, The Hart feels as if it’s been here forever – in the same way that the people feel like they’ve been coming here for years. There’s a cosy atmosphere, creaky floors, and the nation’s most classic bar snacks (think pork scratchings) served alongside beers like Allsopp’s and Portobello Pilsner. The restaurant’s menu features seriously old-school dishes like kedgeree, bubble and squeak, and ‘raw beef and crisps’, which is some kind of wonderful.

While you’ll be rightfully tempted to go straight for a soup – particularly if you’re also here on a cold autumn night – don’t underestimate the salads: the apple and Lincolnshire poacher medley is the kind of thing I could eat every day and never get sick of. The whole menu also makes use of local produce, with many of the ingredients being sourced from a Public House-owned garden in Oxfordshire’s Bruen Farms. Lastly, it won’t take more than a glass of house red to convince you to order the banoffee pie, which feels like a delightfully nostalgic treat – and is worth the trip back for. Tamara Southward

Address: 56 Blandford Street Marylebone, W1U 7JA
Website: thehartw1.com

Best new London restaurants in Autumn 2025

Il Bambini Club London, Shoreditch

It’s a drizzly autumn evening and the wool coats are making their first appearance since March – but we’ve reason to feel smug. I’ve made a rare journey from my southern suburbs into the depths of Shoreditch in aid of Il Bambini Club, The Hoxton’s glittering new Italian trattoria. An open-plan restaurant within a hotel’s ground-floor lobby sounds like the stuff of nightmares, but not for a brand that’s known for the creative, outgoing guests it attracts – the bar here has long been one of the neighbourhood’s buzziest hotspots. Designers Virginie Friedmann and Delphine Verace have done wonders transforming the airy space into a cosy hideout, having previously worked on an array of glitzy projects, including Nice’s Hotel La Pérouse. We soon learn that sharing is the name of the game, as we face indecision while scanning the small plates, hefty mains, and sides on offer. Pasta or pizza? Panic ensues, and we opt for one of each: plump prosciutto tortellini in an indulgent parmesan cream, alongside a diavola pizza generously embellished with glistening tears of burrata. While one slice of the pizza, which arrives on an elevated stand to claim pride of place (Insta-foodies, take note), is enough to commit me to a return visit, it’s the meatballs that pepper post-supper conversation once we leave. Two gargantuan balls sit in a shallow layer of sweet tomato sauce, accompanied by a dollop of whipped ricotta and two slivers of garlic bread, which, in itself, is so pleasantly pungent that it’ll draw back garlic devotees time and time again. We sink into our booth in defeat before sweet cocktails cleanse our palate. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but we commit to trusting our foresight on our return as we totter into the night, subtle strokes of chocolate sauce on the edges of our lips after filling our second stomachs with dipped ‘Bombini di Bambini’ doughnuts. Connor Sturges

Address: Il Bambini Club London, 81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU
Website: bambini-restaurant.com

Potato-rosti, Aram

Harriet Langford

Aram, Strand

I remember first tasting Imad Alarnab’s food back in 2017, when he came to make lunch in my then office following a series of Syrian supper clubs our founder had been helping to organise following the outbreak of war in Alarnab’s home country (the chef was forced to leave his businesses in Damascus, cooking for refugees on his journey throughout Europe before ending up in London). His transcendental hummus has stayed with me ever since. In the intervening years, Alarnab has gone from strength to strength, opening Imad’s Syrian Kitchen in 2020 before relocating to a larger space in 2023. Now he’s launched a breezy new spot in the sunny, high-ceilinged rooms of Somerset House’s south wing, overlooking the River Terrace. “Aram” refers to the ancient Syrian land and its surrounding territories, and for Alarnab, it’s both a statement of return to his homeland and a celebration of the flavours of Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan, and the wider East Mediterranean. Currently open for breakfast and lunch only, Aram unfolds as a procession of beautiful rooms in shades of pistachio, saffron and dusky rose. First up is the countertop deli, where shelves of carob syrup, roasted nuts, ground coffee and dates join rows of pastries and bowls of salads. Next come two dining rooms lined with banquettes, and then a final space that will host supper clubs, cooking classes, and events, including those for refugee chefs seeking community. When we arrive on a Monday just past noon, it’s already buzzing with well-heeled media types, business lunchers and arty couples likely fresh from an exhibition, and the bowls of shakshuka, falafel and salads piled high with fragrant dill and coriander that sail by have me scanning the menu before we’ve even sat down. There’s a good-value express lunch – two salads (a choice from the likes of curry cauliflower, roasted aubergine and pasta chicken), a protein and a pitta for £18 – but I opt for a warm zaatar croissant stuffed with pomegranate molasses-glazed halloumi, runny fried eggs, quivering tomatoes and a punchy ajvar mayo, washed down with a spiced pomegranate fizz. My pal’s sumac-cured trout with crispy potato rosti also hits the spot, and we end with a delicate pistachio and rose cake that hides a secret bleeding heart of rose jam. I suspect I’ll be back for a few more working lunches – mainly to try the halva brownies and Syrian chai – and will keep watching for Alarnab’s next move.

Address: Somerset House, Strand, Greater London WC2R 1LA
Website: arambyimad.co.uk

DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

Carbone, Mayfair

“We wanted to make somewhere we dreamed of eating at”, co-founder Mario Carbone told Condé Nast Traveller’s digital editor when she was granted early access to his eponymous restaurant. He’s not alone as, well before the doors opened, it was clear most of London dreamt of eating here, too. Carbone NYC has long been synonymous with A-listers and fashionable figures, with mere mortal foodies refreshing their emails in anticipation of securing a coveted reservation. As we escape the September gusts picking up outside and head inside on the opening night, there’s a palpable sense of excitement – and smugness – in the air. Upstairs, diners surround tables draped in crisp tablecloths, the smallest of two bars casting golden light over cerulean and scarlet decor. Descending, I emerge to a buzzy cocktail lounge that flows into a sultry subterranean dining space. While diners on the terrace above people-watch on a corner of Grosvenor Square, we sip Billecart-Salmon and witness a choreographed performance. Service captains – the affectionate term bestowed upon Carbone’s front of house team – strut between banquettes in velvety Zac Posen-designed tuxedos as mid-20th-century hits and a gentle chatter fill the air. A bread basket stacked with three varieties arrives beside rolls of salami Milano – a captain follows, ceremoniously stabbing at a parmesan wheel and crumbling chunks onto side plates. We waste no time diving into servings of the signature spicy rigatoni vodka, cylindrical pasta coated in an indulgent creamy sauce, and gargantuan melt-in-the-mouth meatballs. Discreet stomach rubbing and wine-swirling ensue before the main event lands in the centre of the table, the veal parmesan’s tomato and cheese toppings glowing under the light of the Art Deco table lamp. It’s devoured over the course of half an hour with sides of oily, garlicy potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. Just as we’re ready to admit defeat, showmanship persuades us to indulge one final time as a spread of desserts appears on a shimmering silver platter beside us. A misunderstanding of portion sizes leads to a gluttonous overorder, a stracciatella tiramisu fit for a Parisian patisserie counter gazing up at me as my companion’s Neapolitan cherry flambe plays out beside the table. There’s a party to get to – or at least there was. We reel at the realisation that it’s minutes before midnight, having lost a full four hours to exceptional Italian-American fare in a mesmerising, sweet-scented crimson blur we’d do anything to remain in. Connor Sturges

Address: Carbone, 30 Grosvenor Square, London W1K, UK
Website: carbonelondon.com

ACE Pizza, Victoria Park

ACE Pizza has opened its first standalone spot in Victoria Park (having started in the kitchen at The Pembury Tavern, where their cult slices are still on the menu), and it’s already clear the Hackney-born favourite has grown up without losing its edge. Their “London style” slice blends Neapolitan char with New York foldability, ideal for a one-hand slice, one-hand pint equation.

The menu is broad enough to keep everyone happy (including vegans, with an impressive plant-based selection). We began with giardiniera pickles and fried artichokes (sharp, salty, gone in minutes) and the delicious Hot AF margaritas from their “low and no alcohol” drinks list. Their most popular Honey Pie is a thing of beauty: fior di latte, salami, guindilla chillies, a drizzle of chilli honey; and looks unlike other hot honey pizzas in the city. The vegan Capers on Mare Street refuses any lazy tropes, layering Nocellara olives, capers, plant-based mozzarella from Casadei and chimichurri into a knockout combination. The limited edition Clam Pie, featuring clams, pecorino and lemons is a bright, briny treat.

Inside, it’s an 80s disco diner remembered through bright reds and soft yellows, chestnut panelling and plush booth seating. We chose to sit outside, taking in the very last of the summer sun and letting the neighbourhood drift by.

If you’ve got room after, order the Grown Up Sundae, made up of fior di latte soft serve, olive oil, sea salt, fennel pollen and honey. And then? Walk it all off through Victoria Park, amble towards V&A East, and make a day of it. Preshita Saha

Address: 126 – 128 Lauriston Road, London E9 7LH
Website: thisisacepizza.com

Ben Anders

Serra, Mayfair

A confession – one I probably shouldn’t admit to as an editor at a travel publication – I’ve never been much for hotel restaurants. Too often, they’re faceless, transient spaces with menus constructed to please as many different types of guests as possible, without ever forming a tangible identity of their own. Of course, I’m always happy to be proven wrong. The Chancery Rosewood – the fanciest hotel opening in London this year, set inside the mammoth old American Embassy – will eventually have eight restaurants and bars, and so I had a good feeling that Serra, the ground-floor restaurant I dined at during my stay in opening week, might be the exception to my rule. Interiors are easy on the eye (hotel restaurant sceptics might say they’re inoffensive) – New York-based designers AvroKO added lots of curvy lines, which make the cubic space warm and inviting. Rather than running the gauntlet of cuisines and cooking styles in an attempt to appeal to everyone, the team have chosen Southern Mediterranean dishes to spotlight; solid crowd-pleasing dishes with a definite theme. We started strong with our favourite dish of the night: doughy flatbread with lardo. I really subscribe to my belief that you can tell if a restaurant is going to be worth eating at based on how much attention they pay to their breads, and this passed my test. The rest of the dishes didn’t falter: pillowy ricotta gnocchi and fresh slivers of scallop tartare to start, as well as blushing steak and crispy potatoes. These aren’t ground-breaking dishes, but they are truly delicious, and sometimes – often – that’s all I really want. Sarah James

Address: Serra, 30 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6AN
Website: rosewoodhotels.com