New year, new you; new restaurants? As we enter a new year, I’m already engaging in one of my favourite activities – planning where I’ll be eating and drinking this year. And as part of that, I’m also keeping an eye out for some of the most anticipated and exciting new openings set to hit London in 2026. So, if you’re looking ahead to new culinary experiences or cocktails to sip on in the city this year, here’s where (and when) you should go:
1. The spot with natural wine and live-fire cooking, rooted in tradition
Image: @dakadaka.london, via IG
If you’re a lover of orange wine, then hopefully you’ve already made the connection between the glass in your hand and the country of Georgia. If not, then Daka Daka is here (soon) to show you the tradition behind the popular wine style. The country has a history stretching back many thousands of years of producing orange wine (also known as ‘amber’ wine or ‘skin-contact’ wine). So it makes sense that the latest natural wine and live-fire cooking spot in London would focus on Georgian tradition and cuisine. Grab some Khinkali (Georgian dumplings), some skewers, and the Khachapuri, aka stuffed flatbreads, and pair it all with a glass or five of wine. It just might become your new favourite spot in Central London.
🕰️ Opens January 17.
📍 10 Heddon Street, W1B 4BX. The nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.
Find out more here.
2. The Bri-talian fusion pizzeria
The newest pizzeria to hit London is a brand-new venture from the founder of 081 Pizzeria, Andrea Asciuti, which pays homage to his family. Connie’s Pizza, named after his wife, is a Bri-talian fusion pizza spot, serving up British ingredients and flavours on pizzas made by Italians. Diners can expect the likes of a Classic Margherita using British Mozzarella, an Nduja using British Stracciatella, and more. Oh, and don’t skip the meatballs!
🕰️ Opens January 26.
📍 133 Queen’s Road, SE15 2ND. The nearest station is Queen’s Road Peckham.
Find out more here.
3. The restaurant hidden behind a noodle shop
This January, Cafe Kowloon will open up behind popular London Fields noodle shop, Wonton Charlie’s. The modern Cantonese restaurant is inspired by travels around Hong Kong, and will serve everything from street food dishes to dim sum, top-notch cocktails, and more.
🕰️ Opens late January/early 2026.
📍 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E83PH. The nearest station is London Fields.
Find out more here.
4. The pub residency turned Italian trattoria
Image: @dara.klein & @tiella_trattoria, via IG
Just a few years ago, one of the most quietly popular pub residencies in London could be found in Islington’s Compton Arms. Helmed by Chef Dara Klein, Tiella started doling out top-notch Italian food at the pub – which served as inspiration for Klein. Noticing the similarities between an English pub and an Italian trattoria, she was determined to open a proper slice of Italy in the city. And this January, she’s doing just that as she opens up Tiella as a stand-alone spot in Bethnal Green. Find us there, devouring meatballs and ordering ALL of the pasta.
🕰️ Opens January.
📍 109 Columbia Road, E2 7RL. The nearest station is Hoxton.
Find out more here.
5. The cafe in the park
Tucked away in Gunnersbury Park, next to the Gunnersbury Park Museum, you’ll now find the newly re-opened Pure in the Park cafe. Having just opened up their doors again on January 5, this community cafe offers up everything from breakfast bagels and specialty coffee to craft beers and smash burgers in the evening. The cafe is a collaboration with The Pure Food Co, with an emphasis on sourcing from local suppliers as much as possible. And everyone’s welcome here – including your furry friends!
🕰️ Open now.
📍 Gunnersbury Park, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Popes Lane, W5 4NH. The nearest station is Acton Town.
Find out more here.
6. The multi-floor cocktail bar inspired by NYC
If you like cocktails, then you’ll want to make a beeline for Covent Garden this January to try out cato. This brand new NYC-inspired drinking spot is spread across multiple floors, with a different menu on each floor. Head to the ground floor and you can sip at their ‘house of julep’ menu, featuring house-grown herbs and ingredients. Or if you go downstairs, you can be dazzled by a special menu of colourful drinks inspired by synesthesia.
🕰️ Opens January.
📍 17 Mercer Street, WC2H 9QJ. The nearest station is Covent Garden.
Find out more here.
7. The new hotel brasserie and subterranean bar
Two new venues will open this year inside Fitzrovia’s The Newman hotel: Brasserie Angelica and Gambit Bar. The former will serve as another spot for elegant all-day dining in the area, “with generous Northern European influences “. Downstairs from the restaurant, Gambit Bar is set to be an escape from the bustle of London. Guests can enjoy a considered drinks menu with “creative yet understated cocktails” and a curated selection across each drinks category.
🕰️ Opens February 1.
📍 50 Newman Street, W1T 3EB. The nearest station is Goodge Street.
Find out more here.
8. The fiery restaurant smashing together North Africa and London
Image: @meedu_saad & @impala.soho, via IG
For his first restaurant, top London talent Chef Meedu Saad (Head Chef and Co-Owner at Kiln) is bringing all of his international influences together under one roof – around a massive fire. Impala draws inspiration from Meedu’s travels and dining across Egypt, Tokyo, Haringey, and beyond. Expect some of the very best produce and butchery in the city (perhaps even the country) cooked over a wood fire at the centre of the restaurant, taking diners into Meedu’s memories of food.
🕰️ Opens March.
📍 The restaurant will open on Dean Street in Soho.
Find out more here.
9. The bold new steakhouse
Inside the Four Seasons Hotel London At Tower Bridge, a new steakhouse is coming to delight London’s carnivores. Cooper’s Cut promises “forward-thinking cooking with relaxed refinement” – and based on the imagery we’ve seen, they’re also promising some honking enormous steaks.
🕰️ Opens March.
📍 Four Seasons Hotel London At Tower Bridge, 10 Trinity Square, EC3N 4AJ. The nearest station is Tower Hill.
Find out more here.
10. The spot with soul food and live music
Soul food and live music are coming to Westfield Stratford City as Soul Mama opens up their second location, in the East London shopping destination’s ‘The Street’ area. Joining the area’s other dining ventures, Soul Mama Westfield will bring African, Caribbean, and South American soul food to Stratford, alongside “an unrivalled programme of live music across genres; Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Reggae.”
🕰️ Opens April.
📍 The restaurant will open at Westfield Stratford City. The nearest station is Stratford.
Find out more here.