As inevitable as the passing of time, there will always be a table set and waiting for you at a newly opened London restaurant.
A quarter of 2023 may have already passed, but a host of new bars and restaurants have served their first signatures, their inaugural cocktail – and there’s plenty more new places still yet to open this year. Prepare your palettes and make your reservations: these are the new bars and restaurants in London that you should be spending an evening at this year.
New London restaurants and bars that have opened in 2023
1. Bar 1790
A space historically used by wine merchant George Sandeman, who shipped in port and sherry from Portugal in the 1790s. Now with their St Swithins Lane location getting a revamped treatment, where Sandeman’s business resided from 1805. It’s billed as a Portuguese bar for wine lovers, and there’s a tapas menu—featuring croquettes, octopus, and much more—to sift through. Find out more and book your place here.
📍19-23 St Swithins Lane, EC4N 8AD
2. La Gamba, Southbank Centre
If a trip to the north of Spain isn’t on the cards anytime soon, let us direct you to a top new London restaurant. La Gamba, the new Galician restaurant has just opened at the Southbank centre and will be a expedition of flavour.
It comes from the brothers behind the Borough Market mainstay Applebee’s Fish, and promises a journey in the realm of Spanish cuisine, feeding you with droplets from different regions. Grab an Iberico pork cheek empanada, a glass of sherry, and toast to an evening at La Gamba. Read more about it and book your spot here!
📍 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Unit 3, SE1 8XX
3. JOIA, Battersea
Arriving into the newly invigorated Battersea Power Station, JOIA has made quite the splash this year – and it’s not hard to see why. With 15th floor views, food from Henrique Sá Pessoa – one of Portugal’s most-celebrated chefs, and an art deco design that allows natural light to pour through in the daytime and an unrivalled view into the lit up city at night. Try out delights including their octopus salad with red pepper, potato and smoked paprika; which you can read more about here!
📍 15th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
4. The Parakeet Pub, Kentish Town
With a swoop of their wings and a loud squawk, The Parakeet Pub landed in London last month over in Kentish Town. Ben Allen, alongside sous-chef Ed Jennings, are providing a culinary journey for diners and drinkers on the north side of the capital, with a seasonally-changing blackboard menu that currently features delights like the poached oyster with pickled elderflower. They serve up a mean Sunday Roast, too… Read more about the Parakeet Pub here.
📍 256 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
5. The Greenhouses, Marylebone
An array of private dining spaces at One Marylebone sweeps you into a flamboyant smattering of foliage inside a group of greenhouses. There’s a greenhouse to suit all occasions; be it a romantic evening or a group party — Mediterranean sharing plates are crowd-pleasing for a reason, and they’re here to elevate all your nights out. Which, of course, won’t be complete without one of their vibrant cocktails. Read more about The Greenhouses and book here!
📍 1 Marylebone Road, NW1 4AQ
6. Humo, Mayfair
For wood-fired dining that promises a sizzling experience, you shouldn’t be looking past Humo. It opened in January, and is the vision of Colombian-born chef Miller Prada, who has worked under Endo Kazutoshi of the Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda. The four-metre grill is purely wood-fired, treating you to dishes including ash-cooked cauliflower; trout and caviar; and delightful langoustines. This is certain to be one of the best new restaurants in London for 2023. Find out more about Humo and book here.
📍 12 St George Street, W1S 2FB
New London restaurants and bars opening later in 2023
7. Riviera, Mayfair (opens April 21)
When asked where to eat in London, anyone answering a flat je ne sais pas needs to direct their attention to Rivera, the new southern French restaurant opening up in Mayfair. It’s not long now before you can close your eyes, bite down on a lemongrass marinated scallop or a Dijon mustard-kissed veal chop and picture yourself walking by the Cote d’Azur. April 21 – save the date. They’re offering a sweet 30% off when you dine there before May 5. Find out more and book here.
📍 You’ll find Riviera at 23 St James’s Street, St James’s, SW1A 1HA from April 21
8. Cantinetta Antinori, Knightsbridge (opens April 24)
A truly revered winemaking family are here to deliver their first UK restaurant, which comes in the form of a treasure trove of Tuscan wines and plates. A glass of Tignanello and a plate of pappa al pomodoro are nearly ready to be served to London’s diners, with Cantinetta Antinori’s ever-anticipated Knightsbridge opening slated for April 24. Keep up to date with news on Cantinetta Antinori here.
📍You’ll find 4 Harriet Street, SW1X 9JR from April 24
9. The Rosarium (opens in May 2023)
Promising to unleash the inner child of diners by adding Wonderland twists to dishes and cocktails. What doth one expect to be placed in front of them when ordering the playful cod in a chip? Beats me, but I wish to find out, and then try the scampi scotch egg with soldiers. Lewis Carroll’s world is the inspiration behind the architecture of The Rosarium, too, which should make you want to dive deep into the rabbit hole to see what’s in store.
The 96-cover restaurant, delivered by Executive Chef Harvey Ayliffe hits Waterloo next month, and even brings with it a curious afternoon tea experience. Find out more about The Rosarium on their website.
10. Fazenda, Bishopsgate (opens summer 2023)
With successful openings around the UK–Manchester, Edinburgh, and more–to their name, Fazenda are arriving in central London later this year. The South American Rodizio restaurant group is here to bring their fine selection of Argentinian and Brazilian hot dishes to the big smoke, so expect the steaks to be high… Read more about Fazenda here.