About Time You Discovered: London’s Best New Restaurant OpeningsBy Alicia Grimshaw
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
Looking for the best new London restaurants this July? Look no further. From British eateries to meaty extravaganzas, here’s some of the top new London restaurants you *need* to try this month. We can’t wait to get down to these sparkling new delights:
1. For Seasonal Fare: Picture Marylebone
The Lowdown: West End restaurant Picture have just announced they’re opening a second site in the heart of Marylebone this month. Picture Marylebone retains the focus that the original is famed for – exceptionally warm hospitality and purse friendly dining. Alongside an à la carte menu, a six course seasonal tasting menu will be available at £45 per head. No doubt, it’s going to be one of the best New London restaurants this year.
Eat and Drink: Picture Marylebone will exclusively serve a selection of weekly changing dishes, such as roast monkfish tail with baked aubergine, chickpeas and harissa, crispy pork belly, bbq shoulder and slaw of summer brassicas and glazed leg and breast of duck, summer turnips and gooseberry – all served for two.
Gimme More: The restaurant is rolling out a soft launch deal 4th – 9th July, with 50% off the food bill. Reservations will be taken from the 20th June.
Where: 19 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 9TZ
2. For Doughy Delights: Heist Bank
The Lowdown: There’s a new pizza sheriff in town, and they’ve answered all your pizza prayers. Dishing up wood-fired pizza and beer, Heist Bank is a new all-day hangout just opened in Paddington. One of the best new London restaurants for pizza lovers, operating as a relaxed day to night venue, Heist Bank’s freshly made pizzas are best washed down with their wide selection of local beer, wine and cocktails. Drop in for a quick lunch, post work drinks or a weekend knees up.
Eat and Drink: Shipped straight from Italy, Heist Bank’s wood burning oven turn out a selection of pizzas featuring local cheeses, cured meats and seasonal toppings. There’s also a range of small plates on the menu including cheese curd and olive doughnuts alongside light, summery snacks such as watermelon with labneh and toasted seeds. The menu features large dishes such as slow-roasted lamb, steak and trout, all cooked to perfection in the wood burning oven. And, to make you feel like a big kid, go hell for leather on the Mr Whippy ice cream machine with grown-up toppings for pud.
Gimme More: Try The Dark and Stormy cocktail – it’ll be the best 9 quid you’ll ever spend. A heady combination of Goslings rum, freshly made ginger syrup and lime soda. Divine.
Where: 5 North Wharf Road Paddington W2 1LA.
3. For Your Red Meat Fix: Chuck Burger
The Lowdown: We like meat, and lots of it. Hotbox, the BBQ kings of Shoreditch are behind new burger joint, Chuck Burger. Having served its signature burgers and ‘almost’ award-winning wings (more on that later) from a converted Chevy Step Van at Street Feast’s Hawker House since October 2015, Chuck Burger is now bringing a permanent burger fix to East London. One of the best new London restaurants if you like meat, we’ll tell you that for free.
Eat and Drink: Inspired by founder Basit Nasim’s travels across America, the menu has been developed over time, guided by his favourite recipes from across the pond but using the freshest British ingredients. The Spitalfields restaurant will feature several favourites and brand new exclusive dishes. As well as the classic cheeseburger and bacon cheeseburger will be Chuck’s standout signature spicy Devil Burger, a ground 28-day aged chuck steak patty topped with charred jalapenos, American cheese, grilled red onions, sriracha mayo, and topped with a green jalapeno sauce. Not only burger experts, Chuck’s renowned Buffalo Wings are another of the menu’s highlights, having come second place in London’s Wing Fest in 2015, competing against 12 of the UK’s foremost wing aficionados.
Gimme More: Don’t miss the Hot-Ox – aged chuck beef patty topped with slow cooked spicy oxtail chili, American cheese, onions, pickles and chipotle mayo. It’s beefin’ wonderful.
Where: 4 Commercial Street, London, E1 7PT
The Lowdown: BAO are opening their new restaurant on Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, at 12 noon next Wednesday (6th July). Sibling founders Shing Tat and Wai Ting Chung, and Erchen Chang, opened their first permanent site on Lexington St, Soho, to critical acclaim in April 2015 (you can’t miss the queues). Undoubtedly one of best new London restaurants this July, the second larger restaurant is a natural move for the team. It will offer a new extended menu featuring both established BAO favourites and a number of new and unusual dishes, alongside a more comprehensive list of cocktails, wine and sake, served from the bar.
Eat and Drink: The menu will be split into four sections and have a focus on fish and rice dishes as well as the signature BAOs, with rice sourced from Chi Shiang in Taiwan. As with the Soho restaurant, all dishes will be ordered via a tick-style system. To begin there will be a selection of Xiao Chi or small bites such as beef cheek and tendon nuggets, day boat caught mackerel with aged white soy and razor clam, tobiko and century egg. There will also be a new addition to the signature BAO list, as Fitzrovia will introduce the fried fish BAO; a homemade pillowy soft bun filled with lightly fried fish, turia sauce, green sauce and coriander. The extended menu at Fitzrovia will also offer new sharing options – these will include koji quail, squid noodles in trotter sauce and lamb with sour green chilli dip.
Gimme More: The new drinks menu includes BAO milkshakes with flavours such as choc and toasted rice, and condensed milk. Thick, rich and totally delicious.
Where: 31 Windmill Street, London W1T 2JN
Photo Credit: Carol Sachs
5. For a Taste of Brittany: MAMIE’S
The Lowdown: Like crêpes? Like cider? If you answered yes to at least one of those questions, your world it about to change, for the better. MAMIE’S brings the Breton favourite, crêpes, to London’s Covent Garden this summer. While classic French cuisine and mediocre crêpes has long been available throughout the nation’s capital, hungry Londoners and foodies of every stripe hankering after an authentic crêpe dining experience have, until now, not been so well catered for. It was this gap in the market that fuelled founder and entrepreneur Aymeric Peurois, to bring MAMIE’S to life. We say it’s the best new London restaurant opening for trend-based eaters. Bold, I know.
Eat and Drink: These French favourites can be enjoyed as part of a full ‘galette and crêpe’ meal or as something on the go, plain and simple, or with a whole range of different flavours and fillings. For those seeking a lighter option or for the ceoliac queens, the buckwheat crêpe is neither sweet nor salty, and boasts a uniquely nutty and flavour, and is totally gluten-free. Downstairs is where you’ll fine La Cidrothèque, MAMIE’S very own cider cellar. In addition to 10 of the most finest french ciders (from both Brittany and Normandy), you can also find distinguished British ciders as well as tasty numbers from Ireland, Sweden, Belgium and even as far afield as New Zealand. Best enjoyed in the relaxing, bar-like basement of La Cidrothèque itself.
Gimme More: Cider Cocktails. Need we say more?
Where: Covent Garden, London
6. For a White Meat Party: Strut & Cluck
The Lowdown: Turkey, the meat that’s always wheeled out for Christmas, and dismissed for the rest of the year. Strut & Cluck, a new eatery in Shoreditch is giving turkey a chance with their Eastern Mediterranean home cooking- with free-range turkey meat served in new and exciting ways alongside seasonal ingredients.
Eat and Drink: The restaurant, founded by husband and wife Amir and Limor, quickly discovered the versatility and flavour of this meat. Marinated for 24 hours in the family spice and herb blend, the turkeys are then slow-cooked ensuring their tenderness before the final finishing touches. The restaurant use cooking methods that complement the taste of the raw ingredients, such as grilling in a charcoal oven and roasting, avoiding deep frying and saturated fats. Alongside a selection of turkey dishes there will be many vegetarian options, perfect for sharing and split into sections Nibbled, Roasted and Tossed; as well as a range of desserts with an eastern Mediterranean twist.
Gimme More: Come on balmy evenings, and bask in the summer glow on their outside terrace, filled with hanging baskets, lanterns and natural light.
Where: 151-153 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ
7. For the American Dream: Texas Joe’s Slow Smoked Meats
The Lowdown: It only seems fitting that new Bermondsey Saloon, Texas Joe’s Slow Smoked Meats, will swing its doors open on July 4th – American Independence Day. Bringing the spirit of his home state south of the river, Texas Joe’s will feature traditional BBQ meats, done the Texan way, plus a separate honky-tonk bar complete with jukebox, whisky, and tequila.
Eat and Drink: The menu will be a strictly Texas affair, with traditional meats and cuts prepared simply with a heavy dose of smoke, salt and pepper. Signature dishes include USDA beef brisket, beef prime rib and pork shoulder, as well as mutton shoulder and ribs. Mutton has a rich history in Texas BBQ and Texas Joe’s will work with Bermondsey butcher Nathan Mills of The Butchery to source the best English lamb and return it to its rightful place of glory on BBQ menus. All slow smoked meats are served with house-made pickles and bread and, at lunchtime, there’s also the option of having brisket, pork shoulder or mutton shoulder stuffed into fresh tacos and thick-cut sandwiches.
Gimme More: The side dishes do not disappoint – brisket nachos and bone marrow with chilli salt. We’ll just leave that here. Head down for their 50% off soft launch deal 1st to 3rd July.
Where: 8-9 Snowsfields SE1 3SU
8. For a Restorative Pick Me Up: MK by Muriel’s Kitchen
The Lowdown: Putney is not just home to leafy pastures and pretty looking bridges, this yummy mummy hangout is now home to MK by Muriel’s Kitchen, opening on Putney High Street. Grabbing breakfast on the way to work, lunch al desko or a cracking take-away just got a lot more interesting. We reckon this will be one of the best new London restaurants for seasonal eaters in the capital this July!
Eat and Drink: The specially curated menu focuses on quality, premium and seasonal ingredients, prepared daily using authentic recipes. For breakfast choose from tartlets made with Clarence Court eggs, a selection of freshly-prepared pastries and health pots such as coconut, chia and quinoa and bircher muesli. For lunch and dinner, expect a range of seasonally changing soups, healthy protein pots, fresh salads, and luscious sandwiches. Signature dishes will include Muriel’s beef lasagne, Nana’s recipe fish pie and handmade Scotch eggs. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s a super healthy fix you’re after, or for a bit of indulgence there’s a strawberry and cream pot or a decadent slice of chocolate cake.
Gimme More: The drink selection is smashing – cold press juices, artisan teas from the Good & Proper Tea Company, and premium coffees, prepared by trained baristas using your choice of organic, almond, soy or coconut milk,
Where: 95 Putney High Street, Putney, SW15 1SS
9. For Nordic Cuisine: Rök Smokehouse
The Lowdown: Rök smokehouse and bar have announced the opening of their second restaurant in Islington this July. The new opening will follow on from the success of the first restaurant on Curtain Road, Shoreditch which since opening last year has drawn a loyal following for their menu of ‘simple but exquisite’ Nordic influenced dishes.
Eat and Drink: The menu at Rök Islington will launch with a seasonal summer menu, which will also include a couple of much-loved classic dishes from their Shoreditch branch. New dishes include mackerel with pickled onions and flamed crispbread, local grown guinea fowl with semi-cured pork belly and butter poached wild vegetables, and dark chocolate mousse with espresso sorbet and malted crumb. Returning favourites such as scallop, nduja and seaweed, duck with lingonberry bacon jam and wood smoked peach with Laphroaig honey will also feature. At Rök Islington all meat used will be reared to a high standard by working closely with suppliers such as Swaledale foods in Yorkshire and James Murdoch who has kept a flock of Guinea fowl exclusively for Rök.
Gimme More: The wood smoked peach with sour cream, candied almonds and Laphroaig honey is making our heart skip a beat.
Where: 149 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1RA
10. For a Hummus Bender: Berber & Q Shawarma Bar
The Lowdown: Firstly, if you haven’t been to Berber & Q – where have you been hiding? Secondly, the team behind the Middle Eastern restaurant in East London is opening their Berber & Q Shawarma Bar on Exmouth Market sometime this month (date is still to be confirmed, the suspense). The new restaurant will specialise in shawarma, slow-cooked on a rotating spit over hot coals alongside Middle Eastern cocktails, wine and beer.
Eat and Drink: Lamb shawarma will lead a brand new menu, with Middle Eastern style rotisserie chicken also central to the offering. Sold as plates, both will be served with herb salad, gem leaves, green chilli, grated tomato, tahini and sumac onions. Everyone will be encouraged to make wraps with the meat and condiments, or eat as they please. Optional extras include fresh grilled pita, confit potatoes or individual pickle jars. Shawarma Bar will also offer sides such as blackened aubergine, mesabaha and coal-baked sweet potato.
Gimme More: Veggies do not panic – there’s cauliflower Shawarma with golden sultana, rose and pine nuts on the menu.
Where: 46 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE
11. For Home-Style Cooking: Calcutta Street
The Lowdown: After a dozen successful pop-ups and events under her belt, Shrimoyee Chakraborty will be opening the shutters of her first permanent site this summer. Calcutta Street will brings a vibrant mix of classic Bengali dishes to the capital. The restaurant is not just about the food, here you’ll find all the ingredients that characterise meals in a Bengali household – affection, hospitality, great company and recipes handed down through the generations. We say: it’s set to be one of the best new London restaurants this year.
Eat and Drink: Choose one of the quicker, simpler dishes available during the day or from the small but perfectly formed a la carte menu, where highlights range from Doi Phuchka, crispy, tangy semolina balls with potato, black chick peas, tamarind and yogurt filling, through to Malai Curry – jumbo prawns cooked in a coconut and mustard sauce – one of the many favourites from the Chakraborty’s Gariahat Road residence. Savour local favourites such as the Pithe, pancakes made with rice flour with a coconut and jaggery filling.
Gimme More: Knock back classic Bengali drinks, including bespoke Shorbot cocktails born on the streets of Calcutta.
Where: 29 Tottenham Street, London, W1T 1RU
12. For a Boozy Affair: Panther Milk Bar x L’Escargot
The Lowdown: The infamous Panther Milk Bar can now be found in London. Following the roaring success of their secret pop-up launch event at the Hoxton Docks in April, it’s safe to say that the city definitely has a penchant for this boozy delight. Panther Milk Bar will be collaborating with the legendary Soho haunt L’Escargot – running until August.
Eat and Drink: Panther Milk aka Leche De Pantera is a type of cocktail drink found in Spain. It originated in the 1920s and is closely linked to the the Spanish Foreign Legion. The menu serves Panther Milk in its 3 original variations. White – creamy, sweet and milky. Don’t forget to sprinkle some cinnamon on top for added bite. There’s the pink version, a fruity and milky concoction which tastes a bit like strawberry milkshake minus the strawberries, and the green drink which is minty and creamy.
Gimme More: Opt for the green version – we’re digging the Mint Aero vibes.
Where: 48 Greek St, London W1D 4EF
13. For an Indian Gathering: The Terrace at The Churchill
The Lowdown: Playing on the feelings of frivolity and warmth that accompany the arrival of an Indian summer, the terrace at The Churchill is a feast for the senses, adorned with a myriad of vivid fabrics and ornate decorations; an indulgent retreat where you can soak in the atmosphere and enjoy long, lazy afternoons and balmy evenings, accompanied by a series of exotic culinary delights and thirst-quenching summer cocktails.
Eat and Drink: The menu will offer a range of mouth-watering Indian culinary traditions. From starters, including crispy okra, peanut and coconut tiger prawns and the venerable onion bhajee, perfect for sharing alongside the exotic cocktails, to a selection of the chef’s favourite Indian-inspired main dishes, from mango oysters to lamb biryani and Keralan lobster soup with lobster chilli toasts. One of the best new London restaurants for Indian food, we think. From India to Morocco, this year’s special summer cocktails have been inspired by the exotic and fascinating regions of the Eastern world and are served with a sense of playful sophistication. The eye-catching Jose Cuervo-based Envious Eye adorned with a lavish peacock feather, a symbol of royalty in its native India, is sure to ward off any mischievous spirits (and hopefully any signs of the great British weather!).
Gimme More: The elegant Paris of the Sahara cocktail, a combination of Bombay Sapphire gin and Chambord liqueur balanced with lemon and sugar and topped with a delightful splash of Lanson rosé champagne, perfectly captures the essence of the region that inspired some of Winston Churchill’s finest watercolours.
When: 30 Portman Square, London, W1H 7BH
14. For a New Smash Hit: 100 Islington
The Lowdown: 100 Islington is a new 140 cover pan-Asian restaurant and bar at 270 Upper Street, Islington. It’s the second venue from those super talented chaps behind Shoreditch smash hit 100 Hoxton. 100 Hoxton began life as a passion project, evolving over the last two and a half years to become a restaurant, bar and community stalwart with an emphasis on unique flavours, fresh food, healthy eating and creativity. 100 Islington will build on this with a more spacious interior, larger bar and hidden events space at the back of the restaurant.
Eat and Drink: The food concept is simple – small sharing plates with influences from Asian and Middle-Eastern flavours. Francis’ launch menu is made up of five different sections and dishes include, courgette and halloumi fritter with preserved lemon yoghurt, Singapore soft shell chilli crab, peanut and lime and chargrilled lamb belly with aubergine, burnt goats cheese, pine nuts, green tahini & harissa. For dessert, there’s chilli chocolate ganache with spiced nut crumb and chocolate mousse. 100 Islington also serves fresh pressed juices, gourmet coffees and the eponymous 100 Hoxton cocktail of lychee, lemongrass, chilli, ginger and then topped with Prosecco!
Gimme More: You can create your own five course-tasting menu for £30 by choosing one plate from each section of the menu. At lunchtime there is a great value lunch box for £5 to eat in or take away that is available for all, and a £15 set menu is also available for those with the time for a more leisurely lunch. Glorious.
Where: 270 Upper St, Islington N1 2UQ
One for your diary…
The Lowdown: YOSMA is a new restaurant and bar opening in Marylebone this August, bringing together the three pillars of Istanbul’s dining culture: meyhane, mangal, and seafood from the Bosphorus, all under one roof. Designed by Afroditi Krassa, Yosma’s contemporary interior is inspired by Istanbul’s vast history and features an open kitchen with mangal grill and counter dining, restaurant and raki lounge bar with cocktails created by Matt ‘Talented Mr Fox’ Whiley.
Eat and Drink: Executive Chef Hus Vedet is of Turkish heritage and has previously worked at the 2 AA Rosette Caxton Grill and Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa, where his love of cooking over fire grew. The menu at Yosma is divided into cold meze, hot starters, mangal, clay oven and sides. There’s everything from Pancar, pit roasted golden beetroot, garlic, oil, dill and Kirmizi Biber, coal roasted bell peppers and lime zest, and Levrek Marine, marinated sea bass with grapefruit, fennel, lime, green chilli and basil. For dessert, you must try Kunefe – strands of filo pastry with white cheese and syrup.
Gimme More: Raki – Turkey’s national aperitif – will play an important part on the drinks list and also features on the cocktail menu created by Matt Whiley.
Where: YOSMA, 50 Baker Street, London, W1U 7BT