London's Most Exciting New Restaurants and Bars

Late 2025–Early 2026

London’s dining scene has been BUSY, with a wave of fresh restaurants and bars just launched and set-to-open across the city. From Mediterranean sharing plates to inventive cocktail bars and soulful Caribbean eats, here are ten of the most talked-about places worth booking now - and how to get there from The Pilgrm.

1. Tiella Trattoria & Bar – Bethnal Green

In it's brand-new permanent digs after a hugely successful residency at The Compton Arms, this cosy Italian spot has quickly become one of our favourites. Tiella offers beautifully rustic pastas, the tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and pecorino was rich and comforting, and the burrata with shaved cured ham is a must-share. The wine list leans Italian and pairs beautifully with every dish. Tiella feels like a neighbourhood secret you might not want everyone to know about.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line from Paddington to Mile End (approx. 25 min) + walk, or a taxi is about 35 min.

2. Osteria Vibrato – Soho (opens 7 Feb)

Charlie Mellor’s return to the London scene has generated a lot of hype. 3 years after The Laughing Heart closed, he has joined forces with Gaia Enria on Osteria Vibrato - set to be an Italian restaurant with a focus on simplicity. That said, one of their signature dishes, the Brodo di Vasto (fish stew) will have to be pre-ordered. The expansive wine list (250+ bottles) will make it a treat for wine lovers too.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Bond Street (8 min) + walk; or a taxi is around 20 min.

3. Fenix Mayfair (opens March)

Manchester restaurant Fenix will be coming to London this March, taking over the space that was Henry's on Piccadilly. Definitely aiming for a higher-end of the market, Fenix describes itself as offering 'elevated dining'. The Mediterranean/Greek inspired menu will likely feature dishes similar to those found on the Manchester menu - smoky grilled octopus with fava purée, slow-braised lamb giouvetsi, and Wagyu ‘Stifado’. Set to be a buzzy, stylish evening spot.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Green Park (10 min) + walk; or a taxi is around 15 min.

4. The Good Front Room – Dalston (opens 5 Feb)

This feels like it will become a true local favourite. Led by Chef Dominic Taylor who has created a menu inspired by his Jamaican and Saint-Lucian heritage, the maple, lime and chilli glazed plantain and the rum and raisin pork belly strips will be on our list to try. Cocktails will be tropical and refreshing - ideal after a day wandering East London.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Circle/Hammersmith & City to Liverpool Street, then Overground to Dalston Kingsland (35 min); or a taxi is around 35 min.

5. Cometa – Fitzrovia (opens 20 Feb)

This Mexican-inspired seafood newcomer is from the team behind the highly-regarded Carousel restaurant. Chefs Ollie Templeton, José Lizarralde Serralde and Alejandra Juarez will be creating a menu that is bold and flavourful; with bright and tangy ceviche, lobster with chintextle chilli paste and smoked butter sauce, and a crab chilpachole stew all catching our eye. We'll be booking a table asap.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road (8–10 min) + walk; or a taxi is around 15 min.

6. Bara – Peckham (opens 12 Feb)

This café from Masterchef Professionals quarter-finalist Cecily Dalladay (from south Wales) takes inspiration from a 1950s Welsh cookbook that used to belong to Cecily’s grandma. Hearty dishes like Caerphilly Cheesesteak sandwich and the Pembrokeshire lobster roll will be served alongside local beers and coffee, making it a laid-back spot for brunch. The vibe will be cheerful and unpretentious.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Whitechapel, then Windrush line to Peckham Rye (40 min); taxi around 35 min.

7. Simpson’s in the Strand – The Strand (re-opens March)

Having first opened its doors in 1828 and then closed in 2020, this historic spot is reborn and set to open in March 2026. A ‘Grande Dame’ restaurant with heritage and tradition at its core, food will be sophisticated and quintessentially British, with roasts carved table-side from antique silver-domed trolleys. 
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Circle/Hammersmith & City to Charing Cross (15–20 min); a taxi will be about 20 min.

8. Gambit Bar @ Newman Hotel – Fitzrovia (opens 3 Feb)

The new Gambit Bar will be a chic and intimate experience. Found tucked away downstairs underneath the also newly opened Brasserie Angelica, creative signature cocktails have been put together by head drinksmith Eder Netohe whilst bar snacks are courtesy of Christian Turner (think retro classics like Gildas, caviar blinis and devilled eggs). This is where we'll be coming for a stylish nightcap.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road (8–10 min) + walk; taxi ~15 min.

9. Dim Sum Duck – King’s Cross

Technically, not entirely new, as this is their second opening - but this comes as welcome news to those who have tried to visit their original restaurant just around the corner and struggled to get a table. Given it has been hailed as one of 'London's best Chinese restaurants', that's no surprise. There's no need to reinvent the wheel here, their second opening will bring more of the same authentic Cantonese dishes, all-day dim sum and roasted duck.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to King’s Cross St Pancras (15 min) + walk; taxi is around 20 min.

10. DakaDaka – Mayfair

This new restaurant in Mayfair showcases Georgian cuisine in a way that feels traditional in spirit but modern in execution. Centred on fire-led cooking, using both British and Georgian seasonal ingredients, the signature dishes include the grilled sea bream fillet on Georgian cornmeal polenta, or an 8-hour slow-roasted free-range duck leg cooked over vine-wood embers and wood-smoked aubergine, charred over coal, dressed with amber honey from Guria. The natural wine list curated by award-winning sommelier Honey Spencer is a highlight.
Getting there from The Pilgrm: Elizabeth Line to Bond Street (8 min) + walk; taxi is about 15 min.

Images from the top:
1. Fenix 
2. DakaDaka
3. Bara cafe
4. Gambit Bar
5. Cometa