Top London restaurant openings: Our favourite new dining spots so far this year
THE IVY CHELSEA GARDEN
195-197 King's Road, SW3 5ED
theivychelseagarden.com, 020 3301 0300
It’s not long until The Ivy’s flagship restaurant re-opens – until then you can dine in its new, more informal cousin on The King’s Road.
BAO
Lexington St Soho, W1F 9AS
baolondon.com, 020 7287 5724
“Bao” is a type of fluffy steamed bun, which you’ll find served Taiwanese-style at this small-plate Soho restaurant.
PERCY & FOUNDERS
1 Pearson Square, Fitzroy Place, W1T 3BF
percyandfounders.co.uk, 020 3761 0200
Housed in a former hospital, this sprawling dining palace serves up modern British cuisine in a relaxed environment adorned by interesting artworks.
ENGAWA
2 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT
engawa.uk, 020 7287 5724
A calm, measured, cerebral take on traditional Japanese cuisine, with a great line in Kobe beef. Not cheap but worth it for a special occasion.
KONA
51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites, SW1E 6AFT
stjamescourthotel.co.uk, 020 7769 7766
Expect contemporary European fare in this stylish, cosy fine-dining restaurant at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate suites and residences.
BIG FERNAND
19 Percy St, Fitzrovia, W1T 1DY
bigfernand.com, 020 7813 2586
“Hamburgers served the French way” is the philosophy behind the first UK opening of this Parisian brand.
SMOKEHOUSE CHISWICK
12 Sutton Lane North, Chiswick, W4 4LD
smokehouse.pub, 020 3819 6066
Smokehouse Chiswick is a new iteration of the restaurant that has wowed Islington with its innovative take on a meat-heavy menu.
THE FOURTEENTH COLONIE
45-47 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1 5RS
thefourteenthcolonie.co.uk, 020 7253 4924
The Fourteenth Colonie raised eyebrows when it became the first crowd-funded restaurant in Brooklyn. Expect a proper Noo Yoik joint.