Here are five new mouth-watering restaurants opening in London this coming April 2024.
Once you have visited London once or twice, ticked off Buckingham Palace, drank enough pub pints and complained miserably about the weather (it does not, in fact, get better in the summer), there’s little else left to do in the capital other than eating. And whilst London is good for many things, none compare to the city’s rotation of avant-garde restaurants (except maybe New York). With said rotation in mind, here are some of London’s best new restaurants making a mark on the culinary scene this April 2024.
Mimosa
Mimosa at The Langham London, nestled in the heart of a tourist’s favourite, Marylebone, is a culinary gem that brings the essence of the French Riviera to the bustling streets of London. A brainchild of the Paris-based Moma Group, known for their successful venture Café Lapérouse at The OWO, Mimosa is their second London project, taking over the space formerly known as Roux at the Landau. The restaurant promises an immersive Mediterranean dining experience, with a menu that features dishes infused with the warmth of the Riviera sun—spit-roast coquelet with thyme and confit lemon, salt-baked sea bass, and gnocchi adorned with tomato, courgette, and pine nuts.
At Mimosa, you’re no longer in London. It’s no longer grey outside. Instead, you’re in the centre of the Mediterranean on a culinary staycation.
Josephine
In the heart of Chelsea, Josephine is French culinary tradition personified, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi and his wife Lucy. The intimate bistro, named after Claude’s late grandmother, represents the couple’s first joint venture, and is rooted in the bouchons of Lyon, where Claude’s culinary journey began. The restaurant’s ambiance is a nod to rustic French dining, with antique mirrors and warm lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere for its guests.
The menu at Josephine is a tribute to the comfort and complexity of French cuisine, featuring classics such as French onion soup, rabbit in mustard sauce, and Lyonnaise specialties like chicken liver terrine with vin jaune. Claude Bosi’s commitment to his roots is evident in every dish, aiming to recreate the flavours and warmth of the meals his grandmother once cooked for him. Additionally, Josephine introduces a unique wine concept, offering a bouchon-style meter wine system, encouraging diners to explore new varieties by paying only for what they drink.
UBA
If it’s in Shoreditch – it’s cool – and if it’s UBA, it’s even cooler. Set to bring a new Pan-Asian dining concept to Shoreditch in April 2024, UBA boasts of a 105-cover space with a 12-cover private dining room, all designed by interior design studio Verhaal. The interiors feature auspicious red and gold colors, marble bars, red velvet banquettes, and Asian ceramics, and with such an extravagant decor, you can expect the menu to follow suit. The food, curated by chef Paul Greening, promises signature dishes like spicy salmon tartare and Thai-inspired wok-fried monkfish.
Donia
Nestled atop Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, Donia introduces a fascinating blend of Filipino street food and British culinary finesse, brought to life by the Maginhawa Group. Esteemed for its authenticity, the restaurant has quickly become a favorite, particularly among Filipino patrons. The menu showcases a rich array of dishes, including the delectable suckling pig in liver peppercorn sauce, whole lobster ginataan, and the innovative prawn and pork dumplings with white crab, promising an unparalleled dining adventure in the vibrant heart of Soho.
Restaurant Story, Bermondsey
Whilst not technically a “new” opening, Restaurants Story in Bermondsey, led by celebrated chef Tom Sellers, has reopened in April 2024 after extensive refurbishment, marking a new chapter in its journey. Housed in a former Victorian public toilet block, it now features a new dining area upstairs, a renovated main dining room, and an outdoor terrace with views of the Shard.
Celebrating its tenth year, Restaurant Story continues to offer Sellers’ signature imaginative tasting menus, including dishes like barbecued langoustine and pumpkin agnolotti, in a trendily designed space.