Best London restaurants opening soon: Hotly anticipated launches of 2026 and beyond

If it feels like a new restaurant opens everyday in London, well, that might not be far from the truth. More than ever, London's restaurant merry-go-round feels like it spins faster and faster, throwing new sites at us at rapid pace. With a new hotly anticipated London restaurant opening every week, how do you separate the good from the great, to work out where to spend your hard earned money? At SquareMeal, we've taken that on as a mantra - our expert restaurant reviewers are here to give you the lowdown on every new restaurant, and give you our informed opinion on what we like, what we didn't, and what we think is worth your money. 

In fact, that’s what we do right here, in our guide to the best new restaurants in London.

That means we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to the best upcoming London restaurants. The capital's upcoming restaurant calendar gets packed out real fast, so much so that it's hard to keep track. That’s why we created this list: each of the restaurants below has been handpicked by the SquareMeal team as something to look forward to. Scroll down and you’ll see our reasons why, as well as when we’re expecting the restaurant to open, and a link to find information, pictures and more.

Alright, enough chat. You want to read our expert picks for the best London restaurants coming soon - keep scrolling, and as always, let us know via our Instagram if there’s anything you’re looking forward to.

The best London restaurants opening soon

Restaurants continue to open in the capital at breakneck speed - we've rounded up all the big new openings coming up in the next few months and beyond.

Rosina, Wandsworth

Why: Coming from Adam Byatt and the team behind Michelin-starred Trinity and excellent Brasserie Constance in Fulham, Rosina sees Byatt explore a more relaxed style of cooking. Named after his daughter Rosie, this Wandsworth restaurant is his first new neighbourhood restaurant in a decade, and delves into his love of Italian food, treating more accessible, home-style dishes with the same precise technique that has made Byatt one of London’s most revered chefs.
When: June 2026
Where: 35 Bellevue Road, SW17 3EF
Read more: Rosina

Soraya, Marylebone

Why: Pachamama Group has pulled off some of the most impressive reinventions of recent times, turning older Pachamama sites into phenomenally successful spots like Lagana, Nina, and Bottarga. Next it’s the turn of Soraya - the group's Abu Dhabi-based flagship - which will be opening up in Marylebone, serving up Persian-style kebabs, saffron rice tahdig, lamb koobideh, and more of those Insta-famous cheesecakes.
When: Summer 2026
Where: 96 George Street, W1U 8AF
Read more: Soraya

Nammos London, Mayfair

Why: Nammos’ story started on the idyllic sands of Mykonos in 2003, and it has since grown into one of the most recognisable Greek fine dining brands in the world, with sites covering the globe from Dubai to Doha. It’s surprising that it has taken this long for Nammos to arrive in London, but in summer it’ll come to Berkeley Street (where else) with its signature seafood-focused, luxurious Aegean cooking. Expect fireworks and celebs galore when it finally arrives.
When: Summer 2026
Where: 15 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DY
Read more: Nammos London

Bar Blondie

Why: Queen’s Park locals are getting something else rather good, adding to this north west neighbourhood’s reputation as one of the best foodie bits of the capital. Bar Blondie takes up residence in the old Milk Beach site on Lonsdale Road, and comes from original Milk Beach founder Eliot Milne, and sommelier Alex Price (most recently of Plates and Crispin). Expect Southern European dining: small plates, pasta, a 160 bin wine list focusing on Europe’s sunnier climes, as well as poetry readings, chess nights and more.
When: Summer 2026
Where: 19-21 Lonsdale Road, NW6 6RD
Read more: Bar Blondie

Lunette, Temple

Why: London has waited very patiently indeed to see what Florence Knight would do next. After making a name for herself at Polpetto, Knight helped to launch one of London’s most successful, striking new restaurants of the last few years when she led the kitchen at Sessions Arts Club. Lunette will be her first new restaurant since then, as she joins forces with Soho House CEO Nick Jones’ new hotel - St Clements - near Temple.
When: September 2026
Where: St Clement Hotel, 180 The Thames, WC2R 3DA
Read more: Lunette

Gordon Ramsay at Sea Containers, South Bank

What: Hot on the heels of his Netflix documentary and 22 Bishopsgate launches, Gordon Ramsay is taking over one of London’s more iconic hotel spaces later this year. Partnering with Lore Group, the chef will open Gordon Ramsay at Sea Containers in autumn, taking over the flagship riverside space alongside Lyaness and 12th Knot. We’re promised an all-day spot with cruise-liner-inspired interiors and an expansive terrace.
When: Autumn 2026
Where: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
Read more: Gordon Ramsay at Sea Containers

Kong, Shoreditch

Why: We haven’t seen a new restaurant from Andrew Wong since Kym’s unfortunate demise, so to say we’re excited for Kong is an enormous understatement. Wong - of two Michelin-starred A. Wong - is one of the world’s most acclaimed Chinese chefs, and Kong will see him turn a hand to more casual cooking - Cantonese food with a gastropub attitude. We’ve been promised ‘dumplings at dawn, noodles at lunch, and grilled with a cold pint at dusk’ - sign us up.
When: Late 2026
Where: 9-11 Folgate Street, E1 6BX
Read more: Kong

Coreus by Clare Smyth, St. James's

Why: When Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud were announced as the chefs leading the charge for the upcoming Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria hotel, they instantly became two of 2026’s most anticipated new openings. Smyth has been on a bit of a charge, opening a new bistro Corenucopia, as well as closing her Sydney restaurant. Coreus promises a more seafood-led menu, and the same luxury as three Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth. Stars may be on the horizon.
When: 2026
Where: Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria, The Mall, SW1A 2WH
Read more: Coreus by Clare Smyth

Fayre at The Shepherd Mayfair

Why: Set within The Shepherd Mayfair, Fayre will be the hotel’s slick new all-day brasserie. Expect opulent, design-led interiors, drawing inspiration from the aesthetic of eighteenth and nineteenth century Mayfair townhouses. Menus are under wraps, but seasonal cooking and neighbourhood appeal suggest this could be one of Mayfair’s most compelling new openings.
When: 2026
Where: 2 Stanhope Row, W1J 7BT
Read more: Fayre at The Shepherd Mayfair

Major's Grill at Cambridge House Auberge, Green Park

Why: Love it or loathe it, Carbone was one of last year’s biggest new openings - who would bet against Major’s Grill capturing the headlines, when Carbone trio Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi throw open the doors in 2026? Major’s promises to be equally glamorous, offering big wines and huge, top class grill cuts in the brand new Cambridge House Auberge hotel, opening on Piccadilly this year.
When: 2026
Where: 94 Piccadilly, W1J 7PB
Read more: Major's Grill at Cambridge House Auberge

Cloth Cornhill, City of London

Why: Fresh off the highly successful debut of Cloth, founding trio Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth and Tom Hurst are lining up something rather special. Cloth number two will revive Simpson’s Tavern - a City institution that has fed Londoners since 1757, but sadly been closed since 2022. Cloth was (and still is) one of the most quietly beautiful, atmospheric restaurants in London, so we’re expecting more of the same, alongside the modern British, produce-led cooking that went so well in the original.
When: 2026
Where: 38 1/2 Cornhill, EC3V 9DR
Read more: Cloth Cornhill

Kiji, Mayfair

Why: News has been a bit quiet on this front, but we’re still expecting Kiji to open in 2026 - a new Korean BBQ restaurant from Ellia and Junghyun Park, the couple behind acclaimed NYC restaurant Atomix. The latter is lauded as one of the world’s very best restaurants, so expectations are high indeed, but the Parks’ restaurants have taken New York by storm.
When: 2026
Where: 60 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG

Time to start marking dates in your calendars. Keep an eye on this list because we'll be updating it regularly as restaurants open and more restaurants are announced. Or, check out our definitive guide to London's coolest, trendiest restaurants of the moment.