We’re a bit late with this, but here’s a look back at the most exciting newcomers on the London restaurant scene in 2024, including The Hero, Arlington, Wildflowers and Row on 5.

Row on 5

If there was one opening last year with a real wow factor, it’s Row on 5.

A passion project for Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, with a 15-course tasting menu designed by Jason and celebrated chef Spencer Metzger (formerly of The Ritz), this is dining that feels as much like a performance as a meal.

Diners start on the ground floor open plan kitchen / living room space with open fires to have the first few courses, before moving upstairs to the main dining room, with the chefs working in front of you, for the main part of the spectacular tasting menu.

They even offer to dry clean your coat while you have dinner (they have a machine in the reception area)!

Oma and Agora

Following the success of Smokestak and Manteca, David Carter’s Oma and Agora in Borough Market have quickly become a hot spot.

In partnership with former Kiln head chef Nick Molyviatis and Jorge Paredes, executive chef of Sabor, the restaurant channels contemporary Greek dining in a stylish space with a crudo bar and live-fire kitchen.

With dishes like lobster-bisque borek and Santorini fava beans with capers, Oma brings the flavours of Greece to life using the finest British produce.

On the ground floor, Agora offers a more casual Greek taverna vibe.

The Barbary Notting Hill

If you loved the original Barbary in Covent Garden, their new spot in Notting Hill is a must-visit.

While the counter-dining ethos remains, there’s now room for a little more relaxation with traditional booth seating.

Classic dishes like the hashcake have made the move west, along with new creations like coffee-rubbed organic chicken.

Café François

Bringing Parisian elegance to Borough Yards, this chic French bistro, from the team behind Maison Francois, is already packed with locals and visitors alike.

Whether you’re enjoying a martini with gougères or indulging in a long boozy lunch, this is the sort of place where you want to linger.

Menu favourites include the prime rib with snails, rotisserie chicken to share and the pistachio éclairs.

Joséphine Bouchon

Lyon-born chef Claude Bosi and his wife Lucy have brought the heart of Lyon to London with Joséphine Bouchon, a cosy bouchon serving hearty French classics in an unpretentious setting.

The restaurant pays tribute to Claude Bosi’s grandmother, Joséphine, with a menu that includes French onion soup, rabbit in mustard sauce, and a signature rum baba.

Morchella

The team behind the successful Perilla in Stoke Newington opened a much bigger restaurant close to Exmouth Market in 2024.

Morchella offers a modern take on Mediterranean cooking with a menu of sharing plates – from spanakopita and salt cod churros, to vitello tonnato and Scallop and cauliflower.

Ibai

For steak lovers and fans of simple, elegant cooking, Ibai near St Paul’s cathedral is a restaurant to visit.

The restaurant from Lurra founder Nemanja Borjanović is a Basque grill that serves some of the finest cuts of meat you’ll find in the city.

Specialising in expertly aged steaks and Basque-inspired small plates such as Croque Ibai (a decadent black pudding prawn croque), the restaurant is a welcome addition to the area.

Arlington

Jeremy King’s new restaurant, Arlington, is a masterstroke in the art of crowd-pleasing glamour.

Located in St James’s in Le Caprice’s former home, the restaurant is fast becoming a favourite of the A-list crowd.

Whether you’re popping in for a Cesear Salad or a Shepherd’s Pie, this is a place where you can feel both at home and rather chic.

Lita

Lita in Marylebone is emerging as one of the top restaurants of the moment. With chef Luke Ahearne at the helm, the restaurant offers great cooking with a laid-back luxurious vibe.

Menu highlights include smoked Basque sardines, Fuentes bluefin tuna and rib of Galician beef.

Wildflowers

Chef Aaron Potter, formerly of Trinity and Elystan Street, and interior stylist Laura Hart have opened Wildflowers, a new Mediterranean-focused restaurant, in Belgravia.

A beautiful neighbourhood spot that captures the spirit of Mediterranean cooking, menu highlights at Wildflowers include moules farcies with garlic & parsley butter, calamari sandwich and Carabinero prawns with cuttlefish ink vermicelli.

Canteen

With two former River Cafe chefs Jessica Filbey and Harry Hills in the kitchen, Canteen in Notting Hill serves up a daily changing menu of pizza, pasta and larger sharing plates in a relaxed and unfussy environment.

The food here is delightful — casual Italian dining at its finest.

Anglo Thai

From husband and wife chef and sommelier team, John and Desiree Chantarasak, Anglo Thai offers a masterful blend of Thai and British influences.

Drawing from John’s experiences at Som Saa and Nahm, expect bold dishes like lion’s mane mushroom with sunflower-seed satay, pork chop with smoked chilli relish, and crown prince pumpkin dessert.

The Park

Another opening from Jeremy King, located on the ground floor of a chic Bayswater apartment block near Hyde Park.

The restaurant has a buzzy atmosphere and serves a menu of favourites such as Chicken Hot Pot, New England Clam Chowder and Shrimp Cocktail.

ABC Kitchens

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s latest London restaurant is located in The Emory hotel and brings a taste of his American ABC restaurants to Knightsbridge.

Expect dishes like green chickpea hummus, sautéed south coast john dory and BBQ pork tacos served in a stylish interior.

Marceline

Located in Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf, Marceline is an elegant brasserie inspired by the classic traditions of Paris and New York.

This spot offers a warm, personable atmosphere, perfect for everything from weekend brunches to late-night aperitifs.

The menu combines traditional brasserie dishes with creative twists, and a finely curated wine list.

Kolamba East

Kolamba East brings the vibrant flavours of Sri Lanka to Spitalfields.

The spacious 92-cover restaurant and bar serves classic Sri Lankan dishes made with the finest ingredients.

The menu is inspired by the couple’s family recipes, covering the rich diversity of Sri Lankan cuisine, from Sinhalese and Tamil to Moorish, Dutch, and Malay influences.

Kolamba East is the second restaurant from Eroshan and Aushi Meewella and signature dishes like string hoppers, hot butter cuttlefish, and mutton shoulder rolls return alongside larger feasting plates.

The Hero

From the team behind The Pelican in Notting Hill, this multi-floor spot offers everything from hearty pub snacks like cheese toasties and scotch eggs to an excellent value steak frites.

Upstairs, The Grill Room serves a more formal menu of meats and fish on an open fire in a gorgeous dining room.

For post-dinner drinks head to the The Library cocktail bar with its DJ booth and live music nights.

There are two private dining rooms for parties and events.

The Best New Restaurants in London

If you liked this guide to the best new london restaurants of 2024, you may enjoy our guide to the best brunch in London, the best cocktail bars in London or the most romantic restaurants in London.

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