Latest news with #LondonRestaurants
Forbes
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
6 Must-Visit London Restaurants This Month
Twenty8 Nomad London Some people get seasonal allergies. We, in the UK, seem to get seasonal appetites. Thankfully, with London shedding its raincoat and stepping into early summer, it's the perfect time to make plans that don't revolve around desk lunches and Deliveroo. New restaurants are launching, terrace pop-ups are fighting for your rosé-all-day loyalty, and if you time it right, you might even make the long stroll to a dessert stop without needing a coat. This month's line-up is quietly chaotic (I ate too much great food recently, what can I say). We've got a Michelin-starred chef in their Knightsbridge comeback, a Mediterranean terrace that wants to be your entire personality for the next two months, and a chocolate-cum-cookie shop in Kennington that's already halfway to cult status. For every must-visit spot listed below, my instructions are simple: plan now, go hungry, and thank me later. Tom Brown at The Capital Where: Knightsbridge Why now: The Cornerstone chef's back — this time, with a 12-course tasting menu set inside his prestigious former hotel home. What to expect: The £125 menu is full of clever, confident moves — mussel and beetroot 'charcuterie,' cuttlefish masquerading as ravioli, and a chocolate dessert laced with caviar, olive oil, and capers. Dishes are refined but never polite, taking all the risks Cornerstone didn't have the backing to take. Expect seriously sensational cooking. Vibe: Understated luxury, big flavours, no posturing. 108 Brasserie's Maison Mirabeau Terrace seafood platter Where: Marylebone Why now: The terrace has had a French Riviera makeover — and the rosé's flowing accordingly. What to expect: Fresh seafood, serious rosé, and just enough sunlight to pretend you're on the Côte d'Azur. Go for seabass crudo or burrata-stuffed crispy gnocchi if you're snacking; level up with the butterflied sea bass or a seafood platter if you're staying a while. Strawberries and cream are on standby for dessert, and the sensational rosé list includes Mirabeau's 'Pure,' 'La Réserve,' and sparkling 'La Folie.' Basically the perfect way to spend a day with friends. Vibe: Day drinking done chic. Twenty8 NoMad London Where: Covent Garden Why now: The team behind NoMad London has launched its most ambitious concept yet: an ultra-luxe bistro channelling old New York glam What to expect: Set in a reimagined Victorian palm court (designed by Martin Brudnizki, naturally), Twenty8 delivers on both phenomenal British produce and big-theatre flair. The menu leans hard into elevated comfort food — seafood towers, dry-aged Galician steak, that infamous foie-gras-stuffed chicken — while the martini list reads like a liquid history of New York's cocktail canon. Vibe: Big on Instagramability, bigger on flavour and service. Nine Lives taco Where: London Bridge Why now: A brilliant bar made better by bargain tacos and a terrace that's finally open again. What to expect: Every Tuesday chef Ramón Ramos serves £3 tacos inspired by those from his hometown of Guadalajara — best paired with £10 Champagne cocktails under the disco ball. Throughout the week, you can also expect a new experimental cocktail menu shaped by 2025 trend forecasts, a fresh outdoor space for spicy margs in the sun, and a custom hi-fi sound system that takes the 'listening bar' brief seriously. If you know, you know. Vibe: Underground in all the right ways. Estiatorio Milos' fish market Where: St James's Why now: Because sometimes only grilled octopus and a £50 sea bass will do. What to expect: Impeccably fresh seafood, flown in daily and displayed on ice like edible sculpture. Greek minimalism on the plate and in the room — think white linen, an unbelievably friendly and skilled staff, plus a dining crowd that looks like they summer in Hydra. Don't miss the paper-thin zucchini and aubergine tower, stacked high over saganaki cheese and finished tableside with wild thyme honey. Vibe: International money, Med-light diet, the best mineral wine mandatory. Chocolate Dino Company cookies Where: Kennington Why now: Because your inner child deserves it. What to expect: It started as a lockdown brownie delivery service and now turns out some of London's best cookies from a low-key Kennington spot. Thick, gooey, and properly indulgent, the cookies come in rotating flavours (red velvet and chocolate orange are personal faves), often still warm from the oven. There's coffee, brunch and bagels, too — but let's be honest, you're going for the cookies. Vibe: Neighbourhood gem you can order to your door. No notes.
Vogue Arabia
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
Air Conditioning, Aperitifs, and Al Dente Pasta: A Summer Dining Guide to London
When the desert heat becomes unbearable, the Gulf's well-heeled set doesn't sweat—they relocate. London has long been the favoured seasonal playground for the region's stylish escapees, its restaurants serving not just as places to eat but as glossy stages for post-shopping power lunches, discreet catch-ups, and late-night rendezvous that stretch into the haze of morning. The draw? A potent mix of cultural familiarity and distinctly British elegance — where cold air is non-negotiable and the table service is crisp enough to rival Savile Row tailoring. Whether it's dinner under Hirst's winged deities at Bacchanalia or burrata and blush wine on a quiet Notting Hill terrace, London's restaurant scene this summer offers both shade and spectacle. Below, a roundup of the best tables in town — where AC hums softly, mocktails arrive with flair, and your kaftan will never feel overdressed. Mister Nice, Mayfair Mister Nice walks a delicious line between French polish and London swagger. The dining room is plush but not stuffy, the crowd sleek but not trying too hard — well, maybe just a little. Expect caviar bumps, côte de boeuf, and a perfectly fruits rouges topped cheesecake. The terrace is tiny but in-demand, ideal for those who like their rosé chilled and their conversations semi-public. This is a place for regulars. Sexy Fish, Berkeley Square The name still elicits a smirk, but the vibe remains pure fantasy. Sexy Fish is where lacquered ceilings meet seared yellowtail and conversation flows as freely as the Unity drinks menu – London's most elegant solution to sober curiosity. Here, non-drinkers are not afterthoughts: their UNITY menu offers 12 alcohol-free cocktails that are as carefully crafted (and theatrically presented) as their boozy counterparts. Fish may be the star, but the real catch is the crowd – equal parts Mayfair regulars and visiting It Girls. Claridge's Restaurant, Mayfair Newly reborn and dressed in buttercream hues and Deco glamour, Claridge's main restaurant is a quiet riot of detail. Come for the Lobster Wellington — a decadent twist on the British classic—and stay for the silken service that makes even jet-lagged diners feel like regulars. It's air-conditioned, of course, but somehow manages to stay cool in every sense of the word. Bacchanalia, Mayfair © Johnny Stephens 2020 If ancient Rome had a luxury rebrand with a Damien Hirst budget, it would be Bacchanalia. There are actual antiquities on display — some dating back to 2AD — sourced from Sotheby's and private collections. Sculptures by Hirst hover over a dining room so lavish it could intimidate Versailles. But the menu, helmed by chef Athinagoras Kostakos, balances the pageantry with sharp Mediterranean classics that echo the space's mythic splendor. Think grilled langoustine, lobster paccheri, and honey-roasted lamb that tastes as grand as the room looks. Em Sherif, Harrods, Knightsbridge This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. The beloved Beirut institution has made its London home within the luxe sprawl of Harrods, offering a familiar yet transportive escape for Gulf travellers. Come for the homestyle hospitality, stay for the zaatar manoushe, lemon rice with lamb confit, and shawarma. It's a breath of Levantine air, filtered through the gloss of Knightsbridge. BiBi, North Audley Street, Mayfair This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Chef Chet Sharma's BiBi is a masterclass in modern Indian fine dining, with punchy spice profiles tempered by polished service and an understated dining room. Come hungry — preferably before hitting the Bond Street boutiques—and order the Orkney scallop nimbu pani or the buffalo milk paneer with cashew. Air-conditioned and always booked: reserve now, or be relegated to watching the magic via Instagram stories. Hide, Piccadilly Three floors, each with their own mood: 'Below' for cocktails, 'Ground' for the tasting menu, 'Above' for skyline views and sun-dappled lunches. Hide is like a minimalist's fever dream — oak, concrete, and clean lines—but with a menu that pulls from the natural world with intricate precision. It's a Michelin-starred sanctuary, with just enough drama to keep it from feeling sterile. Isabel, Mayfair Haydon Perrior A restaurant dressed for the runway, Isabel is candlelit, cocooned in amber tones, and impossibly photogenic. The menu skews pan-European — grilled octopus, truffle pasta, charred steaks — but the real allure is its mood: sexy, velvet-drenched, and perennially golden hour. It's also one of the few places that feels like dinner could effortlessly turn into dancing (and occasionally, it does). Le Petit Maison, Mayfair This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. LPM remains a perennial favourite among those who prefer their summer dining with a Riviera accent. Burrata, truffle pasta, and whole roasted sea bream arrive with casual elegance, as if by instinct. There's no terrace, but the warm, honeyed light and open windows give it that Côte d'Azur-in-the-city feel, minus the mosquitoes. Nina, Marylebone This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Descending into Nina feels like entering a Milanese supper club reimagined for London's fashion-forward set. The interiors blend industrial chic with playful touches — think leopard-print accents, mirrored bars, and soft lighting that flatters every angle. The menu offers a modern Italian experience, featuring dishes like taleggio truffle arancini, bluefin tuna with melon and Italian ponzu, and spaghetti al pomodoro topped with creamy stracciatella. For mains, the chicken Milanese with parmesan butter is a standout. Desserts, such as the generous tiramisu al cucchiaio, provide a sweet conclusion to the meal. Whether you're seated at the bar or in a semi-private nook, Nina delivers a dining experience that's both stylish and satisfying.
Cosmopolitan ME
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
London restaurants Dubai: New places coming soon
Darlings, brace yourselves – London's hottest dining spots are officially boarding a one-way flight to the UAE, and we couldn't be more excited. If you've ever daydreamed about twirling Soho-style pasta or casually dining at the same spot where celebs hang out, like Scott's in Mayfair, your foodie fantasies are about to get very real. Oh, and yes – even the ultra-glam bathroom selfies you've seen all over your feed? Those vibes are landing too. Some of the UK's most iconic restaurants are bringing their charm, flair, and seriously good food to our shores. Think cult classics, celeb-approved bites, and all the London cool without the grey skies. Basically, it's giving major main character energy – and we're so here for it. Isabel Mayfair Oh hello, glam! The iconic Isabel Mayfair – yes, the one with the velvet booths, moody lighting, and those Instagram-famous bathrooms – is making its way to Dubai. Set to open at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island in 2026, this London favourite is where fashion insiders sip cocktails and dinner turns into impromptu afterparties. Expect Mediterranean-meets-Latin plates (truffle pasta lovers, you're seen), an ultra-stylish crowd, and a whole lot of 'did-you-see-her' moments. IYKYK – and if you don't, you're about to. 📍Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. Date: Late 2025. Scott's Mayfair Ready to be swept into the elegance of London's iconic Scott's Mayfair, now arriving in DIFC. Known for its exquisite seafood – think fresh oysters, caviar, and the finest shellfish – this hotspot has been the choice of celebs and royalty since 1851. With its Art Deco-inspired interiors and top-tier British classics, Scott's Dubai is set to be the ultimate destination for those who know how to indulge in style. 📍DIFC. Date: TBC. Park Chinois London's swanky Park Chinois is landing in Dubai! Opening in 2026 at the Gran Meliá near Port De La Mer, this chic spot is all about those iconic Cantonese dishes (hello, Peking duck) and a seriously glamorous 1930s Shanghai vibe. Think luxe Art Deco interiors, intimate vibes, and views that'll make you feel like a star. Whether you're here for the food or just to see and be seen, Park Chinois Dubai is definitely where you'll want to be. 📍Gran Meliá, Port De La Mer. Date: Early 2026. China Tang Get ready to indulge, because Mayfair's finest is headed your way. China Tang is bringing its legendary Cantonese classics to Dubai at The Lana Promenade by Dorchester Collection. Known for its iconic Peking duck and mouthwatering dishes, this hotspot has been the go-to for London's A-listers since 2005. Think 1930s Shanghai chic – the Art Deco dining room dripping in luxe and drama. Kate Moss to the Duchess of York, China Tang's guest list is a who's who of the famous and glamorous. If you've come to indulge in their renowned plates or simply to soak in the atmosphere, here's where you'll be seen. 📍The Lana, Dorchester Collection Dubai, Business Bay. Date: TBC. Big Mamma Group If you've ever queued for truffle pasta or snapped that iconic shot of the lemon meringue pie at Gloria in London – you already know the Big Mamma Group doesn't play when it comes to vibes and food. And now, it looks like the cult-fave Italian restaurant group is packing up its signature OTT style and heading to the UAE. While they're keeping the exact location hush-hush for now, all signs point to Dubai being next on their hit list. So yes, it's officially time to manifest those carb-fuelled nights under twinkly lights, with bold interiors and even bolder plates. Bellissima! Check out these restaurants in Riyadh: They may or may not already have Isabel Mayfair 👀
