Summer’s over and the city is back: fall is when London’s restaurant scene really comes into its own. This September is promising a bumper load of new openings, from international exports to home-grown talent.
While a lot of the new London openings are just that (new), in a time where the news headlines are full of downbeat tales of the decline of hospitality, seeing established industry figures continuing to invest in experimental new ventures feels like a vote of confidence in the city’s dining future.
It’s these months of the year when the ingredients are at their best, too. After a hot summer, hedgerows are heavy with berries and orchards are weighed down by apples; wild mushrooms are starting to appear and kale is breaking soil. Chefs are spoiled with choice – it might just be the most exciting time of the year to run a kitchen. These are the hottest new restaurant in London right now.
Labombe by Trivet, September 16
Down in southeast London, in village-like Bermondsey, Trivet (run by Fat Duck-alum Johnny Lake and Isa Bal) has steadily risen to become one of the city’s most esteemed restaurants, with two Michelin stars. Now, nearly six years after opening, the Trivet team is branching out to Mayfair to open Labombe – a wine bar and restaurant inside the Como Metropolitan hotel on Old Park Lane, in the space that used to house celebrity drinking favourite the Met Bar. Initially run as a trial concept at Trivet on Monday evenings, Labombe will be serving more relaxed cooking with a focus on specialty wines. It sounds like a place where Lake and Bal will be having a lot of fun.
Kudu, September 16
Once a mainstay on the no longer up-and-coming and instead firmly established Peckham restaurant scene, Kudu is making the move to Marylebone. Some devotees lamented the loss of a beloved neighborhood spot, but owners Amy Corbin and Patrick Williams Amy Patrick heralded it as an “exciting new chapter” in an Instagram post. The new Kudu will remain true to its roots, and continue serving South African-inspired dishes, with a focus on meat and fish cooked over an open-flame charcoal braai (barbecue). Interior pictures are still sparse, but a sneak peek shows a warm dining room with southern African inspired decor. Peckham’s loss is Marylebone’s gain.
Carbone, September TBC
This is it, the big one: New York A-lister mainstay Carbone is coming to London. Sitting underneath the freshly opened The Chancery Rosewood, this is the first UK outpost from Major Food Group. Most of the details are heavily under wraps but we’ve seen the space and it’s spectacular. Stand by for more details soon…
Serra, September 1
As well as the headline Carbone, with the opening of The Chancery Rosewood come a few other interesting restaurants, the first of which was Serra. At the helm is chef Alex Povall (formerly of Berenjak, Hartnett Holder and Co and Murano), making his luxury hotel debut with a Mediterranean menu that fits neatly into London’s current appetite for the region’s cuisine. Dishes lean into the flavors of southern Italy and Greece, featuring mezze platters, grilled seafood and handmade pastas designed for sharing, guided by a ‘small-farm-to-big-table’ ethos.
Michael Caines at The Stafford, September 16
London has no shortage of fine British dining, but until now Michael Caines has kept his cooking outside the capital. His first London restaurant, taking over the former Game Bird at The Stafford hotel, brings his produce-led ‘terroir cuisine’ to Mayfair. Following a soft launch from 5–16 September, it opens fully on the 17th. The menu leans into British sourcing with a contemporary European touch, Dover sole from Brixham, beef Wellington, all underpinned by the sustainable fishing and farming practices that define his Devon flagship.
The Grill at The Dorchester, September 15
One of London’s most storied dining rooms, The Grill at The Dorchester returns this September with all the expected bells and whistles. Striking chandeliers and Bentley banquettes set the tone, while head chef Jacob Keen-Downs (formerly of Gold, Notting Hill) delivers a menu that balances modern dining with classic appeal. Think tuna tartare prepared tableside, a signature seafood platter and beef Wellington for a touch of theatre. Sundays are reserved for roasts and a dessert trolley stacked with British favourites – banana split, baked Alaska, sherry trifle. Carrying the room’s lively energy into the evening, a new partnership with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club will see a Supper Club series this fall, pairing world-class live jazz with a specially curated three-course menu.
