London is a city that loves to eat. Therefore, we’re excited about another year of wall-to-wall restaurant openings to try – from foodie pubs overseen by one of the city’s top chefs to a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint and a much-whispered-about spot from Portugal’s starriest chef Nuno Mendes.
These are the London food openings to know for 2022.
January Restaurant Openings
Boiler and Co, London Bridge
Kerth Gumbs was one of the highest-rated chefs on 2021’s instalment of Great British Menu, making it to the show’s grand banquet with his pudding. This is his first restaurant of his own – after spending five years at Ormer in Mayfair, he’s set up his joint in London Bridge. It combines a cocktail bar with a restaurant, featuring a tasting menu (crab cakes with scotch bonnet, salted fish with octopus stew, aged duck with tamarind) paired with expertly crafted cocktails.
Itaku, Great Portland Street
Impressive CVs abound from the team heading up Italian-Japanese Itaku. Naples-born head chef Ivan Simeoli cut his teeth at Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, while head mixologist Nicholas Medicamento previously worked at The Savoy’s American Bar. The menu spotlights dishes such as miso Cornish monkfish with Tuscan black cabbage and Sicilian red prawns with black truffle ponzu and shiso.
Roji, Mayfair
A teeny 10-seater is exactly what we’re looking for when heading out for sushi. Roji is the latest opening from Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa (previously of Tokimeitē) and the team behind Mayfair kingpin Chisou. Expect exquisite saké, Cornish fish, and Sussex produce to feature in a supper menu that costs around £150 per person – or opt for lunch for a more affordable alternative.
February Restaurant Openings
Noci, Islington
London is no stranger to fresh pasta. But that doesn’t mean the city’s foodies are tired of it. Conversely, they are still queuing for a table at popular spots. Enter Noci, headed up by Louis Korovilas (previously of Italian must-visit venues Bacone and Tavolino). Located just off pretty Newington Green, he’ll serve pillowy, handmade versions of all the classics – bucatini, gnocchi, ravioli – paired with punchy ragus, confit tomato, smoked ricotta, and more.
March Restaurant Openings
Apricity, Mayfair
Tredwells’ Chantelle Nicholson focuses on sustainability at her new Mayfair establishment. Head chef Eve Seemann (also previously of Tredwells) adopts a zero-waste policy – Brussel sprouts will be cooked with ‘spent beer’, a waste product from the beer-making process. Expect low-intervention wines and low-waste cocktails on the menu as well.
Princess Royal, Notting Hill
Food author and chef Ben Tish is known for his elevated pub grub with Cubitt House. The first pub to fall under Tish’s new role will be in Notting Hill, restoring an 18th-century pub while adding a contemporary raw bar.
April Restaurant Openings
Aragawa, Mayfair
Mayfair is getting more than its fair share of foodie openings in 2022. In April, another Japanese-flavored restaurant will land in the area, and this time, it’s one to splash out on. Aragawa is a transplant from Tokyo and the first restaurant outside of Japan known for its exceptional Kobe beef. This is a truly special occasion spot with an open kitchen for those who enjoy watching their steaks being cooked and a private dining room for extra seclusion.
Spring Restaurant Openings
Lisboeta, Fitzrovia
Nuno Mendes is one of the restaurant world’s most prominent names. His latest London opening is a big event, aiming to bring the sunshine of Lisbon to Charlotte Street – featuring a bar crafted from tram wood and limestone sourced from Lisbon, with a menu of petiscos, the traditional small dishes served in local tascas.
Tatale, Southwark
Akwasi Brenya-Mensa’s concept for Tatale began as a successful supper club. In 2022, he will bring this idea to The Africa Centre. Expect Brenya-Mensa to highlight his Ghanaian-British heritage with whimsical dishes such as cassavas bravas and shito-spiced chicken burgers, served in a spacious two-floor restaurant with an outdoor terrace for sunny days.
