What’s cooking in London: latest restaurant & dining highlights in January

London’s dining scene shows no sign of slowing down. From candle-lit neighbourhood bistros and ambitious seafood-led openings to elevated dim sum and much-anticipated bakery launches, the capital is laying the groundwork for some truly excellent feasting in 2026. A few exciting new spots have already opened their doors, while a few gems are quietly building anticipation for 2026.

For those looking to behave, or turn a new leaf towards healthy living  we have also included some suggestions for Veganuary and Dry January.

Here’s what’s cooking in London right now, and what to put on your radar for the months to come.

Bistro Sablé

This is the restaurant we choose to highlight this month. A sensational new Bistro in Islington. While it is a neighbourhood restaurant the melt in the mouth Beef Bourguignon alone is worth travelling for. Bistro Sablé, a former smokehouse pub has been transformed into a warm, candle-lit space inspired by Parisian flea markets. With mismatched bentwood chairs, old church pews and flickering candlelight, it has all the cosy, lived-in charm of a true neighbourhood bistro.

The menu at Bistro Sablé is classic French comfort done well, from pork & duck rillettes with cornichons and a perfectly risen cheese soufflé, to elegant Dover sole meunière and wild mushroom vol-au-vent. One can finish with the 70% Xoco chocolate mousse, perfectly paired with preserved Amarena cherries (a dynamite combination) and an order of a freshly baked half dozen of still-warm madeleines and don’t forget to check the specials board where you can often find a Tartatinfor two.

Not only is it the menu filled with delicious French food it is also very reasonably priced. A negroni or the freshly baked half dozen Madeline's are each £5. We recommend getting there toute suite!

Click here for our full review.

Location: 63-69 Canonbury Road, Islington N1 2DG  Website: bistrosable.co.uk     Instagram:@bistrosable

Image courtesy of Bistro Sablé, Islington

New

Gilroy’s Loft

At the helm of the kitchen at this new opening is Pip Lacey, an award-winning chef known for her distinctive approach to modern British cuisine. With a background that includes a stint as Head Chef at Michelin-starred Murano, opening her debut restaurant Hicce, and winning BBC’s Great British Menu. The menu has a focus on locally sourced seafood and playful interpretations of classic British and Irish dishes. There is an emphasis on responsibly sourced, line-caught fish from Wright Brothers, as well as native oysters sourced from small growers along the British and Irish coast, including Jersey, Achill Island, and Kelly’s Galway native oysters. Think seafood towers!

Here the pairing of seafood with Guinness is central. Every dish can be thoughtfully matched with drinks crafted by Hollie Stephenson, the Master Brewer at the Guinness Open Gate.

Location: 28-32 Shelton Street, London  Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 11am - 11.30pm. Friday & Saturday  11am - Midnight. Sunday Midday – 10.30pm. Website: opengate.guiness.com Instagram: @gilroysloft

Tower House Restaurant

This is one to put on your radar. Located in the former Pitcher & Piano in Richmond, overlooking the Thames.  Tower House is a great location in a building with good bones. Coming from the team behind Gold in Notting Hill you know it is going to be a corker!

It stands out with its 19th Century clocktower, and the terrace will be THE spot come summer. The menu is modern mediterranean with old world Italian roots with dishes like a Pizzette with stracciatella, tomato & Parma ham, pappardelle with beef shin ragu and as with Gold several exceedingly flavoursome vegetable dishes.

Location:  11 Bridge Street, Richmond TW9 1TQ   Opening hours: Mon to Thurs  - Midday-11.30pm,  Sat 9.00am  – 00:30, Sun 9.00am - 23.30pm. Website: thistowerhouse.com Instagram: @thistowerhouse

Image courtesy of Gilroy’s Loft

Dim Sum Library

Hong Kong-born concept Dim Sum Library has landed in Covent Garden, brought by the group behind London restaurants Aqua, Hutong and Shiro. The Long Acre restaurant is located on the former site of Restaurant Group's casual Italian restaurant and deli LUCI, which launched in 2023.

The menu is Cantonese dim sum with tea led cocktails. They are also serving an afternoon tea called Tea Tales combining sweet and savoury dim sum for £25pp including unlimited tea. There are also out of the ordinary dishes like king crab and sea urchin spring rolls, black truffle crispy chicken skin and marinated tomatoes with dried tangerine peels.

Location: 136 Long Acre London WC2E 9AD  Opening hours: Open daily lunch and dinner, closed Monday lunch  Website:   dimsumlibrary.co.uk Instagram: @dimsumlibraryuk

Image courtesy of Dim Sum Library London

Opening Soon

New Bakery at Claridge’s

A new bakery is set to open 21 January to the rear of Claridge’s Hotel near the Art Space Café. The bakery will be led by Chef Richard Hart a world-renowned artisan baker, famous for his sourdough mastery at San Francisco's Tartine Bakery, co-founding Copenhagen's influential Hart Bageriwith René Redzepi.

It will be a British focused menu of staples like sandwiches, quiches, sausage rolls and scotch eggs making it a perfect spot for a quick casual lunch as well as being able to grab a takeaway. There will of course be cakes and tarts for a sweet end to lunch or for afternoon tea.

Image courtesy of Alley Cats Pizza

Alley Cats Pizza

London’s Pizza game is strong with the likes of Crisp in Mayfair, Vincenzo’s Shoreditch and Ria’s in Soho all opening recently. Alley Cats Pizza is riding the wave of Londoners enthusiasm for good pizza and will be opening on Notting Hill’s Portobello Road in February. Their brand-new pizzeria will span two floors at 233 Portobello Road serving their Sicilian style square pizza. They will cleverly include a “slice hatch” - perfect for a grab and go slice as you carry on exploring the markets at Portobello.

Location: 233 Portobello Road, London W11 1LT. Website: alleycatspizza.co.uk. Instagram:  @alleycaspizzalondon

Cometa

Carousel originated as a Chef residency restaurant, which moved to Charlotte Street some years back. The location includes a space for pop-ups and a wine bar fronting the venue as well as a large room for a rotation of great chef residencies.  In place of the wine bar co-founder Brothers Ed and Ollie Templeton will be launching Cometa which will serve top quality seafood from their long-standing suppliers combining Mexican flavours. Think ceviches, big rice dishes and mezcal based cocktails to wash it all down in a brasserie style setting.

In the meantime head to their wine bar until they transition the space in February 2026.

Location:  19-23 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RW. Website: carousel-london.com   Instagram: @carousel_ldn

Image courtesy of Cometa

Padella coming to Kingly Street

The duo, Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan behind Padella announced their plans to open an 80- seater restaurant over two floors in Soho after 10 successful years since opening in Borough Market.

Launching in spring 2026 on Kingly Street, the new restaurant will likely feature many of the Padella classics, as well as some new dishes.  They are known for their exceptional hand rolled Pasta – pici cacio pepe. They keep their menu small with a curated list of pastas done expertly. Classics like pappardelle with slow-cooked beef shin ragù, or tagliarini with chilli and olive oil are well known for their simplicity and depth of flavour coming from well sourced ingredients.

Website: padella.co Instagram: @padella_pasta

Buvette

The New York founded restaurant Buvette closed its Notting Hill location in early 2024 without much explanation. It was a cute addition to the neighbourhood at the time. Alas it appears Buvette will resurrect a London outpost but this time in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden in the old  St John Bakery site. Founded by Chef restauranteur Jody Williams The all day Bistroteque will serve everything from coffee in the morning and all day dining through to dinner.  The 80 seater will also spill out into the yard, a lovely escape in the warmer months. 

Location: Neal’s Yard, London WC2  Instagram: @buvettelondon

Burro

In spring, Trullo's Conor Gadd is opening an Italian restaurant in Covent Garden's Floral Court situated between King Street and Floral Street, a hidden oasis and thoughtfully designed public courtyard.

Burro, named after the Italian word for butter will mark Gadd's first solo venture, and will encompass a bar and an all-season terrace. Expect classic Italian dishes such as Bruschetta of Venetian Chicken Livers, Fried Artichokes, Duck Ragu, Dover Sole with Caviar, and a signature Roman Fettuccine ‘Alfredo’.

Instagram: @burro_restaurant

Image courtesy of Bubala

Veganuary 2026

London’s plant-based dining scene is more exciting, diverse and delicious than ever. From Michelin-starred tasting menus where vegetables are prepared with the same technical skill and creativity as any fine-dining dish, to relaxed neighbourhood favourites and casual spots serving comforting classics with a creative twist, vegan food has firmly entered the mainstream. This year’s Veganuary round-up celebrates restaurants that prove plant-based dining isn’t limited to one style or price point.

Whether you’re marking Veganuary with a special-occasion meal, grabbing a midweek bite or relying on a trusted local click here for our selection of establishments which highlight just how inventive and satisfying vegan eating can be across the capital.

Image credit Sen Viet Vegan Restaurant

Dry January

For those seeking a clear-headed start to the year without sacrificing London's vibrant nightlife, Mr Fogg’s, Cahoots, and Control Room B have unveiled an ambitious lineup of limited-edition menus and immersive non-alcoholic experiences. All these establishments ooze character so do go along where you can be naughty but stay nice …(and healthy!)

From the secret allotments of @CahootsLondon to the "Power Down" botanical takeover at @ControlRoomB, Dry January is anything but boring. Explore limited-edition alcohol-free menus across all @MrFoggsGB venues, or test your wits at their Monday night Quizventure with @LuckySaint.

Mr Fogg’s: The Curious Cures for Brain Fogg: Available across all Mr Fogg’s locations, Phileas Fogg has curated four "cures" to banish festive fatigue. These botanical blends use exotic ingredients and premium non-alcoholic spirits like Everleaf and Seedlip.

Must-try: A New Horizon, a fruity mix of EverleafMountain, basil, strawberry, and pomegranate.

Location: Various venues across London.

Mr Fogg’s: The Curious Cures for Brain Fogg

Control Room B: The Power Down Project Battersea Power Station’s iconic bar enters "Power Down Mode," swapping high-voltage spirits for botanical energy. The 1950s switchgear serves as the backdrop for a fully alcohol-free menu.

Must-try: Toffee Triode, a rich, nutty sipper featuring Smiling Wolf Agave, salted caramel, and popcorn syrup.

Location: Battersea Power Station London SW11 8BZ.

Control Room B: The Power Down Project

Cahoots: Scoundrels’ Sober Adventure The Scoundrels have traded their hooch for foraged ingredients. Using allotment finds and victory garden staples, the underground cocktail bar offers a lineup of fresh, aromatic tipples.

Must-try: The Orchard Pincher, Forest paired with basil, orgeat, and apple & pear soda.

Location: Cahoots, Kingly Court, London W18 5PW & Cahoots Postal Office, Stoney Street  London SE1 9AD.

Cahoots: Scoundrels’ Sober Adventure

Immersive Dry Experiences

Beyond the glass, guests can engage in several alcohol-free interactive adventures:

• Escape The Power Cut (Control Room B): A high-stakes, code-breaking escape room experience.

• Cocktail Experiments (Mr Fogg’s): Become a Victorian pharmacist’s apprentice in this immersive lab session.

• Topsy Turvy Tea (Mr Fogg’s): A whimsical afternoon tea paired with non-alcoholic cocktails and savory bites.

The Ultimate Sober Social: Mr Fogg’s Quizventure

Every Monday at Mr Fogg’s City Tavern, the weekly pub quiz partners with Lucky Saint for the ultimate Dry January social.

• The Deal: Pre-book to receive a free pint of Lucky Saint; £5 pints are available all night.

• The Prizes: Winners can nab an £80 bar tab and Lucky Saint goody bags (including cases of beer and merchandise).

• The Vibe: General knowledge meets Victorian travel lore, starting at 5.30pm for just £2 per person.

Words by Natascha Milsom