Autumn openings: the 10 London restaurants you should book
Where the architecture is as savoury as the food
London’s booming restaurant scene offers a veritable archi-tour. The latest batch of openings will take you inside everything from a Victorian gym in King’s Cross to the shotgun houses of the Southern US (by way of Soho). A record-breaking 179 restaurants have opened in the capital this year.
To help you narrow the choice, we bring you 10 new dining spots where the architecture and design is as delectable as the food.
The Lockhart’s loucher sibling takes its name and design inspiration from the narrow abodes that pepper the Southern USA. Its interior, created by Fabled Studio, subtly evoke 20th-century New Orleans, offering a perfect backdrop for chef Brad MacDonald’s contemporary take on authentic Deep Southern gastronomy and accompanying cocktails that are seriously punchy. 26 Kingly Street, W1B 5QD Photography: Rosella Degori / The SpacesShotgun
The Lockhart’s loucher sibling takes its name and design inspiration from the narrow abodes that pepper the Southern USA. Its interior, created by Fabled Studio, subtly evoke 20th-century New Orleans, offering a perfect backdrop for chef Brad MacDonald’s contemporary take on authentic Deep Southern gastronomy and accompanying cocktails that are seriously punchy. 26 Kingly Street, W1B 5QD Photography: Rosella Degori / The SpacesShotgun
The Lockhart’s loucher sibling takes its name and design inspiration from the narrow abodes that pepper the Southern USA. Its interior, created by Fabled Studio, subtly evoke 20th-century New Orleans, offering a perfect backdrop for chef Brad MacDonald’s contemporary take on authentic Deep Southern gastronomy and accompanying cocktails that are seriously punchy. 26 Kingly Street, W1B 5QD Photography: Rosella Degori / The SpacesMarksman Public House, (Upstairs dining room)
Designer Martino Gamper has introduced a pared-down but playful feel to the upstairs dining room of this spruced up East End pub through the addition of colourful linoleum, adjustable lighting, bespoke chairs and a panelled ceiling upholstered with locally woven cloth. It’s a sprightly setting in which to enjoy the fine British fare of ex-St John chef-owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram. 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJMarksman Public House, (Upstairs dining room)
Designer Martino Gamper has introduced a pared-down but playful feel to the upstairs dining room of this spruced up East End pub through the addition of colourful linoleum, adjustable lighting, bespoke chairs and a panelled ceiling upholstered with locally woven cloth. It’s a sprightly setting in which to enjoy the fine British fare of ex-St John chef-owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram. 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJMarksman Public House, (Upstairs dining room)
Designer Martino Gamper has introduced a pared-down but playful feel to the upstairs dining room of this spruced up East End pub through the addition of colourful linoleum, adjustable lighting, bespoke chairs and a panelled ceiling upholstered with locally woven cloth. It’s a sprightly setting in which to enjoy the fine British fare of ex-St John chef-owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram. 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ Photography: Willow GarmsMarksman Public House, (Upstairs dining room)
Designer Martino Gamper has introduced a pared-down but playful feel to the upstairs dining room of this spruced up East End pub through the addition of colourful linoleum, adjustable lighting, bespoke chairs and a panelled ceiling upholstered with locally woven cloth. It’s a sprightly setting in which to enjoy the fine British fare of ex-St John chef-owners Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram. 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJLurra
Inspired by the Basque country’s erretegias (grillhouses), Donostia’s sister restaurant makes a star feature of the region’s natural bounty in both its cooking and interiors. Co-owner and designer Melody Adams repurposed old wine barrels to clad the staircase’s wall and used solid oak for the flooring throughout. The space’s airy and welcoming feel is as pervasive as the scent of expertly cooked produce emanating from the grill. 9 Seymour Place W1H 5BALurra
Inspired by the Basque country’s erretegias (grillhouses), Donostia’s sister restaurant makes a star feature of the region’s natural bounty in both its cooking and interiors. Co-owner and designer Melody Adams repurposed old wine barrels to clad the staircase’s wall and used solid oak for the flooring throughout. The space’s airy and welcoming feel is as pervasive as the scent of expertly cooked produce emanating from the grill. 9 Seymour Place W1H 5BALurra
Inspired by the Basque country’s erretegias (grillhouses), Donostia’s sister restaurant makes a star feature of the region’s natural bounty in both its cooking and interiors. Co-owner and designer Melody Adams repurposed old wine barrels to clad the staircase’s wall and used solid oak for the flooring throughout. The space’s airy and welcoming feel is as pervasive as the scent of expertly cooked produce emanating from the grill. 9 Seymour Place W1H 5BAThe Modern Pantry (Finsbury Square)
This second space from acclaimed chef Anna Hansen is housed in the Art Deco Alphabeta Building. Inside, New York studio AvroKo Design nods to Hansen’s heritage through its use of materials that hark back to the Danish Modern period, including oak, teak and walnut woods and handblown glass for the pendant lights, crafted by Orbit Glass founder Jon Lewis. Its menu, created by Hansen and head chef Rob Mcleary, illuminates the palate with dishes that take inspiration from an array of global cuisines, resulting in plates such as Oloroso marinated onglet, celeriac & horseradish gratin, spiced kumquat & pumpkin seed chutney, and hijiki and bone marrow. The Alphabeta Building, 14 Finsbury Square EC2A 1AH.The Modern Pantry (Finsbury Square)
This second space from acclaimed chef Anna Hansen is housed in the Art Deco Alphabeta Building. Inside, New York studio AvroKo Design nods to Hansen’s heritage through its use of materials that hark back to the Danish Modern period, including oak, teak and walnut woods and handblown glass for the pendant lights, crafted by Orbit Glass founder Jon Lewis. Its menu, created by Hansen and head chef Rob Mcleary, illuminates the palate with dishes that take inspiration from an array of global cuisines, resulting in plates such as Oloroso marinated onglet, celeriac & horseradish gratin, spiced kumquat & pumpkin seed chutney, and hijiki and bone marrow. The Alphabeta Building, 14 Finsbury Square EC2A 1AH.The Modern Pantry (Finsbury Square)
This second space from acclaimed chef Anna Hansen is housed in the Art Deco Alphabeta Building. Inside, New York studio AvroKo Design nods to Hansen’s heritage through its use of materials that hark back to the Danish Modern period, including oak, teak and walnut woods and handblown glass for the pendant lights, crafted by Orbit Glass founder Jon Lewis. Its menu, created by Hansen and head chef Rob Mcleary, illuminates the palate with dishes that take inspiration from an array of global cuisines, resulting in plates such as Oloroso marinated onglet, celeriac & horseradish gratin, spiced kumquat & pumpkin seed chutney, and hijiki and bone marrow. The Alphabeta Building, 14 Finsbury Square EC2A 1AH.German Gymnasium
This Grade-II listed Victorian building was conceived as London’s first purpose-built gymnasium; in a somewhat amusing contrast, it’s now a place to indulge yourself in grand Mittel-European style fare. The considered restoration work of architects Allies and Morrison, paired with interior design by Conran & Partners – which celebrates the building’s original features while creating a fresh, contemporary feel – makes it easy on the eyes too.German Gymnasium
This Grade-II listed Victorian building was conceived as London’s first purpose-built gymnasium; in a somewhat amusing contrast, it’s now a place to indulge yourself in grand Mittel-European style fare. The considered restoration work of architects Allies and Morrison, paired with interior design by Conran & Partners – which celebrates the building’s original features while creating a fresh, contemporary feel – makes it easy on the eyes too. 1 King’s Boulevard N1C 4BU.German Gymnasium
This Grade-II listed Victorian building was conceived as London’s first purpose-built gymnasium; in a somewhat amusing contrast, it’s now a place to indulge yourself in grand Mittel-European style fare. The considered restoration work of architects Allies and Morrison, paired with interior design by Conran & Partners – which celebrates the building’s original features while creating a fresh, contemporary feel – makes it easy on the eyes too. 1 King’s Boulevard N1C 4BU.Sexy Fish
The newest addition to the Caprice Holdings stable is the epitome of ostentation, but somehow this flagrant flamboyance proves quite winsome. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has melded ocean motifs into a mid-century brasserie, garlanded by a plethora of pieces from renowned artists and architects such as Carlo Scarpa, Frank Gehry and Damien Hirst. (Yes, the name is dire – but where is your sense of fun?) Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square W1J 6BR.Sexy Fish
The newest addition to the Caprice Holdings stable is the epitome of ostentation, but somehow this flagrant flamboyance proves quite winsome. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has melded ocean motifs into a mid-century brasserie, garlanded by a plethora of pieces from renowned artists and architects such as Carlo Scarpa, Frank Gehry and Damien Hirst. (Yes, the name is dire – but where is your sense of fun?) Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square W1J 6BR.Sexy Fish
The newest addition to the Caprice Holdings stable is the epitome of ostentation, but somehow this flagrant flamboyance proves quite winsome. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has melded ocean motifs into a mid-century brasserie, garlanded by a plethora of pieces from renowned artists and architects such as Carlo Scarpa, Frank Gehry and Damien Hirst. (Yes, the name is dire – but where is your sense of fun?) Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square W1J 6BR.45 Jermyn St.
Martin Brudniski has also reinvigorated Fortnum & Mason’s ground floor brasserie – now a graceful all-day dining destination. You can sip on decadent cocktails at the marble bar or feast on classic London-themed cooking while lounging on a burnt orange banquette. 45 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DN.45 Jermyn St.
Martin Brudniski has also reinvigorated Fortnum & Mason’s ground floor brasserie – now a graceful all-day dining destination. You can sip on decadent cocktails at the marble bar or feast on classic London-themed cooking while lounging on a burnt orange banquette. 45 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DN.45 Jermyn St.
Martin Brudniski has also reinvigorated Fortnum & Mason’s ground floor brasserie – now a graceful all-day dining destination. You can sip on decadent cocktails at the marble bar or feast on classic London-themed cooking while lounging on a burnt orange banquette. 45 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DN.CôBa
Vietnamese-Australian chef, Damon Bui’s nostalgia for his Sydney childhood is made manifest by Kai Design Consultancy, who took inspiration from sun-bleached photographs and the natural textures of Australia and Vietnam when choosing materials like lightwoods. The copper lighting and fixtures purposefully recall the amber warmth of sunset. And of course, CôBa’s Vietnamese-BBQ also draws on its owner’s personal history. 244 York Way N7 9AG.CôBa
Vietnamese-Australian chef, Damon Bui’s nostalgia for his Sydney childhood is made manifest by Kai Design Consultancy, who took inspiration from sun-bleached photographs and the natural textures of Australia and Vietnam when choosing materials like lightwoods. The copper lighting and fixtures purposefully recall the amber warmth of sunset. And of course, CôBa’s Vietnamese-BBQ also draws on its owner’s personal history. 244 York Way N7 9AG.CôBa
Vietnamese-Australian chef, Damon Bui’s nostalgia for his Sydney childhood is made manifest by Kai Design Consultancy, who took inspiration from sun-bleached photographs and the natural textures of Australia and Vietnam when choosing materials like lightwoods. The copper lighting and fixtures purposefully recall the amber warmth of sunset. And of course, CôBa’s Vietnamese-BBQ also draws on its owner’s personal history. CôBa
Vietnamese-Australian chef, Damon Bui’s nostalgia for his Sydney childhood is made manifest by Kai Design Consultancy, who took inspiration from sun-bleached photographs and the natural textures of Australia and Vietnam when choosing materials like lightwoods. The copper lighting and fixtures purposefully recall the amber warmth of sunset. And of course, CôBa’s Vietnamese-BBQ also draws on its owner’s personal history. 244 York Way N7 9AG.110 De Taillevent
Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon ensures that the look of Taillevent Paris group’s London debut remains faithful to its viticultural concept. The earthy tones of wine production, from vine to cask, colour the space wherein guests will be able to trial any of 110 wines, at any time, while dining on dishes crafted to further elevate their choices. 16 Cavendish Square W1G 9DD.110 De Taillevent
Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon ensures that the look of Taillevent Paris group’s London debut remains faithful to its viticultural concept. The earthy tones of wine production, from vine to cask, colour the space wherein guests will be able to trial any of 110 wines, at any time, while dining on dishes crafted to further elevate their choices. 16 Cavendish Square W1G 9DD.Park Chinois
Alan Yau resurrects the dinner-dance aesthetic and – he hopes – its attendant glamour within this vast dining and entertainment space. Interiors draw upon the French rococo period, as well as intersections of Asian and European cultures past, to project an air of sumptuous abundance. The menu offers an array of pan-regional Chinese cuisine, inspired by Yau’s travels and featuring his very favourite dishes. 17 Berkeley Street W1J 8EA.Park Chinois
Alan Yau resurrects the dinner-dance aesthetic and – he hopes – its attendant glamour within this vast dining and entertainment space. Interiors draw upon the French rococo period, as well as intersections of Asian and European cultures past, to project an air of sumptuous abundance. The menu offers an array of pan-regional Chinese cuisine, inspired by Yau’s travels and featuring his very favourite dishes. 17 Berkeley Street W1J 8EA.1 of 29
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