We know you’re a sucker for a new opening. Just the word ‘new’ in the title of this article was enough to lure you in, the promise of fresh drinking and dining spots too enticing to miss. And luckily, London has one of the most exciting food scenes in the world; an ever-changing tapestry of fusion flavours, best-in-class chefs, and ritzy, glitzy openings you simply must try.
So, as we’re the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group, we’ve selected the finest new restaurants this June. From the latest Big Mamma Group launch to a Shoreditch bistro shucking things up, here are five you won’t want to miss.
Barbarella
Best for: lovers of the Big Mamma Group’s larger-than-life menus.
Go Big Mamma Group or go home – or better yet, head to the OTT Italian brand’s newest haunt in Canary Wharf. Big Mamma is behind some of London’s most hyped restaurants, from big hitters like Circolo Popolare’s 20,000 bottle-lined walls to Ave Mario’s spaghetti carbonara spun inside a 4kg pecorino wheel, and Gloria’s ten-layer lasagna. But Barbarella is its glitzy dockside debut – all chocolate-brown walls, a glamorous waterside terrace with a gelato station, a one-metre-long spaghettone, and a cocktail list longer than Jacuzzi’s waitlist.
barbarella.com
30 South Colonnade, E14 5HX
Noisy Oyster
Best for: those with a soft spot for seafood.
We’ve been waiting for this one, turn it up. This slick seafood bistro is about to shuck things up (or should we say down?) on the streets of Shoreditch. Brought to you by the team at Soho’s Firebird, the finer details are clammed up – but what we know so far is that there’ll be oyster towers, glistening crudo, and mini martinis in the mix. All in all, this newcomer is proof that when it comes to seafood, the world really is your oyster.
noisyoyster.com
Norton Folgate, E1 6DB
Harry’s at King’s Cross
Best for: perfectly cooked pasta and plush interiors.
Yet again, Richard Caring’s playing his cards right. The British billionaire businessman has turned Mayfair into his own personal Monopoly board, with big names like Bacchanalia, Sexy Fish, Scott’s, and Daphne’s. Here’s the deal: Harry’s already has three outposts in play, but now it’s giving King’s Cross some competition. You’ll spot it a mile off thanks to those signature striped awnings and be drawn in by crowd-pleasers like linguine alle vongole – Palourde clams sautéed in white wine, garlic, datterini tomatoes, chilli, and parsley sauce.
harrys.com
3 King’s Blvd, N1C 4BU
Mareida
Best for: creative, first-of-its-kind Chilean food.
Latitude: Fitzrovia. Attitude: Santiago. Mareida marks the capital’s first proper fine-dining plunge into Chilean food – and chef Caroline Bazán is steering the ship. Crowned Latin America’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best, she’s on a mission to spice up your culinary compass. And boy, does she deliver: some of our favourite dishes are as inventive as they are intriguing, with playful plates like scallop parmesana and fish tartare served in an ice cream cone with granita.
mareida.com
160 Great Portland St, W1W 5QA
Pyro
Best for: fresh-from-the-flame flavours.
Pyro isn’t playing with fire – it’s mastering it. This flame-fuelled Athenian taverna is bringing the heat of open-fire Greek cooking to Borough, led by Yiannis Mexis – whose CV reads like a constellation of Michelin stars (The Ledbury***, Pétrus*, HIDE*, and Elystan Street*). So we’re sure it won’t be long before his solo stint follows suit. Smoky dishes like sea bream crudo served on the fish itself – citrus-dressed and dotted with green olives and caper leaves – are built for passing around the table… if you can bear to share.
pyrorestaurant.com
