{"id":119,"date":"2018-08-23T11:54:26","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T10:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=119"},"modified":"2021-03-03T17:17:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T17:17:33","slug":"the-best-new-restaurants-bars-and-cafes-to-try-in-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.secretescapes.com\/escapist\/the-best-new-restaurants-bars-and-cafes-to-try-in-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Our pick of London’s most exciting restaurants, bars and cafes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With its thriving, ever-expanding food and drink scene, London has seen many of its dining hotspots ranked amongst the world\u2019s best. This culinary capital boasts everything from creative food pop-ups and supper clubs to glamorous bars and ultra-chic hangouts. Foodies, have your napkins at the ready: we\u2019ve rounded up a tempting selection of London\u2019s most exciting restaurants, caf\u00e9s and bars worthy of your palate\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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by CHLOE, Covent Garden. Image courtesy of by CHLOE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bob Bob Cit\u00e9, The City<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Restaurateur Leonid Shutov is bringing the dazzling d\u00e9cor and Russian-inspired menu of iconic Bob Bob Ricard to London\u2019s famous Cheesegrater. Sitting on the third floor of the landmark skyscraper, Bob Bob Cit\u00e9 promises to be just as opulent, joining forces with Michelin-starred chef Eric Chavot to provide classic dishes with a few twists and shakes. And of course, The City outpost wouldn\u2019t be complete without those famously joyous \u201cPress for Champagne\u201d buttons, which will be at every tableside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Press for Champagne button at Bob Bob Ricard. Image courtesy of Bob Bob Ricard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Sorella, Clapham<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The team behind Counter Culture are bringing a slice of Italy to South West London\u2019s popular Clapham neighbourhood. Sorella \u2013 taking the place of The Manor bistro \u2013 will be serving up exquisite specialities inspired by chef Robin Gill\u2019s time spent learning the culinary ropes on the Amalfi Coast. You can expect everything from truffle arancini and gnocchi with girolles to rare breed meats and unique seafood. And to wash it all down, a variety of signature Italian cocktails will be on hand \u2013 think cherry smoked Negronis and seasonal Bellinis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cicchetti at Sorella. Image courtesy of Sorella<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Ella Canta, Park Lane<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Iconic Mexican chef and fearless feminist, Martha Ortiz, has brought the spirit of Mexico to London through her exuberant blend of visionary artistry and authentic modern Mexican cooking. Housed in the five-star InterContinental hotel on Park Lane, Ella Canta \u2013 which is Spanish for \u2018she sings\u2019 \u2013 is far from stuffy, bringing you a fiesta of flavours and colours, from the guacamole topped with gold-leaf grasshoppers to the Frida Kahlo-themed artwork and waitresses adorning floral crowns and statement earrings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Octopus at Ella Canta. Image courtesy of Ella Canta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Kettner\u2019s Townhouse, Soho<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

After a two-year-long makeover, the iconic 150-year-old French restaurant, Kettner\u2019s, has been restored to its former glory by Soho House. It boasts a stunning Georgian townhouse backdrop, with gems including an 18th-century spiral staircase and original floral plasterwork. The restaurant\u2019s menu is inspired by the history of the property, serving traditional French cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients, making use of some of the original menus. And if you fancy a tipple in a decadent setting, there\u2019s a champagne bar, completing its look with a walnut bar and marble top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kettner\u2019s Townhouse, Soho. Image courtesy of Kettner\u2019s Townhouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Claw Carnaby, Soho<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Claw is a seafood hotspot that has gone from serving up street-side to opening its first permanent home in Carnaby. Its sustainably sourced crustaceans will feature on a menu that pays \u201chomage to the best of coastal Britain\u201d. Alongside lots of crab \u2013 crab beignets with crab mayonnaise, crab mac and cheese and crab rolls \u2013 there will be a selection of surf and turf options, like pork stuffed squid with kaffir lime, fried chicken and caviar, roast cauliflower with spelt and tofu yoghurt and squid bolognese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A crab dish at Claw. Image courtesy of Claw<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caf\u00e9s<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bread Ahead Beak Street, Soho<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The ever-popular bakery has opened their first eat-in bakery and caf\u00e9 in central London\u2019s Soho. So rather than wander through Borough Market, you can lounge while indulging in one of their celebrated baked goods. Alongside filled donuts and popular pastries \u2013 like their great kouign amann \u2013 they\u2019ll be serving their signature sourdough as part of a breakfast menu, with the addition of a build-your-own porridge bar. What was once a stable is now decked out with decadent design touches, from a pink marble counter to a snug boasting burnt gold velvets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waffles at Bread Ahead. Image courtesy of Bread Ahead\/Steven Joyce<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
by CHLOE, Covent Garden<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Get your vegan fix at the first international outpost of The Big Apple\u2019s hippest vegan caf\u00e9 \u2013 by CHLOE. Serving locally-sourced, plant-based food, this \u201cfast-casual\u201d sensation will give Londoners a chance to experience a chic take on vegan fare, feeding the ever-growing appetite for plant-based cuisine. The menu will feature everything from guacamole burgers, cashew mac and cheese and matcha kelp noodles to pesto meatballs and quinoa tacos, all made from scratch \u2013 so you won\u2019t find any meat substitutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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by CHLOE, Covent Garden. Image courtesy of by CHLOE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Greyhound Caf\u00e9, Fitzrovia<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Bangkok\u2019s fashion-inspired caf\u00e9 is set to make its mark on the Big Smoke. Adding to the tally of top-end restaurants in Mayfair\u2019s Fitzrovia, the two-storey Greyhound Caf\u00e9 adds a touch of creativity with its eye for aesthetics \u2013 it initially launched as a menswear brand in 1980 and has since expanded into eateries. With a fusion menu of modern Thai-style creations alongside a selection of dishes inspired by travel and other cultures, your tastebuds are in for a real treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greyhound Caf\u00e9, Fitzrovia. Image courtesy of Greyhound Caf\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Unico Italian Delicacies, St. John\u2019s Wood and Fulham<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Italian delicatessen Unico has made its home in St. John\u2019s Wood and Fulham, bringing with it a scoop of real Italian flavour. There will be coffee from Italian roastery, and a selection of cakes, pastries and savoury treats, including \u2018Bubbles\u2019 \u2013 spherical, 100% organic sandwiches filled with fresh ingredients. Perhaps the most indulgent of all is the top-quality gelato, which is available any way you\u2019d like it, from cones and shakes to tubs and gelato cakes, with vegan options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ice cream cone at Unico Italian Delicacies. Image courtesy of Unico Italian Delicacies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bars<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rascals, Shoreditch<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Rascals rings very true to its name \u2013 the bar and restaurant comes armed with some serious sass, encouraging plenty of audacious fun and frolics with its playful interiors, mad cocktails, cabaret acts, DJs and the world\u2019s first waterproof dining room (champagne showers anyone?). Promising a \u201czero tolerance to straight backs and polite small talk\u201d, you can expect a colour palette of millennial pinks, jelly and ice cream snacks, bottomless pizza and a choice of 70 wines \u2013 food, drink and mischief galore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shiso Fine cocktail at Rascals, Shoreditch. Image courtesy of Rascals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
DND (Do Not Disturb), The City<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

1920s-inspired speakeasies keep popping up all over London, and DND (Do Not Disturb) is the newest one on The City block, hidden beneath stylish boutique hotel Vintry & Mercer. Discreet and sophisticated, with lavish retro interiors inspired by the clandestine bars of the Prohibition era \u2013 think plush velvets, Art Deco detailing, sultry lighting and hand-beaded images \u2013 this bar promises to serve up barrel-aged and vintage cocktails with a selection of small Mediterranean-inspired plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DND (Do Not Disturb) at Vintry & Mercer hotel. Image courtesy of DND<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Studio88, Leicester Square<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

For live music alongside signature cocktails and Asian-inspired snacks in California cones, look no further than Studio 88. The latest venture from the people behind Farringdon\u2019s Pianoworks, you can expect a cool bar, two piano vocalists and an accompanying six-piece band playing non-stop music you want to hear \u2013 on each table you\u2019ll find special napkins to write down your requests, which are then passed on to the musicians. Cocktail hour is from 5pm-7pm every evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A cocktail from the menu at Studio88. Image courtesy of Studio88<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Prosecco House, Tower Bridge<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Having developed a huge following in the UK, a bar dedicated to everyone\u2019s favourite fizzy tipple is opening. There will be 20 varieties of prosecco, including five that aren\u2019t available anywhere else in London, and you\u2019ll get to sip on straight fizz as well as plenty of prosecco-based cocktails, including spritzes and Bellinis. Plush marble tops paired with stylish velvet stools complete the look of this chic space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Drinks at Prosecco House. Image courtesy of Prosecco House<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
CircusXO, Mayfair<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Run away to CircusXO for what Michelin-star chef Dabiz Mu\u00f1oz has described as the new destination for \u201cliquid cuisine\u201d. StreetXO\u2019s latest high octane yet playful cocktail bar takes a particular foodie approach when it comes to its concoctions \u2013 try a liquid orange pie (vodka, galanga, Guayaquil white and dark chocolate) or a \u201cBloody Som Tum\u201d (papaya, Josper smoked chilli shrub, tequila and hibiscus). They also feature a selection of more traditional cocktails, as well as an XO Driver\u2019s Experience menu for those keen to ditch the alcohol altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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White Brazilian chocolate cocktail. Image courtesy of CircusXO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\t\t