London’s vibrant culinary and hospitality scene continues to flourish, offering an eclectic mix of new experiences, from magical fish restaurants to new, world-class hotels.
Bocconcino's New Chapter: Osteria Del Mare
Bocconcino is all about capturing the magic of Italy—the flavours, the charm, the soul. This month, they’re taking that mission to London’s iconic Strand with the grand opening of Osteria Del Mare.
Inspired by the coastline of Italy's Forte dei Marmi and as the name suggests, it's all about the seafood - think lobster, crab, and turbot, with Chef Matteo promising bold, authentic flavours.
Set within a beautifully-restored former bank, Osteria Del Mare boasts a private dining room in the building’s original vault, complete with the iconic steel door - a unique space for intimate celebrations of up to 18 guests.
Osteria Del Mare will be guided by a team including Operations Director Didric Berlier (from The Ned), and General Manager Serban Jakab, known for his roles at Annabel’s and Roka.
Where: 366 Strand, WC2R 0JF.
When: Opens Monday, 9 December.
Six Senses London, Opening Early 2025
More details have been released about Six Senses arriving in the UK, at The Whiteley London.
Occupying an entire city block on Queensway, The Whiteley development is a complete re-imagining of epic scale and proportion of the historic department store, a stone’s throw from Hyde Park.
Poised to become one of the capital’s greatest residential and hospitality address, Six Senses London will have 109 rooms and suites plus 14 branded residences available to buy, where owners will have access to privileges that come with a Six Senses home, including bespoke interior design, Concierge service, dining, housekeeping and wellness programming.
The Six Senses Spa will play an integral part in the hotel’s offering. In a space reminiscent of an old-fashioned London underground station, the spa journey will mirror the different energies of the city life, from the sensory stimulation and movement of the street to the stillness and calm of a quiet café or park.
Highlights will include 3,500 metres dedicated to fitness, a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, a Biohacking Recovery Lounge, two double treatment rooms, six single treatment rooms, one sensory suite and an Alchemy Bar and a relaxation room with vaulted ceilings.
The opening will also mark the launch of Six Senses Place, a new private member’s club.
When: Planned to open early 2025.
Where: 1 Redan Place, W2 4SA.
Time to Try the UK's First Long Chim?
Located on Rupert Street, on the ground floor of Hovarda, Long Chim is the new, exciting concept that has just landed in London. Long Chim, which means to ‘come and try’, serves accessible menus with authentic dishes inspired by the food stalls and markets of modern Bangkok.
David Thompson is the world-renowned chef at the helm of Long Chim, with the menu anchored around his vast knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the brilliant dishes that are enjoyed in Bangkok.
Open for dinner, guests will be able to enjoy dishes such as beef skewers with tamarind and pepper, spicy grilled squid with pickled ginger, cockle salad with smoky chilli paste and thai basil, aromatic curry of monkfish with cucumber relish and tiger prawns baked in vermicelli.
The restaurant embodies a warm atmosphere, where the dishes are served in a sharing style against the backdrop of hidden Thai elements embedded into wall murals, bottle cabinets, neon signs and projection art.
Where: 36-40 Rupert St, Soho, W1D 6DW.
When: Now open.
Web: https://longchim.london/.
London Hotels Win Awards for Excellence
Condé Nast Johansens has unveiled the winners of its Awards for Excellence 2025, with a number of top boutique hotels in the city recognised with accolades.
The occasion was marked with an awards ceremony at Kimpton Fitzroy London, with winners from across the globe attending.
The London hotel winners were:
Best New Property: The BoTree, Marylebone Lane, W1U 2DR.
Best Service: The Guardsman Hotel, Vandon Street, SW1H 0AH.
Best Bar: Fitz’s Bar & Parlour at Kimpton Fitzroy London, Russell Square, WC1B 5BE.
Best for Weddings, Parties and Celebrations: Kimpton Fitzroy London, Russell Square, WC1B 5BE.
Best for Green Practices & Sustainability: The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, Piccadilly, W1J 7BJ.
World Class Forum Hotel for Kensington
A former Holiday Inn is to be transformed into stunning new hotel that's due to open in 2027. Contractors, Ardmore, has been appointed by GP Hotel Forum Propco Limited to complete the transformational refurbishment project on Cromwell Road, including the comprehensive fit-out of 903 guestrooms and public areas.
This new project builds on Ardmore’s portfolio of iconic refurbishments, which includes some of the World’s best hotels such as the recently completed Raffles Old War Office (OWO), The Ned, and Ten Trinity Square.
The Kensington Forum project will see significant structural enhancements, replacement of the existing two-storey rooftop plant area and a new rooftop extension featuring a panoramic bar and restaurant enjoying sweeping views of London.
In addition to transforming the building’s exterior and infrastructure, Ardmore will deliver the new hotel front-of-house areas and amenities. New features will include a luxury spa, pool, gym and multiple dining venues, as well as external enhancements such as a publicly accessible garden square.
Where: Cromwell Road, Kensington.
When: Scheduled to be complete in 2027.
The Savoy Unveils Three New Attractions
The landmark hotel has revealed its new restaurant, Gallery, a scone shop, Scoff and floral boutique, The Florist at The Savoy.
Gallery
Gallery evolves throughout the day to serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner for discerning diners, with a new cocktail bar mixing signature drinks into the night. Designed as a true all-day destination, comfortable leather seating invites guests to linger, while striking chandeliers and low-level table lighting create a warm and welcoming ambience. As the night beckons, a curtain drops theatrically behind the bar to signal the start of an evening of drinking and dining.
Scoff
Scones have been scoffed at The Savoy for over a century and now the ritual is being taken in a new direction with the launch of a dedicated scone shop, where elaborately-prepared twists on the classic baked good are served fresh daily. Anything but traditional, Scoff scones are generously filled and topped with unique flavours, with new takes on timeless favourites including strawberries and cream, exotic fruit punch, and tiramisu.
The Florist at The Savoy
The team behind The Savoy’s famous floral creations, led by creative floral design manager, Belinda Bowles, now have their own boutique from which to create seasonal bouquets for guests to purchase. Bunches and bouquets are sold alongside a seasonally curated collection of gift products, launching with festive items such as bespoke advent calendars with handmade chocolates, green velvet Christmas Stockings, limited-edition Halcyon Days baubles, and a gold candle in The Savoy’s signature scent.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EZ.
When: Now open.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Row on 5 Opens in Savile Row
One of London's busiest restaurateurs, Jason Atherton, is back - bringing 'bespoke, exquisitely-crafted British gastronomy' to Savile Row.
Atherton has teamed up with ex-Ritz head chef Spencer Metzger to deliver a high-end affair, led by a 15-course tasting menu that's served across three different rooms (sometimes referred to as a "promenade" presentation).
Atherton says: "Row stands for 'refinement of work', meaning our work is never done; we pride ourselves on not resting on our laurels and appreciating that there is always room for improvement."
Where: 5 Savile Row, Mayfair, W1S 3PB.
Opening: Now open.
Hotori Holborn
Experience the art of Japanese grilling at Hotori, one of the latest restaurants to open in Farringdon. Led by founders Mike Zheng and Kuangyi Wei, Hotori offers skewers of free-range, slow-reared chicken grilled over hot charcoal on custom-made hibachi. Their beak-to-tail menu features 17 Yakitori cuts accompanied by a curated selection of wines, Japanese sakes and whiskies. Not in the mood for chicken? There’s black cod, wagyu beef and tempura, too, plus lunchtime bento boxes.
Where: 1 New Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1AN
Opening: Now open.
New Wine Bar Earmarked for Shad Thames
The duo behind Legare Italian eaterie, restaurateur Jay Patel and chef Matt Beardmore, have announced plans to open Luna wine bar, nearby.
A cosy space directly opposite Legare, Luna will be more than just a wine bar - it's planned to be a bottle shop and restaurant, too.
On Instagram, the team announced: "Really excited for us to finally announce our second opening, ‘Luna’ - a wine bar, bottle shop and restaurant which will be opening in early 2025! Located directly opposite Legare, in a beautiful historic building on Shad Thames, we can’t wait to show you what we have been up to!"
Where: Unit 6, 36 Shad Thames, Butlers Wharf Building, SE1 2YE.
When: Spring 2025.
Silva Mayfair Is Open for Business
The latest opening on this hidden foodie row of Mayfair (already home to The Guinea, The Cocochine and Bellamy's) is Silva. It's specialising in "seasonal" menus which is something we've been hearing a fair bit about recently, but there are some interesting names in the mix. Head Chef Slawomir Sawicki was previously at Eric Chavot and Galvin at La Chapelle while they've also brought in Peter Prescott, best known for partnering with Terence Conran on his last few restaurants like Boundary and Albion.
Where: 26-28 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NG
Opening: Now open.
Pasta Evangelists Arrive in Chiswick
Fresh pasta experts Pasta Evangelists has announced the opening of its third Pasta Emporium in Chiswick, hot on the heels of the Greenwich franchise launch in September and Richmond opening back in July.
This new opening will showcase the best of fresh Italian pasta, with fresh pasta shapes being made by hand on site and served to customers from the location’s open pasta counter.
Customers can dine in or take away and there will be a fleet of terracotta Vespas on hand for deliveries, too. At the Chiswick site, just like at the Richmond site, customers will get to enjoy a complimentary glass of the finest Italian wine whilst they wait for their fresh pasta delicacies to be served.
When: Now open.
Where: 340 Chiswick High Rd, W4 5TA.