London’s dining and hospitality scene is buzzing with fresh openings and stylish revamps! From trendy cafés and must-visit restaurants to luxury hotel upgrades, there’s plenty to explore.
Luna Omakase Opens Next Week
A new 12-seat restaurant from the team behind Los Mochis and Juno Omakase, is set to open on the 9th floor of Los Mochis London City.
Luna Omakase will feature a 12-course tasting menu showcasing Sosaku-style Edomae Omakase, a modern interpretation of traditional Edomae sushi.
At the helm is Executive Head Chef Leonard Tanyag whose 20 years of experience and global travels will bring a deeply personal touch to traditional omakase dining, which translates as ‘I’ll leave it up to you’.
Located in Liverpool Street, the restaurant’s design has been thoughtfully curated, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline. Guests will dine around a traditional wooden counter, while rich wood textures and a sculptural hanging shelf displaying artisanal glassware and sake bottles create a traditional yet modern omakase setting.
The Newman, Fitzrovia - More Information Unveiled
The Newman, the first hotel from international hospitality management company Kinsfolk & Co, is delighted to reveal its first design details as it prepares to launch this summer.
Sitting on its namesake Newman Street in Fitzrovia, The Newman will feature 81 rooms and suites, a European brasserie, cocktail bar and wellness floor.
The Design
London-based Pernille Lind and Richy Almond of Lind + Almond, known for designing spaces with an understated worldly eclecticism, are leading on the design of the hotel. They have sought inspiration from Fitzrovia’s architectural style, which is an intriguing tapestry of Victorian nuances and Art Deco touches as well as the intellectually curious characters that called it home in its golden years of the '20s to 50s.
This nod towards Art Deco is a timely touch as the iconic style celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. Among them was Nancy Cunard, Fitzrovia's bohemian queen, whose iconic bangles and polka dots subtly weave their way into the hotel's design narrative with prints and sketches of her adorning the walls, alongside photography of interesting characters from the local community.
Gambit Bar, Brasserie Adeline and bedroom at The Newman. Photos: The Newman.
Cafe Linea to Open on Duke of York Square in Chelsea
Cafe Linea, a new neighbourhood restaurant, bar and bakery, is set to open early this summer in the Grade-II listed 19th century arcade overlooking Duke of York Square in the heart of Chelsea. Inspired by the cafés and bistros set in historic arcades across Europe, Cafe Linea will serve produce-led, modern classics and elevated comfort food.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Greg and Felicity Godik, in addition to à la carte dining, guests will enjoy freshly baked morning pastries to accompany artisan coffee, inventive bar snacks alongside evening drinks, and an exciting range of miniature cakes and patisserie, all produced by the onsite bakery and pastry kitchen.
Rosa's Thai Comes to Balham
Rosa’s Thai will open the doors to its Balham restaurant at the end of this month.
Rosa’s Thai was co-founded by Saiphin and Alex Moore, who brought dishes from Saiphin's native Thailand to London when they opened a market stall on Brick Lane back in 2007. A year later they took over ‘Rosa’s Cafe’ in Spitalfields, a traditional east London cafe just around the corner from the stall, and opened the first Rosa’s Thai restaurant. Now, over 16 years later, Rosa’s Thai is known for bringing signature Thai hospitality and fresh, vibrant cooking to neighbourhoods across the UK.
Located just off the high street, Rosa’s Thai Balham will seat 54 covers across a mixture of cosy booths and tables, as well as a further eight covers outside for al fresco dining during the warmer months.
Michelin Series at Sushi Kaneska
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane is excited to announce its upcoming Michelin series - bringing together some of the UK’s most revered Michelin-starred restaurants.
The Sushi Kanesaka 'Michelin Series: City, Country, Coast' will see three exclusive omakase dining experiences, each celebrating the meeting of Edomae sushi craftsmanship with the distinct culinary styles of acclaimed chefs from London’s Mayfair, the Berkshire countryside, and the Cornish coast.
Collaborations:
The series will feature one-night-only collaborations with:
5th March: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester with chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet.
20th May: Coworth Park’s Woven by Adam Smith with executive chef Adam Smith.
28th July: Outlaw’s New Road with Nathan Outlaw.
Read all about the latest Michelin star restaurants here.
AA Rosette Winners
The Tudor Pass at Great Fosters in Surrey and Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal London have been awarded 4 AA Rosettes, placing them among the UK’s top dining destinations.
Announced at the AA Rosette Awards, they were the only two restaurants to achieve this honor. The Tudor Pass, led by executive head chef Alex Payne, was praised for its 'refined, seasonal tasting menus'.
Meanwhile, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, which opened in 2022, was commended as 'one of London’s most elegantly stylish dining rooms with cooking to match.' It won two Michelin stars just six months after launch.
Fifteen restaurants also earned 3 AA Rosettes, including Mauro Colagreco at Raffles at the OWO London, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, Sael and 1215 Restaurant at Fairmont Windsor Park.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Black Bear Wins UK’s Best Burger at National Burger Awards 2025
London-based Black Bear Burger has claimed the prestigious National Burger of the Year title at the National Burger Awards 2025. Founder Stewart Down impressed industry judges with his Miso Bacon Burger, featuring two 45-day aged beef patties, cheese, smoked bacon, miso butter mayo, and onion in a sesame seed bun. Competing against 15 other finalists, Black Bear Burger—operating in Exmouth Market, Brixton, Victoria, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch, and Camden—finally secured the top spot after placing third last year.
The Athenaeum Hotel Restructure
The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences in London has begun staff consultations amid a proposed restructuring, leading to the departure of general manager Joanne Taylor-Stagg after six years. It is reported that owner Sir Richard Sutton Ltd is engaging with operational support teams, with some roles already made redundant. The official statement from the hotel said the restructuring was being proposed to create a ‘more agile and leaner organisation across its directly-managed hotel portfolio’.
Soho Hotel Sold
Privately-owned real estate investment company Aprirose has sold Karma Sanctum hotel in Soho to multi-family real estate management firm Tenigla for £22m. The Georgian-style hotel features 30 bedrooms,a rooftop bar with jacuzzi, a members bar and Japanese Shokudo restaurant, was acquired by Aprirose in 2021.
Trullo at Harvey Nicols
A stalwart in the local dining scene since its critically-acclaimed inception in 2008, Islington’s beloved restaurant, Trullo, brings its renowned menu to Knightsbridge as part of a three-month residency at Harvey Nichols. Inspired by Italy’s most revered food regions, Chef-Owner, Conor Gadd’s specially-curated carte aims to elevate the restaurant’s culinary excellence through a collection of seasonally-focused dishes. Trullo is now open on the Fifth Floor, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge.