The 8 best new London restaurant openings in January 2026

New year, new food.  

2026 is ushered in via a wave of brand new eateries across the capital. Ignore the call of dry Jan and instead book yourself into one of these many new openings. Finding your purse-strings to be extra-tight post Christmas, then a single bun at Claridge’s brand new bakery might be the best option, or maybe try a bargain bowl of wonton noodles at Hoko’s new outlet in Covent Garden (or just look at our cheap eats list instead, for meals under a tenner in London). 

The best new London restaurants opening in January 2026

1. The Italian hotspot

Tiella Trattoria & Bar, Bethnal Green

Ever since Dara Klein popped up in The Compton Arms kitchen with her earthy Italian takeover, we’ve been big fans. Since letting Rake take over the Islington gastropub’s food service, she’s been plotting something of her own. Her first stand-alone restaurant Tiella will feature dishes from Dara’s Compton Arms residency as well as other Puglia-inspired classics, from panelle and orecchiette to her majestic take on a milanese. There’ll be a 15 seater bar as well as space for 30 in the restaurant. Expect to see us there, nightly. 

Opens: Mid-Jan

Address: 109 Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, E2 7RL

2. The world-beating bakery

Claridge’s Bakery, Mayfair

One of London’s most prestigious hotels/restaurants/bars is set to add another delicious string to its bow with the grand opening of Claridge’s Bakery. In charge will be legendary baker Richard Hart, former head baker at Tartine and founder of Denmark’s Hart Bageri. His return to London will consist of Jammy Dodger-inspired tarts, Belgian buns and iced fingers, as well as all manner of sourdough activities.

Opens: January 21

Address: Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR

3. The tasty Trullo offshoot

Burro, Covent Garden

Burro is the Italian word for butter. And with that, we’re immediately sold on the idea of this new restaurant from Conor Gadd, chef co-owner of Islington’s pasta paradise, Trullo. The concept is simple; classic Italian dishes made with primo ingredients. There’ll be bruschetta of Venetian chicken livers, fried artichokes with bottarga and chilli, tagliatelle with duck and porcini ragù, and a decadent vitello al burro AKA veal cooked in butter.  

Opens: Early 2026

Address: 2 Floral Court, Floral Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9FB

4. The petite noodle parlour 

Hoko Wonton Noodles, Covent Garden

You’ve had Hoko’s hypey Hong Kong-style breakfast at their Brick Lane diner, now it’s time for Hoko’s first ever wonton noodle parlour. They’ll be setting up shop on the basement level of Seven Dials Market, and serving a short menu of soup noodles and tossed noodles with a side of broth made with dried flounder. The handwrapped wontons come in pork and prawn, or tofu and king oyster mushroom flavours, and there’s also a Cantonese braised beef brisket and tendon topping option. 

Opens: January 30

Address: Seven Dials Market, Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LX

5. The glam Georgian gaff

DakaDaka, Mayfair 

As any wine buff will love to tell you, Georgia is the oldest wine-making country in the world. This makes the opening of DakaDaka high on the list of ‘things oenophiles are excited about in 2026’. As well as offering a mega selection of natural wine, this modern Georgian restaurant will get stuck into open-fire cooking, with the likes of pkhali walnut dip, khinkali dumplings and cheese-filled khachapuri breads on the menu.  

Opens: January 17

Address: 10 Heddon Street, Mayfair, W1B 4BX 

6. The pricey Japanese restaurant

Ma/Na, Mayfair

Big spenders, step this way. From the same team as Sale E Pepe and Los Mochis comes Ma/Na. With executive chef Leo Tanyag in charge (the boss of Los Mochis’ Juno and Luna omakase counters), expect super high-end dishes at this swanky 156-cover restaurant. Think tiger shrimp tempura, teriyaki edamame with black truffle, and king crab with truffle ponzu and caviar pearls. That’s before we even get to the M5 Wagyu seared on Himalayan salt stone with garlic-soy and truffle. 

Opens: January 

Address: 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, W1K 7PH

7. The cosy cocktail den

The Prince, Clerkenwell 

Following a hush-hush soft launch, The Prince officially launches on January 2. Taking over the bar once known as The Gibson, it’s run by some proper cocktail professionals, with former Callooh Callay and Homeboy team members at the helm. House specialities include martinis and black velvets. Perfect for Dry Jan dodgers.  

Opens: Now

Address: 44 Old Street, Clerkenwell, EC1V 9AQ

8. The Sri Lankan failsafe 

Hoppers, Shoreditch 

It’s been a decade since the first Hoppers opened in Soho, introducing the capital to the erstwhile charms of the ‘no reservations’ restaurant. Since then, things have changed a touch – you can now book a table, hurrah! – and there are locations in Marylebone and Kings Cross. A fourth Shoreditch spot is set for the start of the year (though an exact date hasn’t yet been announced). What we can tell you is that you’ll be getting more of the same tried and tested Sri Lankan and South Indian curries, complete with dosas and egg-spiked hoppers on the side. 

Opens: Early 2026

Address: Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ

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