It’s hot, it’s sticky, and Londoners are not complaining. The city shines in the sunshine, and June brings a wave of exciting new openings. Highlights include a lavish ice cream parlour in Soho, a pub with a massive beer garden in Stoke Newington, and a new branch of Camberwell’s legendary Toad Bakery in Deptford. Here are the top 10 new restaurants to try this month.
1. No. Forty Nine – St John’s Wood
Young chef Ella Williams, previously at Peckham’s Hausu, takes her first head chef role at this all-day bakery and bistro. The menu blends Mediterranean and New York influences, featuring cornbread madeleines with scotch bonnet honey butter, tagliolini with prawns, crab choux buns, and a mini pizza menu. Don’t miss the Baby Guinness sundae. Opens June at 49 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 7NJ.
2. Appalachia – Shoreditch
Counter 71 transforms into Appalachia, a new concept celebrating American South soul food. Head chef Alistair Borer (formerly of Smoking Goat) brings dishes like smoked eel and jalapeño deviled eggs, oysters with tomatillo and scotch bonnet, BBQ whole quail with blue cheese slaw, grilled poussin with grits, and country-fried rabbit with chorizo gravy. Opens June 3 at 71 Nile Street, N1 7RD.
3. Buvette – Covent Garden
New York import Buvette opens in Neal’s Yard, formerly home to St John Bakery. Joining locations in Paris, Tokyo, and Seoul, this all-day French spot serves waffles and croques for breakfast, salad niçoise for lunch, and coq au vin for dinner. Opens June 4 at 2 Neal’s Yard, WC2H 9DP.
4. Ice Cream Union – Soho
This ice cream parlour joins existing sites in Bermondsey and Chelsea, offering a wide range of sorbets and ice creams. Perfect for summer, try the banana split cone. Opens June at 8 Ganton Street, W1F 7QP.
5. Vagabond Wines – Soho
Self-pour wine bar Vagabond opens its 12th London location, with 120 wines across two floors. Opens June 24 at 14-16 Ganton Street, W1F 7BT.
6. Toad Bakery – Deptford
Camberwell’s cult bakery expands to Deptford with a larger site featuring an open kitchen and espresso machine. Expect immaculate laminated pastries. Opens June at St Paul’s House, Deptford High Street, SE8 4BX.
7. The Mary Wollstonecraft – Stoke Newington
Formerly Ryan’s, this pub reopens under Nick Bailey of The Robin, named after the local feminist writer. Opens June at 181 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UL.
8. Taste The Orient – Across London
A new cocktail festival by The Orientalist Spirits and London Cocktail Week runs June 22-28. Highlights include a cocktail with fermented tuna and Buddha's Hand citrus at various Asian bars.
9. Los Félix at The Ned – City of London
Miami’s Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant takes over Malibu Kitchen for one month from June 4. Dishes include tuna tostadas with caviar and pork cheek carnitas. At 27 Poultry, EC2R 8AJ.
10. Haldiram’s – Leicester Square
India’s largest sweets and snacks brand opens its first UK restaurant, seating 120 with a heated outdoor area. Menu features chole bhature, Mumbai-style vegetable curry, and raj kachori. Opens June at 19-20 Irving Street, WC2H 7AU.
