A bumper bounty of new bistros are coming to London this May, with new restaurants from Time Out hot chef Jackson Boxer, as well as the third Arcade foodhall and a fresh residency for pizza supremos Dough Hands. As it's basically summer now, you'll be wanting to eat al fresco, so make sure you check out our best outdoor restaurants list, or if you're after something a bit more chill, then cast your eyes over our ranking of London's best beer gardens. If you've a head for heights, then our best rooftop bars and best rooftop restaurants in London lists are also worth a look.
1. Vesper by Jackson Boxer, Exmouth Market
Jackson Boxer has the hospo Midas touch, and he's bringing his exemplary restaurant brand to north-east London for the first time. Vesper will join the jolly Exmouth Market gang, offering big bistro energy and croquettes 'arnold bennett' with tarragon mayonnaise, potato pizzettes with salame rosa and pea & mint gnudi with brown butter. London's Vibiest Street is about to get even more vibey. See you on the outdoor terrace. Opens mid-May at 8-10 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, EC1R 4QA.
2. Arcade feat. Zylia and Plaza Khao Gaeng, Covent Garden
A brand new Arcade is coming to a grand, Grade-I listed 12,500 sq ft building on the south side of Covent Garden, joining the foodhall's Centrepoint and Battersea Power Station locations. As well as grab-and-go Indian street food from Hero, pizza from Gracey's and south American chicken from Solis, there'll be two stand-alone restaurants. The first is Zylia, a Greek-Cypriot taverna from Singburi, Kiln, Oma and Agora chef Nick Molyviatis and his pal Barry Karacostas. There'll also be a third London branch of excellent Thai spot Plaza Khao Gaeng. Plaza Khao Gaeng opens May 5, Arcade opens May 15, and Zylia opens May 22 at 6 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9HZ.
3. All Roads, Brixton
Super successful supper club All Roads has finally got a home to call its own. Malika Green and Paschelle Brown launch their first restaurant in Brixton, where you can expect Caribbean-accented comfort food, including wings marinated in sweet black tea, slow-cooked oxtail and pork chops with pimento peppercorn sauce. Opens May 6 at 44 Atlantic Road, Brixton, SW9 8JN.
4. Ikoyi and José Pizarro at Spring Garden, Chelsea
One of London's most iconic events, this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to be more delicious than ever. That's down to extremely special guests Jeremy Chan of double Michelin starred Ikoyi and ace Spanish chef José Pizarro, who will be catering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner at exclusive Spring Garden space. Hint: Saturday tickets are the cheapest. Opens May 19-23 at Royal Hospital Chelsea, SW3 4SR.
5. Dough Hands at All My Friends, Hackney Wick
We all know that Dough Hands make some of the best pizzas in London. After finishing their Old Nun's Head residency (don't worry, they're still at the Spurstowe in London Fields), they'll be popping up at All My Friends bar out in Hackney Wick. As well as whole 20" pies, you'll also be able to score super-sized slices at this residency, which promises a 'fresh new menu'. Opens May 7 at Unit 1, Hamlet Estate, 96 White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN.
6. Maai, Clapham
Great British Menu's latest Champion of Champions is set to open her first solo restaurant. The uber-talented Nikita Pathakji previously cooked at Bibendum by Claude Bosi, Core by Clare Smyth and Kitchen W8, but food at Maai will feature dishes from Nikita's winning appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals, including her octopus 'takoyaki' doughnut, as well as her Malaysian fish head curry from on Great British Menu. Opens May 20 at 33-35 Abbeville Road, Clapham, SW4 9JW.
7. The Hoxton, Holborn
Over the last few months boutique hotel par excellence Hoxton Holborn has played host to some of London's (genuinely) coolest eateries as part of its Hox Sarnie Special. Up next is north London's Sonora Taqueria, a fixture at the very top of our best Mexican restaurants list. Alongside a custom paloma cocktail, the gang will be bringing their Barbacoa Torta Sandwich (£15) to the hotel's lobby, combining slow-cooked beef barbacoa, refried beans, avocado, red onion, escabeche and grilled cheese to great effect. Previous residencies have included cult luminaries like Auld Hag, Dr. Stings and Rondo, so the bar (which they will no doubt meet) is set high. Launches May 1 at 199-206 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD.
8. Oudh 1722, Borough
Birmingham restaurant Opheem was the first Indian restaurant in the UK to score the honour of two Michelin stars, and chef Aktar Islam is now opening his first London restaurant. Oudh 1722 will launch in the three-storey townhouse previously occupied by Lupins and specialise in Awadhi cuisine from the royal courts of Lucknow in northern India. Opens May 1 at 66 Union Street, Borough, SE1 1TD.
9. The Victory, East Dulwich
East Dulwich favourite Franklin's recently closed after 26 years in the game. So beloved was this neighbourhood bistro that it's been sort-of-saved by some locals, including Begging Bowl's Jamie Younger, and will relaunch under the one-time pub's old name, The Victory. Executive Chef Seán Breen, formerly of Noble Rot, will offer a French-ish gastro menu of salsify fritters with aged Comte, truffle and steak tartare with dripping toast, and sautéed veal sweetbreads. Opens May 26 at 157 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HX.
10. 130 Primrose, Primrose Hill
Friend of Time Out Monica Galetti is exec chef at this new north London restaurant where the ethics are as impressive as the food. At 130 Primrose, front of house and kitchen team employees have all experienced homelessness, and the restaurant trains staff to complete hospitality qualifications as well as cook up Med-inspired classics. 'I've seen first-hand how, with the right support, people can rediscover hope, dignity and purpose through opportunities like this,' says Monica. Her menu will celebrate 'the best British seasonal ingredients with a little twist of fun' and 'touches of my Samoan heritage.' Opens May 8 at 130 Regent's Park Road, NW1 8XL.
11. Lady of the Grapes SE1, Borough
Lady of the Grapes is opening up a second location inside the grand Menier Chocolate Factory theatre building opposite Borough Market. Like the OG Covent Garden wine bar and picky bits spot, it'll champion female producers. Unlike the original, it'll be massive, with a 60-seater restaurant, 20-seater terrace, and a special basement bar called Forbidden Fruit. Opens May 26 at Menier Chocolate Factory, 4 O'Meara Street, SE1 1TE.
