While we’re all for getting swept up in the festive spirit over the next couple of months, we’re also spending this time taking a look forward to some of the most exciting things in store for 2022. And, let’s be real here, the biggest thing on our agenda was always going to be food.
We’ve kept our ears out for some of London’s most anticipated restaurant openings and have thrown them together so you can sit back, look into the crystal ball, and mark those diaries.
Frantzén at Harrods
The rumours are true. The 3 Michelin-starred heavyweight whose Stockholm restaurant currently sits 6th in the World’s 50 Best list, Björn Frantzén, will be opening his first UK restaurant in the capital towards the end of next year. And in one of the country’s most luxurious institutions no less. If his other spots within the Frantzén group are anything to go by, we’re in for a journey of Nordic cuisine shaped by Japanese kaiseki and French techniques.
📍 Knightsbridge
Apricity
The Green Michelin-starred chef who headed up now-closed Tredwells alongside Marcus Wareing is soon to open her own spot which'll take a veg-forward, zero-waste approach with sustainability and social consciousness at its heart. All the ingredients on the menus will have been thoughtfully selected from small-scale growers and farmers who share her ethos contributing to a greener and healthier planet. We applaud her bold move, and hope that her attitude sets an industry trend.
📍 Mayfair
Lisboeta
Since he left the kitchen at Mãos in Shoreditch, we've been eagerly anticipating Nuno Mendes' return to London, and the wait is finally over. Come spring next year, he'll be launching his own spot in a Charlotte Street townhouse celebrating the food, culture and style of Portugal's capital, which he's described as his "love letter to Lisbon". Stretching over three floors, the menu will centre around sharing plates; a tempting selection of petiscos (small plates) and larger tasca-style dishes. Welcome back to the Big Smoke, Chef.
📍 Fitzrovia
Cavita
Following the undeniable success of Kol’s opening this year, it seems the city’s got a feel for Mexican culture, and Adriana Cavita is about to shake things up with her first solo endeavour whose plates will be deeply connected to her memories of family, celebrations and adventures. With stints in the kitchen at some of the world’s best restaurants including El Bulli and Pujol, her own place is bound to bowl over, and it’s already got our vote with its mezcaleria in the basement (if you need us, you know where to find us).
📍 Marylebone
Arcade
It seems that everything that JKS Restaurants (the guys behind the likes of Lyle’s, Sabor, Gymkhana and BAO) touches turns to gold, and they’re soon to take over a huge space housing a load of culturally diverse dining experiences under one roof. They’re keeping the restaurant line-up under wraps for now, but word’s out that we can expect Thai curries, Middle Eastern shawarma, Indonesian street food and Spanish tapas. We couldn’t be more ready.
📍 The West End
AngloThai
Husband and wife duo John and Desiree Chantarasak have been popping up in kitchens all over London with their English/Thai fusion that packs a tongue-tingling punch, and - we asked, they listened - it’s time for them to go permanent. John’s half-Brit and half-Thai background inspired their philosophy honouring Thai flavours, culture and culinary techniques in combination with hyper-seasonal produce from the British Isles.
📍 Central London
And some other early stage rumours to keep your eyes on...
The Ledbury
Brett Graham may be reopening the doors to his Notting Hill institution.
Akelarre
The globally-recognised three Michelin-starred San Sebastián restaurant could be jumping across the pond.
Lasai
There’s hearsay that Rio’s Rafa Costa e Silva could be gracing us with Michelin-starred Brazilian fare.
Sources: The World's 50 Best, Hot Dinners, Urbanologie, Evening Standard, Eater London, Big Hospitality, The Caterer.