11 New London Openings To Know About
HOTELS
One Hundred Shoreditch, Shoreditch
One Hundred Shoreditch has opened in the modernist building previously occupied by Ace Hotel. Inside you’ll find a range of spaces open to locals as well as hotel guests, including The Workshop, a space that rotates exhibitions, events and pop-ups dedicated to the best of east London. A revolving programme of drop-in wellness events kicks off with a probiotics wellbeing initiative in partnership with The Gut Stuff, and there’s a dedicated Peloton studio and an in-room Peloton offering for those looking to get a workout in while staying at the hotel. The in-house Wine Bar has partnered with much-loved local store Passione Vino on guest wines by the bottle and glass, while further spots include Goddard and Gibbs, which focuses on British seafood; Seed Library (more on that below); a rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic views; plus a welcoming lobby bar and coffee shop.
Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JQ
Visit OneHundredShoreditch.com
Lost Property, St Paul’s
Lost Property is a new hotel from Hilton’s Curio Collection spin-off. Within walking distance of some of the capital’s most iconic galleries – and 100 metres from St Paul’s Cathedral – this is a great spot for tourists wanting to make the most of seeing the sites. Inside the design-led, Grade II-listed hotel, there are 145 individual rooms and suites, some of which have views of the cathedral and all with sleek marble bathrooms. On the ground floor is Found, which offers a classic French-Anglo menu – think modern takes on coq au vin and welsh rarebit. An eight-metre bar made from bright blue resin takes centre stage, while the restaurant is surrounded by eye-catching Murano glass chandeliers and bespoke wallpaper designed by Timorous Beasties. Meanwhile, coffee house Tattle serves Monmouth coffee alongside healthy breakfasts, light lunches and snacks.
Ludgate Hill, St Paul’s, EC4M 7AA
Visit LostPropertyHotel.com
Inhabit Queen’s Garden, Bayswater
London’s first mindful boutique hotel, Inhabit, opened across six Georgian townhouses in Paddington in late 2019. Now the team has launched a second site. With wellness at the hotel’s core, expect to find eco-friendly mattresses in the rooms, non-disposable products by Skandinavisk and a gym dedicated to Peloton bikes. 'Inhale at Inhabit', the hotel’s wellness centre, hosts a programme of daily activities, including vinyasa flow, hatha and yin yoga, Pilates and complementary morning meditation classes. The Kitchen is a 70-cover restaurant serving an imaginative plant-based menu, with dishes including saffron-pickled cauliflower, sultanas and fried halloumi; and split pea dahl with soft egg, yoghurt, crispy shallots and flatbread. The marble-clad bar focuses on English wine and small UK spirit producers including East London Liquor Company and Sapling Vodka, alongside non-alcoholic options like Something & Nothing seltzers and Fix8 Kombucha.
1-2 Queen’s Gardens, Paddington, W2 3BA
Visit InhabitHotels.com
EDMUND DABNEY
RESTAURANTS
The Connaught Grill, Mayfair
After a two-year hiatus, The Connaught Grill has reopened with a fresh look. A discreet rosewood-clad hallway leads guests down to the restaurant – cabinets lining the corridor walls display one-of-a-kind vintages of wines and champagnes alongside works by design masters Louise Bourgeois, Idris Khan and Le Corbusier. Against the original ceiling with its ornate mouldings and arches, John Heah has created a subtle backdrop in which to showcase the artistry of George Nakashima Woodworkers. Handcrafted American black walnut runs throughout the space – from the structured dining booths to the restaurant’s signature Conoid chairs and solid panels that line the room. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has returned with his own twist on classic dishes. A pie of the day menu celebrates traditional favourites such as venison, chicken, seabass en croute and shepherd’s pie, while a show-stopping Sunday roast is presented and carved on the restored silver trolley from the original Connaught Grill.
Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL
Visit The-Connaught.com
Harrods After Dark, Knightsbridge
For the first time, Harrods is doing late-night dining. The department store has always closed at 7pm, but food will now be available beyond that deadline in the Dining Hall restaurants as well as the Tiffany Blue Box Café, Harrods Social by Jason Atherton and the Baccarat Bar. In what used to be the world-renowned Harrods Meat and Fish Hall, the Dining Hall hosts six diverse restaurants. We love Pasta Evangelists, where the delivery brand’s bestsellers – such as lobster tortelloni served with a lobster and vine tomato butter, lasagne cupcakes with British asparagus and parmesan cream, and rigatoni with black truffle – come to life in a restaurant setting. At The Sushi Bar, head chef Eran Low serves a range of specialty nigiri and sashimi, with menu highlights include eel and foie gras kabayaki, tiger-prawn tempura with caviar and wagyu beef tataki. And at Kerridge’s Fish & Chips, diners can enjoy some of Michelin-starred Tom Kerridge’s most loved dishes, including his famous crisp, gluten-free battered john dory with Matson curry sauce.
Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL
Visit Harrods.com
Design Restaurant by Social Pantry, Chelsea
Social Pantry has teamed up with Design Centre Chelsea Harbour to open a new restaurant. Flooded with natural light, the daytime spot offers everything from healthy breakfasts to informal lunches and focuses on seasonal organic vegetables and fruits, minimal use of red meat and conscious consumption. The menus follow the seasons closely, welcoming forced rhubarb and wild garlic in March, followed by British asparagus in April, before peas, broad beans and early salads arrive later in spring. Highlights include Turkish eggs and Lincolnshire poacher for breakfast; followed by torched mackerel caesar, with strozzapreti, artichoke pesto, peas and broad beans for lunch. For pudding, we love the sound of rhubarb and hibiscus custard tart or a Neal’s Yard British cheese plate served with zero-waste chutney. Best of all, The Design Restaurant by Social Pantry is just steps away from 120 international design showrooms, making it the ideal destination for something to eat during a day of interiors shopping.
Lots Road, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 0XE
Visit SocialPantry.co.uk
Sketch, Mayfair
British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare and architect India Mahdavi have transformed Sketch’s iconic pink Gallery restaurant with a striking new installation of artworks and interiors. The fresh look continues Sketch’s long-standing programme of artist restaurant collaborations that includes David Shrigley and Turner Prize winner Martin Creed. Titled ‘Modern Magic’, the installation features five hand-painted masks carved from wood and 10 framed quilts that replicate African masks found in Pablo Picasso’s collection. Renowned for her expert use of colour, Mahdavi has chosen a copper skin for the walls along with solar yellow fabrics to complement Sketch’s latest commission. The Gallery also features custom-made banquets with a pared-back design in copper tones. These will stand alongside one-off pieces designed by African artists, including Senegalese fabrics produced by famous textile designer Aissa Dione.
Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1S 2XG
Visit Sketch.London
LIAM BUNDY
CAITLIN ISOLA
BARS
Seed Library, Shoreditch
Multi-award-winning bartender Mr Lyan – aka Ryan Chetiyawardana – has opened a new late-night cocktail bar. In the atmospheric 70s-styled basement of One Hundred Shoreditch, this bar is excellent enough to warrant its own entry on this list. Mr Lyan is the man behind some of London’s most influential bars of recent years, including White Lyan, Dandelyan, Cub and Lyaness. In contrast to the progressive and philosophy-led ethos of the group’s award-winning bar Lyaness at Sea Containers, Seed Library’s drinks programme focuses on a ‘lo-fi, analogue’ approach to cocktail making. Alongside a short, frequently changing list featuring new takes on classic mixed drinks – such as a sancho leaf martini and coriander gimlet – the venue also features an array of low-intervention wines and craft beers. The food menu offers sharing snacks and seasonal picks – we loved the look of the potato smiles – while weekends see DJs, such as those from east London record store Love Vinyl, enhance the cool, laidback atmosphere.
Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JQ
Follow @SeedLibraryShoreditch on Instagram
La Goccia Bar, Covent Garden
La Goccia, the Italian restaurant from Petersham Nurseries, has now got a cocktail bar. Tucked away behind a dark red velvet curtain, the bar is decorated with contemporary art from founder Francesco Boglione’s personal collection. Cocktail lovers can stay late into the evening to sample a seasonal menu. The bar itself is made from real leaves collected from the gardens and streets of Milan then hand-dipped in bronze. Bar stools with metal legs shaped to look like knobbly branches have been designed by artist John of India, and cushions have been covered in a bold leopard print fabric. On the cocktail list, expect to find the likes of ‘Bitter Orange Blossom’ (made with mezcal, Aperol, citrus and amaro) and a ‘Dark Chocolate Martini’ (Vestal vodka, oat, dark chocolate and hazelnut).
Floral Court, Covent Garden, WC2E 9FB
Visit PetershamNurseries.com
Sweeties, King’s Cross
Sweeties is the new 10th-floor cocktail bar and late-night spot at the top of the Standard hotel. Occupying the eastern length of the landmark Brutalist building and accessed via the hotel’s red pill exterior lift, Sweetie was designed by long-time Standard collaborator Shawn Hausman to evoke an early 1970s Hollywood opulence: picture ochre velvet sofas, ruched leather banquettes and mirrored tables. The cocktail menu centres around a blend of feel-good ingredients and energising adaptogens and nootropics – including reishi, ashwagandha and holy basil – to ease guests into the night. Signature cocktails include the pink ‘Frothy Boi’ with lacto-rhubarb, gin, raspberry, pink pepper and gut-friendly fermented amazake oats; and the ‘Pick Me Up’, made with a blend of eight adaptogenic mushrooms, brown vodka, cacao and coffee. Most cocktails will be available in non-alcoholic versions, such as the ‘Holy Thursday’, featuring holy basil, green peppermint, white chocolate and mosaic hops.
Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG
Visit StandardHotels.com
Umbrella Workshop, Shoreditch
The Umbrella Project is run by the team behind famed east London bars The Sun Tavern and Discount Suit Company. It was launched under lockdown, when the world needed next-level bottled cocktails and the like delivered to its doorstep. Now the project has its own bar: in a scarcely touched 19th-century atelier on a cobbled street, this 12-capacity micro venue is a testing ground for cutting-edge cocktails that may or may not go forward to served at its bigger sister bars. The space also hosts tastings and workshops, with everything on the menu also available to buy to take home. This intimate spot is well located for an alternative aperitivo before heading off to the likes of Brat, St John Bread & Wine or Rochelle Canteen.
Cleeve Workshops, Boundary Street, E2 7JD
Visit TheUmbrellaProject.co.uk
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