Aki London Dining Room
Aki
Discover some of the best new London restaurants for Autumn 2025 — from neighborhood gems to fine dining, in a range of cuisines from Modern British and Contemporary European to Japanese and Syrian.
Aki, Cavendish Square, Marylebone
Lamb at Aki, London
Joanna Yee
With its Kyoto-inspired, farm-to-table menu, Aki offers a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese cuisine with inventive flavor pairings spanning sushi, robata and kushiyaki. Menu highlights include: Tuna Tartare with Japanese brown puffed rice, aged soy, and caviar; Wagyu Tataki with Japanese beer mustard pickle, truffle, brown butter, and crispy leeks; and hay-smoked scallop with tofu and fennel cream. The setting of this restaurant is equally impressive in a grand, Grade II-listed former banking hall. The flamboyant decor features luxurious kimono fabrics, incredible hand-painted Japanese landscape frescoes and a thrilling art collection. The restaurant grows rare Japanese herbs in its own in-house micro-farms and is also licensed to serve authentic Kobe beef – a rare certification held by few restaurants.
Nela, The Whitely, Bayswater
Nela, The Whitely, Bayswater, London
Rebecca Dickson
Nela, the acclaimed live-fire restaurant from Amsterdam, has opened inside a restored Georgian building that once housed Whiteleys, London’s first department store. Rebranded as The Whitely, a major regeneration by Foster + Partners also includes private residences and the UK’s first Six Senses hotel. Nela is certainly is an excellent fit in terms of its chic aesthetics and the food is equally fine. The new restaurant under Chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller shows how great live-fire cuisine can be. As with the Amsterdam restaurant, the menu features bold yet refined cooking methods to showcase the exceptional produce. Signature dishes include Artichoke with wild spinach and hollandaise sauce and Open Flame Sea Bream with parsley rub.
Von Crumb, Belsize Park
Schnitzel at Von Crumb, Belsize Park, London
Von Crumb
In a neighborhood of chain cafes and restaurants, newly opened Von Crumb, on the high street in leafy Belsize Park, is a breath of fresh air. The smart new restaurant from Or Yerushalmi (of popular street food brand Ladle) and David Ben Meir offers a hearty menu that specialises in schnitzel. Four types of schnitzel plus smoked frankfurters stuffed with emmental cheese are dished up in generous portions, alongside mashed potato, fluffy challah bread and caesar salad. Schnitzel is also served in buns with chilli chutney and for vegetarians, there’s a delicious aubergine option. For dessert, the Basque cheesecake, washed down with homemade lemonade, is a must. The restaurant has only been open for a few months but is already very popular so booking is recommended.
Solaya, Hoxton
Solaya, art’otel, London
Rebecca Hope
Solaya, a French Mediterranean restaurant and bar located in art’otel London Hoxton, launched in September 2025. Led by Chef Kenny Atkinson (of Michelin-starred Solstice and House of Tides), the restaurant is on the 25th floor of art’otel in Hoxton, offering stunning views panoramic view from its 360-degree circular layout and two balconies. This is Chef Atkinson’s first London solo venture and his menu highlights include a delicate Tuna Carpaccio, alongside the rich Bouillabaisse with Lobster, Scallop Crudo with heritage tomatoes offers a vibrant, sun-ripened pairing. Oven-Roasted Sole with capers, lemon and parsley is a standout too.
Fire & Wine, Marylebone
Dishes at Fire & Wine, Marylebone, London
Joe Howard
As you’d guess, the menu at the newly opened Fire & Wine, revolves around an open fire grill, with dishes designed for sharing. Chef Zisis Gkalmpenis’s (Pied à Terre, Cord by Le Cordon Bleu) Southern European menu is particularly special on Sundays with his reimagined roast. Picanha dry-aged for 32 days is incredibly flavorful and tender. Also on offer is red Suffolk pork belly, and corn fed chicken in sauce diable. Sides include crisp agria potatoes, honey-glazed parsnips and fire bread, straight off the flames. Starters are fab too, especially the mackerel in a delicately creamy tonnato sauce.
Aram, Somerset House
Labneh eggs at Aram, London
Harriet Langford
Aram at Somerset House is the latest venture from Imad Alarnab, a Syrian chef, entrepreneur and refugee who ran three successful restaurants, several juice bars and cafes in Damascus before they were destroyed in the war. His first London restaurant was Imad’s Syrian Kitchen opened in Kingly Court in Soho, London in early 2020. This new restaurant blends deli, café, and restaurant under one roof—serving dishes inspired by the cuisine of Syria, Turkey, Cyprus and Jordan. From za’atar croissants and halva brownies to roasted aubergine salad and labneh with poached eggs, every plate is a delight.
Wani Tzuki, Covent Garden
Wani Tzuki, Covent Garden
Emma Pharaoh
Wani Tzuki Covent Garden’s just-opened bold new Japanese Izakaya in a 19th-century townhouse, offers a front-row chef’s counter as well as table service. Bluefin tuna sashimi, rock shrimp tempura and lamb chops with spicy soy glaze are among the menu highlights. Wani Tzuki is part of the House of Louie concept, developed by Paris Society International and there’s a French restaurant (Louie) and rooftop bar (The Alligator Bar) all under one roof.
Richoux, Marylebone
Richoux, London
It’s Me Louis Photography
Richoux, a new all-day French patisserie and restaurant across from the Langham hotel, combines French classics like Croque Monsieur and escargots and international favorites like Caesar salad and mushroom rigatoni. A wood-fired oven is used for signature plates including a 36-day dry-aged Ribeye to share. Steak Tartare prepared tableside and Chicken Paillard are other menu highlights.
Dining and Cooking