From Jamaican to Bengali, Mexican to Parisian, these are London’s best foodie pop-ups and new openings this year.
Alexandra Dudley shares her picks of the hottest places to eat in London over the next few months, as well as some recommendations on what to order – oyster happy hours and brioche sandwiches included.
Original Flava opens at Market House Brixton Open since 1st February
Instagram’s favourite flavour duo, Shaun and Craig McAnuff open their first permanent residency this month at Market House Brixton. After amassing a following of over 170,000 hungry followers devoted to their delicious step-by-step Caribbean food recipe videos, the brothers have taken the leap and will be cooking up their own twist on the traditional dishes of the Caribbean. Already a buzzing bar, Market House Brixton’s downstairs dining space will be dedicated to Original Flava’s vibrant menu. We’ve got our eyes on the honey-fried chicken with jerk-spiced fries.
Ruben’s Reubens pops up at Seed Library Open from 25th January for two months
East London’s coolest cocktail bar Seed Library have partnered with Ruben’s Reubens for two months only. Ruben Dawnay will be dishing up moreish plates showcasing his signature smoke and cure techniques alongside punchy flavour pairings. Expect bold dishes such as salt beef brisket spring roll served with Russian dressing and braised hot sauce pork cheeks tossed with ranch sauce dressing. Overseen by drinks industry titan, Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan, Seed Library mixes some of the city’s most sought after cocktails. Try their take on a gimlet, made with dry gin and coriander seed cordial.
London Shell Co. launches on land Opening in March 2023
London Shell Co. is coming to shore with its first bricks and mortar restaurant opening next month near Hampstead Heath. The new site will be both a seafood restaurant and fishmonger meets wine shop. Full menu details are yet to be released but London Shell Co. promise to put their own spin on happy hour with the freshest British oysters going for just £2.00 between 4-6pm every day and £2.00 off each glass of wine.
Darjeeling Express returns to Kingly Court Open since 30th January
Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express has returned to Kingly Court. Ten years since beginning as a supper club at Khan’s dining table in 2012, Darjeeling Express has existed in restaurant form first at Kingly Court and subsequently in Covent Garden. The decision to move back to Kingly Court in 2023 was heavily inspired by Khan’s tenacious celebration of the women who run her all–female kitchen, where it all began in this Carnaby Street location. Announcing the move on Instagram she declared it as a ‘joyous homecoming’ to the restaurant’s ‘spiritual home’. Favourites such as the iconic Biryani will remain, with new dishes focussing on homestyle Bengali and Mughal cooking joining the menu. Tables are already being snapped up, so we suggest you book quickly.
Sonora Taqueria opens in Stoke Newington Opening spring 2023
Netil Market’s sell-out Mexican food stand is opening its first dine-in restaurant in Stoke Newington. Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier’s Sonora Taqueria made hot news last year – not just as a result of their stellar tacos, but following a much opposed legal threat from the worldwide taco chain Taqueria, who demanded (without success) that Salazar and Napier remove the word taqueria from the restaurant’s name. Over 100,000 signatures on a Change.org petition meant that Sonora Taqueria has been able to keep the name that exemplifies what it does best – serving up authentic Mexican tacos to hungry patrons. The full menu is yet to be released but promises to be an expanded offering of their cult tacos.
Crunch pop-up in Shoreditch Back in Shoreditch for 2023
Bubbly sourdough is delicious, but you’re not alone if you’ve lost half your sandwich to the pavement in a battle with an unyielding chewy crust. Forget all you think and know about sandwiches and head to Crunch. These sandwich experimentalists are pushing all boundaries at their Shoreditch pop-up. Fillings such as slow cooked Gressingham duck leg with banana shallots, crispy onions and smoked apple puree, or za’atar roasted aubergine with roasted red peppers, home-made harissa hummus and tomato relish are sandwiched between their signature buttery golden brioche offering a sumptuous take on a weekday lunch.
Petrossian Café opens on Fulham Road Open since 25th January
No strangers to luxury dining, Parisian caviar experts have opened a gourmet café on London’s Fulham road serving a lavish, caviar centric menu. Plates include soft boiled eggs with Ossetra caviar, and caviar topped, crispy-skinned baked potatoes. Also available is a wide range of smoked salmon and the famous Petrossian Croque, served with caviar, truffle or Pata Negra. The first permanent UK location of this beloved Parisian institution sits opposite the iconic Michelin building and offers just 16 intimate covers. Treat yourself to some of the world’s finest champagnes, wines and vodka for the ultimate spoiling experience. Francophiles and fans of fine caviar need not trouble themselves with Eurostar queues and delays any longer.
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