May is all about fresh starts; get ready to welcome the opening of sun-drenched terraces and a social calendar that starts to ramp up for summer. These are the London restaurants to book in May 2025.
With a host of new openings, fresh spring menus, and a colourful burst of floral tributes for the Chelsea Flower Show (20 to 24 May), the city is celebrating the season in style. Whether you’re chasing the first spritz of the year, planning a long and lazy lunch in the sun, or looking for a new favourite, these are the tables to book now.
Pyro: Borough’s Fiery New Opening from a HIDE Chef
Borough’s reputation as London’s culinary heart shows no sign of abating, and Pyro is another jewel in its crown. A celebration of Greek, open-fire cooking with a modern twist, Pyro is a striking launch by chef Yiannis Mexis, whose heavyweight career spans The Ledbury, Pétrus and most recently a stint as head chef at Michelin-starred HIDE. The sharing-style menu centres on wood-fired dishes such as Dorset lamb, flame-kissed whole lobster with mussels and roasted tomato orzo, and charred aubergine with tomato stew and smoked mizithra. Pyro also has a large garden bar, where Ana Reznik’s (formerly of Dalston’s iconic cocktail bar A Bar with Shapes for a Name) signature cocktail list celebrates Mediterranean flavours such as saffron, olive oil and jasmine, while wines from independent Greek producers and beyond round out the list beautifully. With a late license and a Greek Sunday Feast being launched soon, Pyro promises to bring the heat of Athens to London this summer.
Theo's on the Terrace Brings Italian Summer to Park Lane
Just in time for sunnier days, Theo’s on the Terrace returns to InterContinental London Park Lane, bringing a sun-drenched slice of southern Italy to the heart of Mayfair. Inspired by chef patron Theo Randall’s childhood travels across the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, the terrace offers a laid-back trattoria experience overlooking the Royal Parks. Designed for leisurely feasting, the menu features all the best antipasti dishes such as fritto misto di mare and Tuscan panzanella, Sicilian-style pizzas, and fresh pasta dishes. For dessert, Theo’s nostalgic gelato menu includes amaretti and vanilla, and Alphonso mango sorbetto. Aperitivo hour runs daily from 4 to 6pm, with cocktails poured straight from the bonnet of a retro red Fiat Smeg500, making it the perfect pitstop before a stroll through Hyde Park.
Kokin: Woodfire Japanese Dining Arrives at The Stratford
May sees the launch of Kokin, the highly anticipated new restaurant from acclaimed chef Daisuke Shimoyama (of South Bank’s Hannah), set within The Stratford, Autograph Collection. Taking over a sleek seventh-floor space with sweeping views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Kokin is a new expression of Japanese dining, where past and present meet in a refined, fire-led menu shaped by seasonality. Blending past and present, Kokin’s name (古今) nods to tradition while embracing modern techniques. Central to the experience is a wood-fire kitchen designed to bring subtle yet smoky depths to the menu’s standout dishes such as grilled turbot and charcoal-seared A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. Across the menu, Kokin takes a whole-fish approach, honouring every part of the catch. At the sushi bar, guests are offered a unique Sushi Omakase experience, merging Temae, where the guest guides the meal, with Omakase meaning “leave it to the chef,” to create a more personalised experience. Meanwhile, the drinks list spans sakés, a curated wine selection by Provisions Wine & Cheese and Japanese-inspired cocktails.
Bubala Brings Its Middle Eastern Magic to King’s Cross
Following the success of its Spitalfields and Soho outposts, Bubala has introduced its bold vegetarian Middle Eastern flavours to King’s Cross, with a two-floor space and the brand’s first-ever outdoor terrace: perfect timing for summer. Founder Marc Summers and executive chef Ben Rand have created a menu that blends favourite dishes like oyster mushroom skewers and confit latkes with vibrant new options such as charred cucumber tzatziki and fava bean vadouvan. A new wood-fired oven anchors the kitchen, turning out smoky plates, while desserts include Bubala’s Big Pud (a decadent mix of chocolate mousse brûléed bananas and tahini caramel) designed for sharing. Bubala King’s Cross promises to be a sunshine-friendly, flavour-packed new addition to the neighbourhood.
La Temporada del Atún at Parrillan, Coal Drops Yard
Another standout King’s Cross restaurant is Parrillan, an entirely open-air restaurant from the same team as Barrafina, tucked beneath a wooden pergola in Coal Drops Yard (they also have a restaurant in Borough Yards). This May, Parrillan is marking the arrival of the almadraba wild bluefin tuna season with La Temporada del Atún, a one-night-only event on 14 May, celebrating one of Spain’s most prized culinary traditions. The £65 set menu showcases sustainable bluefin tuna, sourced via the traditional Ike Jime method by MSC-certified pioneers JC Mackintosh. Dishes include tuna tartare with quail’s egg, seared tuna with ajo blanco, tuna empanada, and Tarantelo skewers grilled by diners over their own tabletop parrillas. With the buzz of the open fire, a glass of Andalusian wine in hand, and a sunset overhead, it’s set to bring a touch of Spanish authenticity to inner city London.
Myrtos Serves Up Greek Vibes in South Kensington
South Kensington is also welcoming a slice of the Aegean this May with the arrival of Myrtos, the debut restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Asimakis Chaniotis. Named after the famous beach in Kefalonia, Myrtos blends refined technique with the warm, sharing spirit of traditional Greek dining. Expect elevated taverna-style plates, from silky taramosalata finished with trout roe to decadent lobster giouvetsi, alongside a dedicated Greek cheese trolley. Cocktails come courtesy of Line Athens (ranked No.6 in the World’s 50 Best Bars), including a Mediterranean Martini infused with Kalamata olives, thyme and early harvest olive oil. Light, bright interiors centred around an olive tree complete the feeling of an elegant escape to the Greek isles, right in the heart of London.
Town: A Bold New Opening on Drury Lane
This May, celebrated chef and restaurateur Stevie Parle (River Café, Moro and Petersham Nurseries) launches his most ambitious project yet: Town, a new restaurant and bar opening on a corner of Drury Lane in the West End. Blending sustainable British produce with a design-forward, vibrant space, Town promises ingredient-led cooking, rare wines, and serious cocktail credentials, all under one roof. Working with a heavyweight kitchen team (alumni of Luca, La Trompette and Kerridge’s Bar & Grill), Town is forging a new approach to sourcing, working closely with farmers who champion progressive and regenerative methods. Dishes span tempura sage with honey from Stevie’s own bees, day boat crudo with Todoli grapefruit, and wood-grilled Romney Marsh hogget. At the bar, Kevin Armstrong (of Satan’s Whiskers fame) has developed a succinct menu of classics and originals, including smaller serve cocktails and lower ABV drinks. There is also an extensive list of old and new world wines available from a well-stocked cellar.
SINO: Contemporary Ukrainian Cooking Comes to Notting Hill
SINO is a contemporary Ukrainian-inspired restaurant from Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev, blending traditional Ukrainian dishes with modern European techniques that will celebrate the rich, often underrepresented culinary heritage of Ukraine. Expect refined dishes like vareniky dumplings with oxtail and mushroom garum and pork belly with blackened beetroot. Cocktails by Ana Reznik (formerly of Dalston’s iconic cocktail bar A Bar with Shapes for a Name) draw on Ukrainian ingredients, while a focused wine list highlights bottles from Georgia, Ukraine and beyond. The interiors, designed by Sychova, also bring Ukrainian heritage to life, featuring natural clays, and hay motifs commonly used in Ukrainian festivals, and sculptural lighting from Kyiv-based Clayp. Korolev, who returned to the kitchen last year after fighting on the front line, leads a largely Ukrainian chef team, bringing powerful storytelling and authenticity into every dish.
Osteria Angelina: The Dalston Favourite Expands Into the City
This May sees the launch of Osteria Angelina, a relaxed new pasta and grill restaurant from the team behind Dalston’s acclaimed Angelina. Set in a striking converted Victorian warehouse on Norton Folgate, the restaurant centres around an open kitchen and a glass-walled pasta station, where guests can watch chefs craft fresh pasta with a Japanese twist. The à la carte menu brings bold dishes such as tagliolini with mentaiko and aged porterhouse brushed with tare, while the extensive wine list offers over 300 Italian labels celebrating indigenous varieties, alongside a curated sake selection from expert Masayo Nuttall. The interior design combines original architectural features with sleek, modern touches.
Seventy Five at Liberty: For Refined Post Shopping Refreshments
Liberty is celebrating its 150th anniversary with the launch of Seventy Five at Liberty, a new all-day restaurant on the second floor of the iconic Regent Street store. Created by British dining specialists Goose + Berry, the space blends Liberty’s signature arts and crafts aesthetic with a contemporary, inviting feel, complete with botanical wallpapers, velvet accents, and a one-of-a-kind fabric ceiling installation. Head chef Joe Holness (formerly of Fera at Claridge’s and Da Terra) has crafted a seasonal, sharing-style menu celebrating modern British ingredients, including herbs and honey from Goose + Berry’s own hives. An all-day brunch menu and an artistic afternoon tea from pastry chef Lizzie Ross also await, while the cocktail list draws inspiration from Liberty’s own fragrance collection. True to the spirit of the store, the restaurant will also feature an ongoing Artist in Residence programme, launching with the celebrated illustrator Sir Quentin Blake.
The Return of Mango Mania at Jamavar
This May, Jamavar, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant from Samyukta Nair on Mount Street, marks the arrival of Alphonso mango season with a vibrant new feasting menu crafted by culinary director, Surender Mohan. A celebration of India’s most prized fruit, the menu offers a flavour trail across the country, with each course showcasing the Alphonso’s tropical sweetness in inventive new forms. Highlights include Achari Murgh Tikka, tender chicken fillets marinated with pickled mango and mustard, and Aamras Paani Poori, a playful nod to Mumbai’s street food culture. Coastal inspirations appear in dishes like Kairee Jheenga prawns and Scallops Mangai Mappas with coconut and tangy mango salsa, while dessert is a burnt mango tart paired with Château Roumieu dessert wine. Paired with a carefully curated wine selection, the menu is a joyful homage to India’s rich culinary diversity and to the fleeting magic of mango season.
Michelin-Starred Lunches at Pavyllon London
The new Taste of Pavyllon lunch menu at Pavyllon London, the Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant from world-renowned chef Yannick Alléno has introduced a lunchtime menu – offering Alléno’s signature French flair at an accessible price point. The menu highlights Pavyllon’s philosophy of combining modern French techniques with exceptional British produce, with dishes such as the signature steamed Comté soufflé, Cornish lamb cutlet cooked over fire, and ‘not so classic’ tiramisu with cardamom and mascarpone ice cream. For those who want a true front-row experience, seats at the central counter offer a glimpse of the chefs bringing each plate to life. Perfect for a special occasion, a stylish lunch meeting, or an indulgent midday treat in the heart of Mayfair.
Sucre: Sophisticated Argentine Fire and Flavour
Soho’s sophisticated Argentinian restaurant Sucre turns up the heat this month with a bold new menu celebrating the soul of Latin American cooking through fire and flavour. Created by internationally renowned chef Fernando Trocca and executive chef Jack Godik, the new offering showcases open-fire asado techniques with dishes rooted in Argentinean, Spanish and South American influences. Small plate highlights include delights such as red Alistado prawns slicked in olive oil and cedro, beef and chilli empanadas. Larger plates centre on premium cuts and flame-kissed seafood, from Iberico pork ‘Matambre’ to shellfish rice with mussel aioli. Set within Sucre’s dramatic, high-ceilinged dining room, the experience finishes on a sweet note with decadent dessert options including Basque cheesecake and Port and olive oil cake.
Ganymede: A Chelsea Flower Show Favourite with Seasonal Flair
If you’re heading to the Chelsea Flower Show, Ganymede in Belgravia is the perfect post-gardens pitstop. Known for its elegant take on the modern British pub, Ganymede is marking the neighbourhood-wide celebration with a special Garden Menu from executive chef David Halewood spotlighting spring’s best. Dishes include colcannon scotch egg with wild garlic soup, stuffed saddle of lamb with petit pois à la française, and crispy panisse with white asparagus and sorrel. Floral cocktails have been designed to complement the dishes, while the pub – like so many venues in the area over May – will have its own floral display in homage to the world-famous show. Ganymede’s own will be a distinctly British installation, taking inspiration from the fields and farms that supply their kitchen through the year. (And it’s worth mentioning that Ganymede is also home to the Bloody Martini, one of our favourite cocktails in the city and a must-try!).
Wildflowers: Belgravia’s Blooming Hotspot Adds Two More Reasons to Visit
Upon opening last year, Wildflowers quickly became one of London’s hottest places to dine and this May, they have given us two more reasons to visit. First, in celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show, the Belgravia favourite will open daily for extended hours from 20 to 24 May, with lunch from 12–5pm and dinner from 5pm. Just five minutes from Royal Hospital Chelsea, it’s a dream Chelsea pitstop surrounded by freshly cut blooms. Second, the team has just unveiled their new courtyard terrace, a tucked-away spot in Newson’s Yard perfect for long lunches or sunset drinks. The menu is as vibrant as ever, featuring moules farcies with garlic butter, rabbit and cuttlefish paella, and grilled Iberico pork chop, best enjoyed with a crisp Amalfi Spritz.
Baskets in Bloom at MiMi Mei Fair: A Playful Dim Sum Feast
Welcoming the arrival of spring, MiMi Mei Fair has just launched Baskets in Bloom, a playful new dim sum feasting menu inspired by the bustling kitchens of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Available every day for lunch and early dinner, the experience invites guests to build their meal by selecting one, two or three stacked baskets of hand-crafted dumplings, before choosing a main course. Highlights include crystal morel dumplings with bamboo pith, Canadian scallop and asparagus dumplings, and garlic-chive chicken dumplings, followed by a choice of mains like Sichuan corn-fed chicken or clay pot black bean aubergine. A coco-mango vegan sundae provides the perfect sweet finish. Guests can pair their feast with curated teas or a glass of Champagne for a luxurious twist.
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Lead image: Wildflowers, photo by Rebecca Dickson
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