The London food scene is swinging back into action post-summer, crammed with new openings, relaunches, and one-off events. These are the London restaurants to book in September.
Angela Hartnett brings Italian refinement to Covent Garden; Michael Caines makes his long-awaited London debut; and Scandinavia’s wildest dining export, Punk Royale, lands in Mayfair – as does one of New York’s hottest celeb hangouts, Carbone. And that’s just a handful of this month’s highlights. From fine dining landmarks to neighbourhood gems and bold collaborations, these are the top tables making September one of the year’s most exciting months for the capital’s food fans.
Punk Royale: Scandi Rule-Breaker Arrives In Mayfair
Having experienced Punk Royale in both Stockholm (where it first opened) and at its Copenhagen venue, I’m excited and intrigued to see how this cult phenomenon translates to Mayfair. Known for shaking up the rules of fine dining across Scandinavia, and for leaving London clamouring for more at previous sold-out Carousel residencies, the concept now has a permanent UK home on Sackville Street. The experience is as unfiltered as it is unforgettable. Guests sit down to a fixed tasting menu where nothing is explained in advance: dishes arrive in quick succession, lurching from delicate Nordic precision to bold, theatrical contrasts. Think vodka shots and spoonfuls of caviar, foie gras served with smiley faces, plenty of smoke and heat, as well as sharp flavours delivered with flair. Chef-founder Joakim Almquist is promising to bring the same DNA to London: part performance, part fine dining, all attitude. Punk Royale is proof that bonkers and brilliant can happily co-exist in a restaurant experience. This is a must-book for adventurous foodies.
Kudu: South African Favourite Relocates To Marylebone
After eight successful years in Peckham, the South African-inspired Kudu is making the move to Marylebone, bringing Kudu Collective’s three distinctive spaces – the original Kudu restaurant, Kudu Grill, and Curious Kudu – under one roof for the first time. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Amy Corbin and chef Patrick Williams, Kudu has won a loyal following for its dining experience built around the flavours of the braai. The Marylebone menu incorporates Kudu’s cult favourites, such as their much-lauded Kudu bread served with indulgent flavoured butters, alongside new dishes. Think pork chop with traditional monkey gland sauce, Cape Malay monkfish potjie infused with smoke, or burrata with pineapple, tomato and ginger. Larger cuts from the braai, like dry-aged T-bone or whole black bream are designed for sharing, while desserts range from the joyful Kit-Kat tart to a dramatic Durban Pineapple, built for multiple forks to dig into. An extensive South African-led wine list and cocktails with a local twist complete the line-up. A four-course ‘Best of Kudu’ tasting menu (£95) and an express two-course lunch (£35) give diners even more ways to experience the restaurant’s signature style, while weekends bring brunch and roasts with a distinctly Kudu spin. With interiors inspired by the landscapes of South Africa, the move to Marylebone marks an exciting next chapter.
Michael Caines At The Stafford: A Landmark London Debut
One of Britain’s most celebrated chefs, Michael Caines MBE finally opens his first restaurant in the capital this month: the eponymous Michael Caines at The Stafford. Working alongside executive head chef Simon Ulphs and set within the storied walls of the historic hotel, the restaurant brings Caines’ acclaimed terroir cuisine to the city, combining seasonal British produce with modern European flair. The menu balances refinement with heritage, from à la carte dishes such as Beef Wellington and Brixham Dover sole, to a signature tasting menu featuring warm lobster salad with cardamom vinaigrette, and pan-roasted turbot in shellfish chowder. With its central location, heritage setting and one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs at the helm, Michael Caines at The Stafford is poised to be a must-book this autumn.
Cicoria By Angela Hartnett At The Royal Opera House
Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Angela Hartnett OBE is bringing her signature blend of refined yet relaxed Italian cooking to the Royal Opera House this September, with Cicoria, a brand-new restaurant and rooftop terrace bar on the fifth floor. The dining room will be open daily for lunch and dinner, showcasing Angela’s hallmark ingredient-led approach with dishes rooted in simplicity and seasonality. Alongside it sits a rooftop bar inspired by the timeless Italian bars of Turin and serving cocktails, spritzes and wines with panoramic views over Covent Garden. The venue is being designed as a destination not just for opera-goers, but for anyone seeking a standout meal or aperitivo in the heart of London. With its blend of exceptional produce, striking setting, and one of the city’s most celebrated chefs at the helm, this new opening is set to become a Covent Garden destination in its own right.
ALTA: Fire-Driven Spanish Restaurant Lands In Kingly Court
The team behind MOI, which opened to much acclaim on Wardour Street last month are opening a second restaurant this summer, championing the best of British ingredients with an international twist – this time with a Spanish flavour. Opening in foodie-heaven Kingly Court, ALTA is a fire-led restaurant from El Bulli alumni Rob Roy Cameron, taking inspiration from Northern Spain and its deep culinary heritage. The menu leans into open-fire cooking, sharing plates, and regional techniques, while spotlighting top-tier British produce. Cameron, a long-time collaborator of Albert Adrià and part of the original El Bulli team, has spent over a decade immersed in Spanish kitchens. Here, he channels that knowledge into a laid-back but elevated dining experience: think razor clams in white escabeche or wood-fired courgettes with pumpkin seed romesco. Larger plates from the grill will include turbot head and 38-day aged sirloin, while produce comes from small British farms, including heritage peppers grown especially for the restaurant. Drinks are a draw too: wines on tap and by the bottle focus on low-intervention, small-scale European makers, while cocktails and aperitifs showcase Spanish vermouth, fine sherries, and artisan spirits. UK ciders like Wilding and Little Pomona also give a nod to the Basque region’s cider culture.
Aram by Imad: New Daytime Destination From The Popular Syrian Chef
Another Kingly Court venue we’re big fans of is Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, so it’s great to see a new venture from its founder Imad Alarnab, opening this month at Somerset House. Aram by Imad is a daytime venue – part café, part deli, part restaurant – that is promising to celebrate the breadth of Eastern Mediterranean cooking. A self-taught Syrian chef who rebuilt his career in London after fleeing Damascus in 2015, Imad brings the same warmth and generosity to Aram as he did to Carnaby Street. Expect shelves lined with za’atar croissants, halva brownies and cardamom coffee, alongside light and flavour-packed dishes such as roasted aubergine salad with chickpeas, or labneh with poached eggs and Aleppo chilli oil. Later this year, Salamlik, a dedicated events and supper club space will open, underscoring Aram’s ethos of food, culture and community. Aram joins Somerset House’s growing culinary line-up as the landmark celebrates its 25th anniversary, offering a soulful new addition to one of London’s most iconic addresses.
The Salusbury: Restaurant Dining With Pub Soul In Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park is cementing its reputation as a dining hotspot, and the return of The Salusbury only strengthens the case. Reopened under new ownership, this neighbourhood institution has been reimagined as both a locals’ bar and a destination restaurant, with the kitchen now led by rising star Tarryn Bingle. Dishes include such delights as Dorset crab, cacio e pepe, Suffolk lamb with smoked potatoes, and a Chateaubriand with fat chips designed for two, alongside playful snacks like oysters with hot sauce, parmesan churros and a proper scotch egg. Desserts are indulgent, from classic custard tart to fruit and cream filled doughnuts. The Salusbury’s stylish redesign sets the dining room apart from the venue’s more relaxed pub space, making it a rare spot that works just as well for laid-back drinks as it does for a celebratory meal.
Theo Randall & Friends: Italian Icons Take Over Park Lane
To mark 50 years of InterContinental London Park Lane, chef patron Theo Randall has assembled an extraordinary line-up of culinary friends to create a celebratory five-course menu. Originally designed as a one-night-only dinner on 4 September (which sold out instantly) the menu is now available throughout the month for £85pp including wine pairings. Developed in collaboration with Jamie Oliver, Angela Hartnett, Francesco Mazzei and Jacob Kenedy, the dishes pay tribute to the chefs’ shared love of Italian cooking. Expect langoustine crudi, handmade pasta, porchetta-style pork belly and Jamie’s signature chocolate tart, each course paired with wines by Luca Dusi of Passione Vino. A chance to experience dishes from some of the UK’s most influential chefs in one evening – without needing a golden ticket.
The Newman Arms: A Revitalised Fitzrovia Classic
One of Fitzrovia’s best-loved pubs has been given a stylish new chapter. The historic Newman Arms, which dates back to 1730 has been brought firmly into the present by hospitality duo William St John and Callum Murphy, while retaining all the old-school charm that made it a favourite of such literary figures as George Orwell and Dylan Thomas. Spread across three floors, the pub balances heritage and comfort, with a cosy basement, ground-floor bar and iconic Pie Room – all being stylishly revamped in time for the winter months. The kitchen’s focus is on traditional, sustainably sourced pies, made with the finest organic ingredients from British farmers. To drink, there’s plenty of wine and local beer on tap, but the order here must be the Black Velvet, a mix of stout and Champagne made famous by Winston Churchill. Pair it with a beef and ale pie, and you’ve got a true taste of British culinary history.
The Abingdon: Seafood Saturday Brunches In Kensington
A Kensington institution for more than 25 years, The Abingdon is a family-run neighbourhood bistro that’s just launched its new Seafood Saturday brunch, giving locals even more reason to linger on its sunny terrace. Available each week from 11:30am to 4pm, the menu is a seafood lover’s dream: think ice-cold oysters, dressed crevettes, crab on toast, lobster rolls, and a crayfish Caesar salad. It’s unfussy, generous and celebratory, the kind of spread made for leisurely weekends with friends and best paired with a crisp glass of English wine or a classic cocktail. Inside, the restaurant’s wood-panelled interiors and eclectic artwork bring timeless charm, while the convivial atmosphere makes it a favourite whatever the season. The Abingdon delivers a weekend ritual that feels both indulgent and effortlessly local.
Kapara: A Middle Eastern Spin On The Sunday Roast
Soho’s Kapara has reimagined the classic Sunday roast, bringing the vibrant flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean to the table just as the cooler September weather sets in. Chef Eran Tibi gives the meal a playful twist, with sharing-style starters leading into shawarma-spiced short rib on the bone, braised lamb belly, and roast chicken marinated with coriander, garlic, cardamom and lemon. Even traditional sides get the Kapara treatment: Yorkshire puddings dusted with shawarma, garlic Yukon potatoes and cherry Madeira gravy. Vegetarians are looked after too, with a sweet potato and spring greens Wellington, while desserts such as sticky Medjool date and treacle pudding add a suitably indulgent finale. And if cocktails are more your speed, Kapara is also celebrating Negroni Week this month (22 to 28 September) with five inventive serves, from a smoky mezcal twist to a Negroni flight paired with dips and warm pita.
Bob Bob Ricard x Porte Noire: Champagne, Grouse & Glamour
Few collaborations feel as decadent as this: Bob Bob Ricard, home of the much-instagrammed ‘Press for Champagne’ button, has joined forces with British action-movie icon Idris Elba and his luxury drinks brand Porte Noire for a limited-edition menu running throughout September to time with the Grouse hunting season. The line-up brings bold British flavours with a lavish edge, including Champagne and truffle pie, while the arrival of game season is marked with a Cognac and grouse dish. Each pie can be paired with a bespoke Champagne cocktail and guests can take home a limited-edition Bob Bob Ricard x Porte Noire pie whistle, a suitably playful memento of an indulgent meal.
Claude & Co At Brooklands: Four Hands, One Stunning London Rooftop Stage
This autumn, Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London launches Claude & Co, a series of monthly four-hands dinners bringing together some of the world’s most exciting chefs for one-off collaborations on the hotel’s spectacular rooftop. The first instalment on 16 September sees Claude Bosi joined by Thomas Straker, the acclaimed Notting Hill chef who has built a cult following both in the kitchen and online. The pair will present a six-course tasting menu celebrating the best of British game, with wine pairings curated by The Peninsula’s director of wine, Melody Wong. Expect a dynamic evening of bold flavours, Champagne, and Bosi’s signature precision set against panoramic views over Hyde Park. Future dates include the three-Michelin-starred chefs Norbert Niederkofler (2 October) from Italy’s Dolomite region and Alpine maestro Sven Wassmer (11 November), with Brooklands’ aviation-inspired dining room providing the dramatic stage for their world-class cooking.
Opening Date TBC:
Carbone, Mayfair: The New York Celeb Hotspot Lands In Mayfair
New York’s Carbone, which opened in 2013, swiftly became an iconic celebrity hangout, frequented by many an A-lister. This month its first European outpost arrives in London’s Mayfair, already tipped to make a similar mark on the capital’s glittering dining scene. Opening on the site of the former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, which will also house the new Rosewood Mayfair, the Italian-American restaurant brings all the glamour and indulgence that made the original Greenwich Village location so famous. While details are still light, we are confident diners can expect a menu including their much-lauded signature dishes such as spicy rigatoni alla vodka, veal parmesan and a classic caesar salad, served alongside a wine list and cocktails every bit as extravagant as the interiors. Set to deliver the same blend of nostalgia, spectacle and late-night allure that has defined its New York counterpart, the Mayfair edition is poised to become one of the city’s most glamorous spots.
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Lead image: ALTA, Camille Kenny Ryder
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