This month, London’s dining scene brings a mix of shiny new openings and festive treats. These are the London restaurants to book in October 2025.
Including a Parisian import shaking up Shoreditch, nourishing Korean temple food with a global icon, a Freize London take-over, a Fortnum & Mason collaboration with British illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy, and one very special 14-cover chef’s table worth the short drive out of London for, this month’s top tables promise plenty of reasons to dress up and head out for a meal to remember.
The nights might be getting colder and darker but these 18 restaurants will help cut through any autumn gloom.
Il Bambini Club: From Paris To Shoreditch
Paris’s much-loved Il Bambini Club has made its UK debut at The Hoxton, Shoreditch, bringing its spirited take on all-day Italian dining to East London. Already a hit in Paris and Megève, the Shoreditch outpost mixes convivial energy with plenty of dolce vita charm. Italian favourites anchor the menu, from signature arancini and creamy burrata to fresh pastas with ricotta, pesto or truffle, finishing with a giant tiramisu made for sharing. Aperitivo hour runs late here, with Negronis, Bellinis and Amaretto Sours alongside spritzes and playful twists on Italian classics. Designed to be joyful, the interiors set the tone for long lunches and lively dinners, while midweek live music will keep the party going well past aperitivo hour.
Bar Brasso: Espresso And Aperitivo
Fans of aperitivo are in for a treat this autumn as chef and restaurateur Robin Gill has also opened a new Italian venue – Bar Brasso. A coffee bar, deli and bakery by day, the spot transforms into an aperitivo bar by night. Inspired by the bar culture of San Sebastián and Venice, it’s an all-day destination beside Gill’s acclaimed restaurant Darby’s. From 8am to 5pm, the focus is on house bakes, filled sandwiches, fresh salads and comforting hot plates such as beef-shin lasagne, rosemary and garlic roast chicken with potato al forno, or ricotta and sage gnudi. From Tuesday to Saturday evenings, the lights dim and Bar Brasso shifts gear: small plates and seasonal snacks are served around a long white marble counter, designed for sharing with a drink in hand. The food offering is built in close partnership with Cibo, whose founder Vittorio Maschio works directly with small, Italian producers. Highlights include sage and anchovy fritters, mussels with nduja soffritto, and the Bourdain Toastie – mortadella and fontina in tribute to Anthony Bourdain’s favourite sandwich. Drinks lean into aperitivo culture with a Campari-forward list, £5 Negronis at happy hour, and Northern Italian wines by the glass. Bar Brasso brings the energy of a Venetian bacaro directly to London: espresso by day, aperitivo by night.
Quaglino's: Transforms Into Art Installation For Frieze London
Quaglino’s, the historic St James’s restaurant, is marking Frieze London (15 to 19 October, Regents Park) with a transformation that will turn its iconic dining room into a living gallery. Partnering with Grove Gallery and Single Malt Whisky brand, The Dalmore, the restaurant will host two weeks of installations and events that fuse contemporary art, fine dining and premium whisky. Four artists – Zara Muse, Steve Lazarides, Robi Walters and Amanza Smith (of Selling Sunset fame) – will reimagine the restaurant’s celebrated interior columns, first painted under Terence Conran’s revival in the 1990s. Guests can see the transformation unfold live on 15 October, and Amanza will make a special appearance in the bar on 18 October. The programme also features limited-edition Dalmore cocktails and a bespoke Quaglino’s dessert created for the occasion, alongside one-of-a-kind customised whisky bottles to be auctioned post-event. On display until 2 November, the collaboration reinforces Quaglino’s reputation as more than a restaurant, but also a long-standing cultural destination.
Cord x Venerable Jeong Kwan: A Rare Temple Dining Experience
This October, Venerable Jeong Kwan, the Buddhist nun and chef celebrated for her appearance on Chef’s Table and winner of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Icon Award in 2022, brings the rare art of Korean temple cuisine to London for one night only. Hosted at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, the dinner will showcase a multi-course menu rooted in centuries of monastic tradition: seasonal, plant-based, and prepared without garlic, onions or animal products. Dishes will include rice porridge with black sesame, jochung-glazed shiitake mushrooms, temple-style kimchi, and fermented teas – food designed to nourish both body and mind. Guests will also take home a pot of Jeong Kwan’s homemade doenjang (fermented soybean paste), making this a quietly remarkable addition to the autumn dining calendar and a rare opportunity to encounter one of the world’s most influential culinary figures in London.
2210 By NattyCanCook: Bold Flavours, Second Chances
One of London’s most exciting rising chefs, Nathaniel Mortley, better known as NattyCanCook brings his much-anticipated first restaurant to Herne Hill this October. 2210 by NattyCanCook fuses fine-dining precision with the bold flavours of the Caribbean, blending Bajan, Jamaican and Guyanese influences with classic French technique. Dishes reimagine Caribbean staples: roti with Scotch Bonnet butter, ackee and saltfish spring rolls, jerk chicken supreme, and lamb rump glazed with fiery Wiri Wiri pepper. Desserts include Natty’s famous deep-fried apple crumble and plantain cake, while his now-legendary Caribbean-style roasts will be served each Sunday. A Peckham native, Natty’s journey has been as remarkable as his food. Having trained at Michelin-starred City Social and The Arts Club, his passion for cooking was reignited at The Clink restaurant while serving time in HMP Brixton. Today, as an ambassador for The Clink, he’s building his restaurant while helping ex-offenders forge careers in hospitality. With 2210, Natty isn’t just aiming to redefine Caribbean food in the capital, he’s creating a restaurant with community and second chances at its heart.
The Elizabeth: A New Reign For Belgravia Dining
Another notable pub opening this month, The Elizabeth reimagines a Grade II listed Victorian townhouse as a modern British bistro-pub. Created by Lunar Pub Company’s Hubert Beatson-Hird and culinary director Anthony Demetre, the Michelin-starred chef behind Wild Honey and one of the original champions of London’s bistronomy scene, The Elizabeth blends relaxed hospitality with serious culinary pedigree. The site was previously home to Ganymede, also run by Beatson-Hird, with The Elizabeth marking a fresh chapter for the team. The menu, devised by Demetre with chef David Halewood, champions British ingredients with French technique and balances comfort and finesse with dishes like slow-cooked duck confit with wild oregano and roast young chicken glazed with lemon and honey. Sundays bring roasts, while desserts run from chocolate mousse to a giant rum baba. With a creative drinks list and wines from Liberty Wines, The Elizabeth combines all the warmth of a neighbourhood pub with the polish of one of London’s most experienced chefs.
Amélie: Fizz And (Unlimited) Frites
Staying in Belgravia, Amélie has launched one of the season’s most playful dining rituals: Fizz & Frites. A high-low pairing that takes the idea of the ‘New York Adult Happy Meal’ – i.e. martini and fries – and elevates it with a distinctly French twist. Here, guests can order a bottle of Champagne (from £115) and enjoy unlimited fries, served on vintage silver trays with a line-up of indulgent sauces such as truffle mayo and caviar add-ons. It’s a playful spin on high–low dining, Champagne paired with comfort food, and proof you don’t need a tasting menu to indulge. A great way to turn a weekday get together into a sparkling celebration, complete with fries.
Fortnum & Mason: Charlie Mackesy At The Parlour
This autumn, Fortnum & Mason’s famous ice cream parlour undergoes a storybook transformation in collaboration with beloved British illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy. Running until January, The Parlour will be adorned with Mackesy’s bespoke designs, bringing his much-loved characters from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse into Fortnum’s Piccadilly home. A limited-edition menu has also been designed by executive pastry chef Roger Pizey to add to the magic. He has created dishes inspired by Mackesy’s gentle philosophy and playful storytelling, from the Mole Cake, a tribute to the character’s courage and sweet tooth, to a Cornish Brie toastie with fig and fennel chutney and a blackberry and lemon curd trifle (£10.50). Blending art, storytelling and indulgence, Fortnum’s offers a chance to experience Mackesy’s world in the sweetest possible way, this is an autumn treat for all ages.
Café François: Afternoon Tea, À La Française
For those of us who enjoy an indulgent dessert, another treat this month comes courtesy of Café François, who are bringing their own take on afternoon tea to Borough Yards, inspired by the success of their sister restaurant Maison François’s version which launched earlier this summer. A London ritual – recast with Parisian boulangerie flair and just a dash of New York pizzazz – is served up right in the heart of SE1. Guests can start with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne before moving on to tiers of sandwiches, pâtisserie and hand-braided babkas served on bespoke metal stands. Sandwich fillings are classic and very French including oeufs mimosa with watercress on seeded sourdough; Vadouvan curried chicken on turmeric bread; and the beloved jambon beurre on granary. Pâtisseries come next including eclairs, Tartelette aux fraises, orange blossom and pistachio gâteau, and hazelnut choux, while scones are swapped for buttery babkas (chocolate and hazelnut or vanilla) by executive pastry chef Jérémy Prakhin. Teas come via Good & Proper, with coffee by independent roaster Origin.
The Connaught Grill: British Seasonality In Mayfair
Mayfair is home to a celebration of British seasonality this month: The Connaught Grill has partnered with its neighbour Purdey, the historic gunmaker and luxury outfitter, on a menu that marks game season at its peak. It’s a collaboration rooted in craftsmanship and tradition. The experience begins with The Game Changer cocktail, served in a Purdey flask, before moving onto a menu from executive chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez. Dishes include a Purdey Game Pie, smoked rabbit terrine, and venison loin, carved tableside with a Purdey knife. To finish, indulgent desserts such as Solliés black figs with hazelnut dacquoise and fig leaf ice cream keep the focus on seasonal British produce.
Gunpowder: A Monthly Celebration of Festive Food
With Diwali celebrations beginning on 18 October, it’s the perfect time to acquaint yourself with Gunpowder’s incredibly good value India Club – which this year they have dubbed the Festival Edition. Taking place on the last Sunday of each month, the Michelin Bib Gourmand Indian restaurant, founded by Harneet Baweja and led by chef patron Nirmal Save, hosts a special six-course sharing menu at their Tower Bridge and Soho restaurants, each month inspired by a different Indian festival. Their six-course sharing menus showcase dishes rooted in tradition and drawn from lesser-known regions across India, a way to experience the country’s extraordinary diversity through food. On 26 October, Gunpowder celebrates with a Durga Puja menu, followed by Diwali on 30 November and Christmas on 28 December.
Hera: Greek Family Warmth In Straford
Hera Stratford is proving that great dining doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag. This family-run Greek restaurant has introduced a new weekday set lunch where diners can enjoy a starter and main for just £13.90. Alongside this, Hera has unveiled an expanded autumn menu that doubles the choice while keeping its blend of Greek authenticity and modern finesse. Must-try dishes from head chef Mario Selimis include grilled halloumi with peach, prawn saganaki, black seafood tagliolini and a crowd-pleasing fillet steak. Every plate is designed for sharing, in true Greek tradition. The fun continues beyond the menu: Greek Night takes over the last Friday of each month with dancing, music and plenty of plate-smashing. It’s the kind of convivial dining that carries you happily through the darker autumn nights.
Sushisamba: Sundays, Samba Style
Keep the good vibes going at SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden’s monthly Samba Brunch. Taking place on the last Sunday of each month, it’s a high-energy fusion of food, music and carnival spirit with live DJs, samba dancers, and plenty of colour – both on the plate and in the surrounding decor. The set menu starts with a welcome cocktail before rolling into small plates, sushi and sashimi, indulgent mains, and dessert. Highlights include crispy yellowtail taquitos, robata-grilled ribeye with miso hollandaise, bamboo-roasted sea bass with citrus salt and criolla, and a Japanese apple crumble with soy toffee sauce. Equal parts brunch and celebration, Samba Brunch turns Covent Garden into a party once a month making it the perfect way to banish any autumn gloom.
Arros QD: The Imagination Journey
For one night only, The Imagination Journey is a special collaboration between Martin Morales (founder of Ceviche and Andina and now CEO of children’s charity the Institute of Imagination) and Arros QD, the Fitzrovia flagship of Quique Dacosta, who is one of the world’s 50 Best Chefs and holder of seven Michelin stars. Hosted by Morales, Great British Menu’s Andi Oliver, and Arros QD’s Executive Chef Eduardo Idrobo, the evening celebrates 500 years of culinary exchange between Peru and Spain. The five-course tasting menu blends signature plates and one-off creations: Morales’s iconic Don Ceviche, Arros QD’s fire-cooked Paella Valenciana, grilled octopus with lucuma purée, and a co-created Tarta de Santiago. Expect live cooking, immersive storytelling, and an atmosphere that feels both celebratory and purposeful. Prices start at £190 per person, with premium counter seats (£280) and a VIP Chef’s Table experience (£360) also available. Every ticket supports the Institute of Imagination’s creative learning programmes for underserved children.
Wildflowers x Adam Byatt: A Belgravia Reunion
An unmissable four-hands dinner takes place at Wildflowers in Belgravia this month, where chef-founder Aaron Potter reunites with his former mentor Adam Byatt of Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham. For one night only, the two chefs will collaborate on a five-course menu (£125pp) that blends nostalgia with innovation, revisiting dishes from their years cooking together while showcasing the flair that defines them today. The menu nods to their shared history with dishes such as Wildflowers’ focaccia made from Trinity’s 20-year-old sourdough starter, Cooley Gold oysters served three ways, and a cuttlefish baked rice layered with pig’s trotter, pork jowl and fried quail’s eggs. Dessert is no afterthought: a salted caramel custard tart with Fior di Latte gelato, olive oil and grape balsamic will be followed by warm wildflower honey and beeswax madeleines. This is a great opportunity to experience two of the capital’s most influential culinary voices on one special night.
Piraña: Late Night Dining
PIRAÑA, Mayfair’s late-night Nikkei dining spot, has recently launched a Bluefin Tuna Experience. Running fortnightly through the end of the year, each evening centres around the ceremonial preparation of a 130-kilogram Bluefin tuna, carved live in front of guests by PIRAÑA’s chefs. The night begins at the chef’s table with tastings of the freshest tuna you’ll ever try, before moving into a bespoke tasting menu that showcases the fish in multiple forms: seared otoro nigiri with Oscietra caviar, spicy tuna maki rolls, robata-grilled skewers and more. Packages range from £120–£190pp depending on the number of dishes. With a high-energy dining room, Champagne list, signature cocktails and dedicated espresso martini menu, PIRAÑA ensures the evening doesn’t end with dinner. The experience blends theatre, flavour and atmosphere, making it perfect for a celebratory evening out.
The Jang Supper Club At The Royal Exchange
Jang usually serves a Japanese-Korean menu but is dishing up some new flavours with The Jang Supper Club later in the month. On Saturday 25 October, chef Dana Choi, the creative lead behind Jang’s contemporary Korean cooking, will join forces with chef Tasha Marikkar, the Sri Lankan-born chef, cookbook author of Jayaflava (and regular on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen). Together they’ll present a four-course tasting menu that fuses Korean depth with Sri Lankan vibrancy in bold and unexpected ways. Highlights include white fish crudo with coconut milk ginger vinaigrette, lobster tail poached in doenjang butter with curry leaf oil, and beef or duck glazed in jaggery sauce with Japonica rice. A spiced vanilla, cinnamon and pepper curd pannacotta provides the finale. To pair, Engel Bar’s Mario Giaconia has created a bespoke Sri Lankan–Korean cocktail, crafted exclusively for the night.
Bear By Carlo Scotto: An Intimate Dinner
After much anticipation, Carlo Scotto has confirmed the opening of BEAR by Carlo Scotto. Set within the newly revamped Crazy Bear Hotel in Beaconsfield, BEAR pairs Scotto’s inventive cooking with foraged British ingredients in a highly intimate setting. Diners begin with cocktails and canapés in the lounge before moving to the 14-cover chef’s table, where every seat offers a direct connection to Carlo and his team. Around half of the menu’s ingredients are foraged daily from the nearby Chiltern Hills, anchoring the experience firmly in the local landscape. The evolving tasting menu draws on British terroir while pulling in global influences from Asia, Europe and the Middle East. This is worth making the short journey out of town for.
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Lead image: Amelie
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