Hot New Restaurant Openings and News - May 2025
- Jo Aspin
- May 8
- 5 min read
Summer's hotting up with an onslaught of new openings across London. To keep up with your dinner diary, read on. Compiled by hungry hacks Jo Aspin and Paloma Lacy monthly.
Belly
Modern Filipino and European bistro Belly opens this week in Kentish Town from restauranteur Omar Shah. Brought up in Kentish Town and of Filipino and Bangladeshi descent, and running restaurants with his family for over two decades, all of Omar’s venues reflect his love of world food with Asia at their core. Expect the likes of Steak Tartar with an Asian twist courtesy of Cured Yolk and Nori Seasoned Crisps, Diver Scallops cured and warmed through with a Malt Vinegar & Fermented Shrimp Coconut Sauce, and wood fired specialties include Wood Fired Wagyu Picanha with Peppercorn & Liver Sauce, Oak-Smoked Tinola Chicken with Caper, Ginger and Coriander Salsa Verde and Filipino inspired Beurre Blanc, as well as Wood Smoked Sticky Tamarind Lamb Ribs. The intimate 35 seater room, offers a quintessential bistro ambience with white tablecloths and simple wooden seating. JA.
Opens 8 May
Belly, 157 Kentish Town Road NW1 8PD
Fortune Fried Chicken
Fancy fried chicken Bangkok style? That’s the offering at Fortune Fried Chicken – the latest pop up recently opened at Old Spitalfields Market. Brought to the Capital by two food scene stalwarts, Jane Alty, The Begging Bowl and Harneet Baweja, Gunpowder.Lovers of Thai street food will know what I’m talking about. Chicken is marinated for at least 12 hours in a marinade, including soy, fish sauce, garlic and coriander. It’s then dipped into rice flour and deep fried to create a crispy skin jack for juicy and succulent chicken. Served as a burger in a bun with coleslaw.
There’s a Bangkok Fried Tofu Burger for veggies and vegans. Those avoiding bread, should try the Bangkok Fried Chicken Larb Salad. For a sweet finish, Pineapple Pie looks rather nice. If like me, you hold fond memories of eating a McDonald’s Apple Pie as a kid, it’s set to be a winner.
Now open
Look out for it at the street food row on the Lamb Street side of the market
Old Spitalfields Market, 59, Brushfield St, London E1 6AA
Jamie Olliver Cookery School, Oxford Street
Jamie Oliver cook books are credited with being full of easy-to-follow recipes that can make anyone seem able to cook. If you’re still unsure, you can go and train with the master himself. Well, not quite under his guidance but as good as. The latest Jamie Oliver Cookery School is opening soon in John Lewis & Partners, Oxford Street, right in the heart of London.
The Naked Chef team will teach budding chefs the basics, by cuisine or according to the length of time you’d prefer to prepare a meal. There are more than 40 classes to choose from, including, Pasta Master, Vietnamese Street Food and Mexican Street Food. Additionally, there are seasonal events, including sessions with Italian chef legend and Jamie Oliver’s hero, Genaro Contaldo.
Other Jamie Oliver Cookery School Locations include, Islington and online class availability. PL
See website for more details. www.jamieolivercookerschool.com
Opening mid-May 2025.
300 Oxford Street, London, W1C 1DX
Permit Room Portabello
Permit Room Portabello marks the first restaurant from this Dishoom sub-brand to open in London. What marks Permit Room as different from Dishoom? It describes itself as an all-day café-bar. Still none the wiser as to how this differs from Dishoom as it too, is open for breakfast, serving up the now infamous Bacon Naan Roll. Dishoom remains open, right throught the day and well into the evening.A quick peak at the menu reveals some exciting breakfast options - Crumpety Eggs Kejriwal, or Hot Permit Room French Toast. At lunch and dinner, pick at bar snacks for nibbles, moreish curries, and sharing plates. Plus, Dishoom faves will delight die-hard fans, like Mataar Paneer and Black Daal.Other Permit Rooms include Cambridge, Brighton and Oxford. Fyi, the name Permit Room is taken from establishments, licenced to see alcohol in post-prohibition India, during the 60s and 70s. PL.
Open 9th May 2025
186 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LA
Myrtos
Just as I bemoaned the loss of Greek restaurants from UK high streets, a raft of them have come along in Central London and in the outer suburbs. Has someone been listening to me?
Myrtos has recently opened in South Kensington, on the old Aubaine site. It’s the work of ex-Pied a Terre chef Asimakis Chaniotis. As much food is sourced directly from Greece as possible while nails for the snail flatbread come from UK soil, in Dorset. Dishes on the menu, include Lobster giouvetsi with orzo, tomatoes, mussels, lemon and basil, Pan-fried pink bream with a 5-herb, lettuce and lemon sauce, Skewers that include lamb belly and pickled turnip and fried whole squid with Greek herb chimichurri and squid ink. PL.
Now open
260-262 Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London SW3 2AS.
75 at Liberty
Iconic department store Liberty has unveiled a new British restaurant. Taking its name from the year Liberty was founded - 1875, 75 at Liberty is the first stand-alone restaurant from British dining specialists Goose + Berry, and is now open on the second floor. Head Chef Joe Holness, (formerly of Fera at Claridge’s and Da Terra), has created a sharing-style menu, taking its cues from modern British cuisine, celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally and sustainably, including herbs and honey from Goose + Berry’s own hives. Signature small plates include goat’s cheese & almond croquettes, and torched mackerel with pickled carrot and chervil sauce. An all-day brunch menu and afternoon tea from Head Pastry Chef Lizzie Ross is also availalble. JA.
Now open
Seventy Five at Liberty, Floor 2, Liberty London, 210-220 Regent Street, London, W1B 5AH
Eden Lounge
A story of two halves, The Eden Lounge by Sinners will open at the end of May and is a new all-day restaurant, café, coworking and social space located on the ground floor with Sinners (think cocktails and cabaret) on the lower ground floor to follow in June. From brunch to late night foodies can expect bold flavours and quality ingredients at affordable prices. Eden’s Awakening will start the day the right way, for just £5 - yes your read they right! Try French Toast, Rhubarb Jam and Orange Yoghurt, or Hummus, Poached Egg, Harissa Oil, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Flatbread. An accompanying range of 'Small temptations' will include Croquettes, Grilled Prawns, Spring Rolls and Kofte while 'Garden of Delight' will feature Green Papaya Salad, Wholesome Grain Salad or Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad. All day cocktails (no judgent here) will also be avail. JA
Eden Lounge Opens 28 May
78 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3JL
Features Editor, Chatting Food: Jo Aspin
Jo Aspin is a freelance writer specialising in UK restaurants, travel, food and drink. She is also a Director at hospitality PR agency Amy Williams Consultancy, based in London.
Follow Jo at:
Instagram: @welovechilli
Contributor Paloma Lacy
Paloma Lacy has been writing on food and restaurants for 15 years. Follow her on Instagram: paloma.lacy
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