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Hot Restaurant Openings - February 2026
- Jo Aspin
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Monthly hot restaurant news from roaming reporters Jo Aspin and Paloma Lacy. Put the kettle on and peruse our February 2026 picks.
Simpson's In-The-Strand
In the words of P.G Wodehouse: "There is only one Simpson's. Simpson's In-The-Strand." Probably the most talked about restaurant opening of this year, I for one can't wait to visit.
Simpson's evokes an image of hungry guests awaiting the grand reveal of raised silver cloches. This is classic dining that seems to have been all but lost in London. If the new decor is anything to go by, time has stood still at this stalwart of London's posher dining scene.
However, five years has passed since the restaurant closed its doors so it's exciting to discover the changes made. Known as the THE Sunday roast spot, the new menu is as yet to be unveiled. What is known is the choice of dining room setting - from the modernity of Romano's - with a Continental twist - to the traditionally formal English dining room, The Grand Divan.
There are also options of Nellie's Tavern and the Simpson's Bar. PL.
Opening early February 2026
19-23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1RW
DakaDaka
Georgian restaurant and wine bar DakaDaka has opened at Heddon Street, Mayfair. Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage and open charcoal fire cooking from a kitchen headed up by Chef Patron Mitz Vora and Head Chef Adrian Hernandez Farina (formerly of Canal, Humo, and Chiltern Firehouse) will make this a unique spot for dining out in Central London.
Dishes of Abkhazura - Iberico pork sausage with barberries, blue fenugreek and sour plum, Lobio - a kidney bean hummus with ajika chilli crisp and pumpkin seeds, and Khinkali - Georgia’s famous hand-folded soup dumplings will all feature on the menus. S well as larger plates of Shkmeruli - garlic roast chicken in a confit garlic sauce and Whole John Dory with sumac molasses and thyme.
Celebrating Georgia's winemaking heritage, over 100 bottles have been gathered for the menu, with natural wines from producers Pheasant’s Tears and Archil Guniava.
A vinyl collection and sound system can be found in the downstairs bar, ready for some late-night parties. JA.
Now open
10 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BX
Cometa
Fitzrovia welcomes a new Mexican seafood restaurant concept this month but that's not the whole tale. British seafood will be showcased through a Mexican lens. Think raw plate favourites
ceviches and aguachiles, and dishes like crab chilpachole rice with brown butter and chive, and lobster with chintextle and smoked butter sauce.
The drinks list will include the hugely popular spicy marg and mezcal Old Fashioned. Many are calling the opening the latest crest in London's current Mexican wave.. Mexico City and New York city are credited as the inspiration for Cometa. PL.
Opening 20th February 2026
19-23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1RW
The Good Front Room
When chef Dom Taylor brought The Good Front Room to The Langham Hotel a few years ago, it was the first Caribbean restaurant to hold a residency in a London five-star hotel. The place was packed during its 10-month tenure. Why didn't it remain? That's the burning question and theories abound.
However, its re-emergence in a permanent home in Dalston has silenced many. The Good Front Room is back. Winner of Five Star Kitchen, Dom is an exciting cook. Elevating Caribbean cuisine to fine dining status at the Langham, people are excited by this latest incarnation.
The Good Front Room refers to the best sitting room kept closed but for special occasions in many Caribbean homes in the UK. It's a nod to Dom's heritage, as a grandchild of the Wyndrush generation. Dom has pledged to keep the culture alive through his interpretation of a much-loved cuisine.
Rum and raisin pork belly strips and whole jerk chicken ae just two dishes that stand out. The drinks list is naturally headed by signature rum punch.
Opening 5th February 2026
The Good Front Room. 1 Thomas Tower, Dalston Square, London., E8 3GU
Fred Bakery Oxford Circus
Yet another bakery group vying for you to make their cinnamon buns your number one. Fred Bakery, (an amalgamation of ‘Fresh’ and ‘Baked’), has opened a second site in Oxford Circus.
Artisanal breads and pastries using sustainably sourced ingredients are offered to a backdrop of minimalist, modern design. Fill your boots with apple crumble Danish, triple chocolate hazelnut sourdough, cinnamon buns and so on. JA.
Now open
52–53 Margaret St, London W1W 8SQ
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
