January Hot Restaurant Openings and News

Here we go again. It's 2026 and it's time to ditch the new year diet and start planning some seriously good meals out. Here's our first edition of our 'hot restaurant openings and news'. Get stuck in.

January Hot Restaurant Openings: Tiella Trattoria & Bar

 

Credit: Caitlin Isola

This gorgeous sounding trattoria opens on the former site of The Stingray Globe Café, Columbia Road this month. The passion project comes from Chef Dara Klein who has spent the last decade travelling Italy's trattorie, studying their menus. Now that's dedication! Tiella will serve regional, homestyle Italian cooking, shaped by Dara’s Pugliese heritage and her childhood in San Giovanni in Persiceto - a town in Emilia-Romagna, internationally renowned for its gastronomy. Restaurateur Ry Jessup, a childhood friend of Dara, will run the restaurant alongside her.

Opens 21 January

109 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RL

Website: www.tiella.co.uk

Bonheur by Matt Abé

Gordon Ramsay’s protégé Matt Abé has opened Bonheur on 43 Upper Brook Street in Mayfair. The address is the former Le Gavroche, the first UK restaurant to earn three Michelin stars – so tough boots to fill here. The menu is luxury French menu with nods to Abé’s Australian roots. It’s already gained an inclusion in the Michelin Guide for 2026.

Now open

Address: 43 Upper Brook St, London W1K 7QR

Website: bonheurbymattabe.com

Hoppers Shoreditch

January is quite the month for watching and waiting for restaurant doors to open. The fourth Hoppers is due to open any day now in Shoreditch. Adding to the Sri Lankan brand, already encompassing Soho, Marylebone and King's Cross, those out in East London way are in for a treat.

Widely regarded as the leader in London's Sri Lankan cuisine race, diners will be able to tuck into hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes), rice & kari (curry), and mutton rolls to their heart's content.

Opening is expected late January 2026

Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, London, E1 6JJ

Website: www.hopperslondon.com

Hendl

There aren't many diners who couldn't be comforted by the smell and taste of roast chicken. Such a simple dish but its renaissance in London in recent years has been well documented. By the end of this month, Hendl will have opened its doors. A second concept restaurant from the team behind Peck Peck, also in Hackney, Hendl is heavily focused on all manner of rotisserie dishes. Housed in Hackney Church Brew Co, chicken will be given a four-hour brining treatment, and brushed with of the moment glazes, such as hot honey and harissa, before spit roasting. But it's just about chicken, porchetta will be served as part of a Sunday roast. Of course the little piggie will be accompanied by chicken-fat roast potatoes. All hail the chicken in all its glory!

Opening is expected late January 2026

Hendl, Hackney Church Brew Co, 17 Bohemia Place, London, E8 1DU

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hendlhackney/

Mama Li Canary Wharf

The authentic Cantonese restaurant Mama Li will open its third site at Wood Wharf at the end of the month, bringing its traditional Hong Kong-style Siu Mei to Canary Wharf. The new site marks an evolution of the brand, aiming more towards a dine-in experience. Siu Mei remains at the heart of the menu, with Mama Li continuing to prepare its meats using authentic Cantonese techniques, including a charcoal-fired roast duck oven. The Canary Wharf menu will also introduce soup noodle dishes, nostalgic cha chaan teng favourites, and a new-range of tea-based cocktails.

Opening end of January

3 Rivington Walk, London, E22 3AB

Website: https://www.mamali.co.uk

Seven Dials Market by KERB - New Traders

Seven Dials Market by KERB welcomes three new traders later this month:

• HOKO - a Hong Kong-style diner serving up their signature wonton noodle soups.

• Bask Street Boys - on a mission to bring Basque cuisine to the forefront of London’s street food scene. Known on KERB’s markets for their Taloas (handmade cornflour galettes), they’ll be bringing London a tortillas bar!

• Masa Tacos – a family-run business blending traditional Mexican recipes with seasonal British produce.

From 30th January

35 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LX

Website: www.sevendialsmarket.com

 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