KFC launches spinoff concept in US
KFC is to launch a new spinoff concept in Orlando, Florida, next week that it says is ‘unlike anything else in the market’ and has the potential for further rollout.
Restaurant Openings
Restaurant radar: the key openings of 2025
With new ventures from Gordon Ramsay, Richard Caring and Jeremy King, as well as the arrival of international brands such as Carbone and Shanghai Me, 2025 is shaping up to be another banner year for restaurant openings.
Late night bar Parasol to open in Dalston
The team behind neighbourhood bars Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern and The Umbrella Workshop is set to open a new cocktail bar in Dalston this spring.
Isaac McHale to open new Shoreditch restaurant
The Clove Club founder Isaac McHale is opening a new European restaurant close to his two-star flagship.
Latest opening: Bun House Disco
Alex Peffly and Z He’s latest London restaurant is an ode to ‘the hedonistic era of 1980’s Hong Kong’
Carlo Scotto to open a restaurant at Crazy Bear hotel next year
Chef Carlo Scotto is back in the kitchens after a break with a new restaurant at Crazy Bear Hotel in Beaconsfield.
Latest opening: Fantômas
Notting Hill regular Chris Denney has made the move to Chelsea for his new neighbourhood restaurant. And it’s an absolute belter.
Cutting a dash: the Savile Row restaurant that’s making top-end dining look better than ever
With Row on 5, Jason Atherton and Spencer Metzger have created a restaurant that could redefine fine dining in the capital.
Coffee shop % Arabica to open fourth London site
Speciality coffee brand % Arabica has chosen the former turbine halls of Battersea Power Station for the location of its fourth London location.
Officina OO to serve pizza for the first time at its new Covent Garden restaurant
Italian kitchen and pasta workshop Officina OO is dipping its toe into the world of pizza with its new restaurant.
Nero Group announces new partnerships with Waitrose and John Lewis
The Nero Group is to launch a new café concept across five Waitrose supermarkets, as well as open its first Caffè Nero in a John Lewis store, in White City, London.
Spanish vegan brand PLANT SHACK plans UK move
Fast casual vegan brand PLANT SHACK, which operates six sites across Spain, has signed a franchise agreement to open its first UK outpost in London.
Chuck E. Cheese plans entry into UK market
US restaurant group Chuck E. Cheese is looking to expand into the UK market, targeting locations in cities including Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol.
Chris Emery to oversee new restaurant concept at Crazy Bear Stadhampton
Chris Emery, former head chef at Jason Atherton’s The Clocktower in New York, is to launch a new restaurant and dining space at Crazy Bear Stadhampton in January.
Latest opening: The Georgian
Harrods’s historic fourth floor restaurant has been relaunched with self-styled pie master Calum Franklin overseeing the evening menu.
Two Thirds Beer Co. to launch Euro-inspired beer hall
The team behind Sheffield-based bar, kitchen and bottle shop Two Thirds Beer Co. is to open a Euro-inspired beer hall and restaurant in the South Yorkshire city next year.
Firebird duo to launch seafood restaurant Noisy Oyster
The team behind Soho restaurant and wine bar Firebird will launch a new project in Shoreditch next year.
Fear the Reaper: Dave’s Hot Chicken confirms spiciest burger will feature on UK menu
Dave’s Hot Chicken has said it will now offer its Reaper spice mix in its UK restaurants, with diners required to sign a waiver before they order it.
Caprice Holdings makes UAE debut with Sexy Fish Dubai
Caprice Holdings has made its debut in the UAE with a Sexy Fish in Dubai.
Restaurant radar: December 2024
December welcomes a slew of restaurant openings including a new venture from James Cochran, Aldo Zilli’s return to the capital, and an overseas smash burger brand.
Harry’s restaurant to open at The Gallivant
Matthew Harris is joining forces with the team behind Rye-based boutique hotel The Gallivant for a new restaurant.
Leeds-based Tharavadu to open new South Indian concept
Leeds-based Indian restaurant Tharavadu is doubling up in the city with a new concept.
Pizza Express launches new Pod concept
Pizza Express has opened the first site under its new grab and go concept, Pizza Express Pod, at Tesco Extra in Southampton.
Too hot to handle: Dave’s Hot Chicken says Brits can’t hack its spiciest burger
Nashville-style chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken has said it is unsure whether to serve its Reaper-level spice mix in its UK restaurants after taste tests left diners ‘in tears’.
Latest opening: AngloThai
John and Desiree Chantarasak’s progressive Thai restaurant concept has finally gone permanent with a site in Marylebone.
Moi et Toi to double up with Tower Bridge location
Harneet Baweja and Edward Delling Williams will bring their Moi et Toi bakery to Tower Bridge early next month.
Bleecker plans further London openings
London-based better burger brand Bleecker is planning two further openings in the capital in the coming months, having returned to the expansion trail earlier this year.
Josh and Holly Eggleton acquire a second Chew Magna pub
Siblings Josh and Holly Eggleton have added another pub to their portfolio following the acquisition of The Pelican in Chew Magna.
Din Tai Fung to open in Canary Wharf
Din Tai Fung will open its fourth UK restaurant, in London’s Canary Wharf, next year.
Legare founders to launch new neighbourhood-style wine bar and restaurant
The team behind modern Italian restaurant Legare near London Bridge is to launch a new concept directly opposite it on Shad Thames in spring 2025.
Gordon Ramsay Group launches its biggest-ever recruitment drive
Gordon Ramsay Group is looking to recruit over 250 new staff for its upcoming 22 Bishopsgate project.
BAO's new Night Market concept is coming to Market Halls Victoria
The team behind BAO will unveil a new grab-and-go concept at Market Halls Victoria later this month.
Hotbox arrives in Brixton ahead of bricks and mortar return
London-based smokehouse restaurant Hotbox is to open a multifaceted space at Pop Brixton next week ahead of plans to launch a bricks and mortar site in Shoreditch next year.
Latest opening: Khao Bird
Brighton-based restaurateur Mike Palmer has made his London debut with a casual Borough Market restaurant inspired by north Thailand’s gastronomic capital Chiang Mai.
Rockfish to take on Hix's The Oyster and Fish House site
Seafood restaurant group Rockfish is taking on Mark Hix’s The Oyster and Fish House restaurant in Lyme Regis following the announcement of its closure this month.
Former Hawksmoor and SMOKESTAK chef launches solo barbecue concept
A London-based chef who previously cooked at Hawksmoor and SMOKESTAK is launching his first solo concept, which majors in Southern US-style barbecue.
Greek restaurant Hera to open in Stratford
A Greek restaurant named after an Olympian goddess will open later this month in east London.
Andy and Emma MacSween to open Zibibbo in Glasgow
The husband-and-wife team behind Glasgow restaurants and wine bars Ralph & Finns, Vroni’s Wine Bar, and Malo are opening their fourth site in the city.
Dean Banks to launch Dulse on former ASKR site
Dean Banks is to open a second location of his Edinburgh seafood restaurant Dulse this week on the site in Leith that previously housed Dan Ashmore’s short-lived ASKR.
James Cochran returns to Islington with new pub venture
Chef James Cochran is to launch a new bistro-pub venture in London’s Islington next month, close to his flagship 12:51 restaurant, which closed earlier this year.
New salad concept PICK.YOUR.OWN. to lay down roots in The City
A new fast casual restaurant concept that promises ‘to revolutionise’ the daily salad will launch in The City early next month.
Berberè to open a pizzeria on Tottenham Court Road
Italian pizzeria brand Berberè will open its third London location next month.
Latest opening: Fonda
Santiago Lastra’s more casual sibling to KOL is a tribute to the tortilla.
Itinerant no more: John and Desiree Chantarasak on making AngloThai a permanent fixture
After years of pop-ups, supper clubs and residencies the husband-and-wife duo have finally found a home for their progressive Thai restaurant concept.
The Salad Project continues expansion with ‘most ambitious site to date’
The Salad Project is to open its biggest store to date next month on Tottenham Court Road in central London, describing it as ‘a significant step forward’ for the business.
Latest opening: Dongnae
Husband and wife duo Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeong Jeon second Bristol restaurant outing is more grown-up in feel and offers a significantly more elevated and wide-ranging menu.
Chickpea Group to open its first Dorset pub
Wiltshire-based Chickpea Group has acquired the King’s Arms in Shaftesbury, in what will be its first pub in the county of Dorset.
Kirk and Keeley Haworth’s Plates Farm and Retreat sets May launch date
Plates pair Kirk and Keeley Haworth will welcome their first cohort of guests to their Plates Farm and Retreat in southwestern France in May next year.
Maneki Ramen chooses Birmingham for second site
A ramen restaurant forced to change its name by Gordon Ramsay Group is to open a second site.
Filipino barbecue concept Turo Turo finds permanent home in Tooting
Chef Rex De Guzman has secured a permanent site for his Filipino street food concept Turo Turo on Tooting Broadway in London.