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This month brings with it a flurry of new restaurants, pubs and bars, including some well-established London spots keen on branching out.
April sees pickle plate paradise Bubala opening its third location in King’s Cross, while Bleecker Burger will launch a new permanent home on Baker Street. Soho’s buzzy Cantonese pub kitchen Duck and Rice is opening up restaurant number two at Battersea Power Station and, breaking loose from Peckham, there’ll be a new 081 Pizzeria on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch. Finally, a second branch of Claude Bosi’s lovely little French bistro Josephine will be coming to Marylebone.
Here’s the best of the rest.
The best new London restaurant openings in April 2025
1. Parasol, Dalston
Remember The Nest, or, if you’re even older, Barden’s Boudoir? The excellent basement club below what is now the Red Hand is finally getting the relaunch it deserves. Welcome to the scene, Parasol. A 150 capacity cocktail bar from Andy Kerr (founder of Discount Suit Company and The Sun Tavern) and Tom Gibson (Ruby’s, Corrochio’s, The Bluecoats), expect what they’re calling a ‘1980s NYC style mutant disco’ vibe, classy cocktails and regular big name DJs. It opens April 31.
36 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XJ
2. Tom Brown at The Capital, Knightsbridge
After shuttering his Michelin-starred Hackney Wick spot Cornerstone last year, Tom Brown is returning to the space where he honed his craft. On April 10 he launches his new flagship at what was Outlaw’s – where he was head chef – at The Capital hotel. He’ll be focussing on what he does best, sustainable seafood dishes. Tasting menus start at £125 and will feature the likes of wild bass with buttermilk and vanilla, tuna with soy and quail egg, and turbot with smoked eel and black truffle.
22-24 Basil St, SW3 1AT
3. The Kerfield Arms, Camberwell
South London pub the Crooked Well has returned to its original, 1863 name and will be relaunching on April 15 as the Kerfield Arms. The team from north London gastropub The Baring are behind the revamp and will be bringing head chef Jay Styler over from Islington for a menu stacked with Yorkshire hogget with violet artichokes, bagna cauda and pine nuts, as well as ricotta and nettle dumplings with broad beans and wild garlic buttermilk, and a sturdy sounding Sunday lunch.
16 Grove Lane, SE5 8SY
4. Between The Bridges, South Bank
Opening April 17, this open air food market is re-opening in time for the good weather, with drag shows, boozy brunches, and club nights as well as some of the city’s finest food traders. Time Out have had a hand in curating the food vendors, which will include some of our faves; Homeslice, Rack City Ribs, and Rogue Sarnies.
The Queen’s Walk, SE1
5. Kung Fu Mama, Covent Garden
On April 8, Ottolenghi co-founder Noam Bar-Chang will open up this fast-paced Taiwanese noodle bar. It’s only wee, with space for nine covers inside and four outside, so pick up your sun-dried noods with chicken thighs in ginger and sesame sauce; beef in Sichuan pepper sauce or mapo tofu with spicy minced pork and take to the nearby St Paul’s Church aka the actor’s church to eat your lunch in the spring sunshine.
80 Long Acre, WC2E 9NG
6. Corner Corner, Canada Water
Food hall folk Kerb and Broadwick Live (the venue operator behind superclubs Drumsheds and Printworks) have teamed up for this 18,000 sq ft space of independent food vendors and a jazz, funk, soul and disco soundtrack. Corner Corner is also home to London’s largest vertical farm, supplying ‘hyper-local’ produce to the venue’s food hall and cafe. Opening April 10, it’ll be home to the first south of the river Chick N Sours, Armenian small plates spot Sireli, Taiwanese nibbles from Jou Jou's Bites, and Mexican street food at Masa Tacos.
Maritime St, SE16 7LL
7. Forza Taps, South Bank
Forza Wine at the National Theatre’s alfresco terrace is open for the summer season from April 17. Just beneath the top floor Forza, this outdoor spot is walk-ins only, so it’s first come first served for the best tables. The snacky menu includes a cavalcade of crisps and skewers, including bavette steak with lardo, pork with ’nduja sauce, and polenta with Chianti ketchup. Wine is, of course, on tap, with bubbly Frizzante and a Grenache-Syrah rosé. It’ll be serving until September.
Forza Wine at the National Theatre, SE1 9PX
8. Reemies, Chelsea
Reem Abu Samra opens her first brick and mortar bakery on April 2. The small batch bakehouse specialises in the sweetest of treats; banana bundt, chocolate fudge cake, and the Smarties-stuffed pinata cake. Don’t tell your dentist.
137 Fulham Road, SW3 6RL
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