It’s a big BIG month in the hospitality industry, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Last Saturday saw bars and restaurants around the country start to reopen their doors and, while the dining experience will look a little different to your last meal out four months ago, our favourite restaurants need us now more than ever before.
All around London our favourites are throwing open their doors once more. With more and more announced every day this is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a handful of those we know and love that we’d urge you to try a table at if you’re thinking of booking out. And for those not quite ready to head out just yet, some great establishments are still offering takeaway and delivery options around town.
NORTH
Hot Stone, Islington
One of only seven restaurants in the UK to serve certified Kobe beef, Hot Stone is often lauded as one of the best Japanese and sushi restaurants in London. They’re also still offering delivery and collection, so no excuse to miss out. www.hotstonelondon.com
Hoppers, King’s Cross
The first of three JKS restaurants to open, Hoppers kicked things off again today. We’ll be booking in as soon as we can for the delectable Jackfruit + Mushroom Kothu Roti and their unmissable Half Rack BBQ Jaffna Lamb Chops. www.hopperslondon.com
Lina Stores, King’s Cross
We are DEEPLY excited at the thought of Lina’s new al fresco restaurant, Lina in the Piazza, opening just outside the King’s Cross restaurant on 15th July. Serving some of their favourite summer dishes and drinks provided from their very own Paggio Ape mobile bar, a gelato cart will join them at the beginning of August for gelati and sorbetti to go. www.linastores.co.uk
SOUTH
The Laundry, Brixton
With a new south-facing terrace now open, The Laundry’s all-day menu is perfect for lazy grazing and al fresco dining and the unique wine list, tailored by The Laundry’s founder Melanie Brown, is no stranger to fresh summer whites and rosés. We can’t wait to try the grilled peach with grains, rocket and rosemary vinaigrette and the bacon brioche bap. www.thelaundrybrixton.com
Paladar, Elephant & Castle
Making the most of their ‘secret’ courtyard garden and front terrace, this Elephant & Castle favourite will however only be booking in as many customers as can comfortably and safely fit indoors in case London’s famous un-Latin American climate takes a turn fo the worse. Don’t miss La Hora Loca happy hour will run on weekday afternoons from 5-6 pm with 2-for-1 offers on selected cocktails, beers and glasses of wine – or 25% off food dishes. We’re already drooling at the thought of crispy pork belly tacos and a crisp glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. www.paladarlondon.com
Minnow, Clapham
Clapham is well-known for its amazing array of independent restaurants and a personal favourite is Minnow, just on the edge of the Common. Guests can dine in or outside and with an evening menu featuring the likes of moulds marinière and pan fried plaice with brown butter and capers, guests can enjoy two courses for just £20 during their Late Night Supper sitting, 9-10pm Monday – Thursday. www.minnowclapham.co.uk
Brixton Village
An absolute foodie hub, especially in summer, new communal dining spaces have been set-up in designated and colour-coded zones across the markets with 160 additional covers in Market Row and a further 280 in Brixton Village. Lost in Brixton are also offering a unique QR code when ordering, with all of the new measures in place helping the safe zoning of the market to support food and drinks businesses who will not be able to reopen with their full capacity in operation, giving each restaurant up to 16 additional covers to seat and dine their guests.
Seating arrangements have been mapped out across all communal eating zones to ensure diners keep apart. The initial set up will allow for businesses to dress the zones in keeping with their brand as well as taking ownership of a safe dining experience for the return of guests, so they can now enjoy meals from the much loved restaurants including Salon, Tiger & Pig, Franco Manca, Black Bear Burger, Station 26, Jalisco, Eat of Eden and Honest Burger. www.brixtonvillage.com
EAST
Fortnum & Mason, Royal Exchange
The London institution’s outpost in the elegant Royal Exchange building is back up and running, with its favourite all-day dining menu (Welsh Rarebit and Knickerbocker Glory anyone?) as well as their iconic afternoon teas.From July 13th a curated menu of the restaurant’s familiar favourites will be available to order through the SUPPER London app, serving those living within a 2.5-mile radius. www.fortnumandmason.com/restaurants
On The Bab, St, Paul’s
If you’ve never tried the pillow soft bao and sticky fried chicken at Korean street food outpost On The Bab you’re missing out. While their Covent Garden and Soho outposts aren’t quite ready to open just yet, St, Paul’s is open for Deliveroo and takeaway and it’s worth the journey. www.instagram.com/onthebab
Pizza Pilgrims, West India Quay
The pizza palace has fired up the ovens once more at the first of its London location’s to reopen, where guests can be the first to try the pizza pioneers’ new eight cheese pizza; not for the faint-hearted (or the lactose-intolerant) it features Ricotta, Fior di Latte, Provala, Gorgonzola, Stracciatella, Bufallo Mozzarella and two types of Parmesan. Fear not, a menu of classic favourites is also available, all served on its signature 48 hour proved base. The Kingly Street and Dean Street are set to follow on 9th July followed by additional locations soon after. www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk
WEST
Prairie Fire, White City
The Kansas City BBQ pit masters aptly re-opened their restaurant and taproom in White City on 4th July. With all of the slow-smoked favourites such as brisket, applewood smoked pork and chicken along with roadside style smashed burgers and more, the Taproom is also home to 16 individually curated taps showcasing the best of British and American craft beers alongside an ever-growing range of bottles and cans. www.prairiefirebbq.com
Zuaya, Kensington
Zuaya’s sophisticated and contemporary menu brings real Latin American style to Kensington, an incredible fusion of punchy flavours incorporating the perfect selection of signature tapas, sharing plates, ceviches, grilled meats and fresh seafood. We can’t wait to sample the classics with a twist, like Pork Belly Patacones and Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Truffle Ponzu. Delicious. www.zuaya.co.uk
CENTRAL
The Ninth, Fitzrovia
Jun Tanaka’s Michelin starred restaurants has reopened its doors for takeaway and delivery for the first time. With takeaway lunch boxes (to purchase on site) and an extensive à la carte menu for collection and delivery within a 2.5 mile radius of the Charlotte Street restaurant, we’re desperate to try the Australian truffle pasta kit and Jun’s signature pain perdu with vanilla ice cream. www.theninthlondon.com
SOLA, Soho
Victor Garvey’s critically-acclaimed, modern Californian restaurant is offering its five-course prix fixe and longer tasting menus, complemented by its keenly-priced, all-American wine list. Already well-suited to socially-distanced dining thanks to its particularly generously-spaced tables, they’ve also introduced extra measures including infra-red temperature checks of all guests on entry, the use of gloves and disposable menus and hand-sanitiser stations throughout the restaurant. With dishes like Tartare of Tuna Belly with radish, Myoga, Watermelon, Tomato, Charcoal and Carpaccio of Ovuli Mushrooms with Parmesan, Pickled Walnut and Mushroom Ketchup, we’ll be booking a table. www.solasoho.com
The Lebanese Bakery, Covent Garden
With Eid Adha approaching at the end of the month (30th July – 3rd August), the bakery will be offering hampers of maamoul – buttery pastries filled with dates, pistachios and walnuts – available 4th July till 9th August, for home delivery or to pick up from its Covent Garden site. The perfect sweet ending to the feast they’re ideal for gifting. www.thelebanesebakery.com
The Courtyard at St James Court, a Taj Hotel, St James’s
Another al fresco masterpiece right in the middle of London, The Courtyard has a brand new menu with guests able to scan a QR code at the table to get the menu on their phone and minimise touch points. There’s also an offer on daily across the whole menu (12pm-4pm and 6-9.30pm) with four dishes for the price of three; we’ve already eyed up the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, Gnocchi With Truffle Salsa, Chocolate Orange Tart and Gulab Jamun Cheesecake. www.https://www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk/dine/
Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.