Credit: Connie’s Pizza
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As the long expanse of January stretches out ahead of us (I swear this month has 700 days in it), we’re already making plans for where we want to eat and drink in London this year. And despite this typically being a quiet time of year for hospitality venues, there are plenty of exciting new restaurants and bars opening up this month. So if you want to kick off the new year with a new venue and then brag about it to all of your friends, here are the new openings we recommend you check out this January:
1. Cafe Kowloon (Opens January/early 2026) 
Credit: James Moyle
🍽️ What is it? A modern Hong Kong-inspired Cantonese restaurant, hidden behind Wonton Charlie’s, a small East London wonton noodle soup bar.
😋 What to order? Expect everything from street food dishes to dim sum, top-notch cocktails, and more. Take friends and order widely – and don’t miss the Hong Kong French Toast.
🗺️ Where is it? 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E83PH. The nearest station is London Fields.
Find out more here.
2. Pure in the Park (Open January 5) 
Credit: Peter Van Den Berg
🍽️ What is it? A pop-up café in collaboration with The Pure Food Co, at Gunnersbury Park & Museum, aimed at adults, little ones, and furry friends.
😋 What to order? Grab a coffee in the morning or a beer in the evening; match it with a breakfast bagel, mezze box, or a smash burger – depending on your appetite!
🗺️ Where is it? Gunnersbury Park, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Popes Lane, W5 4NH. The nearest station is Acton Town.
Find out more here.
3. Daka Daka (Opens January 17)
Image: @dakadaka.london, via IG
🍽️ What is it? Georgian food and Georgian wine step into the spotlight at this new Central London restaurant with live-fire cooking.
😋 What to order? You absolutely must order the Khinkali (Georgian dumplings), some skewers, and the Khachapuri, aka stuffed flatbreads. Oh, and some wine – Georgia’s wine production is renowned. (They basically invented Orange wine… or skin-contact white wines, rather)
🗺️ Where is it? 10 Heddon Street, W1B 4BX. The nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.
Find out more here.
4. The Stag (re-opens January 22) 
Credit: The Stag
🍽️ What is it? The Hampstead pub is re-opening its doors this January after a ‘top-to-toe glow up’, boasting “a whole floor dedicated to house parties, a new garden hut, a rotating line-up of craft beers on tap and a seasonally changing martini menu.”
😋 What to order? Where there is a martini menu, a martini must be ordered. But otherwise, you should know how to order at a pub by now…
🗺️ Where is it? 67 Fleet Road, NW3 2QU. The nearest station is Hampstead Heath.
Find out more here.
Credit: Connie’s Pizza
🍽️ What is it? A new Bri-talian pizza concept from Andrea Asciuti, founder of 081 Pizzeria, serving London-style pizza with British flavour combinations, made by Italians.
😋 What to order? Keep an eye out for the seasonal specials with British ingredients. Otherwise, we’re opting for the Classic Margherita using British Mozzarella or the Nduja using British Stracciatella for a bit of spice. With a side of Meatballs and a portion of Deep-fried Mac ‘n’ Cheese, of course.
🗺️ Where is it? 133 Queen’s Road, SE15 2ND. The nearest station is Queen’s Road Peckham.
💸 Connie’s Pizza is treating diners to 25% off the bill until the end of February.
Find out more here.
6. Tiella (Opens January)
Image: @dara.klein & @tiella_trattoria, via IG
🍽️ What is it? A new Italian trattoria and bar from Dara Klein, who previously had an ultra-successful residency at Islington’s Compton Arms.
😋 What to order? We can’t wait to try the meatballs, and we will be ordering every single pasta dish.
🗺️ Where is it? 109 Columbia Road, E2 7RL. The nearest station is Hoxton.
Find out more here.
7. cato (Opens January) 
Credit: cato
🍽️ What is it? A multi-storey new cocktail bar with British ingredients and New York soul, and a different cocktail menu on each floor.
😋 What to order? On the ground floor, explore the ‘house of julep’ menu, featuring house-grown herbs and ingredients. Or, downstairs, check out the special menu of colourful drinks inspired by synesthesia.
🗺️ Where is it? 17 Mercer Street, WC2H 9QJ. The nearest station is Covent Garden.
Find out more here.
8. Tortello (Opens January)
🍽️ What is it? They describe themselves as “a fresh, contemporary interpretation of the traditional Italian trattoria”.
😋 What to order? We’ve got our eyes on the Tortello di Zucca (Delica pumpkin tortelli) and the Beef Shin & Chianti Tortello.
🗺️ Where is it? Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY. The nearest station is Paddington.
Find out more here.