Here’s your curated roundup of the 11 most buzz-worthy new spots that just opened in London from rooftop escapes to neighbourhood pubs including the brand-new La‑Yam rooftop bar which tops our list.
Each entry below includes the origin story, the people behind it, why it’s worth visiting, and all the essential info to get started.
1. La‑Yam Rooftop (#1)
Location: 8th Floor, Kingsbourne House, 229–231 High Holborn, WC1V 7DA
Opening: Mid-June 2025
Concept & History: Conceived to evoke a Mediterranean beach bar, La‑Yam brings coastal elegance above Holborn station. Launched by a hospitality team aiming to create London’s first “beach escape in the sky,” it’s quickly become a local favourite
What to Expect: La‑Yam features white umbrellas, rattan furnishings, wooden decking, and a relaxed day-to-night vibe. Signature Greek-Mediterranean dishes (e.g. open-flame grilled seafood), specialty coffees, beer, and cocktails define the menu. With a capacity of 200, the rooftop offers panoramic views of landmarks like The Shard and BT Tower
Why You Should Go: Ideal for after-work drinks, weekend brunch, or sunset cocktails. Its breezy Greek aesthetic and skyline views give it a feel of an urban getaway
Book: via their site or Table platforms.
Vibe: Chill, communal, Instagram-ready with views and vibes that rival coastal escapes.
2. Brasserie Constance
Location: Fulham Pier, Stevenage Rd, Fulham SW6 6HH
Chef: Adam Byatt (Trinity, Bistro Union) & son Jack Byatt (Cocktails)
Opened: 15 July 2025
Background: A riverside collaborator between renowned chef Adam Byatt and floral pioneer Constance Spry’s legacy, it celebrates classic British fare in a conservatory-like space by Lazaro Rosa-Violán.
Experience: Seasonal, comforting menu duck pot pie, toad-in-the-hole, baked Alaska. Offers small plates, pescatarian choices, and a curated cocktail and wine selection.
Why It’s Special: Scored as a riverside must-visit, approachable yet refined, rooted in British tradition and Byatt’s culinary pedigree.
3. Speedboat Bar (Notting Hill)
Owner/Chef: Luke Farrell (founder of Chinatown Speedboat Bar)
Opening: July 2025
What’s New: Launches second site at Electric House, Notting Hill, themed after Hong Kong tea houses with Thai-influenced street food (e.g., tom yum ramen, green mango chicken) .
Why Go: Maintains the energetic, vibrant atmosphere of the original with expanded accessibility in West London.
4. Ace Pizza (Victoria Park)
Founder: Rachel Jones (started in Hackney’s Pembury Tavern)
Opening: 28 July 2025
Offerings: Neapolitan‑New York fusion pizzas with slow-fermented dough; signature “Hackney Hellboy” & “Honey Pie” pizzas.
Highlight: First brick-and-mortar location; casual, family-friendly with 12″ pies and a neighbourhood vibe.
5. Canal (Westbourne Park)
Team: From Crispin & Bistro Freddie (GM Sean Cooper and Chef Adrian Hernandez Farina)
Opening: 1 July 2025
Setting & Cuisine: Located within Mason & Fifth, offering modern bistro dishes with a waterside terrace.
Ideal For: Weekend brunch or relaxed evening by the canal.
6. Crust Bros Covent Garden
Opening: 7 July 2025
Specialty: Neapolitan pizzas, gluten-free options, and inventive “bombas” (savory & sweet deep-fried dough balls).
Why Visit: A playful take on pizza in a vibrant West End locale
7. Duck & Rice Battersea
Franchise: Second site of Soho favourite at Battersea Power Station
Concept: British pub meets Cantonese gastropub; open kitchen, 185-seater, serving roast duck and teas
Why Go: Combines relaxed pub charm with quality Cantonese dishes in a buzzy riverside spot.
8. Island (Mare Street Market, Kings Cross)
Chefs: Brad Carter & Tom Brown
Launch: Summer 2025
Concept: Surf-and-turf with laid back vibes in a market setting.
Highlight: Laid-back but elevated, perfect for shared social dining.
9. Fallow (St James's Market)
Founded: 2019 by Jack Croft & William Murray (ex-Heston), plus James Robson
Speciality: Modern British fare, Bib Gourmand status since 2021.
Why Go: Recognized for sustainable cooking, intimate open kitchens, and a loyal foodie following.
10. Chishuru (Fitzrovia)
Chef-Owner: Adejoké Bakare
Evolution: From a Brixton pop-up (2020) to a Fitzrovia Michelin-starred restaurant the first UK Black woman chef to receive this honor in 2024
Cuisine: West African fine dining, innovative seasonal menu.
Wow Factor: A truly pioneering and celebrated new voice in London’s dining scene.
11. A. Wong (Pimlico)
Chef-Patron: Andrew Wong, third-generation restaurateur
Legacy: Opened in 2012 on his parents’ site (Kym), holding Michelin stars since 2017.
Cuisine: Modern Cantonese-British fusion, inventive dim sum and banquet cuisine.
Why Visit: A mainstay of modern Asian dining in London hailed for innovation and execution.
July 2025’s London openings showcase a superb blend of styles from coastal rooftop retreats to Michelin-standard African fine dining. Each one offers a compelling story, exceptional leadership, and an experience in line with modern dining trends: sustainability, community roots, cultural diversity, and sensory engagement.
