With another summer in full swing, London’s hospitality scene is bustling with fresh openings. From a Michelin‑starred chef returning with a nose‑to‑tail Spanish venture to pubs reborn as Portuguese tascas and hotels that marry history with modern luxury, there’s something new almost every week. Below is Radu’s August hotlist of restaurants, pubs and upcoming hotels to add to your diary.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
1. Legado, Shoreditch
Nieves Barragán Mohacho, the chef who put Sabor on the Michelin map, returns with a new Spanish restaurant created in partnership with JKS Restaurants. Legado (meaning “legacy”) aims to showcase Spain’s regional cooking with a nose‑to‑tail approach and a dedicated tapas bar.
Opening: 28 August 2025.
Key people: Chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho and the JKS team.
What to expect: Dishes span suckling pig and “crystal” Mediterranean prawns with smoked paprika to confit lobster with chilli and garlic served on paper‑thin rose potatoes. Look for fried‑egg‑topped sharing plates and an indulgent Legado sandwich Swiss chard, cecina (cured beef) and smoked cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. A separate La Taberna bar will offer pintxos, cava and sherry.
Address: 1C Montacute Yards, 185‑186 Shoreditch High
Contact: For bookings and general enquiries email info@legadorestaurants.com; press enquiries via nieves@lotuslandagency.com.
Why go: Barragán Mohacho’s return to her Spanish roots promises refined regional dishes alongside casual tapas in the adjoining bar.
2. Pintxito, Covent Garden
The Camino group is branching out from its tapas roots with a Basque‑style pintxo bar located in the Covent Garden Piazza.
Opening: August 2025.
Concept: A small bar will display around 15–20 Basque‑inspired pintxos think baby squid in squid ink, gildas (skewers of pepper, anchovy and olive) and king oyster mushrooms with piquillo pepper and salsa verde.
Drinks: Expect Basque wines, txakoli poured from height, cider and gin.
Location: Arches 5 & 6, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E
Contact: Phone 012 245 678 90; visit pintxitolondon.com for reservations and menus.
Why go: Pintxito brings San Sebastián’s bar culture to Covent Garden, promising a casual standing‑bar experience with traditional pintxos and plenty of txakoli.
3. Bad Boy Pizzeria, Bethnal Green
After years of slicing up London’s markets, Bad Boy Pizza Society opens its first permanent home.
Opening: 8 August 2025.
The team: Founded by the Bad Boy Pizza Society winners of the National Pizza Awards who built a cult following with pop‑ups across London.
Menu: New York‑style pizzas sold by the slice during the day and whole pies at night, plus Italian‑American dishes such as chicken vodka parms, Sicilian square slices, carbonara
supplì (rice balls) and deep‑fried burrata in spicy marinara. Their “Crusty Old Goat” pizza mozzarella, goat’s cheese, caramelised onions, black pepper and balsamic glaze is a signature. Drinks include wines, local beers, a new house lager, house limoncello and picklebacks.
Location: 419 Bethnal Green Road, E2
Contact: General enquiries via info@badboypizzasoc.com.
Why go: Grab a slice (or an entire pie) from a pop‑up success story, accompanied by Italian‑American comfort food and a house lager.
4. Junk Burger, Marylebone
Parisian brand Junk famous for its smash burgers, launches its second London location near Oxford Street.
Opening: August 2025.
Menu: Build‑your‑own cheeseburgers with up to five patties and a truffle upgrade; plus chicken nuggets and Jumbo Puffy cookies for dessert.
Location: 14‑15 St Christopher’s Place,
Contact: Email contact@junkgroup.fr for general enquiries; the Soho branch phone +44 20 3802 2062 also handles enquiries for the new site.
Why go: Their Soho branch has a cult following; the Marylebone site is bigger and steps from Oxford Street perfect for burger‑fuelled shopping breaks.
5. Berberè, Marylebone
Italian brothers Matteo and Salvatore Aloe bring their award‑winning sourdough pizzeria to James Street. Berberè started in Bologna and is ranked world’s 6th best artisan pizzeria by the 50 Top Pizza list.
Opening: 4 August 2025.
Dough: 24‑hour‑proofed sourdough made with organic type 1 flour; crisp yet chewy.
Pizzas: The 4 Formaggi with Mushrooms & Truffle layers gorgonzola, fiordilatte mozzarella, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, provola, mushrooms and truffle oil. The Salsiccia pairs Yorkshire pork sausage with tomato and mozzarella, while summer special Babaganoush uses aubergine, tahini, goat’s cheese and sesame. Don’t miss the Montanarina a deep‑fried dough ball topped with ‘nduja and burrata. Tiramisu comes spiked with Coffee espresso from Bar Termini’s Marco Arrigo.
Drinks & deals: Italian wine list curated by Passione Vino. The 45‑seat restaurant plus 16‑seat terrace is giving away 1,000 free pizzas for newsletter subscribers during August.
Address: 50 James Street, W1U 1HB.
Contact: Phone +44 20 378 11220
Why go: Outstanding sourdough pizzas and an opening‑month free‑pizza promotion make this a must‑visit.
6. 40ft Blackhorse Road Brewery, Walthamstow
Dalston’s 40ft Brewery expands to a 100‑seat taproom on the Blackhorse Beer Mile.
Opening: 8 August 2025.
Features: Seating for 100 people inside and another 100 outside, a dog park, regular comedy nights and DJ sets, and daytime events for kids.
Location: Unit 10, Lockwood Way, E17 5RB.
Contact: Tel. 020 8050 5125; email retail@40ftbrewery.com for taproom bookings.
Why go: This mega‑brewery offers craft beer, outdoor space and family‑friendly events and an ideal summer hang‑out.
7. Dante Pop‑Up, Islington Arts Club
Chefs Louis Korovilas and Taylor Sessegnon‑Shakespeare (alumni of Michelin‑starred Pied à Terre) pop up at Islington Arts Club with an Italian‑French menu running Fridays to Sundays.
Opening: 1 August 2025 (Friday through Sunday).
Menu: Expect broadbean orzotto with glazed chicken wing, aubergine scarpace with clam bagna cauda and crispy palourde clams, beef carpaccio with oyster mayonnaise and baby artichokes, and a whole suckling pig belly for two.
8. Cambridge House, by Auberge Resorts (Hotel)
Auberge Resorts is making its London debut with this luxury hotel on Piccadilly. The Grade I listed Georgian townhouse once hosted Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.
Opening: Expected late 2025.
Rooms: 102 guest rooms blending modern luxury with Georgian architecture.
Design: The Auberge will preserve historical details while infusing contemporary London style.
Amenities: A two‑floor spa inspired by Roman baths and a fitness centre; luxurious member spaces for corporate and social events.
Why watch: This will be Auberge’s first UK property, promising bespoke service and a blend of history and modern indulgence.
9. Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch (Hotel)
Hilton’s luxury brand will take over the iconic Admiralty Arch, turning it into a five‑star hotel with a view over The Mall and Trafalgar Square.
Opening: Anticipated late 2025.
Rooms: Around 100 guest rooms and suites, including a two‑bedroom suite on the bridge with views over Buckingham Palace.
Dining: Restaurants and a roof terrace overseen by chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud, who together hold seven Michelin stars.
Event spaces: A ballroom and numerous bars and lounges.
Historical note: Admiralty Arch has hosted figures like Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming; the conversion will preserve its heritage while adding modern luxury.
Why watch: A hotel that marries royal history with Michelin‑starred dining is set to become a destination in its own right.
Final Bites and Future Openings
London’s dining scene doesn’t slow down after August. Mid‑August sees Black Cow relocate to Shoreditch with Middle‑Eastern steaks and dishes like lamb merguez corn dogs and Josper‑grilled picanha. For sports fans, Kerb Social Club in Spitalfields melds American sports‑bar energy with residencies from Oh My Dog and Cutie Pies, and opens on 1 August.
Keep an eye out for other pop‑ups and collaborations Toklas Bakery will host Dough Hands pizza and a Sonora Taquería pop‑up in early August.
From wood‑fired pizzas to vintage pubs and soon‑to‑open luxury hotels, August 2025 is shaping up to be one of London’s most exciting months for eating, drinking and staying. Let us know which opening you’re most excited about, and we’ll see you at the bar.
