Papi Founders Unveil The Golden Tooth Pub in North London
The founders of the acclaimed Hackney restaurant Papi are set to launch a new pub and dining room in north London this spring. Named The Golden Tooth, the establishment will occupy the space previously known as The Leconfield, located at the Newington Green end of Green Lanes.
A Culinary Destination with Bold Flavors
The opening menu at The Golden Tooth promises a diverse array of dishes, blending traditional pub fare with innovative culinary creations. Patrons can look forward to Sunday roasts, alongside bar snacks such as currywurst, fried ox tongue, and Bedfordshire clanger paired with a Thai-style gooseberry jam. Additional highlights include mussels toast with house lardo and an endless supply of oysters.
For the dining room, the restaurant will feature elevated options like veal sweetbread saltimbocca, Montgomery cheese puffs with sungold tomato ketchup, and steak tartare accompanied by lacto cep and mushroom crackers. Main courses will include turbot tranche with raw crème fraîche and grilled peas, old spot pork chop with quince, and kid goat chop served with ezme salad.
Venue Details and Opening Schedule
The Golden Tooth is scheduled to open on April 24, 2026. The venue will be divided into a 55-cover dining room and a pub space designed for casual drinking and enjoying bar snacks. Food service will be available from Wednesday through Sunday, providing ample opportunities for locals and visitors to experience the offerings.
Background of the Founders
Matthew Scott and Charlie Carr, the duo behind The Golden Tooth, previously operated Papi by London Fields, which closed earlier this year. Their culinary journey began with Hot 4 U, a series of kitchen residencies in East End pubs, including notable Hackney spots like The Plough, Prince Arthur, and The Haggerston before launching Papi.
Reflecting on the new venture, Matthew Scott shared, 'My journey started in East End pubs hosting kitchen residencies with Hot 4 U, so to now be returning feels like a full circle moment and one where we can finally reach our potential. Our food offering is bold, generous and rooted in closed-loop cooking and sustainability, with in-house butchery at the core. We want to honour the pub itself - a real public house steeped in history - dog-friendly, Guinness on tap, the best roasts and most importantly, a place for the community. It will be the same Papi spirit, just sharper, more considered, and with the full autonomy it deserves.'
Legacy and Future Prospects
Papi was renowned for its playful energy and seasonal sharing plates, and The Golden Tooth aims to carry forward this ethos with a more refined approach. Meanwhile, the former Papi site at 373 Mentmore Terrace has been taken over by chef Michael Bagnall, who is also managing the Elm pop-up at Peckham’s Montpelier pub. Under the name Auguste, Bagnall’s menu draws inspiration from his time in Abruzzo, featuring dishes like skewers of cull yaw, liver, and wild boar, as well as stuffed cappelletti pasta in lamb brodo.
This new opening adds to the vibrant food scene in London, offering a unique blend of pub culture and gourmet dining that celebrates community and sustainability.
