London's Culinary Scene Welcomes 12 Exciting New Restaurants in April 2026
London's food landscape is set for a major refresh this April, with a dozen new restaurants opening across the city. From Afghan BBQ to Philadelphia-style pizza and Mexico City-inspired tacos, Time Out's guide highlights the top spots to watch. This surge in openings comes as a welcome change after recent closures, including Flat Earth Pizza in Bethnal Green, Marceline in Canary Wharf, and The Silver Birch in Chiswick.
1. Bar Etna: A Pizza Bar with Philadelphia Flair
Bar Etna in Newington Green brings a taste of Philadelphia to north London, thanks to a collaboration between Ed McIlroy of The Plimsoll and Joe Beddia of Pizzeria Beddia. Expect classic red sauce Italian dishes like aubergine parmigiana and meatballs alongside artisanal pizzas.
Address: 47 Newington Green, N16 9PX
Opens: Late April
2. Acme Taco: Mexico City-Inspired Tacos in Walthamstow
Acme Fire Cult expands with Acme Taco at 40ft Brewery, offering Ciudad de México-style tacos. Highlights include suadero tacos with confit ox cheek and a shrimp taco with avocado, available Thursday to Sunday.
Address: 10 Lockwood Way, Walthamstow, E17 5RB
Opens: April 3
3. Auguste: Abruzzo-Inspired Dishes in London Fields
Chef Michael Bagnall takes over the former Papi space, serving skewers of cull yaw and stuffed cappelletti pasta, inspired by his time in Abruzzo.
Address: 373 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E8 3DQ
Opens: April 1
4. Café Jikoni: Global Fusion at V&A East Museum
Opening alongside the new V&A East Museum in Stratford, Café Jikoni offers Ravinder Bhogal's 'no borders kitchen' menu, featuring dishes like macaroni dhal and turmeric ginger chicken pie.
Address: East Bank, 107 Carpenters Rd, Stratford, E20 2AR
Opens: April 18
5. Tavern: Nostalgic British Bistro in Old Street
Tavern revives the site of Nest with a focus on British classics like hogget scrumpets and Welsh Wagyu, offering a more casual, a la carte experience.
Address: 374-378 Old St, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LT
Opens: April 28
6. Mondo To Go: Sandwich Shop with Outdoor Terrace in Deptford
Mondo Sando expands to Deptford with a 50-seater terrace, serving cult sandwiches, house pickles, and potato latkes, plus pints.
Address: Arch 5, Deptford Market Yards, SE8 4BX
Opens: April 10
7. Ornella: Milan-Inspired Italian in London Fields
From the team behind Lupa, Ornella on Wilton Way offers northern Italian dishes like risotto and veal cutlets, named after singer Ornella Vanoni.
Address: 51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG
Opens: End of April
8. The Latimer: Family-Run Gastropub in Latimer Road
The Spiteri family launches The Latimer, serving pub grub such as black pudding confit potato and oxtail with mash, in a Notting Hill setting.
Address: 274 Latimer Road, W10 6QW
Opens: April 21
9. Sova: Slavic Vinyl Bar in Notting Hill
Sova combines a Rough Trade-curated record collection with Central and Eastern European wines and snacks like beef tartare on Borodinsky bread.
Address: 9 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 2EE
Opens: April 8
10. Brutes of Mayfair: Martini Shop in Mayfair
Brutes focuses on crafting the perfect martini, with options for dry, wet, dirty, or 'brutal' styles, plus unique garnishes like blue cheese olives.
Address: 34A Bruton Place, Mayfair, W1J 6NR
Opens: End of April
11. Padella: Pasta Perfection in Soho
Padella expands to Soho with its third location, serving fresh pasta dishes like pici cacio e pepe and pappardelle with beef shin ragu.
Address: 2 Kingly Street, Soho, W1B 5PB
Opens: April 24
12. Garden Bar Grill and Smokehouse by Cue Point: Afghan BBQ in Latimer Road
Cue Point opens its first permanent restaurant, featuring smoked Sunday roasts, Wagyu cheeseburgers, and a 200-seater garden for British Afghan BBQ.
Address: 41 Bramley Road, W10 6SZ
Opens: April 22
These openings signal a vibrant period for London's dining scene, offering diverse culinary experiences from around the globe. Whether you're craving pizza, tacos, or classic British fare, April 2026 promises something for every food lover.
