What's On The Menu This Month?
- lisahylton2
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
London’s restaurant scene is thriving with exciting new openings, major relaunches, and milestone anniversaries celebrating culinary creativity across the city.
Boxcar Relaunch
Boxcar Bar & Grill, a local favourite in the heart of Marylebone, is set to relaunch on 17 June as Boxcar Fire & Wine.
Fire & Wine marks an exciting new chapter with a fresh identity, a reimagined menu, and the arrival of new Head Chef Zisis Gkalmpenis. Originally from Greece, Zisis brings an international perspective shaped by time at top London kitchens, including Michelin-starred Pied à Terre and Cord by Le Cordon Bleu. His approach centres on fire-led cooking with a focus on seasonality, simplicity, and bold flavours.
The open grill takes centre stage, with standout dishes like Iberico pork presa with Morello cherries and Galician blonde beef rib. Lighter seasonal plates — such as Brill with asparagus and wild garlic or Brie tortelloni with chard — highlight Zisis’ refined touch.
The wine list champions sustainable, small-scale producers, with a mix of natural and old-world bottles, including Fire & Wine’s own rosé, Tinted Glasses, created with Château Saint-Maur.
Where: 23 New Quebec St, W1H 7SD.
When: Tuesday 17 June.
A New Pub for Chelsea
Soon after news broke that Tom Kerridge’s Chelsea pub, The Butcher’s Tap and Grill, was closing, it was revealed the space will re-open as The Chalk Freehouse. This fresh concept will spotlight chef Tom De Keyser, who has worked alongside Kerridge for 12 years and most recently led the kitchen at the two-Michelin-starred Hand and Flowers.
The new pub seems to be taking cues from the acclaimed Marlow restaurant, perhaps aiming for a more refined and focused identity from the start. One telling sign of this shift is the inclusion of a signature Hand and Flowers dish on the menu — chicken and duck liver parfait with poultry jelly and apricot chutney. With De Keyser at the helm, The Chalk Freehouse appears set to blend Kerridge’s elevated pub style with a fresh vision.
Where: 25-27 Tryon Street, Chelsea, SW3 3LG.
When: Monday 16 June.
BAO Celebrates 10 Years In The City
This month, BAO is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its 10th birthday, marking a decade of its innovative Taiwanese-inspired restaurants across London.
Founders Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang and Wai Ting Chug; BAOnut; Taiwanese style chicken steak
Founded by Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang, and Wai Ting Chung, BAO began with a steamer and a cool box. Now, famous for its signature pillowy steamed buns and small ‘xiao chi’ plates, BAO celebrates its 10th anniversary with a month-long throwback.
From 10th June to 10th July, diners can enjoy classic BAOs at their original 2013 price of just £3.50. Options include braised pork belly, beef short rib, and vegan daikon.
Alongside this nostalgic offering, BAO is also launching a brand-new menu for the first time in a decade. While old favourites remain, new additions include an entire section devoted to crispy Taiwanese fried chicken, with highlights like a charcoal-finished fried chicken steak. For dessert, BAO introduces the BAONUT — an indulgent hybrid of fluffy bao and deep-fried doughnut inspired by Taiwanese street snacks.
Where: BAO restaurants across London. When: BAO’s new menu and original priced BAOs launches on 10th June.
Big Mamma Group to Launch Barbarella
Barbarella is the latest opening from Big Mamma Group, the team behind popular London restaurants Gloria, Circolo Popolare, and Jacuzzi. Located in Canary Wharf’s YY Building, just minutes from the main station, Barbarella follows the group's signature style: bold interiors, lively atmosphere, and a focus on indulgent Italian cooking.
The first-floor dining space is jungle-themed, featuring chocolate-toned walls, a three-metre chandelier, and a mirrored bar pouring magnum wines and house cocktails like the Pistachio Espresso Martini.
Upstairs, a 1970s-inspired lounge surrounds an open kitchen framed in gold, with vintage Ferragamo silks and a terrace overlooking the River Thames.
The food focuses on Roman-inspired dishes, with everything made in-house—from gelato to pizza dough.
Where: YY Building, 30 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 5HX.
When: Opens Friday 20 June.
Island - Where Land Meets Sea
This June, chefs Brad Carter and Tom Brown open Island, a laid-back yet refined surf-and-turf restaurant inside the Chandelier Room at Mare Street Market Kings Cross. Inspired by their travels and cooking adventures across islands worldwide, Island celebrates the best of British produce — from day-boat fish and shellfish to rare-breed meats.
Expect snacks like caviar crisps and oyster Caesar salad, inventive charcuterie, and family-style mains such as quail stuffed with prawn paella and a signature island mixed grill. Sundays bring their playful take on roasts — think hot and cold oysters with Clamato Bloody Marys and beef with all the trimmings.
With a nod to classic American surf shacks, the 90-cover restaurant blends nostalgic charm with bold flavours, alongside a private mezzanine cocktail lounge. The drinks list promises island-inspired cocktails and shareable fishbowls. Island is about great ingredients, simply cooked — a love letter to surf, turf and shared adventures.
Where: Mare Street Market, King's Cross, N1C 4DY. When: Opening soon!
Pasta Empire Opens in Kensington
If you’re new to Bancone, it’s known for serving top-notch fresh pasta — so much so that its original site holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Expect counter dining and signature plates such as the silky Handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk (plus a carbonara twist), and a standout raviolo filled with smoked potato, truffle and egg yolk.
The Kensington outpost also introduces new dishes including monkfish with saffron mayo and herb salad and rhubarb and almond cake with white chocolate and lemon verbena
Where: 127a Kensington High Street, W8 5SF
When: Now Open.
Fulham Pier is Now Open
London's newest riverside destination, Fulham Pier, has officially opened to the public, offering a mix of dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
This vibrant hub features a new riverside boardwalk, perfect for summer al fresco dining. At the heart of the development is the Riverside Market – a 250-seat open-plan food hall and bar boasting incredible views of the Thames. Expect a curated selection of food stalls including Slice & Dice, serving Vegas-style pizza pies; Tacos El Rey, known for excellent Mexican street food; Happy Endings, specialists in indulgent soft serves and ice cream sandwiches; and Goila Butter Chicken, delivering bold, flavour-packed curries. It’s a dynamic new space ideal for food lovers looking to try something fresh and fun by the river.
Where: Stevenage Rd, Fulham, SW6 6HH.
When: Now open - opening party 20-22 June.
Chez Lui Debuts in London
Opening this June in Notting Hill, Chez Lui is the debut restaurant from La Bistrot Collection. Designed to feel like the home of a stylish Parisian friend, it blends classic French charm with a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. Plush interiors, cosy seating, and a welcoming vibe set the tone for long, unhurried meals. The menu focuses on seasonal French cooking, with thoughtful dishes that celebrate simplicity and flavour. From the refined design to the warm hospitality, every detail is carefully considered. Chez Lui looks set to become a favourite local spot for those craving a taste of Paris in West London.
Where: 184A Kensington Park Rd, W11 2ES.
When: Opens16 June.
New Seafood Bistro for Shoreditch
From the team behind Soho’s Firebird, Noisy Oyster is Shoreditch’s bold new seafood bistro opening this June. Founders Madina Kazhimova and Anna Dolgushina bring a modern, unfussy approach to seafood, drawing culinary influences from the coasts of Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal while celebrating the UK’s own fresh catch. Expect a dynamic menu of freshly shucked oysters, inventive crudos, and standout mains like dry-aged tuna steak with pink peppercorn sauce and trout roe, or pressed skate schnitzel with a peach panzanella. .
Where: Nicholls Clarke Yard, E1 6SH.
When: Opens 20 June.
Electric Shuffle Arrives in King’s Cross
Activity bar favourite Electric Shuffle is bringing its signature high-energy fun to King’s Cross with a sleek new outpost near Coal Drops Yard. Known for its high-tech shuffleboard and electric atmosphere, the new venue features a retro-inspired design, an outdoor terrace, and a menu packed with indulgent sharing dishes. Highlights include sourdough pizzas topped with BBQ chicken or Gorgonzola mushrooms, Middle Eastern sliders, and Korean pork belly bites. Whether for a game night or laid-back evening, it’s set to become a King’s Cross staple.
Where: 1 Lewis Cubitt Park, London, N1C 4EJ.
When:Opens tonight!
New Rooftop Bar for Assembly Hotel
Miradora, meaning “viewpoint” in Spanish, is a striking new rooftop tequileria set to open at the Assembly Hotel. Positioned to offer panoramic views of London landmarks like The Shard and Nelson’s Column, Miradora is all about bold flavours and skyline experiences. With 101 expertly curated tequilas and a menu full of vibrant Mexican dishes, it’s designed for everything from post-work drinks to special weekend nights. Whether you're looking for an Instagram-worthy rooftop or just a fresh take on tequila and tacos, Miradora is shaping up to be a standout summer destination.
Where: Assembly Hotel, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0LS.
When: 20 June.
Canal to Open in West London
From the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie, Canal is Westbourne Park’s most exciting new opening this summer. Set on the Grand Union Canal, the venue includes a relaxed dining room and waterside terrace perfect for long summer evenings. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu is filled with seasonal creativity – from Portland crab doughnuts and Coombeshead Farm ham to Trombetta courgette with stracciatella, or red mullet with bouillabaisse and Mangalitza sausage. With thoughtful plates and a beautiful setting, Canal brings contemporary charm and flavour to West London dining.
Where: 11B Woodfield Road, Westbourne Park, W9 2BA.
When: 30 June.
