Last Monday, the National Restaurant Awards released their list of the 10 best new restaurants in the UK for 2026. Being a food obsessive, I took it as a personal challenge. I booked tables at all 10 over the past week — yes, my wallet is crying — and I've got some hot takes.
Full disclosure: I'm not a professional critic. I'm just a guy who loves good food and has strong opinions. Some of these places lived up to the hype. Others... well, let's just say I don't get the fuss.
1. Aulis London (Soho) — The One That Deserves the Hype
Simon Rogan's Aulis moved from Cartmel to Soho last year, and it's been getting rave reviews. The tasting menu is £195 per person, which is absurd, but I'll be damned if it's not worth every penny. The standout dish was a scallop with fermented apple and lovage — I've never tasted anything like it. The textures, the acidity, the freshness — it's a masterclass in modern British cooking.
My only complaint? The service felt a bit stiff. Everyone was polite, but it lacked the warmth you get at smaller places.
2. Cornerstone (Hackney Wick) — The Overhyped One
Chef Tom Brown's Cornerstone has been called 'the best seafood restaurant in London' by several critics. I disagree. The grilled mackerel with gooseberries was fine, but the portion was tiny — three small pieces for £18. The famous crab doughnut was good, but not life-changing. I left feeling like I'd paid £80 for a light snack.
Maybe I caught them on an off night, but I've had better seafood at cheaper places like The Sea, The Sea in Chelsea.
3. Mountain (Soho) — The Surprise Hit
I almost skipped this one because the name sounds like a gimmick. But Mountain, from the team behind Brat, was the most fun I had all week. The wood-fired cooking is incredible — the celeriac with truffle and hazelnuts was the best vegetarian dish I've eaten in years. The vibe is loud, messy, and joyful. It's the kind of place where you end up chatting with strangers at the next table.
4. The Devonshire (Mayfair) — The Gastropub That Gets It Right
This isn't really a 'new' restaurant — The Devonshire has been around for centuries — but the recent renovation turned it into a dining destination. The steak and ale pie is the best I've had in London. The pastry is flaky, the meat is tender, and the gravy is rich without being heavy. It's £28, which is steep for pie, but you get a generous portion.
Skip the dessert. The sticky toffee pudding was dry.
5. Nuno Mendes' Casa (Marylebone) — The Disappointment
I love Nuno Mendes. His work at Viajante and Chiltern Firehouse was legendary. But Casa feels like a greatest-hits album rather than a new direction. The bacalhau à brás was good, but I've had better in Lisbon. The piri-piri chicken was overcooked. At £65 for three courses, I expected more innovation.
6. Lyle's (Shoreditch) — Still the King of Minimalist Fine Dining
Lyle's isn't new — it opened in 2014 — but it made the list because of a major relocation to a bigger space in Shoreditch. The cooking is as precise as ever. A simple plate of raw beef with horseradish and watercress was perfect. But the new space feels less intimate. I missed the old, cramped vibe.
7. Bright (Hackney) — The Bargain
Bright is a small plates restaurant with a £45 tasting menu that punches way above its weight. The smoked eel with pickled rhubarb was a revelation. The wine list is affordable — bottles start at £25. If you want a Michelin-level meal without the Michelin price, go here.
8. The River Café (Hammersmith) — The Classic That's Still Relevant
Another not-really-new entry, but the River Café's recent reopening after a renovation has drawn crowds. The famous chocolate nemesis cake is still the best dessert in London. But the wait for a table is now six weeks. Is it worth waiting that long? Honestly, no. Go during lunch on a weekday when it's quieter.
9. Ikoyi (St. James's) — The Most Polarizing Dish of the Year
Ikoyi's new tasting menu features a dish called 'jollof rice with fermented plantain and smoked snail.' I know it sounds weird. I was skeptical. But it worked. The smokiness of the snail paired with the sweetness of the plantain was genius. The rest of the menu? Hit or miss. The lamb was too gamey for my taste.
10. Fallow (Haymarket) — The One That Made Me Cry
Okay, I didn't actually cry, but Fallow's mushroom parfait on toast with truffle honey was so good I almost did. This is the most accessible restaurant on the list — mains are around £20, and the vibe is casual. The corn ribs are legendary for a reason. Fallow is proof that you don't need a tasting menu to have a world-class meal.
Final Thoughts
If I had to pick one restaurant from this list to visit again tomorrow, it would be Mountain. The energy, the food, the value — it's everything I want from a night out. But if you're celebrating something special and have money to burn, Aulis is unforgettable.
