New Kids on the Block December 2025

Trillium

Although a longstanding receipt of a certain amount of UK-wide sneering, Birmingham increasingly supports a dynamic and exciting food scene that can leave most cities for dust. The latest entry? Trillium – a new venture from chef Glynn Purnell that promises a seasonal, ingredient-led menu in the heart of the city’s shiny business district. Celebrated for his innovative takes on British classics, Purnell’s “relaxed fine dining” is very much suited to the moment; truffled bresaola and roast Tamworth pork with salsa verde, meanwhile, allows Purnell’s fine creative technique to shine alongside world-class regional ingredients. 

However, the wine is taken equally as seriously at Trillium. Its by-the-glass offer is outstanding: more than 40 different styles are available as small serves, including Krug’s Grand Cuvée, Trimbach, Riesling Reserve, and Margaux’s Château Cantenac Brown. All the glorious hedonism unfolds in a very striking, modern dining room, where a disarmingly relaxed Purnell can be found chatting with his guests. Believe the hype – Trillium signals a confident new era for one of the Midland’s most beloved chefs.

Trillium opened 10 December
 

Dim Sum Library 

The Aqua Group’s latest venture, Dim Sum Library, brings the vivid flavours of Cantonese cooking to Covent Garden, taking over the former home of erstwhile Italian stalwart Luci. The first UK outpost of the Hong Kong flagship, it promises a procession of steamed dumplings in all their many guises, served within an elegant two-story venue complete with a chic cocktail bar. Under the thoughtful tutelage of master chefs Jian Jia and Leung Kwok Wah, diners will be able to savour wagyu beef puffs and aromatic xiao long bao, in addition to the more deluxe – and pricey – black truffle crispy chicken and steamed Alaskan black cod with Sichuan pepper. The wine list, meanwhile, leans heavily into crisp, dry whites (Picpoul and dim sum are natural allies), although cocktails and tea ultimately hold court in this slice of Cantonese heaven transported to the West End. Jam Sing!

Dim Sum Library opened 8 December 
 

DakaDaka

Entrepreneurs Giorgi Mindiashvili and Mitz Vora are bringing the warm and varied flavours of Georgia to London this New Year, as DakaDaka prepares to open its doors in the heart of Mayfair. Once given over to ephemeral residencies – including Manteca and Fallow – 10 Heddon Street will now have a permanent fixture, funded by the newly formed Berkeley Square Hospitality Group. Following on from their success with Seabird and Eggbreak, Mindiashvili and Vora are being relatively tight-lipped about the finer details, although an open-fire kitchen will take centre stage, with Khachapuri Shashlik (a traditional dish of cheese-filled bread) almost certainly an obligatory part of the culinary offering. The owners are equally enthusiastic about natural wine – low-intervention Georgian Saperavi will be just the ticket on a freezing January night. We can’t wait. 

DakaDaka will open 15 January 2026