New Kids on the Block May/June 2026
Oudh 1722
Aktar Islam – the genius behind Opheem, the first Indian restaurant outside London to earn two Michelin stars – has found the allure of our great capital impossible to resist. And so allow us to introduce Oudh 1722, a new temple of refined Indian cooking dedicated to the royal cuisine of Lucknow. Occupying the former Lupins townhouse near Borough Market, Islam's latest project leans heavily into the luxuriant, spice-layered cuisine once served to the Maharajahs of northern India. Feast on lasooni jhinga - king prawn, garlic and raw mango kebab - delicately perfumed biryanis and richly sauced curries: culinary art from the subcontinent on another level. Islam's style is very much of the moment: delicate spicing, technical rigour and generosity of flavour.
Such passion is also evident in the expertly curated wine list, a glorious ode to diversity featuring Galician Godello, aromatic Koshu from Hishiyama Vineyard in Japan, apricot-scented Condrieu, and Georgian orange wine for the more adventurous palate. In a city already generously served with high-class Indian restaurants, Oudh 1722 is likely to set a new bar.
66 Union Street, Borough, SE1 1TD
https://www.oudh1722.com/
Oudh 1722 opened 1 May
Vesper
The darling of London hospitality circles, chef and restaurateur Jackson Boxer is expanding his restaurant empire with the opening of Vesper in Clerkenwell this May. Having already charmed foodies with the likes of Brunswick House, Henri and Dove, Vesper's promise of a low-lit, high-gloss bistro, underpinned by exceptional cooking, should have the capital's gastronomes queuing round the block. Delicacies in store include croquettes 'Arnold Bennett' with tarragon mayonnaise, potato pizzettes with salame rosa, and pea and mint gnudi with brown butter.
The location, too, is a real crowd pleaser – Vesper will occupy a prominent corner site in the oh-so-trendy Exmouth market, increasingly popular with both tourists and residents. The drinks offering, meanwhile, is being kept under wraps, but is likely to emulate the approach of Boxer's current venues: an expansive, Europe-centric wine list, with a rotating selection of super-premium drops available by the glass. Organic and biodynamic wineries, naturally, will be given top billing. And rightly so.
8-10 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QA
https://www.instagram.com/vesper.restaurant/
Vesper will open in May - date TBA.
Lady of the Grapes SE1
The original Lady of the Grapes – a fusion of cosy Parisian bistro and organic/biodynamic wines produced exclusively by women – was so brilliant and on-trend that it was only a matter of time before founder Carole Bryon decided to open a second venue. Promising to be bigger and better than the original site, Lady of the Grapes Borough will take possession of the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, where a 60-cover dining room is being overseen by head chef Matyáš Plzák, formerly of The Frog by Adam Handling.
Meanwhile, Forbidden Fruit – a vaulted, speakeasy-style wine bar situated beneath the restaurant – will serve a wonderfully broad selection of superlative drops by the glass, including three-pour wine flights from such megastars as Cullen and Verónica Ortega. In lesser hands, Lady of the Grapes would feel like an obvious gimmick. But, like the original incarnation, Bryon's concept feels genuine and authentic, fueled by a passion for showcasing female winemakers who deserve their moment in the sun.
https://www.ladyofthegrapes.com/
Lady of the Grapes SE1 will open 14 June 2026