Americas
Don Julio, New York/Píib, Los Cabos
Recommended by Manoella Buffara, chef-owner of Manu in Curitiba, Brazil, who will launch her first overseas project in New York in the autumn
“Chef Pablo Rivero, founder of Don Julio, Buenos Aires’s most acclaimed beef restaurant [ranked 10th in 2025 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List], is expanding to New York. He’s opening a new spot on the Upper West Side dedicated to Argentine beef culture – showcasing its traditional techniques, flavours and history. It’s an important moment for Argentina: bringing true parrilla to a global audience in a city like New York. And Jorge Vallejo – of two Michelin-starred Quintonil in Mexico City – is opening a new restaurant, Píib, in Los Cabos, focused on live-fire cooking. Mexico has such an extraordinary culinary heritage; I’m excited to see Jorge bring his skills as a chef to another part of the country.” parrilladonjulio.com
Antheia, Ottawa
Recommended by Daniel Hadida, chef-owner of Pearl Morissette, Lincoln, Ontario
“I can’t wait to try Briana Kim’s new restaurant, Antheia, in Ottawa – part fermentation lab, part tasting menu chef’s counter. She’s a real force in the fermentation world, a master of traditional preservation techniques that reflect both her Korean heritage and her cool-climate Canadian terroir. I love the precision of her food, and her warmth as a host.” antheiarestaurant.ca
Lielle, Los Angeles
Recommended by EJ Lagasse, head chef of his father’s flagship restaurant, Emeril’s, New Orleans
“I’ve been anxiously waiting to see what Marcus Jernmark will open in Los Angeles. He’s the former head chef at Frantzén in Stockholm. Now he’s building the Nordic-Californian restaurant of his dreams, Lielle. The cooking he’s posting online looks phenomenal. This is going to be one of those restaurants that, if I’m anywhere on the West Coast, I’m going to try to figure out how to get there.” lielle.la
Torno Subito, Miami
Recommended by Stefano Secchi, former protégé of Massimo Bottura and chef-owner of Rezdôra and Massara, New York
“Massimo Bottura’s most playful restaurant, Torno Subito, just moved from downtown Miami into an amazing space in the historic Moore building [home to a new boutique hotel and private club] in a vibrant and buzzy location in the city’s Design District. I’m excited that Bernardo Paladini, my former colleague from Osteria Francescana in Modena, is cooking again in the States as head chef in Miami – with guidance, of course, from Massimo.” tornosubitomia.com
Siwoo and Oyatte, New York
Recommended by Eunji Lee, pastry chef-owner of the French-Korean pastry shop and dessert restaurant Lysée, New York
“Two of the most talented Korean chefs I know will be opening new restaurants in New York in 2026. Hoyoung Kim, of Michelin-starred Jua, will soon launch his third restaurant in the city, Siwoo, an eight-seat tasting counter sourcing ingredients from its own farm; and my friend Hasung Lee, a veteran of Atomix, is moving back to New York after two years working at The French Laundry in Napa to open his first solo restaurant, Oyatte – also serving a farm-to-table tasting menu and working with its own dedicated farm.” @oyattenyc
Alla Vita, Nashville
Recommended by Michael Solomonov, chef-owner of Zahav, Philadelphia, and Laser Wolf, New York
“I’m a big fan of chef Lee Wolen’s family‑style Italian hit Alla Vita in Chicago, and can’t wait to see how he replicates that restaurant’s success with a new branch in Nashville. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented chefs, he’s also one of my favourite humans. And Nashville has such an electric food scene right now. I was just there and had some incredible meals.” allavitanashville.com
Asia
Jija, Hong Kong
Recommended by Amy Poon, founder of Poon’s London
jijarestaurant.com
Nila, Bangalore/Hearth, Mumbai
Recommended by Prateek Sadhu, chef-owner of Naar, Himachal Pradesh
“My former sous chef Rahul Sharma is opening Nila, a modern Indian restaurant. It’s a blessing to be born in India as a chef because our food is multidimensional. Rahul has travelled a lot though the south of India, and he’s from the north. He’s trying to build bridges across regions with his food. And I’m excited about the newest hot spot in Mumbai, Hearth, from co-chefs Dhriti Mankame and Mehul Sabharwal. They’re marrying the flavours of west India with live-fire cooking and preservation techniques, making their own charcuterie inspired by the Portuguese traditions of Goa, but the flavours are very current and very Indian.” hearthrestaurant.in
Moutarde, Singapore
Recommended by Julien Royer, chef-owner of three-Michelin-starred Odette in the National Gallery of Singapore
“I’m excited to visit Paul Pairet’s Moutarde, a modern French bistro that he just opened on the island of Sentosa. Paul has made such a splash in Shanghai with his immersive multisensory restaurant Ultraviolet. He’s a chef I’ve always admired. While the new project is casual, I know that everything he does comes with plenty of deliciousness.” rwsentosa.com
Australia
Yiaga, Melbourne
Recommended by Josh Niland, owner of Saint Peter and its offshoots in Singapore and on Hamilton Island
“I can’t wait to make a trip down to Melbourne to visit Hugh Allen’s new restaurant, Yiaga, which opened last fall. After so many years running the kitchen at Vue de Monde, Hugh has spent the past five years patiently building his dream restaurant. It won’t be long before the whole world starts to take notice.” opentable.com.au
England
Café Clement, London
Recommended by Tomos Parry, executive chef and co-owner of Brat and Mountain, London
“This French/New York-influenced restaurant at Nick Jones’s new hotel, 180 The Strand, is headed up by ex-River Cafe head chef Danny Bohan. He has a great palate – I’m excited to see him create a menu in his own identity.” Spring 2026, 180studios.com
Cloth Cornhill, London
Recommended by Jeremy King, restaurateur behind Arlington and The Park, London
Mid-2026, opentable.co.uk
Kiji, London
Recommended by Santiago Lastra, chef of Kol and Fonda, London
“I’m a massive fan of Korean food and culture. What Ellia and two-Michelin-starred chef Junghyun Park built in New York with Atomix is one of the most refined and emotionally intelligent dining experiences in the world. Bringing that level of craftsmanship to Kiji in Mayfair will add a new voice to the city’s global conversation about food.” 60curzon.com
Corenucopia, London
Recommended by Sat Bains, chef-proprietor of Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
“Clare Smyth is a three-Michelin-starred chef. At Corenucopia she’s offering her interpretation of the bistro; dishes we all know done with a twist. Her fish and chips is Dover sole with lobster mousse. Most dishes are on for less than £50. She’s seen the gap for an accessible menu as part of a three-star experience.” opentable.co.uk
Impala, London
Recommended by John Chantarasak, chef-owner of AngloThai, London
“I’ve known Meedu Saad for years from his cooking at Kiln and Smoking Goat. But it wasn’t until 2022 that I tried dishes personal to his Egyptian heritage. During his tenancy at P Franco I got to sample Arabic-influenced plates that will inform his debut restaurant Impala in Soho, which will have an open-fire grill. Expect crazy-delicious cooking.” impalasoho.com
Martino’s, London
Recommended by James Gummer, co-founder of Public House Group
“Martino’s modern take on a trattoria in Sloane Square is just what the area needs. It’s a beautiful room and the food is great but what stands out are the details: the welcome from owner Martin Kuczmarski, a beer in a perfectly frosted glass, or a waiter refreshing your Martini glass so the final sip is as good as the first. You’ll leave feeling better than when you walked in; you can’t ask for much more from a restaurant.” martinoslondon.com
Wild Duck, Cirencester, Cotswolds
Recommended by Oli Brown, co-owner of Updown Farmhouse, Deal
“I’m looking forward to this from the team behind The Double Red Duke and The Mason’s Arms, two favourite Cotswolds spots. Sam and Georgie Pearman have a knack for creating places that just feel good. The latest – a coaching inn restored to a pub with rooms – will no doubt be just as good.” March 2026, countrycreatures.com
The Wellington, Margate
Recommended by Lorcan and Fin Spiteri, chefs, formerly of Caravel, London
thewellingtonmargate.co.uk
Café Boulud, London
Recommended by Clare Smyth, chef-owner of Core and Corenucopia, London
“Daniel Boulud’s last place in London, Bar Boulud, was my go-to. This one, at Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria, will offer classic French dishes such as roast chicken and lobster ravioli. Daniel brings a real sense of the gourmand; I don’t think there will be anything more James Bond than sitting out on the terrace with a glass of champagne and his wonderful charcuterie board.” Summer 2026, cafeboulud.com
Bar Shrimp, Manchester
Recommended by Jo Radford, sommelier and owner of Timberyard and Montrose
“We’ve known the boys behind Higher Ground and wine bar Flawd in Manchester for some time. I’m looking forward to visiting their new seafood and listening bar. They’re working with one of the best fish suppliers in Scotland – David Lowrie in Fife – and there is always a lightness of touch to their cooking. They’ve also curated an incredible list of DJs and musicians through the year.” opentable.co.uk
Simpson’s, London
Recommended by Jacob Kenedy, chef-patron of Bocca Di Lupo and Gelupo, London
“I mourned Simpson’s in the Strand, a grande dame of a carvery at the Savoy, when it closed. Now, with restaurateur Jeremy King, she’s found a grand seigneur to breathe her back to life. Few people understand service, atmosphere and tradition as intuitively as Jeremy. The city is short on places that offer old-world British fare at this level; Simpson’s couldn’t be in better hands.” February 2026, simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk
Tom Booton, London
Recommended by Chet Sharma, chef of BiBi, London
Spring 2026
Freyja, Northumberland
Recommended by Charlie Mellor, owner of The Laughing Heart, London
“I was fortunate to have a young Alex Nietosvuori spend a year as sous chef at The Laughing Heart. He and his partner Ally left London and launched their warm, tiny Northumberland restaurant Hjem, quickly earning a Michelin star. It closed last year, but the next chapter, Freyja, a restaurant with rooms on the Close House Estate, looks pretty exciting.” restaurantfreyja.com
Banook Bagels, East Dulwich
Recommended by Oliver Costello and Rebecca Spaven, co-founders of TOAD Bakery, London
“The bagel-sandwiches at Banook are some of the best we’ve tasted outside New York. Co-founders Ashley Mah and Dave Dalrymple have perfected a recipe that blends New York and Montreal styles into something unmistakably their own. Can’t wait.” Spring 2026, banookbagels.com
Europe
Knystaforsen, Sweden
Recommended by Stuart Ralston, chef-owner of Aizle, Edinburgh
“I keep hearing about this place run by Nicolai Tram and his wife Eva beside the forest. Guests eat in what was once their home, with some courses prepared or finished outside depending on the season.” knystaforsen.se
Orient Express, Paris
Recommended by Michel Roux Jr, chef-owner of Le Gavroche and Chez Roux
“In France, I’d have to say Orient Express. From this year, the group’s food is going to be overseen by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. I’ve always wanted to do the trip to Vienna on its luxurious train, and now there’s an even bigger reason.” orient-express.com
Sant Ambroeus, Paris
Recommended by François O’Neill, co-founder of Maison François and Café François, London
“Sant Ambroeus is an Italian brasserie chain with a footprint in New York that expanded to Palm Beach and Aspen. They’re good neighbourhood restaurants that combine accessible prices with strong design, Italian-style cooking and New York flair. They’ve opened in Milan and now Paris, and I’m interested to see how that concept translates.” santambroeus.com
Scotland
The Cooper’s Rest, Edinburgh
Recommended by Sandia Chang, sommelier and co-founder of Kitchen Table, London
“James Snowdon was restaurant manager at The Harwood Arms and Bubbledogs before he co-opened The Palmerston in Edinburgh. Now his team is relaunching The Cooper’s Rest in Leith, offering the same relaxed vibe and great pub food you’d expect at The Palmerston. There will be local beer from Newbarns Brewery – and since I taught him everything he knows about wine, I’m expecting a good wine list too.”
Dogstar, Edinburgh
Recommended by Roberta Hall-McCarron, chef-owner of The Little Chartroom, Eleanore and Adfern, Edinburgh
“Dogstar has opened from the team behind Nauticus Bar, in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef James Murray [previously Le Manoir, Lyle’s]. Based in Leith, they’ve turned an old pub into a soulful restaurant with a focus on seafood.” dogstarleith.com
Wales
Palé Hall, Bala, North Wales
Recommended by Tom Waters, chef-patron of Gorse, Cardiff
“It’s a massive coup for Wales to have Luke Selby heading up Palé Hall with his brothers Nathaniel and Theodore. They have incredible pedigree after working at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons and Evelyn’s Table, where they earned a Michelin star. Wales has some of the best produce around so it’s great they see the potential I do.” palehall.co.uk
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