London restaurants 2024: From Trejo’s Tacos to Akira Back, five exciting new openings this year

2024 is set to be an exciting year for London’s food and drink scene with a whole new host of restaurants set to open.

From internationally acclaimed chefs, to ventures by Hollywood stars we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting new eateries to open in the capital this year.

Clap London

12-14 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, SW3 1AJ Opened January 12 2024

Clap London, is a fine-dining Japanese restaurant located in Knightsbridge which offers diners an ‘omakase’ dining experience. 

The restaurant is spread across three floors, including a rooftop bar on the 7th floor, which offers diners a 180-degree view of Knightsbridge.

The menu offers dishes like Hokkaido scallop tiradito, lobster tempura and has a selection of Australian wagyu beef for those who want to go all out.

Following its success in Dubai, Riyadh and Beirut, the owners are hoping Londoners will equally enjoy Clap’s “truly immersive dining experience”.

Restaurant Story

199 Tooley St, London SE1 2JX Opened January 12 2024

After being closed for refurbishment since February 2023, Tom Sellers' two Michelin-starred Restaurant Story reopened this January in time for the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary.

The multi-million makeover features a new upper level and balcony, a lounge area, and a new open kitchen overlooked by a 14-seater table. Story serves a tasting menu of delicate, masterful dishes inspired by the British seasons.

Josephine

315 Fulham Road, Chelsea, SW10 9QH Opens January 30 2024

Renowned chef and restaurateur Claude Bosi opened two big restaurants last year – Socca with Samyukta Nair and Brooklands at The Peninsula.

He has now teamed up with his wife Lucy to open Josephine in Fulham this New Year. Named after Bosi's grandmother, Josephine will offer diners a combination of French bistro classics and regional Lyonnaise specialities.

"This restaurant is a very personal project for us," Bosi says, "an ode to my grandmother and the traditional Bouchons of Lyon that have always held a special place in our hearts."

Trejo’s Tacos

299-301 Portobello Road, London W10 5TD Opens January 2024 (date to be confirmed)

Hollywood star Danny Trejo is opening his famous taco restaurant in Notting Hill early this year.

The Breaking Bad star has already opened Trejo’s Tacos in seven locations around Los Angeles and his London venture is the first step in a Europe-wide rollout.

The two-storey space on Portobello Road, with 70 covers inside and room for 30 on the terrace will feature a cocktail bar serving up his signature frozen OG Margarita and Lavender Paloma.

The menu will feature signatures from the US version, which includes steak asada tacos with pepita pesto (apparently an Anthony Bourdain favourite) alongside shrimp tostadas, Baja-style beer-battered fish, blackened salmon, and beef-brisket.

Akira Back London

22 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1JP Opens Spring 2024

Michelin-starred chef Akira Back is set to open a brand new restaurant at the new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. 

Back is going to be responsible for two restaurants, Akira Back and Dosa, and a bar and rooftop 'experience' at the hotel. 

Akira Back will offer dishes inspired by the chef's Korean heritage and "his modern interpretation of Japanese cuisine". These will include his AB tuna pizza and wagyu tempura wellington.

Dosa will be a 14-seat chef's table-style affair with a menu of contemporary Korean dishes that use French techniques.