5 New Restaurants In London We’re Loving

Cafe Cecilia, Hackney (££)

Head there for

Simple food with a fashion industry twist.

Not your spot if

You’re heading out for dinner – the restaurant only opens for breakfast and lunch to allow staff to maintain a work-life balance.

You should know

Founder Max Rocha has ties with both the fashion and music industry. He is sibling to beloved designer Simone Rocha, and previously spent almost a decade in the music industry.

Located on the waterfront of Hackney Canal, Cafe Cecilia offers Irish-influenced food with simplicity and style. Having previously catered for fashion brands including Gucci, Balenciaga and Burberry, Max Rocha’s latest venture focuses on creating a refuge – both for diners and for staff, whom Rocha hopes will be protected from burnout by the restaurant’s limited opening hours.

Cafe Cecilia is the perfect way to start a slow Sunday.

Sucre / Abajo, Soho (££)

Head there for

Date night. The renovated concert hall is a stunning space perfect for stirring up romance – and if it’s going well, you can head downstairs for cocktails.

Not your spot if

You’re vegetarian or vegan – the meat and fish are really where this restaurant shines.

You should know

The original Sucre opened in Buenos Aires in 2001, and this is their first foray into a new city.

Located in the heart of Soho, Sucre / Abajo brings together a leading Argentinian chef and mixologist to create a two-level spot guaranteed to bring you delicious food and cocktails. With a menu divided up by cooking method (stove, wood oven, and charcoal fire), it’s simple but effective.

The cuisine doesn’t claim to be purely Argentinian; instead, it’s a melting-pot of influences across Spain, Italy, and Latin America amongst others, reflecting the migrations that made Latin America what it is today.

Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell (££)

Head there for

Dinner that will impress any creative you’re working with.

Not your spot if

You don’t like modern art.

You should know

The restaurant plans to have a new art opening every single week.

Local to The Stack World HQ, Sessions Arts Club is our new favourite post-work spot. Described by chef and founder Florence Knight as “a sanctuary”, the stripped back walls of the old courthouse give the entire space a light, calming atmosphere.

Fresh ingredients and sauces made from scratch promise that you’ll leave nourished by flavours that you can’t possibly have dreamed up before.

SUMI, Notting Hill (££)

Head there for

Melt in your mouth sushi for mid-range prices.

Not your spot if

You’re looking for something filling.

You should know

SUMI is named after head chef Endo Kazutoshi’s mother.

SUMI is the newest venture by sushi master Endo Kazutoshi, following on from his michelin-starred Endo at Rotunda. Simple interiors are paired with sumptuous rolls to create a pared-back but thought through dining experience.

The restaurant also boasts an impressive range of cocktails and Japanese whiskies that will perfectly complement your dining experience.

Native at Browns, Mayfair £££

Head there for

An eco-conscious business lunch.

Not your spot if

You’re looking for food with an international twist – Native is all about local, British food.

You should know

The two co-founders are passionate about seasonal dining and believe in foraging and home-grown ingredients.

With a focus on local food and harmony with nature, Native is ethical dining at its finest. Co-founders Ivan and Imogen are passionate about cooking from the land, choosing home-grown and foraged ingredients as the basis of their menus.

In a reflection of this approach, the menu is seasonal and changes every month, but right now you can enjoy everything from vegetables tied to specific local farms and scallops collected by divers in Devon. Looking to make a connection with an eco-conscious founder or possible business partner? This is the spot for you.