Catch of the day: carabineiro prawns are on the menu at Joia
(Picture: Press handout)January began with the news that the former World’s Number One Restaurant, three-Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen, is to close at the end of 2024. In the words of chef-owner René Redzepi, fine dining has become “unsustainable”. The chill wind from Denmark has been blowing through London, too, with the recent announcement of closures including big players like D&D — shuttering Nineties classic Avenue in St James’s and Francesco Mazzei’s Radici in Islington — as well as the news that Crystal Palace favourite Joanna’s is closing after 45 years.
It’s probably too early to suggest that February will bring the green shoots of recovery so desperately needed by an industry especially susceptible to the ravages of rising food and energy prices but the shortest month of the year is not short of ambition from the capital’s chefs and restaurateurs, with promising new projects ranging from Michelin-starred names from overseas opening in plum central London sites and homegrown talent bringing local cheer. Read on to discover the 10 best new restaurants to book this February for the 27 days it’s not Valentine’s Day.
