February might be short, but it isn’t short of new promising launches across London. This month, there are some fresh faces in the restaurant, bar, and bakery scene – from Milan-inspired dining rooms and Welsh-led bakeries to Cantonese comfort food and Mexican seafood – each bringing something utterly unique to the table.
To make things a little easier, we’ve rounded up some of our standout openings. This list is a true patchwork of concepts, flavours and personalities: some spots are hushed, refined retreats, others are bold, experimental, and culture-driven. There’s likely something here that picks your fancy – or at the very least makes you keen to get out and try it. Shall we dive in?
1. Sartoria Liverpool Street – 1st of February
Sartoria has quietly opened its third London outpost in Liverpool Street, bringing a dose of Italian refinement to Devonshire Square as of the 1st of February.
The restaurant is part of the Evolv Collection’s expansion of the Milan-inspired concept originally brought to life by Sir Terence Conran, aiming to blend mid-century Italian style with contemporary all-day dining.
The menu is built around modern Italian cooking with a Milanese sensibility, influenced by three of the group’s chefs working across Sartoria’s London portfolio. Expect pastas, seasonal dishes and a wine list featuring more than 100 labels with an emphasis on Italian producers (plus signature cocktails).
Inside, the design continues Sartoria’s aesthetic – a mix of tailored interiors and relaxed Italian hospitality, complete with a terrace overlooking Devonshire Square.
Read our review of Sartoria Launceston Place here.
2. Café Kowloon – 4th of February
Café Kowloon is a new Cantonese dining concept from 6 of 1, the hospitality group behind popular London spots like Mr Bao, Daddy Bao, Master Bao and the recently opened Wonton Charlie’s noodle bar. It’s inspired by the way people eat and drink in Hong Kong – drawing on everything from street food and dai pai dong stalls to dim sum houses and contemporary Cantonese dishes.
The space sits behind Wonton Charlie’s in London Fields, under railway arches on Mentmore Terrace, and combines a lively modern restaurant with Hong Kong influences – family‑style sharing dishes, cocktails inspired by classic flavours, round tables with lazy Susans, and a design that nods to banquet‑style dining and nightlife.
3. Cato – 6th of February
Cato, the new cocktail bar from hospitality group Bart & Taylor in collaboration with award-winning bartender and author Angelos Bafas, opens on the 6th of February in Seven Dials, Covent Garden. Inspired by Cato Alexander, often regarded as the world’s first celebrity bartender, the venue focuses on contemporary, creative cocktails. The multi-level space is split into three distinct areas:
- The House of Julep – approachable, herb-led drinks in a relaxed setting.
- Main basement bar – 14 cocktails crafted with British spirits and seasonal produce.
- The Study – a creative space for masterclasses and experimental serves.
Signature drinks include BROWN (Medlar + Mushroom) and GREEN (Jalapeño + Shiso). Alongside drinks, Cato serves American-inspired bar food, from fried oysters to burgers and toasties, designed to complement the cocktails.
4. Osteria Vibrato – 7th of February
Arriving at 6 Greek Street on the 7th of February, Osteria Vibrato is an Italian restaurant led by Charlie Mellor – the restaurateur behind The Laughing Heart – alongside sommelier Cameron Dewar and chef Gaia Enria. It’s Mellor’s return to the London scene after Laughing Heart closed in 2022, this time with a concept rooted in classic Italian dining.
The menu follows a traditional structure – antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci – with house-made mozzarella, daily-rolled pasta and dishes like whole grilled fish, mixed arrosti and regional specialties such as brodo di Vasto, a seafood stew from Abruzzo. Expect warm desserts like freshly baked amaretti and Torta Caprese alongside the savoury courses.
Wine and drinks are a big part of the menu too: a curated list of around 250 bottles featuring rare selections, plus a dedicated cocktail space called The Green Room pouring classics like Martinis and Negronis. More info here.
5. Bara – 12th of February
A Welsh-inspired café called Bara is set to open on the 12th of February on Choumert Road in Peckham, bringing a slice of Welsh food culture to south London. “Bara” literally means bread in Welsh, and everything here starts with fresh bread baked in-house each day – the base for sandwiches, hot food and brunch-style plates rooted in the founders’ love of simple, good ingredients.
Bara is the brainchild of chef duo Cecily Dalladay (a MasterChef: The Professionals quarter-finalist from south Wales) and Zoë Heimann (former head chef at Pique Café), who say they want to champion Welsh produce that often goes under the radar in London.
The menu mixes familiar café favourites with Welsh twists – think a Caerphilly cheesesteak with eight-hour smoked Welsh beef brisket and leeks, Pembrokeshire lobster rolls, a near-traditional Swansea breakfast with bacon, leeks, cockles and laverbread, plus Welsh honey butter pancakes and bara brith. Find out more.
6. Cometa – 20th of February
Cometa is the new Mexican seafood restaurant coming to Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia this February, from the team behind Carousel. The name – Spanish for “comet” – hints at the idea: bold, bright flavours with energy and movement, this time focused on seafood with a Mexican twist rather than the usual Italian or British fare.
Co-founders Ed and Ollie Templeton have taken over Carousel’s former wine bar space and reimagined it as a place that pairs some of the best British day-boat fish and shellfish with techniques and seasonings inspired by Mexico City’s coastal classics like ceviche and aguachiles. Dishes range from raw seafood plates to shared mains such as crab chilpachole rice and grilled lobster with chintextle and smoked butter sauce.
Drinks take the same lens, with homemade aguas frescas, tepache, and agave-based cocktails – think spicy margaritas and mezcal old fashioneds.
7. Forza Wine – end of February
Forza Wine, the Italian-inspired venue celebrated for its unfussy seasonal snacks and natural wine list, is bringing its inimitable energy to the heart of Soho this February. Following the success of its original Peckham rooftop site and the National Theatre outpost, this third location continues the brand’s pursuit of spaces with character, top-tier terraces, and views that elevate the everyday dining experience.
The Soho site promises to be a versatile meeting point for all occasions, from relaxed alfresco afternoons on the terrace to lively evenings with friends. Guests can expect returning favourites from Forza’s ‘sort of Italian’ 10-dish snack menu, including the signature Cauliflower fritti with aioli, alongside a carefully curated natural wine selection and a rotating seasonal cocktail list. More details to be revealed soon – we’ll update this post as soon as there is an official opening date.
Tamila – 26th of February
Tamila is bringing its modern take on the British curry house to Soho, opening its flagship site on Poland Street on the 26th of February. Created by Glen Leeson and Prince Durairaj, the restaurant builds on the success of Tamila’s Clapham and King’s Cross locations.
Set across two floors, the new outpost balances the sociability of a classic curry house with a more refined design language, from marble-topped tables and deep purple accents to lighting. There’s a relaxed bar up top, with a lower-level dining room geared towards long, shared meals and group bookings.
The menu focuses on depth and balance, pairing made-to-order rotis with regional curries such as Thanjavur chicken and Chettinad lamb, alongside smaller plates, tandoor-cooked dishes and an expanded bread selection.
A curated drinks list complements the menu, featuring Indian-spiced cocktails like the Gunpowder Margarita and Tamil Negroni. To mark the opening, Tamila Soho will run a soft launch with 50% off food and drink on 24 and 25 February, walk-ins only. Read more here.
See also
Review – We tried the new Saatchi Yates menu at Nipotina
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