Although the past months of quarantine may have inspired some to pursue their passion for cooking at home, going out for a nice meal at one of the many amazing restaurants around the world is surely missed. With that being said, it is good news that many of our favourite restaurants are re-opening, as well as some new ones we’ve never seen before! Despite the new normal, as different regulations are put in place, it is certainly exciting to get back to dining out. Below, we have gathered the most awaited openings of restaurants around the world in 2020, as businesses start to welcome keen diners again.
London
Manteca, SOHO
Manteca, Formerly known as the pop-up “10 Hedon Street”, was filling everyone’s Instagram feeds in 2019. This year, they have returned just along Great Marlborough Street to offer the nostalgic homemade dough, interesting fillings, and laid-back vibe that everyone so much adored. This cosy and edgy space is definitely a must-visit for any pasta lover, assuring to satisfy the cravings of the hungry souls coming through their door.
Luca, Clerkenwell
Owners of The Clove Club, Daniel Willis, Johnny Smith, and chef Isaac McHale, have set the foodie world on fire again with something different to their first Michelin Star restaurant. Luca is an Italian restaurant providing signature dishes like fluffy truffle chips with parmesan, which have already become a customer favourite. Head to Luca to enjoy sophisticated cocktails (the Negroni is highly recommended) and delicious Italian food.
Louie, Covent Garden
Louie shines through amongst the constant wave of new restaurants opening; this new fusion restaurant “celebrates the soul of New Orleans, the suaveness of Paris and the sass of a New Yorker- all set on London’s stage”. Guillaume Gilpa’s restaurant will debut this month to start serving diners a special composition of classic French cuisine, traditional Creole dishes, and a variety of quintessential New York bites. Gilpa’s impressive restauranteur history includes opening several celebrity hotspots such as Chiltern Firehouse, Coya, Umu, and Zuma. This is surely one restaurant you will want to try!
Edinburgh
21212
Paul Kitching’s Michelin Star restaurant offers a unique menu, staying true to his contemporary French cooking style while incorporating a unique approach to the menu combinations. Even regular diners will be blown-away with a new experience each time as despite never having more than three choices for any course, a new menu is created each week!
FHIOR
Chef Scott Smith offers a minimalistic and simple Nordic-style décor at his new venture; here, you can experience Smith’s inventive yet gentle, light and bright, cooking style, which has already been praised by The Michelin Guide for its creativity. With a proud focus on their fresh Scottish produce, Fhior describe the menu as fluid and ever-changing.
Japan
Le Café V, Osaka
Louis Vuitton’s exclusive venture presents its first ever restaurant and café in Osaka. The entrance resembles a speakeasy, leading guests into a Louis Vuitton daydream. The restaurant, Sugalabo V, offers a fusion of European and Japanese cuisine, with dishes like Parma ham sushi, mini croque monsieur’s with freshly shaved truffles, and teppanyaki lobsters in a sweet curry sauce. This exclusive experience is sure to be memorable.
Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Dubai’s foodie community is ecstatic to discover that the third outlet of this popular restaurant is set to open its doors in Dubai for 2020. The London and Melbourne locations have shown great success, but English celebrity and chef Heston Blumenthal promises to add more flair to the already thrilling culinary culture in Dubai. Head to the Royal Atlantis Resort on the Palm Jumeirah to experience iconic dishes like “Fruit Meat”, a chicken liver parfait expertly created to look like a mandarin.
ROKA
This year, the well-known and award-winning Japanese restaurant Roka promises to offer Dubai’s culinary scene with the unique style and flavours of contemporary Japanese Robatayaki cuisine, just as it has in London. This exciting opening marks the first international outlet for the Roka Brand, which is originally a London Staple.
Spain
Fera, Palma de Mallorca
If you find yourself in Palma, make sure to visit Fera Palma Restaurant & Bar. This gourmet restaurant offers a “Borderless Mediterranean-Asian Cuisine” which is inspired by Executive chef Simon Petutschnig’s fascination with Japanese flavours and plentiful selection of fresh and seasonal Spanish ingredients. Fera provides an interactive journey focusing on texture, ingredients, and flavour. The experience of enjoying Fera’s expertly chosen wines to pair with the well curated menus are worth a visit!
France
Kei, Paris
Although not a new restaurant itself, chef Kei Kobayashi’s restaurant has just been awarded three Michelin stars, making him the very first Japanese chef to ear three Michelin stars in France. As a student of Gilles Goujon and Alain Ducasse, Kobayashi’s work has been held in extremely high regards for his development of a modern approach to a traditional and accomplished cuisine. Make sure to visit Kei restaurant to experience this exclusive experience when in Paris.
Substance
Chef Matthias Marc, at the young age of 25, has opened his own chic restaurant with indigo walls and white marble tables in the 16th arrondissement. With an impressive list of champagnes and daring modern bistro menu, the restaurant has achieved instant popularity and success, giving you all the more reason to visit this eastern Parisian neighbourhood.
New York
Jua, 36 E 22nd St.
Executive chef Ho Young Kim provides an exciting nine-course tasting menu, showcasing various classic Korean dishes with an extra luxurious twist, like truffle jjajangmen. If you are looking for a decadent meal inspired by the fascinating flavours of Korea, make sure to visit Jua on 36th and 22nd!
Quality Bistro, Midtown
Bound to re-launch in spring of 2021, Quality Bistro has just soft-opened to the public, offering outdoor seating for customers who are looking for decadent French inspired cuisine. They offer exciting courses such as the “Butter Menu”, focusing on the French expert use of butter in cooking. Well known for its French onion soup and lovely European wines, Quality Bistro should be on your list if you are in New York!
Seeing all the movement going on in the restaurant world can definitely be exciting, especially after these moments of lockdown. You deserve to satisfy your tastebuds! For more information and reservations, please contact your PA at insignia.
