Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

There were a lot of openings this year (around 250 at our last count) and we've whittled those down to the very best of the year:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

The best new London restaurants of 2025

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to look at the best of the new restaurant openings in London of 2025

www.hot-dinners.com

December 12, 2025 at 12:46 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

We've got five copies of Waterstone's gift book of the year to give away - the new Padella book:
www.hot-dinners.com/Offers/Hot-D...

We've got 5 copies of the Padella cookbook, Waterstone's Gift Book of the Year, to give away

The Padella cookbook is destined to be one of those you use for years to come. Here's how to win a copy of your very own.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Automat is back - kind of. We take a look at the restaurant that's hidden at the back of a Mayfair shop:
www.hot-dinners.com/Gastroblog/T...

Test Driving Automat, the speakeasy restaurant hidden at the back of a Mayfair shop

London's run of stealth openings continues with Automat. The American brasserie returns with a new team and a hidden-away location in Mayfair.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 12, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Now it's your turn - let us know what you thought was the best new restaurant of 2025 and you could win dinner at Kioku by Endo:
www.hot-dinners.com/202512121471...

Vote for your favourite new London restaurant of 2025

We want Hot Dinners readers to let us know what their favourite London restaurant opening of 2025 was.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 12, 2025 at 9:46 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

From best new restaurant to best dish and lots more - here's part 2 of this year's Hot Dinners Awards:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

The Hot Dinners 2025 Awards, the best of the year's eating and drinking - the full list

As we reach the end of another year's worth of eating and drinking, it's time to look back at it all. Here's part one of what we think are our favourite dishes and desserts, best scene and more of…

www.hot-dinners.com

December 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Christmas party inspiration - Here's how to have a modern Spanish celebration at Barrafina:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

December 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

One to watch in January - Dara Klein reveals what to expect from the permanent Tiella:
www.hot-dinners.com/202510141456...

Dara Klein reveals what to expect from Tiella Trattoria & Bar on Columbia Road

Tiella was a standout hit when it popped up as a pub residency. Now as a full blown trattoria on Columbia Road it's bound to be a hit.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Today's Christmas party inspiration - Mexican festive feasts at El Pastor
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

www.hot-dinners.com

December 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

The latest Hawksmoor is in one of the city's best dining rooms, and the Martini Bar is pretty great too:
www.hot-dinners.com/Gastroblog/T...

Test Driving Hawksmoor St Pancras - the steakhouse feels right at home in one of London's most beautiful dining rooms

Hawksmoor's latest restaurant in King's Cross might have their grandest dining room yet, as well as a destination bar. We went down to check it out.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

It's time for a look back at the year that was. Here's part one of our 2025 awards, featuring best dessert, snack, scene and more:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

The Hot Dinners 2025 Awards - the best of the year's eating and drinking (part one)

Find the very best restaurants in London, read reviews by top critics and diners, and be the first to know what is new and coming soon.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Looking for Christmas gift inspiration? We've got you covered
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

London's restaurant merch - perfect presents for the food obsessed

The best examples of merch from London's restaurants to give as a gift to the foodie in your life.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

One of the founders of Brother Marcus gives us his tips on the best of Raynes Park:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

My Manor, Alex Large of Brother Marcus shares his favourite food and drink places in Raynes Park

he co-founder of East-Med restaurant group Brother Marcus, Alex Large, reveals his favourite places in Raynes Park for good food and drink.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Phil Howard's Notto is opening in the City next week, but it's going to be a little different from the Nottos that came before:
www.hot-dinners.com/202506271429...

Phil Howard's Notto pasta bar is coming to the City

Fresh pasta bar Notto is clearly doing great business on Piccadilly and in Covent Garden, because a third is on the way to the City.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 8, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

It's the last big push to open before Christmas with the Guinness brewery, a food hall on Leicester Square and a MasterChef winner's restaurant all among the openings this week:
www.hot-dinners.com/202404021311...

New restaurants and bars opening in London this week

Our new weekly guide to what to expect from the week ahead in London, with the restaurants, bars and more opening their doors across town.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Today's Christmas party inspo - enjoy elf-inspired party games at Bill's www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

Best London restaurants for Christmas parties and get-togethers in 2025

Looking for somewhere with great food and drink to book for your Christmas party? Here are some of our favourite festive spots.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

It's less than a month away - now's the time to start planning:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

Best restaurants for dinner in London on New Year's Eve 2025

Our guide to the best restaurants in London for really celebrating New Year's Eve 2025

www.hot-dinners.com

December 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

From the man who brought us The Dover, Martino's is an instant Chelsea hit. Find out why:
www.hot-dinners.com/Gastroblog/T...

Test Driving Martino's, the hot new Italian that's dramatically raising the bar in Chelsea

As the follow-up to The Dover, expectations were high for Martino's (or would have been but for the stealth opening). Luckily, Martin Kuczmarski has used this to prove he's not a one-hit wonder.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 4, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

It's time for our monthly round-up of the hottest restaurants in London - see who made the cut this month:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

Hot Right Now - London's hottest restaurants - December 2025

All about London's top restaurants and why they're the hottest tables in town right now...

www.hot-dinners.com

December 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

If you want to go out somewhere that's really gone to town on the decorations, this is the guide for you:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

The most Christmassy restaurants in London

These London restaurants and pubs really understood the assignment this Christmas.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Today's Christmas party inspiration - try a Mediterranean twist on Christmas at Gallio:
www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Hot...

December 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

For the next two days, a late-night martinis and chips pop-up has landed in London:
www.hot-dinners.com/202510291460...

A martini and chips pop-up bar is coming to Soho

We like chips. We like martinis. So, obviously, a pop-up that combines the two immediately had our attention.

www.hot-dinners.com

December 4, 2025 at 9:44 AM

Hot Dinners

@hotdinners.bsky.social

Change is coming to Carousel - they're adding a mexican seafood restaurant that's influenced by the likes of Mexico City's Contromar and New York's The Four Horsemen:
www.hot-dinners.com/202512041470...