Look out of the nearest window in the UK and you may struggle to believe it but summer, in calendar terms at least, is in full swing. August often sees a slowdown in the restaurant industry, particularly in continental Europe, but there are still exciting new places to eat opening up around the world. In Scotland, the opening of a bijou bakery coincides with the Edinburgh Fringe – perfect if you want a quality croissant with your comedy. Meanwhile, down in Melbourne, the Nomad’s new dining room brings the best of Australia’s seasonal produce to city diners in a spectacular setting. In London, the latest opening from the owners of Quality Chop House, amongst others, gives Goodge Street a must-visit venue for French food with a British twist. Read on to discover the best new restaurants to visit in August.
NEW RESTAURANTS TO VISIT AROUND THE WORLD IN JULY 2023
Lannan
Edinburgh, Scotland
Fresh out of The Palmerston, Darcie Maher is striking out alone with a bakery to make Auld Reekie swoon. There will be French pastries, tarts and crème brûlée danishes, while lunch will consist of pies, cheese and charcuterie sandwiches, with coffee served all day. Everything’s to-go (although Maher’s planning to set a little bench out front) and a shop next door is scheduled to follow the bakery’s opening next year. Hurry to Hamilton Place – Lannan closes when everything is sold for the day.
Open now, instagram.com/lannanbakery
Reine
Melbourne, Australia
In the former Melbourne Stock Exchange, there’s a new dining room from the Nomad group that oozes neo-Gothic charm. Restored stained glass and vaulted ceilings are complemented by Victorian-inspired potted ferns and cosy contemporary booth seating. Reine’s menu is inspired by French cuisine but with an emphasis on Aussie flame- and charcoal-grilling techniques – whole fish with sauce verte, for example, and ribeye with a Bordelaise sauce. Paired with an epic wine list, this spectacular venue is sure to become a must-visit for tourists and locals alike.
Open now, reineandlarue.melbourne
64 Goodge Street
London, UK
The group behind Portland, Clipstone and the Quality Chop House and Wines is expanding again with a fourth London restaurant. French menus are designed ‘from an outsider’s perspective’ – think snail, bacon and garlic ‘bon bons’, gougères, and Morteau sausage, walnut and morbier tourte (a pie but French). The wine list suggests that almost everything pairs with Burgundy (by the glass and bottle) and the ‘cellar wines’ are sure to impress.
Open now, 64goodgestreet.co.uk
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Bancone
London, UK
The Borough Yards development continues to expand at a rapid pace and the latest opening is the third, and largest, branch of Bancone. Borough Market’s Padella has demonstrated that there’s a robust appetite for fresh pasta in this part of town, regularly turning away would-be customers to prove it, and now it has local competition. As you’d expect, Bancone’s pasta is handmade and the ‘silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and a confit egg yolk’ has already achieved fame from outings at the existing branches. Other pasta dishes include a spicy pork and nduja ragù and Gorgonzola, Swiss chard and guanciale. There’s a tempting selection of antipasti, signature Negronis and a wine list that focuses on ‘the very best of Italy’. It’s a list that’s far superior to Padella’s in length and quality, so even more reason to sidestep the queue and pay Bancone a visit.
Open now, bancone.co.uk
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Best Bet
Los Angeles, US
Three miles west of Venice Beach on the approach to Culver City is Best Bet, chef Jason Neroni’s first restaurant after a long career working in various kitchens in New York and LA. The theme is California meets Italy, with three different styles of wood-fired pizza given main billing. They’re joined by small plates, including burrata, terrine and meatballs, a selection of pasta, plus main dishes such as poussin, duck leg, nduja sausage and barbecue pork collar. There are eight cocktails to choose from plus a very respectable list of Italian wines. Neroni’s reputation in LA means Best Bet is one of the hottest openings this summer, so reservations are recommended.
Open now, bestbetpizzeria.la
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Justin
Singapore
Justin Quek’s eponymous ‘gastro cafe-bar’ is opening on the fourth floor of Tangs, a department store in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district. Quek is renowned for his Franco-Asian food and it will be offered all day in the form of French classics, local favourites and sharing plates via lunch, afternoon tea, bar snacks and a luxurious dinner menu. Guests can expect lobster hokkien mee, prawn noodle soup, wok-fried garlic and chilli short ribs, plus wagyu beef sirloin steak and braised pig trotters with sauteed duck foie gras. Bread, French desserts and ice cream will also be made in-house. With the promise of the best champagnes, wines, and spirits from around the world too, what’s not to like?
Opens 16 August, justinquek.com/gastro
