Just opened
GEAMAIR, Craigellachie, Speyside
Opened in October
At the heart of Scotland’s Speyside whisky country, GEAMAIR is a new fine-dining restaurant within the Craigellachie Hotel. GEAMAIR – ‘gamekeeper’ in Scottish Gaelic – focuses on ‘whisky cuisine’, and chef Sowa has worked closely with local distilleries to craft a seven-course tasting menu using whisky as a core ingredient. Local produce includes pike from the River Spey, while imaginative dishes include a potato and haggis panettone. Guests can select a whisky or wine pairing to accompany their meal.
The Kelvin, Glasgow
Opened in October
New to Glasgow’s Great Western Road is The Kelvin, dishing up hearty Scottish cuisine in an atmospheric setting. The venue has taken over the former Lansdowne Parish Church, a listed Gothic Revival building that’s packed with original features including stained glass windows designed by local artist Alf Webber. Highlights of the menu include traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, and an all-day Scottish breakfast, while an extensive whisky and cocktail list puts local producers centre stage. Planned events include ceilidhs and comedy nights.
Bonheur by Matt Abé, Mayfair, London
Opened in November
Gordon Ramsay protégé Matt Abé is the new custodian of the former Le Gavroche site, which became the first British restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. Bonheur is Abé’s solo debut, and while the revamped decor pays subtle homage to the chef’s Australian roots with its warm colour choices, the food is quintessential European fine dining. Guests can choose from five- or seven-course tasting menus or à la carte options, where British produce shines, including Cornish turbot, Skye scallops and Cumbrian beef.
Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei, London
Opened in November
Chef Francesco Mazzei’s new venture, Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei, transports the traditions and flavours of southern Italy to the stately surrounds of London’s Corinthia Hotel. The cuisine is an ode to Calabria, where Mazzei grew up, with nods to Puglia and Sicily too. The star of the show is the pasta, with options including a Calabrian lasagna and hand-made tortelli stuffed with burrata and ricotta. For something special, there’s a dedicated white truffle menu, where each dish is garnished with a gram of the prized delicacy.
AO by Daniel Rogan, Southampton
Opened in November
Following a two-year hiatus, AO by Daniel Rogan has reopened at a new Southampton address. Rogan learned his craft under his father, Simon Rogan, at his Michelin-starred Cumbrian restaurants, and now brings his culinary expertise to Hampshire. Named after his children, AO offers seven- and 10-course tasting menus, plus a three-course lunch option in the 26-cover space designed by the chef himself. Local produce includes cured chalk stream trout with cucumber dashi and dill, as well as Winchester cheddar and Hampshire yoghurt.
Willy’s, Margate
Opened in November
Affordable, seasonal British produce takes pride of plate at Willy’s, which opened at Cliftonville’s Margate House Hotel in November. Head chef Mark O’Brien puts a playful spin on British comfort food: think pork scratchings with apple ketchup, Guinness sodabread, and coronation mussels with almond chilli oil. Kentish producers including Westwell and Gorsley make an appearance on the wine list, too. There’s room for 25 covers in the main dining room, including five seats at the kitchen counter, with 25 more on a heated, dog-friendly terrace.
BIG TRAY BBQ, Salford
Opened in November
The brainchild of the team behind Manchester’s Brewski, BIG TRAY BBQ brings ‘barbecue without borders’ to Salford Quays. The smokehouse’s signature platters are piled high with juicy meats and authentic sides like chilli and creamed corn, inspired by founders James and Stephen’s coast-to-coast American adventures. Expect flavours from all 50 States and beyond, like jerk chicken sausages and ras-el-hanout smoked turkey. The counter-service spot, spanning 5,235 sq. ft (nearly 490 sq. m), overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal and Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
OMNOM, Birmingham
Opened in November
Mindfulness meets mealtimes at OMNOM, serving up an Indian-inspired feast with a side of yoga and meditation in Birmingham. The plant-based menus – which are meat, onion and garlic-free – cater for breakfast through dinner, with vegetable curries, dosa pancakes and naan rolls among the options. Coming soon is a vegan and veggie-friendly afternoon tea, complete with desi treats and bottomless chai. The 150-cover restaurant is complemented by a versatile event space which will host holistic wellbeing experiences.
Coming soon
Mazarine, London
Opening in December 2025
The team behind London’s Sparrow Italia are turning the spotlight to a different cuisine in their next project. Mazarine, run by former Le Gavroche head chef Thierry Laborde, takes inspiration from France’s rich gastronomic heritage, with an emphasis on its seafood. Signature dishes include the croque mazarine, a spruced-up croque monsieur with lobster and truffle, and a classic Provençal bouillabaisse. Other French classics also make an appearance, like snails in garlic butter and beef in red wine jus.
Maray, Chester
Opening in December 2025
Maray, known for its Middle Eastern-inspired small plates, is set to open in Chester in December. The brand’s fourth opening, which will rub shoulders with Chester’s renovated market hall, promises the same wholesome, fragrant cuisine as its popular Liverpool and Manchester sites. Levantine twists pepper the menu, from the zhug fries to the salted chocolate ganache with tahini. The theme continues with an inventive drinks line-up, featuring fig negronis and saffron lemonade. Will Cole, the former head chef of The Barbary in London, will be at the helm.
