We’re hungry at the very thought of grown-up school dinners courtesy of Wahaca and beside ourselves with excitement about the revival of one of the City’s oldest chophouses. These, then, are the openings, launches and other food stories to have on your radar this October.
Back To School: Wahaca’s Good Lunch
Until 14 October; Wahaca Restaurants Nationwide
School dinners have come a long way since lumpy mash and fluorescent custard. Until 14 October, Wahaca is serving a £19.95 grown-up version in support of Chefs in Schools, the charity co-founded by Thomasina Miers to improve food culture in schools. The Good Lunch will be served up canteen-style on one tray: tortilla chips and dip, two tacos, chipotle meatballs and chocolate mole cake with cream – pudding alongside everything else, naturally. Fifty pence from every lunch goes to the charity. Tuck in.
An Old Favourite Reborn: Cloth Cornhill
From 1 October; 38½ Cornhill, London EC3
One of the City’s most atmospheric dining rooms gets a new lease of life on 1 October when the team behind Cloth opens Cloth Cornhill in the former Simpson’s Tavern. The historic chophouse’s wood panelling, fireplaces, tiles and high-backed booths have been restored, while chef Tom Hurst keeps things suitably old-school with oysters, Dorset crab cocktail, venison and bone marrow pie, chops, steaks and beef-dripping chips. Long lunches are, we feel, called for. Tuck in.
Morning Glory: Clementine
From 3 October; 190 New North Road, London N1
Quince Bakery has been drawing queues to New North Road since Anna Higham opened it in 2024. Now the pastry chef is giving us somewhere to sit down. Opening opposite Quince on 3 October, Clementine is a tiny 20-cover daytime café serving porridge with cream and apple compote, tattie scones with scrambled eggs, Scotch pancakes, toasties, soups, pies and buns. Precisely the sort of food October calls for. Tuck in.
Puglia Comes To Stoke Newington: Da Pino
From 7 October; Stoke Newington, London
Stoke Newington gains another promising neighbourhood Italian on 7 October when chef Giuseppe Pepe opens Da Pino. Inspired by his native Puglia, Pepe’s menu will change with the seasons, with southern Italian cooking and good produce at its heart. One to have up your sleeve next time dinner in Stoke Newington is mooted. Tuck in.
Dishoom Heads To Borough
Soft launch 12–20 October; The Hop Exchange, Borough, London SE1
Dishoom Borough arrives at the magnificent Victorian Hop Exchange beside Borough Market this month, becoming the group’s eighth London restaurant. Alongside the classic black daal, bacon naan rolls and other favourites comes a new Borough-only dish in the form of Keralan pepper chicken, slow-roasted with pepper and curry leaves and served with paratha and crisp onion salad. Keen beans can visit during the soft launch from 12–20 October, when food will be 50 per cent off. Tuck in.
Ten Seats Only: Endo Chelsea
From October; Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3
Sushi master Endo Kazutoshi opens his new 10-seat Chelsea omakase counter this October, marking a new chapter following the fire that closed Endo at the Rotunda. The chef will cook directly in front of guests, bringing together wild British seafood, specialist Japanese ingredients and the meticulous craft for which he is known. Upstairs, Moga adds a hi-fi listening bar to the mix. October is already booked, but the waiting list is open. Tuck in.
Bigger Bubala: Covent Garden
From October; Garrick Street, Covent Garden
Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian favourite Bubala opens its fourth – and biggest – restaurant in Covent Garden this October. The Garrick Street eaterie joins Spitalfields, Soho and King’s Cross, with vegetables taking centre stage as ever and Bubala’s generous, sharing style of eating intact. Expect familiar favourites alongside new dishes – and plenty of excellent things to rip, dip, scoop and pass around the table. Tuck in.
Coast To Country: Calluna At Saltmoore
From 15 October; Saltmoore, Sandsend, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire gets an enticing new dining room this month with the arrival of Calluna at Saltmoore, between Sandsend and the North York Moors. Executive chef Adam Maddock’s 24-cover restaurant takes its cue from the surrounding landscape, with a tasting menu built around produce from the Yorkshire coast, local suppliers and Saltmoore’s kitchen garden. Expect dishes including sea bream with toasted nori and pickled cucumber, mutton doughnuts with pickled bilberry and beef tea with Black Sheep sourdough. Tuck in.
Up On The Roof: Nettle
From 31 October; The Conduit, Covent Garden
The Small Holding’s Will Devlin brings his farm-to-table philosophy to Covent Garden this month with Nettle, a new rooftop restaurant at The Conduit. Live-fire cooking is at its heart, while ingredients include meat from Devlin’s own Kent smallholding, seasonal British produce and day-boat fish. Wild rabbit skewers, venison and whole fish cooked over fire are just a few of the delicacies that will feature on the exceptional-looking menu. Tuck in.
Go West: Dartmouth Food Festival
23–25 October; Dartmouth, Devon
For once, all roads do not lead to London. Dartmouth Food Festival returns to the Devon coast from 23–25 October, bringing more than 100 producers to town alongside chef demonstrations, tastings, workshops and talks. Much of the action will take place around the Embankment, Royal Avenue Gardens and Market Square – and, happily, the main festival is free to enter which feels like a rare treat. Tuck in.
Coming Next: The Poet
One to bookmark for November: The Poet, a new Smithfield pub from Spencer Large, Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims, the team behind Sune. Former Aulis chef Charlie Tayler oversees the food, with pork pie and a ‘Scampi Fries’ Scotch egg downstairs and a more polished take on British pub cooking in the first-floor dining room. In 2027, a ten-seat chef’s table and attic cocktail bar will follow. Tuck in.
Image: ©giuliasavorelli
At A Glance: October Food News
Best For A Long Lunch: Cloth Cornhill
Best For Breakfast: Clementine
Best For Italian: Da Pino
Best For Dishoom Devotees: Dishoom Borough
Best For A Blowout: Endo Chelsea
Best For Vegetarians: Bubala Covent Garden
Best For A Foodie Escape: Calluna At Saltmoore
Best For Live-Fire Cooking: Nettle
Best For A Weekend Away: Dartmouth Food Festival
Best For A Good Cause: Wahaca’s Good Lunch
One To Watch: The Poet
FAQs: October Food News
What are the best new restaurant openings in London this October?
October brings a particularly strong crop, including Cloth Cornhill in the former Simpson’s Tavern, Anna Higham’s Clementine, Puglian-inspired Da Pino, Dishoom Borough, Endo Chelsea, Bubala Covent Garden and Will Devlin’s Nettle.
Which new London restaurants should I book in October 2026?
For something intimate, Endo Chelsea has just ten seats, while Cloth Cornhill is one for long lunches and classic British cooking. Clementine is a tempting new daytime option, while Dishoom Borough and Bubala Covent Garden are new outposts of established favourites.
What new restaurants are opening in Covent Garden?
Bubala opens its fourth and largest restaurant on Garrick Street this October, while Will Devlin’s Nettle arrives on the rooftop of The Conduit on 31 October, with live-fire cooking and seasonal British produce.
What’s new at Borough Market this October?
Dishoom opens its eighth London restaurant at the Victorian Hop Exchange beside Borough Market, with a soft launch from 12–20 October 2026 and a new Borough-only Keralan pepper chicken dish.
Are there any food festivals taking place in October 2026?
Yes. Dartmouth Food Festival runs from 23–25 October, bringing more than 100 producers to the Devon town alongside chef demonstrations, tastings, workshops and talks. The main festival is free to attend.
What new London restaurants are opening later this autumn?
One to watch for November is The Poet in Smithfield, a new pub from the team behind Sune, with former Aulis chef Charlie Tayler overseeing the food.
