New on Resy: Vin-Yard, Apricity, Acme Fire Cult, Passione Vino, and More

Top Cuvee and Yard Sale have come together for a pop-up at the latter’s underground bar and dining room on Hackney Road, with some of London’s finest wood-fired pizzas alongside an excellent line-up of natural wines being poured all night. Both have massive, dedicated followings in town, with good reason – this cosy, booth-lined restaurant is guaranteed to be buzzing, and extremely popular.

Chantelle Nicholson came up through the old fine dining system, but her approach to cooking is forward-thinking and entirely her own. Apricity, her new restaurant in Mayfair, focuses on conscious, upscale cooking, with vegetable-centric sharing plates and mains that celebrate British producers, in a space that feels equal parts art gallery and chic café. To drink, expect low-intervention wines that champion English vineyards and innovative zero-waste cocktails; meanwhile, a chef’s table offers an even more focused opportunity to dive into the kitchen’s ethos.

London has been blessed with a multitude of superb wine bars, but few charm like this intimate bottle shop, bar and restaurant tucked off a side street in Shoreditch. Much of this is down to its effervescent owner Luca Dusi, who guides guests through an idiosyncratic and often exclusive list of Italian wines – from celebrated skin-contact bottles to cult Barolos – to find a perfect pairing. The beautifully attired shop and dining area (resplendent in colourful wallpaper and brushed golds) sets the stage for robust northern Italian dishes that range from cicchetti to robust pastas and stews. Visit for a relaxed dinner with fellow oenophiles, or drop in for a nightcap.

Taking up residence at 40FT Brewery’s heated outdoor courtyard in Dalston, this open-fire BBQ restaurant arrives courtesy of chefs Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins. Both have established themselves as premier live fire chefs, with an emphasis on vegetable cookery – almost all of the restaurant’s small plates and snacks menu, for example, is vegan, with dishes like coal roast beets with dill and tender celeriac with vegan XO offering thrilling propositions. Omnivores can still get their fix via larger meat and dayboat fish platters; meanwhile, a convivial crowd and fresh pours from the nearby brewery make a meal here feel like a blissed-out afternoon at a friend’s house.

Eataly’s flagship restaurant has finally opened, with a show-stopping artisanal grill at the heart of the first-floor restaurant. Seasonal produce shines here, with plates designed to pair with botanical cocktails and one of the largest selections of Italian wines and spirits in London. Antipasti and pastas are excellent, as are perfectly grilled fish, meat and vegetables from elite sellers and producers like Natoora, or Piedmont fassone beef specialist La Granda.

From looking after Gigi Hadid and Hilary Clinton to running an all-day café, The Social Pantry has become one of the city’s most in-demand caterers. They’ve opened their first restaurant in the new Design Avenue, a striking architectural space at the heart of a major design destination in Chelsea. Open during the day, it’s a dramatic location for a serene breakfast or lunch, with a chic all-day menu of seasonal British fare, from grilled market fish and pasta, to a perfect slice of house-baked custard tart, or Neals Yard cheeses.

Equal parts stylish and cosy, The Pelican takes pub hallmarks – handsome dark woods, plush leather seats, a crackling fire – and adds a heady dose of minimal chic. The result is a pub you’ll feel hard pressed to leave, moreso after some exceptional food; chef Owen Kenworthy (Sketch, Brawn) leads a kitchen turning out finessed-but-hearty fare, with an emphasis on nose-to-tail cooking and sustainable producers. The luxe fish pie of lobster and monkfish is irresistible, roasts are perfectly judged, and a strong list of bar snacks (spider crab toast or game sausage roll, anyone?) keep guests coming back.

One of London’s most noteworthy Chinese restaurants can be found off Mare Street in Hackney, with Angeleno chef Julian Denis slinging sublime plates of crispy Chongqing cauliflower, dan dan noodles, and vegan pork dumplings to a raucous soundtrack. The frenetic, neon-lit room and clued-up crowd continue to make it a hotspot, even in this part of London, and that Denis’ entire menu is vegan is merely a bonus when the food is this good. Grab a few of your closest friends and make a night of it. Very loud, and very fun.

Moored on the Regents Canal by Holborn Studios, the Spiteri brothers’ new restaurant has found a home in a converted Dutch office barge. Eschewing maritime kitsch, the dining room offers ample atmosphere, and not a little romance: expect white tablecloths, candlelight, hanging plants, and even custom stained-glass artwork. The brothers have hospitality in their blood; Fin Spiteri tends to guests like a seasoned pro (and makes a killer cocktail, to boot) while brother Lorcan prepares hearty pastas, roasts, and braises designed to warm the cockles. Go for a low-key celebration or a date.

This award-winning restaurant and cafe is set in the secluded grounds of Vauxhall’s pretty Garden Museum, and boasts a team with alumni from the likes of Lyle’s and Primeur. An indoor-outdoor layout and minimal architecture makes for a soothing place to have lunch, while food and drinks — simple, seasonal, and a little bit sophisticated — mirrors the venue’s ethos. Dishes like artichoke fritti with a punchy aioli or skate wing with capers feel transportive, while handmade pastas, fine terrines, and desserts consistently deliver again and again.