Round-up: Two Michelin-starred restaurant and iconic vegan venue reopen in London

This week’s round-up features five venues in London, either reopening, expanding across the capital, or new to the area.

They include a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Bethnall Green and a trailblazing vegan venue in Soho.

MILDREDS, SOHO

London’s iconic vegan restaurant Mildreds has this week reopened, after a major renovation.

Pioneering plant-based food since 1988, Mildreds Soho is housed in the grade II listed heritage building on Lexington Street.

The new design of the townhouse has created more space, as well as a second floor 18-seater private dining area and event space.

It now means Mildreds offers dining over three floors, with artwork collected over the past 35 years, and an extended bar area.

Mildreds Soho hosted a relaunch party for VIP guests on Wednesday evening.

Host over the years to celebrity guests such as Sir Paul McCartney, David Walliams and Anne Hathaway, Mildreds has expanded its Soho base and now has five other restaurants across London.

Sam Anstey, Mildreds CEO, said: “We’ve been trailblazers of plant-based food for decades and our home has always been Soho, the heart of London’s most vibrant district. I am extremely proud to re-open Mildreds Soho.

“The Lexington Street venue has been lovingly re-imagined with bold colours, a gallery of special paintings and we’ve also created a separate floor for private events.”

Da TERRA, BETHNALL GREEN

Two Michelin-starred Da Terra is set to reopen its doors this evening (Friday).

Having undergone a four-week refurbishment, including an extended open kitchen, the new room layout offers a more personal experience for the guests.

Chef patron of Da Terra, in Bethnall Green’s Town Hall Hotel, is Rafael Cagali, while Charlie Lee is the general manager.

Rafael said: “Every kitchen comes with limitations for a chef, so being able to make changes not only to the equipment but also to the layout means that the chef team, alongside the front of house, are participating in the occasion.

“I’m especially looking forward to evolving the menu now we can finally get into the kitchen and start to explore the possibilities.”

Charlie added: “We’ve been open for almost six years, and it was time to reimagine our hospitality. Rafael and I have always wanted to elevate our guests' experience, so we have changed the layout, making a few tweaks to the flow and feel of the room.”

Da Terra’s menu draws inspiration from Rafael’s Latin American roots, as well as time in Italy and Spain.

It has held two Michelin stars since 2021 and last year placed third in the Top 100 UK Restaurants list.

LINA STORES, SHOREDITCH

Lina Stores in Shoreditch is set to open this weekend. Located on the high street, Lina will occupy an historical grade II listed building, originally built in 1868 as a bank.

The ground floor restaurant with 87 covers will serve fresh, handmade pasta, antipasti, secondi and dolci from lunch through to dinner. The basement will see the second iteration of Bar Lina, Lina Stores’ aperitivo bar, which holds 52 guests. There will be regular DJ slots to boost Shoreditch’s vibrant nightlife.

Masha Rener, head chef of Lina Stores, said: “Very much like Soho, Shoreditch has a rich food history and the east end welcomed many Italian immigrants over the years. 

“Combined with the stunning architecture of this former banking building, it really did confirm to us that Shoreditch is a perfect home for Lina Stores.  We are very excited to also add Bar Lina to what is already a hugely vibrant bar scene.”

BUNSIK, CHINATOWN

Korean street food brand Bunsik is set to open its seventh location later this month.

From October 31, Bunsik, which launched in 2021, will have a base in Chinatown, with the full opening set for November 7.

There will be a series of special offers on, including 50 per cent off Bunsik’s iconic corn dogs for the first 100 customers as part of the soft launch on October 31 and November 1.

There will then be 50 per cent off Korean fried chicken on November 2-3 for the first 100 customers, before the same half price deal on cup bap bowls from November 4-6.

Bunsik founder Jae Cho said: “Opening in Chinatown is a significant milestone for us. The area’s cultural vibrancy is the perfect setting to showcase our evolving brand and menu."

NIPOTINA, MAYFAIR

New neighbourhood Italian restaurant Nipotina is set to open its doors in Mayfair early next month.

Restaurateur Samyukta Nair, who previously worked with Claude Bosi, and Turin-born chef Somaia Hammad will be in operation from November 4 on South Audley Street.

The menu at Nipotina, which means ‘granddaughter’ in Italian, will blend Samyukta and Somaia’s cultural traditions to create nostalgic dishes with family at the core, with simple, seasonal produce.

Wine maestro Luca Dusi is also part of the team, curating an all-Italian wine list.

Nipotina will be home to wood-fired seafood and meats, handcrafted pasta, crisp Northern Italian pizzas and classic cocktails.

It will be open early each morning for breakfast, before long lunches, apertivo and late dinners.

Samyukta said: “On meeting Somaia I was inspired by her love for family, passion for food and drive for wanting to create something of her own. Much like myself, she was also celebrating that special bond between grandmothers and granddaughters, and cherished family traditions being passed down, yet made your own.

“While Nipotina is set against the backdrop of a contemporary Italian ristorante on a cornerstone of Mayfair, we are nothing but a humble family business at heart.”