This week's round-up features a new Venezuelan venture in London and the reopening of a two AA Rosette restaurant & bar.
Nela
Nela, the acclaimed Amsterdam restaurant known for its live-fire cooking and refined simplicity, is set to open a new location in London this autumn.
The restaurant will take over a 10,000 sq. ft. space at The Whiteley, a newly redeveloped West London landmark, bringing its signature mix of craftsmanship, culture, and high-quality ingredients to the UK capital.
Founded by celebrated chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller—who met while working at the Michelin-starred Duchess in Amsterdam—and British entrepreneur Gilad Hayeem, Nela focuses on cooking with fire and sourcing hand-picked ingredients.
The London site will feature a dramatic open kitchen, a 360° centrepiece bar with a curated cocktail list, private dining space, and an outdoor terrace. Guests can expect signature flame-grilled dishes alongside raw and cured plates, all reimagined with local and global influences. One standout item making its way from Amsterdam is Nela’s unique tiramisu with coffee caviar.
The opening marks the next step in Nela’s international expansion, combining Shetty and Geller’s fine dining pedigree with London’s vibrant food scene.
Hari and Ori said: “Following the success of our launch in Amsterdam, we’re very excited to share the Nela experience with London.
“Our vision has always been to create a space where we can gather round the fire to share good food and drink with friends in a beautiful setting. The Whiteley is a unique place and, together with our incredible team, we can’t wait to create a destination within a destination for all lovers of great hospitality.”
Arepa and Co
This April, Ernesto Moreno and Kathe Cunin will open a new Arepa & Co in Elephant Park, marking an exciting new chapter for the much-loved Venezuelan restaurant.
First launched in Haggerston in 2014, Arepa & Co has built a reputation as a welcoming home for the Venezuelan community in London.
Alongside its vibrant new setting, the restaurant and bar will introduce a refreshed menu rooted in Venezuelan cuisine. Customers can expect arepas—traditional flat corn breads toasted, sliced open and generously filled with meats, pulses and cheese—alongside cachapas (sweetcorn pancakes), yuca chips, and their signature tequeños, a cheese and guava-filled pastry snack.
Arepa & Co Elephant Park will be open from morning through evening. A hatch will serve breakfast options like pastelitos, traditional Venezuelan pastries, for both takeaway and dine-in. By evening, guests can enjoy cocktails such as the Arepa Sour and Guarapita at low tables near the 20-foot blue-toned bar before dining in the 70-cover restaurant.
The interior, inspired by Latin American haciendas, features hanging plants, wide-open summer windows and terracotta tiling.
Shelves throughout the space will showcase imported Venezuelan products, including Harina PAN and award-winning rums.
Ernesto said: “We are so excited to bring Arepa & Co to London’s centre of Latin American culture, Elephant Park. This location feels like the perfect place to open our flagship restaurant.”
Tom Browns
Tom Browns has reopened with a bold new identity, transforming into a high-end dining and entertainment venue that combines big flavours with live music and unforgettable nights out.
Led by award-winning Head Chef Jack Pearce, the refreshed menu puts steak and seafood centre stage. Signature dishes include a 21oz dry aged Côte De Boeuf and a classic Sole Meunière, served in brown butter with capers.
Throughout May, Tom Browns will also host a packed line-up of live performances, bringing top musical acts to Gunthorpe.
Opening weekend will feature music from Urban Intro Band and DJ Jez Prince, setting the tone for a vibrant calendar ahead. On 24th May, the venue welcomes the iconic Boyzlife, while later in the summer, disco, Motown, and soul singer Mollie Laine headlines a bottomless brunch on Saturday 26th July.
Jack Pearce, Head Chef at Tom Browns, said, "At Tom Browns, we’re not just elevating dining in the Midlands, we’re redefining it. Taking classic techniques and the finest, freshest ingredients, we’re blending them with a touch of creativity, crafting exquisite sharing dishes perfect for any occasion - whether it’s a romantic date night or a catch-up with friends. We’re eager to welcome our first guests this weekend to share what we’ve created - a truly unforgettable and refined dining experience.”
bubala
Bubala has opened its third location in Kings Cross.
The restaurant features a 65-cover ground floor dining room, an additional 25 covers upstairs, and 30 alfresco seats on the outdoor terrace.
Executive chef Ben Rand and Marc Summers have designed a menu that builds on Bubala’s much-loved dishes while introducing fresh new additions.
Signature favourites such as oyster mushroom skewer with tamari, coriander seeds and confit latkes with garlic toum and Aleppo chili are available alongside new dishes like charred cucumber tzatziki and Fava bean with vadouvan braised broad beans.
The wood-fired oven will play a key role in the open kitchen, serving dishes such as mujadara, a fragrant combination of lentils, rice topped with dollops of tahini, zhoug, and amba, and a Spanakopita Börek, a crisp, spiced, savoury pastry with a spinach and cheese filling.
Marc said: “We’re thrilled to bring Bubala to King’s Cross and to continue expanding our vision of accessible and exciting vegetarian Middle Eastern inspired cuisine.
"This new location is a perfect blend of the vibrant energy of the area and the welcoming atmosphere we’ve cultivated at our other restaurants. We can’t wait to share it with our guests.”
Written by ABI KINSELLA
