What’s new in London’s food scene this May

Italian, French, and bold new British concepts are taking over London this May, promising fresh dining experiences and a taste of summer across the city.

Here is a list of just some of the exciting new additions.

Capilungo

Nestled on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden, Capilungo has already built a loyal following for its baked Puglian specialities and warm, family-run charm.

Capilungo has launched a new summer residency in its downstairs restaurant in partnership with chef Claudio Tripodi, who brings a wealth of experience and a passion for bold, elegant Italian cooking.

The residency will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the summer, offering an impressive dinner menu that blends the traditional flavours of southern Italy with Claudio’s own modern, refined style.

Claudio, originally from Novara, trained at VCO Formazione before moving to London in 2010. He has worked at some of the capital’s best-known kitchens—Baglioni Hotel, Babbo, OXO Tower, Royal Ascot, and Soho House.

His focus is firmly on seasonality, sustainability, and quality - many ingredients are sourced directly from Capilungo’s original home in Puglia.

Some items on the menu include: 

• Burrata di Stagione, creamy and hand-pulled from Andria, changes with the seasons - paired in spring with sweet peas and mint oil, and with tomatoes and basil in summer.
• Capocollo di Martina Franca DOP, thinly sliced and gently smoked, served with rich salsa verde and Cerignola olives.
• A rich, soulful mezzi rigatoni arrabbiata, layered with duck confit and deepened with Negroamaro jus, bringing warmth and intensity to a classic pasta.
• And a delicate twist on carbonara, Pici Carbonara di Mare, using smoked salmon, caviar, and yolk-enriched silkiness for a coastal take on the Roman favourite.

Capilungo’s upstairs café remains the perfect daytime retreat - with sunlit interiors, buttery pastries, and some of the best espresso in the area.

Downstairs, the restaurant transforms into something else entirely: earthy, intimate, and rich with atmosphere, with walls adorned by original watercolours from Italian artist Stefania Spedicato.

YOLK

Yolk, the sandwich and coffee brand on a mission to rescue Londoners from dull lunches, has revealed a bold new brand identity to match its ambitious expansion plans. Alongside a revamped menu and a fresh, vibrant look, the brand is opening its 10th store in Holborn this May, marking an exciting new chapter.

Since launching as a pop-up in 2014, Yolk has earned a loyal following for its high-quality food served with personality. But recent customer feedback showed the brand needed to clarify its identity. Backed by a £650,000 investment in late 2024, Yolk is rolling out a full refresh, from playful new branding and a vivid colour palette to the cheeky new tagline: “Good Bites Only.”

From April 29, the new look will be seen across stores, menus, packaging, and social media - all designed to reflect Yolk’s signature energy and flavour-first menu. With “Serious Sandwiches” as its mantra, Yolk is aiming to become London’s go-to for feel-good breakfasts and lunches that break the routine.

Opening in mid-May, Yolk Holborn brings the rebrand to life with an open kitchen layout that puts food and freshness centre stage. It’s more than just a new site - it’s a platform for showcasing Yolk’s upbeat, quality-driven approach.

The Holborn store marks the start of Yolk’s next growth phase, with more Central London locations planned for 2025 and an expansion into key neighbourhoods from 2026.

Marceline

On May 22, French brasserie Marceline, floating on Canary Wharf’s Wood Wharf, will introduce two exciting new additions just in time for summer: a dedicated Wine Bar and a sun-soaked Restaurant Terrace. These new spaces promise to deliver relaxed, Parisian charm and a laidback atmosphere for long summer days and evenings.

The new wine bar comes complete with its own outdoor terrace and a carefully curated wine list offering ‘classics with a twist.’ Guests can expect traditional varietals from unexpected regions, such as Italian wines from Slovenia, alongside fun larger formats including an affordable white Burgundy and a British sparkling wine served as the house fizz. To add a personal touch, the sommelier team will regularly select their personal favourites from the list and spotlight them as the ‘Wine of the Week.’

Food is just as important as the wine, with a Parisian-inspired bar snack menu featuring dishes such as Steak Tartare with hazelnuts, watercress, mint and artichoke chips, and a Warm Cheese Soufflé with gruyère cream and truffle. New additions to the menu include cheese and charcuterie boards and freshly shucked oysters, served exclusively in the Wine Bar.

The space itself has been designed to reflect the feel of a traditional Parisian wine bar, with warm red tones, curved banquettes and plush lounge chairs overlooking the wharf through floor-to-ceiling windows. Intimate corner seating provides the perfect spot for a long aperitif, while stools along the bottle-lined bar create a lively and sociable atmosphere.

Marceline’s Restaurant Terrace will also launch for the summer season, providing a beautiful setting for al fresco dining surrounded by the waters of Wood Wharf. Accommodating up to 50 guests, the terrace will offer a relaxed atmosphere where wine and aperitifs, including the signature Two Sips Martini and St Germain Spritz, can be enjoyed alongside playful French brasserie dishes from Marceline’s à la carte menu. 

Crosta Mollica

This May, Italian food brand Crosta Mollica is bringing its new brand identity to life with the launch of Il Leopardo, a pop-up pizzeria landing in London’s Shoreditch from May 16-17. All proceeds from the pop-up will be donated to the brand’s charity partner, EMERGENCY UK.

Following its bold rebrand in February, Crosta Mollica is using Il Leopardo to immerse customers in its new brand world, inspired by Italy’s modern culture of fashion and culinary excellence. Named after the brand’s striking new leopard icon - symbolising the distinctive ‘leopardised’ crust of its pizzas - the pop-up reinforces Crosta Mollica’s commitment to authentic Italian quality and craftsmanship.

Crosta Mollica has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing pizza brands, selling one pizza every two minutes, and remains the only brand producing its entire pizza range exclusively in Italy. At Il Leopardo, guests will be invited to customise their own Crosta Mollica Pizza Base with a selection of premium toppings, encouraging diners to get creative and inspiring new ideas for enjoying the product at home. 

In true Crosta Mollica style, the pop-up will include a playful twist. Guests who choose a non-authentic Italian topping, such as pineapple, will find their name added to the ‘Muro della Vergogna’, or ‘Pizza Wall of Shame’. For those unsure which toppings to select, Il Leopardo will feature the first-ever ‘pizza toppings sommelier’, offering expert advice on flavour combinations tailored to each guest’s taste.

Dean Lavender, marketing director at Crosta Mollica, said: “Italians have spent centuries perfecting the art of pizza - a culinary tradition that deserves the utmost respect. With Il Leopardo, we’re bringing our Italian heritage and craftsmanship to life in a way that reflects our brand’s evolution. This pop-up is not only about showcasing authentic Italian pizza but also about delivering a premium, memorable experience for our customers. We hope it inspires people to appreciate the true art behind Crosta Mollica pizzas.”

Written by Abi Kinsella