Discover the Trendiest New Restaurants, Art Installations, and West End Productions in London

As London’s parks transition into shades of golden ochre and deep red, the city buzzes with fresh openings and a stylish shift to match the crisp mornings. September serves as a transitional month, holding onto the last remnants of summer while remaining pleasant for outdoor festivities such as the citywide London Mural Festival and Frieze Sculpture in Regent’s Park. This autumn presents a fantastic opportunity to explore innovative new Michelin-starred eateries and luxurious hotels worthy of blockbuster films throughout England’s capital.

Whether you’re in search of family-friendly adventures or the hottest shows on and off the West End, here’s the latest scoop on London and how you can immerse yourself in the excitement.

Buzzing Hotels

As the world makes up for lost time following the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of glamorous new hotels continues to emerge, each more opulent than the last. In summer 2024, The Mandarin Oriental Mayfair and The Emory opened, joining The Peninsula London (which debuted in September 2023) as three of the most extravagant hotels in London. To enhance the luxury scene further, Park Hyatt London River Thames is set to welcome guests in November, with Six Senses London and The Newman Hotel slated to open in early 2025. This spring also saw the launch of Art’otel London Hoxton, known for its vibrant atmosphere—partly due to two striking Banksy artworks—perfectly aligning with its Shoreditch setting.

Nestled in the historic Old War Office of the Whitehall district, Raffles London at the OWO boasts an elegant façade of Portland stone and Yorkstone. This exquisite hotel, which opened in Fall 2023, features intricate underground corridors that were once vital to the early Secret Service and now serve as the backdrop for the hotel’s acclaimed Spy Bar, nominated for a Restaurant and Bar Design Award. The offices of Raffles once hosted briefings and interrogations of spies, making appearances in several James Bond films, including Skyfall and Spectre.

Must-Visit Restaurants

At Raffles OWO, Kioku by Endo debuted in May, led by Michelin-starred sushi master Endo Kazutoshi, who crafts a menu blending Japanese and European influences. Delight in dishes like scallops with a hint of smoked lemon ponzu (a citrus sauce) and Japanese ginger, or savor a unique combination of chashu pork with ramen ravioli, all while soaking in breathtaking views of the London Eye from the stunning rooftop terrace.

Mountain in Soho is the newest venture by Tomos Parry, the chef renowned for the Michelin-starred Brat in Shoreditch—and it has already received an early Michelin recognition. Similar to Brat, it sources its ingredients from fishermen and farmers in Wales and Cornwall, infused with influences from Parry’s time in the Basque Country. José Pizarro’s Lolo, which opened in August in Bermondsey, draws its inspiration from Spain, featuring a Mediterranean vibe that seamlessly transitions from a bright daytime café to a cozy wine bar in the evening.

Following a string of successes with Michelin-starred restaurants in London and beyond (the flagship Pollen Street Social closed in July after a 13-year run), chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton has thrilling new projects in the pipeline. One such venture is Sael, located in St. James’s Market off Regent Street, set to open in September as a relaxed brasserie celebrating British cuisine. Rumor has it Atherton is also launching a larger restaurant on Savile Row in November called Row on 5, which promises to be an upscale, multicourse dining experience; stay tuned to his socials for updates.

The Goring’s Michelin-starred Dining Room, a favorite of the British Royal Family since its inception over a century ago, has reopened following an extensive design and kitchen renovation. Fortunately, the signature dish of eggs Drumkilbo—a delicate blend of native lobster, quail’s egg, aged caviar, and roasted tomato—remains a cherished item on the menu, along with the delicious longhorn beef Wellington.

The Hottest Tickets in Theatreland

Theater enthusiasts should make their reservations soon for what promises to be an exciting season both on and off the West End. Among the highlights is the first-ever theatrical adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove, helmed by master satirist Armando Iannucci alongside his long-time collaborator Steve Coogan. Meanwhile, the Royal National Theatre will present a new production of Coriolanus featuring David Oyelowo. Additionally, a revival of Samuel Beckett’s absurdist classic, Waiting for Godot, will showcase Ben Whishaw alongside Lucian Msamati, making it another sought-after ticket.

Looking ahead to early 2025, Shakespeare returns to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, located in the heart of the West End’s musical scene—a rare occurrence, as no Bard plays have graced this venue since the 1950s. Two plays will be performed, highlighted by the star power of Sigourney Weaver as Prospero in The Tempest and Tom Hiddleston as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing.

Exhibitions

In addition to the permanent exhibitions and galleries in London, Los Angeles artist Lauren Halsey will present her first solo U.K. exhibition featuring immersive installations and individual pieces at the Serpentine Gallery. The British Art Fair will spotlight renowned artists like Damien Hirst and David Hockney, while the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square celebrates its 200th anniversary with its first extensive exhibition dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh. Nearby, the National Portrait Gallery continues to captivate visitors with its grand reopening, showcasing lighter gallery spaces and new, contemporary exhibits from a diverse range of artists. This fall, don’t miss the annual Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2024 and Francis Bacon: Human Presence, curated to highlight the painter’s deep ties to portraiture and his challenges to the genre.

October marks Black History Month in the United Kingdom, offering a range of special events, including the Royal Ballet & Opera’s Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition. It’s also a great time to explore permanent exhibits like London, Sugar & Slavery: 1600–Present at the London Museum Docklands.

Family Adventures

For a day of family fun and creativity, visit the Young V & A, a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum that reopened last year in East London following a £13 million renovation. With designated areas—Play, Imagine, and Design—catering to various age groups, the museum has been so popular that it won the United Kingdom’s 2024 Art Fund Museum of the Year, triumphing over tough competition.

This Halloween, enjoy the Belgravia pumpkin trail or dress up as a Hogwarts student while strolling through the Great Hall during the Harry Potter Studio Tour, which will receive a spooky Dark Arts makeover for the occasion. Late November will see the opening of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, while Covent Garden will be adorned with giant baubles and a massive Christmas tree, adding festive flair to shopping in the market. Don’t miss a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Ballet & Opera, and remember to book in advance for the holiday ballet performance of Cinderella.

Festivals

Autumn is the perfect season to settle into a cozy gastropub or enjoy a concert at one of London’s vibrant music venues. You might even opt for a larger experience at the EFG London Jazz Festival, featuring multiple Grammy winner Pat Metheny at the Barbican, and Jamie Cullum performing at the Royal Festival Hall. To celebrate his 80th birthday, legendary jazz-fusion drummer Billy Cobham will take the stage on the South Bank, accompanied by the full BBC Concert Orchestra, promising some delightful arrangements.

Alongside a slew of new cultural offerings, annual events are receiving fresh updates: The Open House Festival invites exploration of unique properties across all 33 London boroughs, including a guided walking tour of the “lost Aldwych” and a stop at St. Clement Danes Church, as well as a visit to the Jacobean stately home Swakeleys House, built in 1638 for then-soon-to-be Lord Mayor of London, Sir Edmund Wright, and occasionally frequented by London diarist Samuel Pepys. Tickets for the London Film Festival at the BFI on the South Bank go on sale in September, with the Opening Night Gala featuring the world premiere of Steve McQueen’s World War II drama, Blitz, starring Saoirse Ronan.