What a year 2023 was for food and beverage innovation around the world. In the Middle East, Dubai welcomed Atlantis The Royal, bringing 17 new restaurants – six of which are helmed by star chefs – to the Palm Jumeirah, while in Africa, Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze took the reins as Culinary Director at Royal Mansour Marrakech.
There was plenty to report from Europe, too: in Paris, Dani Garcia breathed new life into an 18th-century mansion with a French-Andalusian dining experience. In London, celebrated French chef Claude Bosi made his mark on the Big Smoke with the opening of Brooklands at The Peninsula, and Yannick Alleno brought his Pavyllon concept to the UK for the first time at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. Though London’s biggest opening of the year was arguably the long-awaited Raffles at The OWO, where Mauro Colagreco’s spin on the English Garden and Pillar Wellbeing’s inaugural kitchen concept are among the property’s 12 F&B venues.
Across the pond, American chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini closed out the year by channelling Gilded Age elegance at the Fifth Avenue Hotel’s Café Carmellini. Australasia also dazzled with openings such as Brasserie 1930 at Capella Sydney and Josh Niland’s Fysh at The Singapore Edition.
And the outlook for 2024 is just as encouraging. According to data from THP, some 7,623 projects are currently in the pipeline globally – 2,875 of which are slated to open in the coming year. With that in mind, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the high-profile dining venues expected to launch over the next 12 months. Here, we round up the very best upcoming restaurants and bars from across the sector.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair – London
Korean-born, American raised chef Akira Back will make his UK debut in early 2024 with two restaurants at the long-awaited Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. His eponymous eatery will be a 148-cover venue showcasing Back's signature dishes such as his AB tuna pizza, as well as London-exclusive dishes including wagyu tempura wellington. Dosa meanwhile, will be an intimate 14-seat chef's table counter serving contemporary Korean seasonal dishes.
IN A BITE: Owner / Developer: Clivedale London • Operator: Mandarin Oriental • Architecture: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners • Interior Design: Thomas Juul-Hansen, Curiosity
The Lana – Dubai
The Dorchester Collection has enlisted a trio of celebrity chefs to create four of the eight F&B venues at The Lana. Marking the group's Dubai debut, the property will feature Jara by Martín Berasategui, offering Basque cuisine, pintxos and cocktails on the 18th floor; High Society, a rooftop venue developed by Jean Imbert that transforms from a daytime pool venue into a nighttime lounge; Imbert, serving all-day modern Mediterranean cuisine; while Bonbon Café Angelo Musa, promises viennoiseries, chocolates, ice cream and bespoke cakes.
IN A BITE: Investor / Owner: Omniyat • Omniyat, Sky Palaces Real Estate Development • Operator: Dorchester Collection • Architecture: Foster + Partners • Interior Design: Gilles & Boissier, Dsgn Design
Janu Tokyo – Japan
A long time coming, Janu Tokyo is one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2024, marking the debut of Aman's sister brand. The flagship property's culinary offering will comprise eight restaurants, including Sumi, a modern take on classic Japanese charcoal grill; Iigura, offering sashimi and small plates; and Janu Grill, with an open kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows and two wine cellars. There will also be an Italian eatery with homemade pasta, a French patisserie and a traditional Cantonese restaurant.
IN A BITE: Developer: Mori Building Co. • Operator: Aman Resorts, Hotels & Residences • Architecture: Nihon Sekkei, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects • Interior Design: Denniston
Mimosa at The Langham – London
This year, Chef Jean-Francois Piège is bringing the flavours and spirit of the French Riviera to London. Taking over the space that was once home to Roux at the Landau, Misoma will serve up a menu that takes cues from Mediterranean cuisine in a dining room featuring whimsical interiors.
IN A BITE: Executive Chef: Jean-Francois Piège
Forth Hotel & Club – Atlanta
Following the success of Charleston's The Pinch, Philadelphia-based hospitality firm Method Co. has set its sights on the highly anticipated Forth Atlanta development. The Forth Hotel and Club will feature numerous F&B concepts designed in collaboration with Stokes Architecture + Design, including a lobby cafe and wine bar, rooftop cocktail lounge, a full-service Italian steakhouse, as well as a poolside restaurant and bar.
IN A BITE: Operator: Method Co. • Interior Design: Stokes Architecture + Design
Gundari – Greece
Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou is poised to launch his new culinary offering when Gundari opens its doors in May 2024. The Folegandros resort's signature restaurant orizon will serve gastronomic delights inspired by the abundant surrounding waters and the seasonal produce of the Cyclades. There will also be a swim-up cocktail bar.
IN A BITE: Executive Chef: Lefteris Lazarou Interior Design: Block 722
Abc Kitchen at The Emory – London
Qatari-owned British luxury hotel operator Maybourne has enlisted international chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to bring his abc brand to the UK for the first time. Designed by Rémi Tessier and featuring Damien Hirst artworks, the 'vibrant, approachable and contemporary' venue will bring together elements from a trio of the chef's New York locations.
IN A BITE: Interior Design: Rémi Tessier • Executive Chef: Jean-Georges Vongerichten
The Link at One Za'abeel – Dubai
Located within One Za'abeel alongside hotels Siro and One&Only, The Link is a dining destination comprising a flavour-packed portfolio of 11 culinary concepts. The star-studded F&B line-up includes Anne-Sophie Pic, Paco Morales, Tetsuya Wakuda, Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones, Mehmet Gurs and Dabiz Muñoz.
IN A BITE: Operator: Kerzner International • Interior Design: Social F+B By Design
The Garden – Cobham
Ashley Palmer-Watts, who spent 20 years working at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck Group, is returning to the sector to open a restaurant with rooms in Cobham. The multi-venue project will encompass a 35-cover high-end restaurant, a 52-seat wine bar, a café and bakery, all set around a courtyard.
