<em>What’s on the culinary calendar for 2024? It’s set to be another big year of restaurant openings across the country, with exciting launches in the pipeline across Brighton, Manchester, Yorkshire and more – plus plenty going on in London too. From an esteemed South African restaurant that’s relocating to Birmingham to debut openings from the likes of Ruth Hansom and Tom Barnes, read on to discover the big new UK restaurants opening in 2024.
New UK Restaurants Opening In 2024
Hansom, North Yorkshire
Ruth Hansom’s interest in food was piqued from a young age, when she began growing her own vegetables aged just 14. She began teaching herself the basics by watching cooking shows like MasterChef and Great British Menu – the latter of which she would later go on to compete in herself. After making a name for herself at The Ritz, Hansom went on to head up the kitchen of gastropub The Princess of Shoreditch, to much acclaim. And this year, she’s branching out on her own, launching an eponymous restaurant with her husband Mark Hansom-Rigby in Bedale, North Yorkshire. It will serve a contemporary tasting menu in the ground-floor restaurant, with a relaxed wine bar upstairs offering dishes like confit mallard croquettes and Masham pigs charcuterie.
Opening in February 2024, hansomrestaurant.co.uk
Pearly Cow, Brighton
Following the success of its branches in York and Margate, Pearly Cow is launching a third venue – this one in Brighton. It will be located within a new branch of boutique hotel No. 124 by GuestHouse, set to open its doors this summer, continuing the focus on local produce from field and sea. Naturally, with its seaside location, there will be plenty of ultra-fresh fish, alongside slow-farmed grilled meats, cooked on an open-fire grill – including the signature Pearly Cow dish, a 45-day aged fillet of beef tartare, served with oyster cream, beef jam and Exmoor caviar. Diners will be able to watch the chefs in action thanks to an open kitchen, or choose a more intimate private dining room for special events, which seats up to 16.
Opening in summer 2024, pearlycow.co.uk
Riverine Rabbit, Birmingham
Cape Town’s beloved restaurant Riverine Rabbit is travelling 6,000 miles, relocating to Birmingham this January. The eatery was founded by sisters Ash and Mandy, with the name inspired by the titular endangered animal, found in South Africa’s Karoo Desert. Sustainable farming practices are at the heart of the business, and this ethos will continue in its new home: the burgeoning foodie neighbourhood of Stirchley. The menu will focus on small plates, with a strong focus on wild game, alongside seafood dishes and plenty of veggie options, with a predominantly South African wine list. On Mondays, guests can capitalise on the special Prix Fixe offering, where you’ll get four courses for just £30.
Opening in January 2024, 1464 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2NT, riverinerabbit.co.uk
Skof, Manchester
One of the UK’s hottest new restaurants of 2024 is the debut restaurant from L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes, Skof. Launching within the Hanover Building in the buzzy NOMA district, the eatery will showcase Barnes’ signature cooking style, which appears uncomplicated but is actually brimming with technique. Dishes will be made using produce from Simon Rogan’s Our Farm in Cumbria, offering fine dining within a relaxed setting, with cosy interiors from London-based design studio Blacksheep. There will be two tasting menus on offer: an entry-level and a more luxurious version, with a more affordable three-course lunch menu for around £50.
Opening in spring 2024, skofmanchester.co.uk
The Garden, Cobham
Having spent 20 years working with The Fat Duck group, Ashley Palmer-Watts knows a thing or two about top-end restaurants. He’s now turning his attention to The Garden Cobham, a walled garden in Surrey which he’s transforming into a restaurant and wine bar. The site has been hosting pop-ups for a few years, but this will be the first permanent eatery there, using produce from the on-site walled kitchen garden. In future, there are plans to open overnight accommodation there, plus a bakery.
Opening in spring 2024, Downside Rd, Cobham KT11 3LU
Gino D’Acampo, Manchester
Another exciting opening for Manchester is the new restaurant from Gino D’Acampo, opening within INNSiDE by Melia Manchester this February, following an extensive revamp of the hotel. Expect glossy interiors from acclaimed designer Bernard Carroll: think marble-topped tables and brass finishes, with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light. On the menu you’ll find classic Italian fare focusing on quality and ingredient provenance, alongside a range of Italian wines, cocktails and artisan beers.
Opening in February 2024, 1 First St, Greater, Manchester M15 4RP, ginorestaurants.com
Osip 2.0, Somerset
After a successful four years at Number One Bruton hotel, farm-to-table restaurant Osip is relocating. It’s not going far: the plan is to reopen in a rural location just outside of Bruton, among rolling hills and at the foot of a pine forest, complete with bedrooms – provided the Kickstarter campaign goes well. The hope is to design it as a holistic space where you can enjoy great food, tour the gardens and kitchen, and stay the night. Once again, the food will be spearheaded by Devon-born chef Merlin Labron-Johnson, who aims to showcase the best of Somerset’s produce with a bistro-style menu.
Opening date TBC, donate via kickstarter.com
Bavette, Leeds
This February The Culpeper Group’s former head chef Sandy Jarvis is launching a new culinary venture with his husband Clement Cousin, Bavette in Leeds. Arriving soon on Town Street in Horsforth, the restaurant will focus on traditional French cuisine, drawing inspiration from Spain, Italy and Britain too. It will have the vibe of a neighbourhood bistro, with a relaxed feel and dishes including pork belly rillons, halibut with buttered leeks, and Paris-Brest, to be paired with wine from the family vineyard.
Opening in February 2023, bavettebistro.com