Boom in restaurant start-ups across London

The number of new restaurant openings in London has hit a record level of 179 over the last year, according to new figures from the London Restaurant Guide.

The figure passes the pre-recession peak of 158 and outstrips the number of restaurant closures by three to one, with twice as many openings in East London as West London.

The research also indicated a “noticeable shift” in restaurants specialising in Asian cuisine; 10% of restaurant start-ups now serve Japanese food including the guide’s top opening of the year The Araki, from three Michelin-starred sushi chef Mitsuhiro Araki.

The increased rate of openings is a sign that London can still compete on the global dining scene after a post=recession slump, despite some of its most high profile restaurants falling in the ranking.

Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s London Restaurant Guide, commented:

“The growth of London’s restaurant scene is jaw-dropping in comparison to its recent past, never mind the ‘Dark Ages’ in which we founded our guide 25 years ago. It is wonderful to be celebrating the guide’s silver anniversary in what is a golden age for restaurant goers.”

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