Exciting new restaurants to look out for in 2020

2019 was a fantastic year for this country’s Halal culinary scene, with 136 new opening editorials published by us alone, which in comparison to the year before was up by 116%.

The good news is that as we enter 2020, it appears as though this successful trend will continue, with a number of Halal and Halal-friendly restaurants having confirmed a launch time.

Here’s a short list of some of the more interesting ones you might want to put down in your diary and keep a close eye on.

ARCHIE'S

HALAL STATUS Fully Halal

LOCATION: Trafford Centre, Manchester

OPENING: Spring

What a way to celebrate your 10th anniversary this year then to open not one but “three new Manchester restaurants this year, including its first Trafford Centre branch”, reports Manchester Evening News.

“Fast food chain Archie’s is opening Now that’s news! The fully Halal burger and shake maestros  are looking to open a 250-cover restaurant in the “former La Tasca unit at the shopping centre’s Orient food quarter this spring,” it revealed yesterday.

Now that’s news! More importantly, this launch will follow the “long-awaited Piccadilly Approach site, which will finally open its doors next month”.

MATHURA

HALAL STATUS Halal options (prepped & cooked separately) • Alcohol served

LOCATION: 4 Greycoat Place, Westminster, London SW1P 1BN

OPENING: This summer!

And the good news for the start of this decade is that we already have confirmation of some exciting up and coming new restaurant openings.

Having launched Halal-friendly Kanishka last year in London Mayfair, 2-Michelin chef Atul Kochhar is again teaming up with Tina English to open Mathura – the name of the capital city of King Kanishka (an emperor of the Kushan dynasty).

Although they don’t have a definite date quite yet, the duo are looking to open their new venture in Westminster this summer.

With the old Westminster Fire Station being transformed into a 200-cover restaurant, Kochhar has confirmed with us: “Yes, it will be serving Halal selection on the menu.”

Having reviewed Kanishka last year, where his Naga Scallops won our #FtLionAwards 2019 Best Seafood dish, and rating it a hugely impressive 4.5/5 ROARS, expect Kochhar’s refined touch across an exciting Indian menu.

RIBEYE STEAKHOUSE

HALAL STATUS Fully Halal

LOCATIONS: Birmingham/ Glasgow

OPENING: After Ramadan

With a stunning venue in Manchester, Ribeye Steakhouse recently announced the launch of their second in Birmingham with a launch time, we’ve been told, for after Ramadan, and a third in Glasgow, though a time for this hasn’t been confirmed.

Their first restaurant provided us with such a memorable experience that not only did we rate them 4.5/5, but they too picked up the #FtLionAward 2019 for Best Steak with a gorgeous piece of 300-400 days corn fed, minimum grade-5, and “fully traceable from farm to fork” Ribeye (9oz) Wagyu!

Said to have been the first to introduce the Manchester’s first dry bar, no doubt little expense will be spared in decking out their next one for all those carnivorous Brummies and Glaswegians to enjoy fully Halal, premium steaks and some innovatively made beverages.

RAJ OF ISLINGTON

HALAL STATUS Fully Halal food menu • Alcohol served

LOCATION: 359 Holloway Rd, London N7 0RN

OPENING: January

It’s been three years since he opened the successful Indian establishment Raj of Kensington, but founder Salim Sheikh is now set to open Raj of Islington on Holloway Road.

Similar to what he did in Kensington, this restaurant will be combining the classic flavours of India with modern gastronomy to offer a menu that includes dishes from across the country.

With a menu already up on their website, part of what they call their Clay Oven Delicacies, for example, will include Gilafi Sheekh Kabab from Awadh in Uttar Pradesh, as well as a Salmon Methi (Fenugreek) Tikka from Delhi.

PATRI

HALAL STATUS Fully Halal food menu • Alcohol served

LOCATION: 29 Bond Street, Ealing, London W5 5AS

OPENING: January

Patri is another Indian restaurant we reviewed last year and one which again impressed us so much that we rated it 4.5/5 while declaring it “the best Indian restaurant in west London”.

With venues in Hammersmith and Northfields, their third will also be in Ealing Broadway and will no doubt continue the journey across India that owner Puneet Wadhwani has used as a theme for his exciting menu.

Having been named #FtLionAwards Best Curry House this year, as well as Best Kebab and Best Main (watch out for that incredible Thumka Biryani), we’re looking forward to what other region of Indian Puneet will be introducing to this multi-award winning brand.

Otherwise, they do Regional Specialities with recipes taken from the Grand Trunk Road, Mangalore, and even a dish from “1970’s Glasgow” called CTM, which is short for Chicken Tikka Masala… “Enough said”, as they conclude.