Lupins, Flat Iron Square, Borough

A lupin is a traditional British garden flower whose seeds are popular to eat in Latin America. Herein lies the idea for Lupins, opened in 2017 by chefs Lucy Pedder and Natasha Cooke. The food is essentially British, but some hero ingredients will career towards London from different continents, to add unique twists to dishes.

On the fringe of the London Bridge food hub in the new Flat Iron Square development that houses Omeara and Bar Douro, Lupins scatters what it calls 'a splash of sunshine' over British classics. Dishes, all small plates, on the early-look menu include Jersey Royals, asparagus and soft boiled egg spiced up with za’atar, or a simple sea trout that's being given a kick by seaweed butter, or a chipotle roast pigeon with charred baby gem and roast carrot. We’ve got our eye on the spiced beef short rib with purple sprouting broccoli – sure to be the restaurant’s most popular dish.

Desserts tend to toe the line. There’s a plate of Neil’s Yard cheese, or rhubarb with ginger, and vanilla yogurt with shortbread.

Time: 12-3, then 6pm-10.30pm daily (except Mondays when closed for dinner), Saturdays 10.30am-3pm & 6-10.30pm
Price: small plates £6-10