Best London restaurants 2016: the top 10 openings of the year

Parabola, Kensington High Street

How it turned heads in 2016: The stunning new Design Museum, with its parabolic roof, has its own restaurant of equal merit, with best-in-class seasonal British produce.

Getting in: Booking online is required a day days ahead.

Kiln, Soho

How it turned heads in 2016: Clay pot-fired and grilled Thai street food from 5 star-rated Smoking Goat founder, Ben Chapman.

Getting in: Queue, or reserve tables of four or more online (popular times require booking one week early)

Padella, Borough Market

How it turned heads in 2016: This is the place to queue in 2016! But seriously. Best-in-class Italian small plates are order of the day at Borough Market's top new destination.

Getting in: No reservations! Save this for a rainy day, or embrace the queue, which can take hours.

Frenchie, Covent Garden

How it turned heads in 2016: Frenchie in Paris' 2nd arrondissement now has a second outpost in London, with superb internationally-focused sharing plates, and it's all London's chefs can talk about.

Getting in: Book two weeks ahead of time to guarantee the right table

Luca, Clerkenwell ★★★★★

How it turned heads in 2016: British food "through an Italian lens", this is the new restaurant from the trio behind Clove Club, the world's 26th best restaurant.

Read our interview with Luca's front-of-house maestro, Johnny Smith

Getting in: Book two weeks ahead of time for a guaranteed best spot - book a table in the dining room for the sumptuous décor.

Eneko at One Aldwych, Covent Garden ★★★★★

How it turned heads in 2016: Thrice-Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa brings his exquisite Basque cuisine to London

Getting in: Leave a day or two's notice, but you'll get a table by booking online

Elystan Street, Chelsea ★★★★★

How it turned heads in 2016: Phil Howard, head chef of The Square in Mayfair, has returned with a new seasonal British restaurant with Nordic influences that is simply game changing.

Getting in: Book two weeks ahead if you're after a table at a prime time.

Aquavit, St James

How it turned heads in 2016: NYC's only world-class Nordic restaurant since 1987, Aquavit's second outpost is now open in London.

Getting in: Book a few weeks ahead of time to secure the perfect table

The Barbary, Covent Garden★★★★★

How it turned heads in 2016: Following game changer, The Palomar, The Barbary is a bustling no reservations spot with food from the Barbary coast. Best spot: up on the high bar stools, by the open kitchen.

Getting in: No reservations are taken - go on a rainy Tuesday, or be prepared to queue.

London Shell Co, Regent’s Canal ★★★★★

How it turned heads in 2016: This is a revolution in river boat dining: this cruise on the Regent's Canal does everything right, from service to plate.

Getting in: Bookings are taken online, and the boat (excitingly) is now running all seasons

And finally, Motu Indian Kitchen, a new kind of takeaway service, is turning heads too

How it turned heads in 2016: The power siblings behind London's best Indian restaurants (Gymkhana, Hoppers, Trishna) have launched a takeaway service.

Getting in: Live in South West London? Order online