The UK’s food and drink industry is experiencing an exciting wave of growth and innovation this year, and June 2025 marks a notable milestone. Across cities like Leeds, Bath, London, Manchester, and Folkestone, new restaurants and bars are opening their doors, bringing fresh flavors, unique dining experiences, and creative menus inspired by diverse culinary traditions.

These openings are more than just new places to eat and drink. They reflect wider trends shaping the UK’s food industry in 2025: a focus on local ingredients, open-fire cooking techniques, experiential dining, and the growing popularity of sharing plates and bold flavors. They also illustrate the resilience and creativity of food businesses navigating a fast-changing market filled with new consumer preferences.

Let’s explore these exciting new venues, the food culture they represent, and how they fit into the bigger picture of the UK’s evolving food and drink landscape.

Leeds: Cinnamon Kitchen Brings Indian Flavors Beyond London

In Leeds, the renowned Cinnamon Kitchen, famous for its modern Indian cuisine, has opened its first restaurant outside London, situated in the historic Queens Hotel. This new venue introduces diners to a rich and authentic taste of India’s diverse states, offering dishes that blend traditional recipes with a contemporary twist.

Signature items like Butter Chicken from Old Delhi and a delicate Yorkshire Curd and Cardamom Tart showcase an inventive use of local and Indian ingredients. The focus on authenticity without losing innovation highlights a growing trend in the UK: restaurants embracing cultural roots while catering to modern palates.

This opening not only adds vibrancy to Leeds’s dining scene but also reflects a national appetite for well-crafted, flavor-rich ethnic cuisine that tells a story through every plate.

Bath: Emberwood’s Open-Fire British Cooking

Bath welcomes Emberwood, a modern British restaurant located in the elegant Francis Hotel on Queen Square. Chef David Hazell leads this culinary venture with a strong emphasis on open-fire cooking—a method gaining popularity for the unique flavors it imparts.

At Emberwood, the menu features local, seasonal produce with dishes such as coal-roasted scallops, dry-aged beef, and a whole monkfish tail grilled over charcoal. The cooking technique enhances the natural tastes of ingredients, offering an honest and hearty dining experience.

Complementing the food are specialty drinks, including a house-crafted ale and inventive cocktails, designed to pair perfectly with the smoky, robust flavors of the dishes. Emberwood embodies a trend toward experiential dining, where cooking methods and ingredient provenance are part of the overall guest experience.

London Southwark: Pyro’s Greek Flavors on an Open Grill

In London’s bustling Southwark area, Pyro has made its debut as a Greek restaurant focused on open-fire grilling. Chef Yiannis Mexis brings a bold menu featuring coal-seared fish, barbecued octopus, and aged Angus beef.

Pyro is crafted with a shared-plate concept in mind, encouraging diners to experience a communal style of eating that fosters connection and variety in one meal. The cocktails at Pyro are particularly noteworthy, as they incorporate unique Greek flavors, enhancing the authenticity and depth of the dining experience.

This establishment showcases how Greek culinary traditions can be refreshed and brought alive through modern cooking styles and a focus on social dining—a growing preference among UK consumers seeking both flavor and fellowship.

Manchester: Circolo Popolare’s Joyful Italian Affair

Manchester is preparing to welcome Circolo Popolare, an Italian trattoria opening on June 6. The restaurant aims to capture the lively spirit of Italian summer festivals, delivering not just food, but an atmosphere of celebration.

Chef Alfonso Esposito will headline the kitchen, presenting dishes like pasta prepared in large cheese wheels and a grand lemon meringue pie. The inclusion of grilled meats and fish adds richness to the varied menu.

This new venue illustrates a larger trend toward creating joyful, festive dining spaces where people come to enjoy hearty, comforting food in a vibrant setting. It also taps into a cultural nostalgia for food as a shared, jubilant experience.

Folkestone: Pomus’ Retro Vibe and Local Seafood

In Folkestone, Pomus is set to open in summer 2025 under the guidance of Ryan Jacovides. This restaurant promises to spotlight local seafood combined with classic snacks, all served in a retro-styled space featuring a sunny beer garden—a perfect place for relaxation and casual enjoyment.

Pomus reflects a trend in smaller coastal towns embracing their local catch and heritage with approachable, stylish dining environments. The use of outdoor space for socializing also aligns with post-pandemic dining habits where open, airy locations are preferred.

Broader Industry Context: Trends Driving UK Food and Drink in 2025

These individual openings are part of a vibrant UK food and drink market that is both dynamic and resilient. Reports and industry experts highlight several trends that underpin such growth and innovation this year:

• Consumer Focus on Wellness and Transparency: Shoppers increasingly seek foods and beverages that promote well-being, with clean ingredients and clear sourcing.

• Experiential and Social Dining: Restaurants are creating immersive experiences with open kitchens, fire-based cooking, and shared plates to engage guests more deeply.

• Sustainability and Local Sourcing: There is a growing demand for local, seasonal produce and eco-friendly practices that honor both community and environment.

• Creative Flavor Profiles: Bold, adventurous flavors and hybrid cuisines are gaining traction, reflecting a consumer base eager for new taste experiences with familiar roots.

• Challenger and Boutique Brands on the Rise: Smaller, innovative businesses are gaining momentum, often incorporating unique culinary concepts and ethical practices while leveraging digital marketing for growth.

These dynamics create a fertile environment for the new restaurants highlighted here to succeed by offering authenticity, quality, and a distinctive dining experience that resonates with contemporary diners.