London, Mumbai dining cues
London’s dining scene is tilting to hyper‑regional authenticity — northern Thai, Lyonnaise and Roman spots are surging ahead of generic fusion. ( ) In Mumbai, Grounded Cafe’s Japanese fried cream went viral and fashion‑led luxury dining collaborations with brands like Gucci and Burberry are on the rise. ( )
AngloThai — the Marylebone restaurant from John and Desiree Chantarasak — was awarded a Michelin star in the 2025 Guide roughly three months after its November 2024 opening. (observer.com) Khao So‑i, added to Time Out’s updated “Best Thai” list on 20 February 2026, is singled out for its Northern‑Thai coconut‑curry noodles, while Peckham’s Kruk earned a 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand for “unapologetically spicy” Thai dishes, signalling demand for province‑specific Thai cooking in London. (timeout.com) Claude Bosi’s Joséphine Bouchon has been presented as a deliberate return to Lyonnaise bouchon cooking in London since its 2024 opening, and new Roman‑style trattorie such as Osteria Romana are operating in central London neighbourhoods including Knightsbridge. (thegoodfoodguide.co.uk) House & Garden’s feature framing 2026 as the year of “hyper‑regional” menus references industry trackers and operators pushing beyond generic “fusion,” a pattern also noted by industry analyses such as HungryPanda’s and sector roundups that list hyper‑regional Asian cuisines among core 2026 food trends. (houseandgarden.co.uk) In Mumbai, Grounded – on the Go launched a “Viral Japanese Fried Cream Sandwich” in mid‑March 2026 described by press as deep‑fried milk bread filled with light whipped cream and fresh strawberries, and several local outlets reported rapid social‑media pickup after the March 19, 2026 announcement. (travellersworldonline.com) Luxury fashion houses are staging dining activations in Mumbai: Gucci’s Giardino 25 staged a Florence‑themed takeover at AER, Four Seasons Mumbai on 14 November 2025 in partnership with importer Anggel’s Share, and Burberry has previously hosted exclusive gala dining events in Mumbai, illustrating brands’ preference for hotel tie‑ups and one‑off collaborations. (hospitalitynews.in)
