Latest opening: Lussmanns Highgate

What:​ A seafood restaurant in London’s leafy Highgate.​​ The high street restaurant marks the Lussmanns brand’s return to the capital following a two decade hiatus (it’s also the Hertfordshire-centric group’s first opening for three or so years).  

Who:​ The group was founded by Andrei Lussmann, who opened his first restaurant under the brand in North Kensington in 2002 before relocating to Hertford in 2004. A further three restaurants in Hertfordshire followed in St Albans, Hitchin, Harpenden and, most recently, Berkhamsted. The group also operated restaurants in Oxford and Tring that have subsequently closed. Lussmanns is backed by hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson, who has been involved with many different businesses over the years including Pizza Express, The Ivy, Patisserie Valerie, Gaucho, Gail’s, Feng Sushi, Tortilla and Small Batch Coffee.

The food:​ Dishes on Lussmanns Highgate’s menu include Manx kipper croquette with romesco; MSC fishcake with spinach, capers and a butter sauce; and South Coast crab linguine. There’s also a keenly priced set menu that’s available between midday and 6.30pm that offers two courses for £20.95 and three courses for £23.95. Lussmans says it has pioneered sustainable dining since it launched with practices including championing local sourcing, promoting organic, high-welfare farming and serving MSC-certified fish. 

To drink:​ Lussmanns Highgate's drinks list ‘features a carefully curated mix of wines from growers that share our commitment to a minimal impact on the environment, spirits from artisan producers and beers from local breweries’.

The vibe:​ The new site has 130 covers inside spread across an informal café area for breakfast and drinks and a more informal dining area that features an ‘elegant’ bar. There is space for a further 30 covers within a walled garden. 

And another thing:​ Lussmanns has also taken the former Loch Fyne site on the Woburn Estate near Milton Keynes and expects to launch next month. 

2 Highgate High Street, London N6 5JL​
www.lussmanns.com​​