London’s dynamic restaurant landscape is abuzz with significant news: Leo Carreira, acclaimed for his work at The Sea, The Sea, is set to open a new Portuguese restaurant named Luso on Charlotte Street. This new venture will occupy the site previously home to Nuno Mendes’s celebrated Lisboeta, which is closing its doors for a transformative refurbishment as Mendes moves on to new culinary horizons. The transition marks a pivotal moment for one of Fitzrovia’s prominent dining locations.
The End of an Era for Lisboeta
Lisboeta, launched in 2022 by chef patron Nuno Mendes in partnership with MJMK Restaurants, quickly established itself as a vibrant ode to Lisbon. Described by Mendes as his “love letter to Lisbon,” the restaurant garnered considerable recognition, being named “One to Watch” at the 2022 National Restaurant Awards and securing a spot at 93rd in the UK’s Top 100 Restaurants. Operating across three floors of a charming Georgian townhouse on Charlotte Street, it showcased traditional and contemporary ‘petiscos’ and larger sharing plates, drawing inspiration from Lisbon’s beloved ‘tasca’ eateries.
Nuno Mendes confirmed his departure from Lisboeta via an Instagram video, with the restaurant’s final service scheduled for August 23rd. The decision, described as mutual by MJMK co-founder Marco Mendes, allows Nuno Mendes to dedicate his focus to his burgeoning projects in Portugal, including Cozinha das Flores in Porto and Santa Joana in Lisbon. Furthermore, Mendes has hinted at plans for a new London restaurant in the near future, promising more details in due course.
Introducing Luso: A New Portuguese Culinary Vision
Stepping into this significant space is Luso, a name derived from ‘Lusitania,’ the Roman term for the region now known as Portugal, symbolizing a deep connection to the country’s culture and cuisine. MJMK Restaurants, the owners of the Charlotte Street site, have brought in Portuguese chef Leandro Carreira as consultant executive chef to steer the direction of Luso.
Carreira brings a wealth of experience to this new London restaurant. His impressive culinary journey includes stints at globally renowned establishments like Asador Etxebarri and Mugaritz in Northern Spain. He has also headed notable London kitchens such as Londrino and, most recently, The Sea, The Sea, where he was celebrated for his pioneering dry-aging techniques for fish and seafood. Interestingly, Carreira is also an alumnus of Mendes’s influential Bethnal Green restaurant Viajante, which operated from 2010 to 2014, highlighting a shared lineage within the Portuguese culinary scene in the capital.
Luso, slated for a September opening following a swift three-week renovation, promises a fresh yet traditional approach to Portuguese food. The menu is designed to emphasize the flavors of the Atlantic Iberian coastline, focusing on exceptional, well-sourced ingredients. Unlike its predecessor, the new restaurant will transition from a “chef-led” concept to one more broadly inspired by modern Portuguese cuisine, aiming for a slightly more casual offering.
Diners can anticipate a repertoire of modern takes on classic Portuguese dishes, shaped by the influences of sea, land, and centuries-old wood-fire cooking techniques. Featured items include Dorset clams a bulhão pato, salt-baked wild sea bass, oven-roasted suckling pig (Leitão), and lobster rice with citrus and mi cuit salad. For a quicker bite, pregos—steak sliders with brown butter, Portuguese Savora mustard, and garlic—will be available at lunchtime. The dessert selection will celebrate Portuguese classics such as Tocinho do Céu (almond cake), chocolate mousse with olive oil and sea salt, and chilled pineapple pudding.
The Broader Impact on London’s Food Scene
This high-profile change on Charlotte Street is part of a broader strategic evolution for MJMK’s Portuguese restaurant portfolio, which recently saw its Casa do Frango brand embark on a “new chapter” with refreshed menus and designs. The rapid turnaround from Lisboeta to Luso underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of London’s competitive food industry. While Nuno Mendes’s departure marks the end of Lisboeta as London has known it, the arrival of Leo Carreira’s Luso signals a new and exciting chapter for Portuguese cuisine in the city. This trending news ensures that Charlotte Street will remain a focal point for discerning diners seeking authentic and innovative Portuguese dining experiences.
