Expect a modern take on Portuguese cuisine.

Change is coming to Charlotte Street with the closure of Lisboeta, Nuno Mendes’ celebrated ode to Lisbon, at the end of the month. However, the address will soon welcome Luso, a contemporary Portuguese restaurant created in collaboration with chef Leandro Carreira. The new opening is slated for September and will retain the site’s Portuguese soul while offering a more modern take on the country’s cuisine.

Mendes is stepping away to focus on international growth and projects in Portugal, including Cozinha das Flores and The Largo in Porto, as well as Santa Joana in Lisbon. Since opening in 2022, Lisboeta has been a favourite of critics, regularly appearing in lists of the UK’s best restaurants. Its departure will be felt, but the handover suggests continuity rather than a hard reset.

Owner-operators MJMK Restaurants will keep the bones of the room, with a light refurbishment planned ahead of reopening. The aim is a swift turnaround so regulars can return to a familiar space with new intent. Carreira joins as consultant executive chef, bringing the precision and produce-first ethos that earned him acclaim at seafood spot The Sea, The Sea.

Luso’s menu will draw inspiration from the Iberian Atlantic coastline and Portugal’s lesser-known regions. Early dishes include Clams à Bulhão Pato perfumed with garlic and coriander, and Salt-Baked Wild Sea Bass. Lighter plates balance the offering, such as Cornish Spider Crab Tartare, while desserts nod to tradition with a Baked Pineapple Pudding and Tocinho Do Céu. Expect clean flavours, careful technique and a respect for seasonality rather than heavy-handed reinvention.

Speaking about the opening, MJMK co-founders Marco Mendes and Jake Kasumov said: “This is a proud moment for MJMK – to honour the legacy of Lisboeta and support its evolution into Luso is incredibly special. We’re looking forward to this next chapter for both the team and the restaurant. It’s a sentimental moment being able to bring to London the dishes from the lesser-known parts of Portugal and offer a menu that taps into the crossover with Andalusian, Basque, and Galician cooking.” 

If you loved Lisboeta, there is every reason to be curious about Luso.

GO: Visit https://luso.restaurant for more information.