Nela has opened its third international restaurant at The Whiteley, bringing its signature fire-based cooking techniques and tableside theatre to London. Olivia Palamountain reports

Once a fading relic of West London retail, the renaissance of The Whiteley in Bayswater is well underway with hospitality taking centre stage, alongside retail, leisure and residential units.

The latest restaurant to open in the £3 billion redevelopment of the Grade II-listed former department store is Nela, which was established in Amsterdam before expanding to Ibiza and now London.

The restaurant's name, meaning "pure", reflects its philosophy of using high-quality, hand-picked ingredients cooked through flame techniques and contemporary cooking methods.
Nela's menu centres on flame-cooked signatures, with sections spanning freshly baked breads and pizzas to vibrant vegetables and fire-kissed meats. Standout dishes include yellowtail with burnt aubergine and pickled turnip, beef ribeye tartare with langoustine, and oysters with fermented chilli.
Large cuts include slow-cooked Scottish short-rib and half lobster with guajillo butter and mandarin, whilst vegetables receive equal attention with offerings such as artichoke on amber coals and grilled crispy corn tempura.

The dessert programme incorporates theatrical elements, featuring Nela's signature tiramisu with coffee caviar, freshly baked madeleines and a baked Alaska with yuzu-infused meringue that is flambéed tableside.
The cocktail menu features riffs on classic drinks such as "Unspoken Truth," Nela's interpretation of a spicy margarita made with Don Julio Blanco, Don Julio Reposado, Italicus, Beesou honey aperitif, lime and jalapeño honey ice. The "Burning Confession" combines Tanqueray with raspberry and rose shrub, lemon, chamomile and honey foam.
The London location occupies a 175-cover space with an additional 32-seat private dining room, dressed in oak wood and warm beige tones. The design features elevated banquette seating that ripples through the room and tall pillars shaped like water droplets, plus a terrace on the rotunda for alfresco dining.Nela will be joined by other premium brands at The Whiteley including Six Senses and Third Space.