There's nothing more exciting than the launch of a new dish from your favourite restaurant. Whether you are in the market for a new lunchtime bite or an indulgent dessert delivery after a long day, there are plenty of new launches for 2024 to get your teeth into.
We've rounded up the exciting dishes that you'll want to try - we can't wait to see what else the year has in store for us foodies.
Browse the best of the year so far. The good news is, we have your lunch sorted… and a cheeky dessert option to round off your day.
PizzaExpress
The nation's favourite pizza chain, PizzaExpress, is running a special summer menu featuring some delectable new dishes that are perfect for the warmer months. While we all know and love its classic pizzas, new offerings include colourful and lighter salads, such as the goat's cheese and beetroot Buddha bowl (pictured below), and the crispy chicken Buddha bowl.
Some of the new pasta dishes worth trying are the carbonara PizzaExpress, which is pure comfort in a bowl, as well as the dynamite dough balls, a spicy twist on the chain's signature side.
As for dessert, keep an eye out for two refreshing sundaes: a Biscoff-flavoured dessert, and a summer berry and white chocolate sundae.
Until 11 August and in time for the summer holidays, PizzaExpress' Kids Eat Free menu also entitles every child to one free Piccolo meal, which is actually a three-course feast, with every adult meal purchased in restaurants.
Blondies Kitchen
You can't beat a freshly baked cookie and the goods made by Blondies Kitchen are next level. We had the pleasure of trying a giant chocolate chip cookie with hazelnut chocolates pressed into the top and it was delightful.
Picture melt-in-the-mouth texture with a perfect creamy chocolate hit that is a treat for any occasion. Blondies Kitchen's offerings range from seven-inch cookies, which can be personalised with a special message, to sharing boxes.
Their signature flavours include dark chocolate and sea salt, matcha, and Kinder-topped choc chip - divine!
Visit www.blondieskitchen.co.uk
Leon
It was a happy day when the new Leon lunch menu arrived at HELLO! HQ. I must admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for an easy but delicious wrap as someone who struggles to find fresh ideas for what to eat at lunchtime that is delicious, filling, and somewhat healthy.
Luckily, we were spoiled for choice when it came to Leon's new Spring Mediterranean menu. You have a wealth of colorful and delicious options to pick from that will transport you to sunnier climes. The line-up includes:
- Paprika Chicken Mezze - a protein-packed option with herby paprika butter-marinated chicken thigh - what's not to love?
- Unsweetened Matcha Latte - we know that matcha is an antioxidant powerhouse and this version can be served iced for something extra refreshing.
- Kids’ Chargrilled Chicken Rice Box - layers of brown rice, peas, cherry tomatoes, and flavoursome sliced chicken breast.
We can't forget the wrap options at Leon - the smokey paprika chicken, the bangin' bhaji, the crunchy Korean, or for the vegetarians among us, the grilled halloumi. I couldn't resist the smokey paprika chicken wrap which was full of flavour thanks to the moist chicken and punchy slaw. It was also the perfect size for lunch and went down a treat with a side of baked fries.
LEON is turning up this heat this July with a seriously spicy new addition to their summer menu - Hot Honey GFC Chicken Nuggets (£6.99). These gluten-free crispy chicken nuggets are not for the faint of heart - they’re drizzled with a sweet ‘n’ spicy Sriracha hot honey and sprinkled with a fiery seasoning that really packs a punch.
The fiery treats have become a favourite of team HELLO!. Paired with LEON's zingy lemony lemonade and served up with a side of criss-cut baked fries, it's hard not to want to make this lunch a weekly occurrence.
Reviewed by HELLO!'s Lifestyle Team
Krispy Kremes
Get ready for a sweet treat this Halloween with the all-new Krispy Kreme x Ghostbusters Collection! These four doughnuts are a spooktacular fusion of flavours and fun, just in time for the holiday season. Arriving in celebration of the iconic Ghostbusters film's 40th anniversary, this limited-edition collection is available starting today at participating Krispy Kreme shops. Fans can indulge in this deliciously eerie selection, presented in a custom Ghostbusters dozens box:
Ghostbusters (from £3.15) – A classic Original Glazed™ doughnut dipped in rich chocolate icing, topped with dark biscuit crumbs, silver sugar, and a No Ghost logo plaque.
Slimer (from £3.15) – Filled with a zesty green lemon filling, this doughnut is dipped in purple icing, piped with green icing, and finished with a Slimer plaque.
Ecto-Sprinkles (Feature Pack exclusive) – An Original Glazed™ doughnut dipped in vibrant orange icing and half-covered with Halloween sprinkles.
Spooky Sprinkles (from £2.65) – A fun Original Glazed™ doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and sprinkled with festive Halloween toppings.
This limited collection is only available for a short time, so grab your Ghostbusters-themed treats before they disappear!
Five Guys
A Five Guys is the perfect option when you need a quick foodie fix on the go and are feeling indulgent. A delicious, affordable burger has become what customers know and love Five Guys for. But this month is all about milkshakes.
What better than to wash down a customised burger or hot dog, but a limited edition shake in a brand new flavour. We all have our go to - strawberry, chocolate, vanilla but it is Five Guys' exotic Mango and sweet Raspberry flavours on our minds this month.
As with Five Guys' iconic burgers, the milkshakes are also able to be personalised with the brand's delicious mix-ins to make your ideal decadent treat. These range from salted caramel and Biscoff to peanut butter and Oreo.
Peanut butter is an instant yes in any milkshake for me but the Five Guys summer shakes are the perfect opportunity to branch out and go fruity. I love a good smoothie so a mango shake is like a sweet treat version and is completely unmissable as we go into the warmer months.
Frankie & Benny's
I've always been of the opinion that a 'go big or go home' philosophy should always be applied to dessert. If you're going to indulge, go the whole hog and so the return of the Cookie Dough with Cadbury’s Creme Egg couldn't come at a better time.
Sitting down and tucking into an Easter egg will be on many of our agendas in the coming week. But why not bring a little bit of Easter festivity into a super tasty treat that will satiate the cookie dough lovers among us?
This one combines the restaurant's ooey-gooey warm chocolate chip cookie dough with Creme Eggs oozing in, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled in irresistible chocolate sauce.
Eating out in the Easter holidays can be an expensive pastime, but fret not as the kids can try the new cookie dough dessert for free through the holidays.
Just Eat
To celebrate Pride month in June, Just Eat has teamed up with drag queen Dr Cheddar Gorgeous to launch the VIQs (Very Important Queens) club. This initiative aims to support drag performers with free Just Eat during their busiest month.
The exclusive club will provide hundreds of Drag Queens and Kings with fuel and fabulousness through free meals. Performers can qualify for the VIQ club and a share of £15,000 in vouchers by emailing their social handles to JustEatVIQs@MischiefPR.com by June 25th.
Members can order anything from hairspray and bobby pins to carb-loaded meals and sweet treats, ensuring they stay energized and ready for their performances.
Queens can start the day with smashed avocado toast from Momos. With fresh avocado giving the queens the healthy fats that one needs, and eggs providing a strength-building protein, it's an ideal way to kick off the day. Alternatively, some overnight oats packed with loads of nutrient-rich fruits delivered from Sainsbury's, will certainly set them up for the day.
For the lunchtime fuel, queens could indulge in a Poke Bowl from Honi Poke while for an afternoon pick-me-up, they can enjoy an energy-boosting smoothie from Joe & The Juice. A day in the life of a drag queen is long and an evening snack between shows is essential to keep her fuelled and hydrated - this is when a bottle of Huel from Co-op will come in handy. For pre-show meals, and everything else, order directly through the Just Eat app or online.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo has launched a new pet-friendly chocolate egg - which you can get delivered straight to your door - with all proceeds going to Woodgreen Pets Charity.
The treat arrived in a canine-friendly easter box, and my dog Boycie was very excited to put it to the test. Boycie has been known to turn away from multiple treats and dinners, in his time - one sniff and he will happily walk the other way if not up to his standard. However, the easter egg proved an absolute hit - the ‘chocolate’ treat is made with dog-safe ingredients and added vitamins A and D so it's a great way to celebrate the indulgent weekend with our four-legged friends.
Fiona Cooke, head of specialist services at Woodgreen Pets charity added, "It's important to remember that our canine friends cannot indulge in the same way that we do because human chocolate is toxic to dogs. Pet safety is something we are hugely passionate about at Woodgreen, so we are delighted to be partnering with Deliveroo to create an Easter treat that is both safe and delicious for our four-legged friends."
The limited-edition ‘Deliver-Woof’ dog-friendly Easter egg is available via Deliveroo Editions in Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester between Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March - for just £5.
Reviewed by Katy Huke
Cheesies snacks
I love cheese. I would go as far as to say that I'm obsessed with it - I add extra mature cheddar to most meals I cook at home, whether it's a sandwich, a soup or a pasta dish. I was therefore super excited to try the new Cheesies crunchy baked snacks.
While I often feel the urge to snack on a hunk of cheese, it's not a very practical office-based snack. Cheesies have taken my obsession and made it crispy and easy to consume. Each bite is made of pure, mouthwatering cheese. To be honest, I'm surprised no one has come up with the concept before.
With no carbs or sugar, the high protein snack is just 122 kcals per packet so it's a great option to pack in your work bag. They come in a couple of flavours: Cheddar, Red Leicester, Goat’s Cheese, Gouda, and Chilli Cheddar varieties. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the 60g sharing bag for my next BBQ or picnic. Get yours on Amazon or via the Cheesies website.
Reviewed by: Kate Thomas
Creams
Creams is a go-to for so many of us when we think of delicious desserts. The brand has launched a next-level menu item - The Cookiewich. Think a waffled croissant, stuffed with gooey cookie dough and gelato and you've got this incredible sweet treat.
You can also pick up the Gelato Crofflewich, a toasted waffled croissant topped with a generous scoop of the Creams signature gelato, and adorned with a decadent drizzle of milk chocolate sauce and sprinkles. The stuffed pancake bites bursting with a luscious hazelnut filling and dusted with raspberry powder are also a must.
The team at HELLO! got to indulge in a range of Creams treats. The white chocolate chip cookie was a firm favourite - utterly divine, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth heaven but don't overorder because one dish is enough for two! The ice cream was amazing also and is a must-add to the chocolate and strawberry indulgence crepe.
Visit www.creamscafe.com
Black Sheep Coffee
Matcha lovers, listen up! Black Sheep Coffee has launched a new line of summer drinks you won't want to miss. Head down to your local to taste this fruity take on the It-girl drink of the moment.
Black Sheep has launched Strawberries & Cream Matcha and Iced Strawberries & Cream Matcha. Members of the HELLO! team had the opportunity to try a range of treats and we can attest that their new offerings are a must-try on a hot day if you take your matcha iced like us.
The chain also offers a range of toasties and sandwiches. The tomato and cheese toastie was filled with ooey-gooey cheese, proving that the fan-favourite sandwich is a staple for a reason.
The smoothies are also a must if matcha isn't your thing. We loved the banana and coffee option - a great alternative to a standard iced coffee - and the strawberry and banana was a classic fruity option that went down a treat.
DISCOVER: The ultimate guide to the best desserts we have tried and tested
Black Sheep's baked goods are also the perfect mid-morning or afternoon snack. The brownie and the millionaire's shortbread were a hit with HELLO! and we'll certainly be going back whenever we need a pick-me-up.