The top line: 130 Primrose is a charity-status restaurant that has taken over the site previously occupied by Home Kitchen Diner, the organisation’s first venture, and builds on its social-impact fine dining model by continuing to use hospitality as a pathway into employment for people with experience of homelessness. The restaurant offers paid six-month contracts in both front-of-house and kitchen roles, providing accredited training such as Food Hygiene and Allergen Awareness certifications alongside hands-on experience in a professional kitchen. Employees will then be supported to progress into further hospitality opportunities. 130 Primrose is open seven days a week from 9am, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, brasserie-style setting.
The menu: The kitchen is led day to day by head chef Eric Zhang under the guidance of executive chef Monica Galetti. Its à la carte menu draws on Mediterranean influences and will later incorporate nods to Galetti’s native Samoa. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a varied all-day offering. Breakfast includes pastries and sweets such as French toast, and a signature pancake stack, alongside classics like a full English breakfast with two eggs, Cumberland sausage, bacon, roasted tomato, baked beans, Portobello mushrooms, and toasted sourdough; as well as eggs on sourdough and sliced avocado on toast with chilli flakes, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil. For lunch, there’s sandwiches such as the Primrose Picnic Sandwich with roasted chicken, tarragon mayo, avocado, tomato and baby gem; and Focaccia in the Park with rosemary focaccia, grilled aubergine, semi-dried tomatoes, stracciatella cheese, and rocket; alongside a selection of salads. The menu also includes small plates such as grilled aubergine and sweet peppers; marinated artichokes; and cherry vine tomato bruschetta on sourdough; as well as larger dishes including baked aubergine with feta and tomato sauce; pan-fried chicken thigh with yoghurt, sumac and fresh herbs; grilled sea bass with olive oil and lemon dressing; and a 200g pan-fried steak with peppercorn sauce. In the evening the menu expands to include a choice of French, Italian or Spanish charcuterie and cheese boards.
The vibe: 130 Primrose takes its name from the Latin phrase ‘prima rosa’, a symbol of spring and new beginnings, reflecting its aim to foster renewal, confidence and lasting opportunity. The space seats 50 covers featuring a clean, modern aesthetic. The layered lighting combining a mix of hanging fixtures with wall lighting softens the space alongside green upholstery and plants spaced throughout. Light wood tables and chairs reinforce the warm, contemporary design. A speakeasy-style cocktail bar is also set to open on the lower ground floor later in May.
And another thing: The launch of 130 Primrose marks the first time Galetti has been associated with a restaurant since the closure of her debut London restaurant Mere in 2024 which ran for seven years.
130 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1