Located at 61-63 Temple Row – which is currently home to Italian restaurant and bar group Riva Blu - the new restaurant will be located in Colmore Business District, overlooking Cathedral Square.
The venue will accommodate up to 200 guests across a bar and lounge, open sushi kitchen, main restaurant and private dining space.
Set to operate seven days a week, the Birmingham opening represents the latest stage of KIBOU’s expansion strategy and follows the company’s strongest trading year on record, with significant year-on-year revenue growth driven by continued investment in team retention and guest experience.
The menu will feature a mix of classic and contemporary Japanese sharing plates, including chicken karaage, spiced pork gyoza, tempura, sushi, sashimi, A5 Joshu wagyu beef, ramen, katsu curry and teriyaki.
A standalone bar will offer Japanese-inspired cocktails alongside an extensive range of Japanese whisky, sake and umeshu.
The restaurant has been designed by Q&A Interior Design, which has created the interiors for all KIBOU locations to date.
Original hand-painted and digital murals by Gloucestershire-based artist Martyna Sabadasz will feature throughout the venue, continuing the bold and colourful Japanese-inspired aesthetic that has become a hallmark of the brand.
The new site will join KIBOU’s existing restaurants in Solihull, Battersea, Cheltenham, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford.
“We’ve had our eye on Birmingham for a long time and we’re so excited to be growing our brand and opening our newest site in the heart of the city,” says Sam Horswill, managing director at KIBOU.
“Some people may be familiar with KIBOU after having visited our nearby Solihull restaurant, and we can’t wait to become part of the Birmingham community too.
“Following exceptional growth across the business, this marks a real step change in our ambitions and an exciting new chapter for the brand.”
KIBOU was founded in August 2019 by veteran hospitality leader David Franks following the acquisition of KIBOUsushi in Cheltenham.
Franks previously served as CEO of Regent Inns and later chairman of Redcomb Pubs Ltd, where he was ‘instrumental’ in the sale of the 15-strong pub estate to Young & Co.’s Brewery in 2019.