The group, which started as an 18-cover restaurant in central Colombo serving its namesake ‘isso’ – the Sri Lankan word for prawn – and now operates multiple restaurants across the country, will also launch a pop-up at Pavilion Café in Hackney’s Victoria Park this August.
Designed by Sri Lankan designer Darron Henricus, the Canary Wharf restaurant is being billed as the first UK restaurant to be launched by a Sri Lankan restaurant group.
Head chef Karan Kashyap has created a menu for the London opening centred on three varieties of Sri Lanka-sourced prawns: wild sea-caught flower prawns, wild sea-caught black tiger prawns and giant freshwater prawns.
Mirroring the concept in Sri Lanka, the Canary Wharf restaurant will feature a customisable ‘combo’ menu.
Guests choose their preferred prawn variety before selecting a preparation, including Hot Butter Style, Jaffna Curry or Negombo Curry, alongside a choice of ghee rice, curry leaf rice or parotta.
The launch menu will also feature several dishes from the group’s Sri Lankan restaurants, including Isso Wade, a street food dish of spiced lentil patties topped with whole crispy prawns, served with green mango chutney and tamarind glaze.
Another signature dish, cuttlefish fritto, comprises flash-fried cuttlefish seasoned with sea salt and chilli flakes, served with a passion fruit, mango and chilli dip.
The restaurant will feature an open kitchen, private dining room and seating for both casual and formal dining.
Its interior will reflect the colours of Sri Lanka’s coastline, with a mural by artist Geshany Balder depicting golden prawns moving through dreamlike seascapes.
ISSO chief executive and founder Apinash Sivagumaaran said: “We chose Canary Wharf in London for our first launch outside Sri Lanka because it’s the perfect stage to showcase our seafood heritage to a global audience.
“While the menu is broader, the soul remains pure ISSO: deep respect for the ingredient and precision in preparation. We’re bringing the discipline of an island where the ocean is daily life to one of London’s most demanding culinary landscapes, serving a sophisticated, fast-paced crowd that values quality.”