Daily news, insight and opinion from the world of restaurants
Westminster City Council (WCC) has insisted it is not planning to ban people from standing with a drink in Soho pubs, after headlines claimed the authority wanted to stop ‘vertical drinking’ as part of a new licensing policy.
A wave of brands making their UK debuts and the closure of Norwich’s only Michelin-star restaurant are among this week’s top news stories.
The Prezzo owner’s recent purchase of Riding House Café group is another feather in the cap for the growing restaurant group. But can it continue the entrepreneurial spirit of the all-day brand?
Nieves Barragán Mohacho is opening a new private dining and events space at her Michelin-starred Shoreditch restaurant Legado.
Gareth Ward’s two-Michelin starred restaurant Ynyshir has once again achieved a five-star food hygiene rating following a new inspection.
The Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch has made two senior culinary appointments across The Cumberland and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen venues.
Itsu has promoted Greg Thorp and Tom Springett to joint managing directors of its restaurant business, with CEO Clive Schlee moving back into a director’s role on the board.
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has entered a multi-million-pound joint venture with Charcoal Concepts to accelerate the expansion of Wagamama across India.
Adriana Cavita is to relaunch her Mexican restaurant Cavita in Marylebone this October.
Time Out Market will open its first UK location at The Crown Estate’s landmark 10 Piccadilly development in London’s West End, with the venue set to launch in the first half of 2028.
Insight
With its revitalised Piccolino brand and new Neapolitan pizza concept Forbici on the up, CEO Andrew Garton has found a rich vein of form at the Italian-focused group.
Michelin-starred restaurant Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall is closing following the departure of its chef patron.
The French-born head sommelier at Berkhamsted farm-to-table restaurant WILD on training at Hôtel de Meurice, Screaming Eagle and prioritising quality over geography.
The head chef at London restaurant Aqua Shard on Pierre Koffmann, lemon tart and a near-death experience with an espuma gun charger.
The Coconut Tree is returning to the expansion trail with a new opening in central Bristol later this month.
A new £10,000 grant fund has been launched to help catering and hospitality students in England access educational experiences beyond the classroom.
Independent pub company Yummy Collection has announced a rebrand as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Boutique hotel Chateau Denmark has permanently closed its doors as of yesterday (4 August), bringing to an end its four-year run on London’s Denmark Street.
Harts Group will launch an ‘exciting new project’ this autumn in London’s Borough.
Cardiff-born restaurant group Brother Thai has revealed plans to grow to five restaurants following the success of its second site in Bristol.
Portuguese mini-group Bar Douro is opening its third restaurant this autumn on the site of the soon-to-close 10 Greek Street.
Domino’s has reported an increase in revenue of 6.7% to £353.6m in its latest financials.
Former Silver Birch chef Nathan Cornwell has joined West Sussex restaurant with rooms The Woodcote as chef director.
After two successful decades in Cornwall, the chef-restaurateur behind No.6, Caffè Rojano and The Mariners is putting it all on the line to breathe new life into Rock’s St Enodoc Hotel.
Mark Poynton has stepped down from his position as chef-patron at Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall after four-and-a-half years.
Wingstop UKI has reported a 78% spike in pre-tax profits thanks to strong sales growth and cost efficiencies.
Luxury dessert and brunch brand Haute Dolci is opening a site in Reading later this month.
Bleecker Burger will open its ninth restaurant in the capital this summer with a site in Camden.
Compagnia del Gusto Holding (CDGH) has acquired Jascots Wine Merchants in a deal that the companies say will strengthen their premium wine distribution capabilities across the UK on-trade sector.
Giggling Squid is launching its biggest menu overhaul to date with 16 new dishes in larger portion sizes.
Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) has announced the finalists for the fifth annual BIH Spotlight Awards, which recognise exceptional Black and ethnic minority talent across hospitality, food and drink in the UK.
Anthony Demetre has closed his 45-cover vermouth bar and restaurant in London’s Coal Drops Yard after eight years.
The long-awaited counter restaurant from Jonny Mills and the latest venture from the husband- and wife-duo behind The Waterhouse Project are among this month’s key openings.
Consumers traded down from traditional restaurants in favour of coffee shops and food-to-go concepts in the first half of the year, according to fresh data from CACI.
Gaucho Manchester will relaunch its Deansgate restaurant this August following a major refurbishment, introducing a dedicated martini bar in collaboration with Belvedere Organic Vodka.
UK hospitality software house Lolly has brought in hospitality and drinks sector specialist Ed Gardner as a consultant to strengthen its offering for the managed multiple retail sector.
The UK service-led restaurant market is forecast to reach £18.7bn in 2026, according to research from Lumina Intelligence.
SoBe Burger, the Miami-inspired smash burger brand, has made a move into The Midlands for the first time.
A new pizza brand tied to Greg Wallace and the closure of Steve Drake’s Surrey restaurant are among this week’s top news stories.
Open Restaurant Group has acquired Hispi from Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros.
Five emerging street food operators have secured the maximum £10,000 investment from McCain Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB.
From transport hubs to roadside locations, casual dining brands are increasingly investing in formats designed for consumers on the move.
University College Birmingham (UCB) has bought the former The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant as part of a £15m hospitality investment programme.
Salad bowl concept Atis is making the move into breakfast in what it describes as ‘a huge moment’ for the brand.
Much-loved Birmingham Indian restaurant Itihaas has been taken on by growing independent restaurant group My Delhi, ensuring the future of the city venue.
The South African-born but Birmingham-raised head sommelier at Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall on ‘dry wines’, Viúva Gomes and Burgundy expert Jasper Morris.
From more careful energy use and better waste management to considered restaurant design, these are the areas businesses should focus on to boost their green credentials.
Cult New Haven ‘apizza’ restaurant Lenny’s has secured a prime Covent Garden spot for its debut venue in partnership with MJMK Restaurants.
James and Maria Close have revealed further details about their upcoming signature restaurant at County Durham luxury resort Rockliffe ahead of its September opening.
Duda Diner, the Malaysian family-style pop-up restaurant founded by Hakeem and Zura Ahmad, will launch at boutique hotel The Pilgrm in Paddington this September.