Brand-new food hall among restaurant opening announcements this week

LONDON'S culinary scene continues to thrive with several major new opening announcements this spring.

 

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PUFFY

Puffy, the Parisian brand under the Junk Group, has announced the launch of its first dedicated cookie and coffee shop in the UK set to open in June.

Located on Old Compton Street in London’s Soho, the new site sits alongside Junk Burger.

This marks Puffy’s UK debut, following the success of its four locations in France and the strong reception of Junk Burger’s London opening last year.

The menu will feature seven cookie varieties, including milk chocolate, chocolate trio, dark chocolate, chocolate duo and peanut butter, chocolate duo and hazelnuts, white chocolate and macadamia, and white chocolate and matcha.

Alongside the cookies, guests can enjoy a curated coffee menu from Origin Coffee, featuring classics such as flat whites and cappuccinos.

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Majed Mansour and self-taught chef Wissem Ben Ammar, Puffy and the wider Junk Group have quickly become key players in Europe’s Street food scene.

Founders Majed Mansour and Wissem Ben Ammar said: "We're incredibly excited to bring the Puffy experience to London. We believe our unique blend of Parisian craftsmanship and premium ingredients will resonate with Londoners seeking a truly exceptional cookie and coffee experience.”

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DUCHY

Alex Grant and chef Simon Shand are opening a new 40-seat restaurant, Duchy, in the heart of Shoreditch.

The dynamic duo is taking over the old Leroy site, where they first met in 2021 while Simon was executive chef, holding a Michelin star for three consecutive years until February 2024.

Duchy will offer a fresh menu blending Simon’s classical French training with his love for northern Italian cuisine. Inspired by the historical Duchy of Savoy, the food celebrates both regions, featuring hearty winter dishes and lighter Mediterranean plates for summer.

Simon said: “We’re so excited to be able to get the doors open this Spring, we’re so in love with the food and wine of this region and can’t wait to share it with everyone who visits”

Alex added: “Leroy was that rarest of things and yet, even knowing it as well as I do, I often struggle to put into words why. It was serious. And small. It was wildly busy. It was loud at times, but wonderfully so. It was fast and loose and for a bistro of that size it had an extraordinary cellar. It was a place where a solo diner or a rowdy group of six could equally have an excellent night out, or someone from a nearby office could escape for a quick and delicious ever-changing set lunch or indulge a client long into the afternoon.

"It’s where I met Simon. It’s where I met some of my now closest friends and, of course, where I met my incredible partner, without the love and support of whom none of this would have been possible. I guess, for me, the timing and the team were some kind of perfect storm.”

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SINO

Sino, a new restaurant serving refined, Ukrainian-inspired food, will open in Notting Hill.

Founded by Polina Sychova and chef Eugene Korolev, Sino will blend traditional Ukrainian flavors with modern Western techniques, using top-quality British and Ukrainian ingredients.

Pronounced "see-no", SINO is named after the Ukrainian word meaning 'hay', a nod to the country’s agricultural heritage. Chef Eugene Korolev draws on experience from Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe to reimagine Ukrainian classics.

Polina said: "At SINO, our mission is to celebrate Ukrainian culture and gastronomy, and to help to raise its profile in the west. Ukraine has a rich culinary history, yet its food is sorely underrepresented in the UK. At SINO, we’re combining traditional Ukrainian ingredients and dishes with western techniques, to create something elevated that we hope will feel authentic, innovative and familiar at the same time. We’re really excited to be opening in Notting Hill, and to bring SINO to life in London.”

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BOXHALL CITY

BOXHALL City, the latest elevated food hall concept from BOXPARK, has officially opened to the public. Located in the beautifully restored Metropolitan Arcade opposite Liverpool Street Station, the venue brings together a curated selection of global cuisines and experiences.

The new fod hall features 13 independent restaurants, including artisanal bakery Sourdough Sophia, vegan Mexican pioneer Club Mexicana, and the fine dining Indian restaurant Farzi. Two newly launched bars, The Ticket Hall and the Metropolitan Bar, offer an extensive range of wines, cocktails, and a "mindful drinking" menu of non-alcoholic options. 

Later this year, two-time Great British Menu champion James Cochran will take over Kitchen No. 8, bringing his unique fusion of British and Caribbean flavors.

Matt Snell, CEO of BOXPARK said: “Launch day has finally arrived. After months of hard work, we are thrilled to open an entirely new food hall experience for the capital. BOXHALL City is truly a special celebration of international culinary talent, providing workers and visitors to the city with interesting and diverse options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.

"I am so proud of the BOXPARK team who have worked tirelessly to breathe new life into this historic slice of London, which was planned to be demolished almost 40 years ago. Today, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, it has been reimagined into a modern day celebration of its original use, and we cannot wait to welcome guests from near and far to see it, and enjoy the amazing food available.” 

Written by Abi Kinsella

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