Jamie Oliver to return to London’s restaurant scene with new Covent Garden opening

02-May-2023 - Last updated on 02-May-2023 at 09:33 GMT

Jamie Oliver has confirmed he will open a new ‘landmark’ restaurant in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, later this year.

The as-yet unnamed restaurant is expected to be positioned as a more upmarket proposition than the chef’s defunct Jamie’s Italian casual dining chain, and will serve a seasonal menu championing British suppliers including Creedy Carver and Cobble Lane Cured.

It marks a permanent return to the UK restaurant scene for Oliver whose UK business collapsed back in 2019, leading to the closure of the chef’s nationwide Jamie’s Italian chain, as well as his Barbecoa and Fifteen restaurants.

Since then, the chef has been focused on growing his international restaurant estate, although last year he did re-enter the UK market by partnering with delivery-first kitchen group Taster to launch new pasta concept in the capital.

“Losing my UK restaurants was without doubt one of the hardest times of my life,” says Oliver.

“But being a positive part of the restaurant industry is very close to my heart.

“We learnt lessons as we grew the international restaurants – there are now more than 70 across the world – so I’m very excited to open this restaurant in London and with an exceptional team, once again, serve the public.

“It’s about going back to my culinary roots inspired by the dishes I grew up cooking in my mum and dad’s pub restaurant. It’s about celebrating Britain’s rich and diverse food scene in what I hope will be an iconic, trusted restaurant in a very special place.

“This opportunity truly means the world to me.”

Kevin Styles, CEO of the Jamie Oliver Group, adds that it has always been an ambition for the business to return to its home market when the time was right.

“This feels like the perfect opportunity to open a very unique restaurant in a very unique venue that will celebrate beautiful, comforting dishes – old and new – from across the British Isles, reflecting the seasons, our rich and diverse food culture and supporting artisan producers,” he says.

“With the customer experience at the heart of everything we will do, we want to create great memories in a beautiful location.”