Italian food hall Eataly is set to open its first London branch from 29 April.
Eataly, which already boasts almost 40 locations around the world, will take up residency in a massive site in Bishopsgate that stretches across 42,000 square feet. The Italian food market will feature a raft of vendors both selling and cooking authentic Italian produce, with the set up similar in style to other famous London foodie destinations such as Borough Market.
The venue will open partially at the end of April, complying with current Covid-19 guidelines which only allow for alfresco dining. From 29 April, guests will be able to browse the food hall and eat on an outdoor dining terrace, as well as enjoying pizza, pasta, gelato and other Italian treats from takeaway stalls.
On 20 May, the alfresco dining terrace will be joined by a cooking school, plus two indoor restaurants, Cucina del Mercato and Pasta e Pizza. In September, an as-yet-unnamed fine dining restaurant will open in the space.
Eataly was originally founded in Turin, Italy and has since gone on to open locations across the globe. You can currently find Eataly outposts in New York, Moscow, Tokyo and Munich to name just a few, so it’s surprising that they’ve waited this long to open in London.
Once open, Eataly London will be the largest stand-alone food hall in the UK, with visitors able to purchase Italian produce such as ciabatta, cured meats, olive oil and cheeses. There will be a few bars too, stocked up with Italian wines and turning out classic cocktails such as Negronis and Aperol Spritz, while those looking to expand their knowledge of all things Italian cuisine can partake in one of the cooking classes at Eataly London’s very own on-site cookery school.
Founded in 2007, the Eataly brand was partially brought to America with the help of Italian-American chef Mario Batali. However, the company parted ways with Batali in December 2017, following a string of sexual assault allegations that had been levelled against the chef by former employees.
Eataly London will open from 29 April 2021 at 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD.
If you fancy scoping out some of the capital’s other foodie hubs, check out our pick of the best food markets in London.