Covent Garden Adds Five New Names To Its Dining Line-Up

Shaftesbury Capital has announced five new hospitality signings for Covent Garden, adding to the London neighbourhood’s food and beverage line-up.

The signings include the debut of Carmy’s, a new pizza-by-the-slice concept, and a second London location for coffee brand Frothee. JUNK Burger and JUNK Group’s Puffy Cookies will also open in the area, alongside Elia, a modern Mediterranean restaurant launching its first site.

Covent Garden will welcome Carmy’s this summer in an 820 sq ft store at 1a Monmouth Street. The concept has been created by the team behind Carmela’s Pizzeria, including co-founders Phil Chaykin, Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany, together with the Bite Twice social media food duo. Head chef Aaron Murphy and general manager Davide Paone will also be part of the launch team.

The new food and beverage concept will serve New York-style pizza slices, with a focus on product quality, consistency and speed. The offer will centre on quick service and a tight menu of classics and rotating specials, aimed at a central London customer base. The site, located on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, marks a gateway into Seven Dials.

Frothee, known for matcha coffee and cold foam drinks, has taken a circa 400 sq ft unit at 29 Bedfordbury. The café concept is due to open later this month and will mark its second London location.

JUNK Burger has signed for a 1,600 sq ft space at 19 New Row, which will become its third UK site. Founded in 2021, the smash burger brand will bring its approach to burgers, ingredients and cooking to Covent Garden as part of JUNK Group’s wider expansion.

JUNK Group’s Puffy Cookies has also signed for a 1,200 sq ft store at 3 New Row. The cookie brand launched in 2023 following the development of JUNK Burger and will open its third London location in Covent Garden. Its cookies are baked fresh daily and are designed to have a thick, soft texture influenced by New York-style cookies.

Elia, a modern Mediterranean restaurant, will open its first site on the lower level of Covent Garden’s historic Grade II-listed Market Building. The 520 sq ft restaurant will sit adjacent to Chez Antoinette, which has recently completed a refurbishment and upsize. The restaurant will focus on fresh Mediterranean ingredients, with a central display of produce forming part of the interior.

Elia is due to open in the coming months and will later be joined in the Market Building by Inception Group’s flagship, which is expected to arrive later this year.

“These new signings reflect Covent Garden’s status as a prime location for F&B brands in all stages of development, whether making their debuts or expanding their presence in the UK. Securing key established brands alongside emerging concepts is a key focus of our long-term strategy, to maintain a diverse, world-class line-up which showcases Covent Garden as a leading culinary neighbourhood.”

Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing, Shaftesbury Capital

“We could not be happier to be making our debut in Covent Garden, a world-leading culinary destination which boasts a variety of independents, favourites, and chef-led concepts. Carmy’s will bring proper New York pizza slices, a concept that is still relatively limited in London, to this vibrant neighbourhood, delivering a fast, high-quality option for a broad range of customers.”

Phil Chaykin, Managing Director, Carmy’s

“Bringing Elia to Covent Garden was an easy decision, considering the restaurant line-up is globally renowned. In particular, the South Wells area of the Market Building is stunning and historic, the ideal location for us. We look forward to a prosperous future within the capital’s leading culinary destination.”

Ozgur Karakas, Founder, Elia

The signings follow a period of leasing activity in Covent Garden. Burro, the Italian dining concept by Conor Gadd, opened in Floral Court in March, while Buvette is set to make its UK debut at 2 Neal’s Yard next month.

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