Gilroy’s Loft, a new rooftop seafood restaurant at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London, has opened at Old Brewer’s Yard in Covent Garden. The venue, which launched on Thursday 11 December, forms part of the newly completed Guinness destination and brings a modern British seafood dining experience to the heart of London.
Located at the top of the brewery, Gilroy’s Loft offers panoramic views over central London and a coastal-inspired menu curated by award-winning chef Pip Lacey. Known for her work at Michelin-starred Murano, the launch of her debut restaurant Hicce, and winning BBC’s Great British Menu, Lacey has built a menu around seasonality, creativity and responsibly sourced seafood.
At the core of the offering are reinterpretations of British and Irish classics, including native oysters shucked to order at a 20-cover curved bar. The oysters are sourced from small producers along the British and Irish coast, including Jersey, Achill Island and Kelly’s in Galway. The small plate selection includes Guinness-rarebit chicory with pink grapefruit, carrot, pickled walnut and coriander, and beer and potato bread with butter and seaweed salt.
Larger dishes range from roast halibut steak with Lincolnshire Brussels sprouts and beer velouté, to smoked potato with almond butter, king cabbage, onion seed and open ravioli. A fruits de mer platter with sea bream, king prawns, palourde clams, mussels and Jersey oysters is also available for sharing. The grilled half native lobster, served with tomato and pine nut brown butter, green peppercorn and herb salad, is positioned as a signature main. For dessert, the blood orange mousse with Guinness ice cream and malt biscuit rounds out the menu.
The drinks offering is led by Master Brewer Hollie Stephenson, who oversees the beers brewed on-site at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. The drinks list features exclusive craft beers including The Brewer’s Lager and Piazza Pale Ale, along with a small selection of cocktails such as the Toucan Colada and Espresso Stoutini. A comprehensive wine list features both English and international producers, including sparkling options.
The restaurant is named in tribute to John Gilroy, the artist responsible for some of Guinness’s most recognised advertising from the 1930s to 1960s. His playful illustrations, including the Guinness toucan, are reflected throughout the restaurant with original artwork from his grandson, Jim Gilroy.
Designed to seat 75, the restaurant’s interiors feature natural materials such as stone, wood and yarn-toned furnishings, drawing influence from Gilroy’s distinctive visual style. A terrace overlooking Covent Garden is planned to open later in the spring.
Reflecting on the launch, Pip Lacey said: “Working with one of the world’s most loved and historic brands to bring Gilroy’s Loft to life has been incredible – and Guinness is the perfect match for seafood. I’ve worked very closely with some of the very best British and Irish producers on the menu, and I feel like we’ve created a joyful restaurant right in the middle of Covent Garden.”
Gilroy’s Loft is open to the public as part of the wider Guinness Open Gate Brewery London offering, which also includes The Porter’s Table restaurant, a brewery tour experience, two retail stores, and a courtyard serving handmade pies by Calum Franklin.
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