Dishoom to refurbish and expand Covent Garden site

Dishoom has announced plans to undertake a major refurbishment of its original Covent Garden restaurant, including an expansion into the neighbouring former Jamie's Italian site.

The site, in Upper St Martin's Lane, will be completely transformed in partnership with design studio Macaulay Sinclair. Dishoom's restaurants are inspired by the cafés of early 20th-century Bombay (now Mumbai), and multiple research trips are planned as part of the project.

Founders Shamil and Kavi Thakrar have repeatedly stressed the importance of each restaurant's design being individual and inspired by a carefully researched period of Mumbai's history.

Dishoom's expansion comes as Shaftesbury and Longmartin Properties Ltd commence an £8m refurbishment of St Martin's Courtyard.

Charles Owen, portfolio executive at Shaftesbury, said: "We are entering a very exciting period for St Martin's Courtyard. Ten years on Dishoom remains a much-loved eatery and its expansion will not only mark a new beginning for the restaurant, but also the courtyard itself.

"The timely investment for St Martin's Courtyard will deliver an even more inviting and engaging destination, combining new brands and a new look with the high-performing existing offer to create one of the most appealing areas in London's West End and in readiness of the new Elizabeth Line and the anticipated increase in footfall to the Covent Garden area."

Once upon a time in Bombay… the story behind Indian restaurant Dishoom>>