Bonjour Buvette: London debut for Buvette to open in Covent Garden
Shaftesbury Capital has announced that Buvette, the celebrated gastrothèque by chef Jody Williams, will open in Covent Garden’s iconic Neal’s Yard this summer. The signing reinforces Covent Garden’s status as London’s premier culinary hub for globally renowned, chef-led dining.
Buvette will occupy a 2,800 sq ft, 80-cover space at 2 Neal’s Yard, offering a flexible day-to-night dining concept. Designed around the idea of spontaneity, Buvette will cater to a wide range of occasions, from morning coffee and leisurely lunches to post-theatre cocktails and evening dining. With established locations in New York, Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo, the Covent Garden opening marks Buvette’s first London site, bringing its internationally recognised concept to one of the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The restaurant will also benefit from al fresco seating, enhancing Neal’s Yard’s distinctive offering tucked away in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials neighbourhood.
The signing underlines Covent Garden’s strength as the go-to destination for chef-led dining, complementing its curated mix of acclaimed operators, including the neighbouring St. JOHN Neal’s Yard Bakery and Bar, Story Cellar and The Barbary, as well as FROG by Adam Handling and Café Murano within the wider neighbourhood. Buvette will also sit alongside a strong pipeline of recent and forthcoming openings, including Burro, the new concept from Conor Gadd at 2 Floral Court, modern Indian restaurant Kricket set to open in Neal’s Yard later this year, and Harry’s now open on Russell Street.
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, commented: “The signing of Buvette is a clear endorsement of Covent Garden’s position as London’s leading destination for chef-led dining. Securing a globally recognised, founder-driven concept of this calibre for Neal’s Yard reflects our long-term strategy of curating a best-in-class culinary mix that delivers both international appeal and enhances the distinct character and experience of Covent Garden.”
Covent Garden continues to attract a diverse range of new food and beverage operators, including Vietnamese concept Cô Thành, Sri Lankan Street food operator ADOH!, and a series of premium bakeries and cafés such as Copain, Hagen, Oliphant & Pomeroy and TOKKIA, further strengthening the destination’s dynamic and high-quality dining offer.