Viral favourites and coffee hotspots: five new F&B brands to join Shaftesbury Capital’s Covent Garden
Shaftesbury Capital has announced that five new hospitality brands are set to join the Covent Garden neighbourhood and enhance the culinary line-up, including a debut for Carmy’s, and a second location for viral coffee brand, Frothee.
Carmy’s, the brand-new pizza-by-the-slice concept, is set to make its official debut in an 820 sq ft store at 1a Monmouth Street this summer. The team behind Carmela’s Pizzeria, co-founders Phil Chaykin, Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany, plus the Bite Twice social media food duo, will be joined by head chef Aaron Murphy and general manager Davide Paone, to launch Carmy’s. The new F&B concept will craft New York-style pizza slices with a focus on quality product, consistency, and speed. Quick service and a tight menu of the classics and rotating specials will be key to Carmy’s, catering for a central London crowd on the go. Located on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, this is a key anchor site, marking the gateway into Covent Garden’s Seven Dials neighbourhood.
Frothee, known for its popular matcha coffee, has selected a c400 sq ft unit at 29 Bedfordbury in Covent Garden to open its second location in London. The viral café concept, which opens later this month, brings a fresh twist on a local café to the neighbourhood, with its high-quality matcha and unique cold foam drinks.
JUNK Burger has signed for a 1,600 sq ft space at 19 New Row, marking its third site in the UK. Founded in 2021, the premium smash burger brand will bring its no-frills approach to Covent Garden, with quality ingredients and a precise approach to cooking. The JUNK Group is expanding to establish its brands as staples in the world’s leading capitals, and joining London’s leading culinary destination reflects this aim.
JUNK Group’s Puffy Cookies has also signed for a 1,200 sq ft store at 3 New Row. Following the success of JUNK Burger, Puffy Cookies launched in 2023. Puffy Cookies are baked fresh every day, and, in true New York spirit, achieve the perfect thick, soft, comforting texture. This will be the third London location for Puffy Cookies as part of the brand’s expansion.
Finally, Elia, a modern Mediterranean restaurant, is set to open its first site in the lower level of Covent Garden’s historic, Grade-II listed Market Building. Elia champions simple, honest food made with fresh, high-quality Mediterranean ingredients. The 520 sq ft restaurant will be adjacent to Chez Antoinette, which recently completed a refurbishment and an upsize. The space will be warm and welcoming, for a combination of quick meals and relaxed dining, with a central display showcasing fresh produce as a key feature. Elia will open in the coming months and will later be joined by Inception Group’s flagship, set to arrive in the Market Building later this year.
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, commented: “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.”
Phil Chaykin, Managing Director of Carmy’s, added: “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.”
Ozgur Karakas, Founder of Elia, added: “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.”
This cluster of new signings follows a period of sustained leasing activity in the neighbourhood. It comes after the success of Burro, the unique Italian dining concept by Conor Gadd, which opened in Floral Court in March, and the news that Buvette, an internationally recognised restaurant, is set to make its UK debut at 2 Neal’s Yard next month. This all reflects the widespread appeal of Covent Garden as a distinctive and high-quality F&B destination, which continues to attract significant brand interest.