1st May, 2023: Jamie Oliver, chef, author and child health campaigner, has confirmed he will open a new landmark restaurant in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, later this year.
The new restaurant, situated in the iconic Theatre Royal which is operated by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres, promises to be a popular destination that celebrates everything that’s wonderful about Britain’s rich and diverse food culture with a seasonal menu that champions the best of British produce.
Food will be sourced from the farmers, sustainable fisheries and artisan producers that Jamie has known and worked with for years, from the best farmhouse cheesemakers to Creedy Carver who will supply free range chickens and ducks and Cobble Lane Cured to name but a few. The restaurant will also champion emerging talent who bring a fresh perspective to high quality, sustainable food and drink with real provenance.
Kevin Styles, CEO of the Jamie Oliver Group says: “Being a positive part of the hospitality sector is incredibly important to us. We’ve been quietly growing our international restaurant franchise business and now operate in 23 countries with over 70 restaurants. “ He continues, “It has always been an ambition to return to our home market, when the time was right, and this feels like the perfect opportunity to open a very unique restaurant in a very unique venue that will celebrate beautiful, comforting dishes – old and new – from across the British Isles, reflecting the seasons, our rich and diverse food culture and supporting artisan producers. With the customer experience at the heart of everything we will do, we want to create great memories in a beautiful location.”
Jamie Oliver adds, “ Losing my UK restaurants was without doubt one of the hardest times of my life. But being a positive part of the restaurant industry is very close to my heart. We learnt lessons as we grew the international restaurants -there are now more than 70 across the world -so I’m very excited to open this restaurant in London and with an exceptional team, once again, serve the public.” He adds, “ It’s about going back to my culinary roots inspired by the dishes I grew up cooking in my mum and dad’s pub restaurant. It’s about celebrating Britain’s rich and diverse food scene in what I hope will be an iconic, trusted restaurant in a very special place. This opportunity truly means the world to me. “
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, owned and operated by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres, is one of the world’s oldest theatre sites in the world. In 2021, following a 2-year, £60 million restoration, the theatre reopened as an all-day destination in the heart of Covent Garden. As the next stage of this restoration plan, Jamie Oliver’s new restaurant will see the development of a new space adjacent to the main theatre at 6 Catherine Street.
Madeleine Lloyd Webber says: “We are delighted that, in opening this restaurant, the final part of our vision for Theatre Royal Drury Lane has come to fruition. We are thrilled that Jamie Oliver will be operating a restaurant as part of our 5* theatre experience. Our glorious theatre is open all day every day for everyone to enjoy the art and its glorious architecture, as well as luxury Afternoon Teas, cocktails and theatre tours and, of course, Disney’s Frozen. Jamie Oliver’s restaurant brings the final touch to Andrew and my dream for an all-day destination at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.”
The new restaurant will open towards the end of the year.