The celebrated Indian restaurant Hoppers, where diners regularly queue for hours to secure a table, has confirmed it will be opening a new venue in East London.
A New Culinary Destination for Shoreditch
This will be the first new branch for the Michelin-starred group since 2020, marking a significant expansion. The new location will be situated within Shoreditch's iconic Tea Building and is scheduled to open its doors in early 2026.
Hoppers has built a formidable reputation at its existing sites in Soho, Marylebone, and King's Cross, specialising in the vibrant flavours of South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. The restaurant takes its name from its signature dish: bowl-shaped pancakes known as hoppers.
Exploring Lesser-Known Regional Flavours
The Shoreditch outlet promises to take diners on a deeper culinary journey, focusing on dishes from the lesser-known regions of South India. The menu will feature fiery curries from Chettinad, authentic street food from Madurai, and a variety of dosas from Bangalore.
Co-founder Karan Gokani expressed his excitement, stating: “Shoreditch lets us celebrate the lesser-known regions of South India while connecting the dots between Sri Lanka and India in a way that feels fresh, vibrant and deeply personal.”
Critical Acclaim and The Infamous Queue
Patience is a virtue for Hoppers' patrons. At the Soho venue, a virtual queuing system for walk-ins often results in wait times stretching for hours. However, even the famed and often hard-to-please food critic Jay Rayner believes the experience is "worth the wait."
In his review, Rayner recounted his own queuing experience, noting he was "glad I did." He particularly praised the "extremely good-value food – and the food is marvellous" and highlighted the "enthusiastic staff" who are on a "genuine mission to educate."
The new Shoreditch restaurant will be taking over the space previously occupied by the well-established restaurant Lyle's, which closed in May, continuing the location's legacy as a dining hotspot.
