Many people have a fondness for cheese, and if that sounds like you, there is a London eatery worth visiting. Pick & Cheese at Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden is believed to be the world's first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, offering a unique way to enjoy British artisan cheeses sushi-style.
What is Pick & Cheese?
Situated on the top floor of the KERB-run market, it features a 40-metre belt carrying revolving plates of cheese, each thoughtfully paired with a distinctive accompaniment such as chutney, crackers, bread, pickles or cured meats. Despite launching in September 2019, many people remain unaware of the restaurant's existence.
The establishment was inspired by traditional Japanese kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi bars. Founder Mathew Carver created it to make artisan British cheeses more approachable and less intimidating for customers.
The Experience
The belt is specially designed for the venue, with custom covers (domes) to maintain the cheese at the ideal temperature and quality while circulating. The restaurant serves over 25 varieties of British and Irish cheeses, including Keens Cheddar with tomato chutney, Cropwell Bishop Stilton with kimchi, Cornish Yarg with pea and mint pesto, and Truffled Baron Bigod with charcoal crackers.
Guests receive small plates of British cheese and select whatever appeals to them. Each plate is colour-coded according to price, with costs typically ranging from £3 to £8 or more per plate.
Off-Belt Options
The menu also features larger dishes and grilled cheese options available to order separately. "Off-Belt" hot options include Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Five Cheese Macaroni, Blue Cheese Raclette, Fondue Smoked Sausage, and La Latteria Mozzarella Sticks, renowned for their spectacular cheese pull.
Tips for Visiting
Budget-conscious diners might consider visiting on a Wednesday, when the Bottomless Plates deal is offered at £29.50 per person. This allows guests to enjoy unlimited cheese and charcuterie plates from the belt for 75 minutes. The venue can get crowded, so advance booking is advisable. Portions are relatively modest, making it more of a sampling experience than a conventional meal.
Viral Success
I was so taken with the concept that I posted a clip on my TikTok page, where it rapidly went viral, amassing over 174,000 views. One viewer commented: "These should be in every town," while another joked: "OMG, I would be the size of a house."
Other Locations
Alongside the Covent Garden site, there is now also a Pick & Cheese restaurant at Camden Market, which took over from The Cheese Bar. The location was revamped in July 2025 and boasts an 18-metre-long conveyor belt. Later this year, a Pick & Cheese is due to launch in New York, US. It will be located in Shaver Hall, the new food hall housed in the former Lord & Taylor flagship building at 424 Fifth Ave, Midtown Manhattan. The New York-based Pick & Cheese has yet to open its doors to the public as of May 2026. Although early plans had targeted a February or March 2026 launch, the latest schedule points to a grand opening on June 1, 2026.
