KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar, the independently owned premium casual dining restaurant group, has signed for 1a Tavistock Street in Covent Garden, a flagship site within the Shaftesbury Capital estate in London’s West End.
The acquisition marks a pivotal moment in KIBOU’s growth and represents its first Central London site, with an opening targeted for early 2027. At 210 covers, it will be the largest restaurant in the group.
Design and fit-out will be led by Q&A Interior Design Ltd, who have created every KIBOU restaurant to date, with original hand-painted murals by Gloucestershire-based artist Martyna Sabadasz, a defining element of the KIBOU brand and experience. A development timeline will be confirmed in due course.
The signing follows KIBOU’s strongest trading year on record, with double-digit year-on-year revenue growth driven by sustained investment in team and guest experience. It builds on the group’s expanding portfolio, which currently spans Battersea, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Clifton (Bristol), Oxford, and Solihull, with a seventh site opening in Birmingham this autumn. The funding for the Covent Garden development has been supported by HSBC UK.
Shaftesbury Capital PLC is one of London’s leading West End landlords, with a portfolio concentrated in Covent Garden, Carnaby, Soho and Chinatown.
Commenting on the deal, Sam Horswill, Managing Director at KIBOU Restaurants Ltd, says:
“Covent Garden is one of the world’s busiest and most exciting dining destinations, and we’re delighted to be working with the Shaftesbury Capital team to bring KIBOU here. Securing our largest site yet in the heart of the capital is a real statement of intent. This is organic growth built on strong foundations. Our best ever trading year, a brilliant team, and real ambition for what comes next.”
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, comments:
“Covent Garden continues to prove itself as one of the world’s premier hospitality destinations, attracting the very best restaurant and bar brands. KIBOU’s arrival will be a fantastic addition to our restaurant mix and we’re excited to see it thrive as it takes on its most ambitious site yet in the heart of the West End.”
For more information about KIBOU Restaurants Ltd visit www.kibou.co.uk