KIBOU signs for flagship London site in Covent Garden

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar, the independently owned premium casual dining restaurant group, has signed for its first central London location in Covent Garden. This site will be the largest restaurant to date for the group, and continues to reinforce Covent Garden’s role as the go-to destination for dining in the West End.

Located in a key gateway unit, KIBOU has selected a c.8,000sq ft unit at 1a Tavistock Street in Covent Garden, with an opening targeted for early 2027. At 210 covers, it will be the largest restaurant in the group, marking KIBOU’s flagship London site. Sitting alongside several like-minded operators across the portfolio, KIBOU will deliver an established casual dining brand to the estate. 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.

Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “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.”

Sam Horswill, Managing Director at KIBOU Restaurants Ltd, commented: “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.”