Jody Williams to bring Buvette back to London

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that Buvette, the gastrothèque by chef Jody Williams, will open in Covent Garden’s Neal’s Yard this summer.

The opening sees the UK return of the French café-style restaurant, joining its sister sites in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Seoul. It had previsouly opened in Notting Hill in 2021, only to close at the beginning of 2024 

Buvette Covent Garden will occupy a 2,800 sq ft, 80-cover space at 2 Neal’s Yard, offering a flexible day-to-night dining concept.

It will cater to a wide range of occasions, from morning coffee and lunches to post-theatre cocktails and evening dining. The restaurant will also benefit from al fresco seating.  

The restaurant will be in good company, joining St John's Neal’s Yard Bakery and Bar, Story Cellar and The Barbary, as well as Frog by Adam Handling and Café Murano within the wider neighbourhood.

Buvette will also sit alongside a strong pipeline of recent and forthcoming openings, including Burro, the new concept from Conor Gadd at 2 Floral Court, Indian restaurant Kricket set to open in Neal’s Yard later this year, and Harry’s, now open on Russell Street.

"The signing of Buvette is a clear endorsement of Covent Garden’s position as London’s leading destination for chef-led dining," says Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital. "Securing a globally recognised, founder-driven concept of this calibre for Neal’s Yard reflects our long-term strategy of curating a best-in-class culinary mix that delivers both international appeal and enhances the distinct character and experience of Covent Garden."

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