If you have found yourself hanging out by Liverpool Street station recently, you probably will have noticed that there has been a major change to the area. That’s right, Italian food hall Eataly has opened its first London branch just a stone’s throw away from the Bishopsgate exit.
Eataly, which already boasts almost 40 locations around the world, has taken up residency in a massive site that stretches across 42,000 square feet. The Italian food market features a raft of vendors both selling and cooking authentic Italian produce, with the set up similar in style to other famous London foodie destinations such as Borough Market.
The venue opened partially at the end of April 2020, complying with Covid-19 guidelines which only allowed for alfresco dining. Guests were able to browse the food hall and eat on an outdoor dining terrace, as well as enjoying pizza, pasta, gelato and other Italian treats from takeaway stalls.
In May, the alfresco dining terrace was joined by a cooking school, plus two indoor restaurants, Cucina del Mercato and Pasta e Pizza. In September of the same year, a flagship wood-burning grill restaurant named Terra will open in the space.
Eataly was originally founded in Turin, Italy and has since gone on to open locations across the globe. You can currently find Eataly outposts in New York, Moscow, Tokyo and Munich to name just a few, so it’s surprising that the brand has waited so long to open in London.
Eataly London is the largest stand-alone food hall in the UK, with visitors able to purchase Italian produce such as ciabatta, cured meats, olive oil and cheeses. There are a few bars too, stocked up with Italian wines and turning out classic cocktails such as Negronis and Aperol Spritz, while those looking to expand their knowledge of all things Italian cuisine can partake in one of the cooking classes at Eataly London’s very own on-site cookery school.
Eataly London is open now at 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD.
Eataly London restaurants
Discover all of the Eataly London restaurants and bars below, including what you can expect to find on the menu and what ocassions they are suited to.
La Terrazza di Eataly
What: It doesn’t get much more Italian than enjoying a meal in the sunshine, so it is only natural that Eataly’s London outpost includes an alfresco dining terrace. Open all year round (expect heaters and blankets in the winter), the fully covered La Terrazza di Eataly serves a selection of seasonal Italian dishes to share among the table, alongside a cocktail menu designed in collaboration with Aperol. Tuck into the classic likes of homemade burrata, traditional bolognese and margherita pizzas, while sipping on a refreshing Aperol Spritz.
Best for: Summer nights in the sunshine with friends.
Pasta e Pizza
What: Sure, there is far more to Italian cuisine than just pasta and pizza, but there’s a reason why these two staples are among the country’s most popular exports. Here, expect to try traditional pasta served al dente and wood-fired pizzas made with dough that has been leavened for 50 hours. On the menu, you will find dishes such as tagliolini with butter, Parmigiano Reggiano and black truffle, while pizzas arrive topped with the likes of mozzarella and spicy sausage. Wash it all down with your choice of Italian wines.
Best for: Those nights where you are craving some serious comfort food.
Cucina del Mercato
What: Translating to English as ‘kitchen of the market’, Cucina del Mercato is Eataly’s market-to-table concept, where the menu is underpinned by produce sourced from its very own market counters. This means you can expect to find the likes of fresh fish, cured meats, cheese and pantry staples all being put to good use, resulting in dishes such as whole sea bass and free-range chicken paired with side orders like triple-cooked potatoes and mixed vegetables.
Best for: Perfect for casual catch ups over a cheese board and some wine.
Central Bar
What: No London foodie destination is complete without a bar and Central is open all day, making it the perfect place for after work drinks or weekend cocktails with friends. The bar also serves lunch and dinner, so you can pair your classically Italian cocktails with equally as traditional Italian bar snacks - expect to sip on the likes of Negronis and Aperol Spritz.
Best for: Casual drinks and nibbles.
Terra (Opens late 2021)
What: The trend for cooking with open flames doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, so it makes sense that Eataly London would open a wood-fired grill as its flagship restaurant. Expect a menu of simple grilled meat and fish dishes embedded with seasonal flavours, ideally washed down with a botanical cocktail from the neighbouring Terra Bar.
Best for: Relaxed dinners with your restaurant hype beast friends.
Terra Bar
What: Terra might bill itself as a ‘botanical cocktail bar’, but before you get to them, be sure to check out the wine list - the bar claims to be home to the largest selection of Italian wines in London. Classic Italian cocktails are one of the other main draws, while Italian gins and craft beers from small Italian producers round off the list nicely.
Best for: Drinks after a long day at the office.
If you fancy scoping out some of the capital’s other foodie hubs, check out our pick of the best food markets in London.