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Dishoom is set to transform the Grade II listed Hop Exchange near Borough Market into its twelfth UK restaurant, blending historic architecture with modern dining; meanwhile, its first Permit Room in London will revive Bombay\u2019s permit culture with a casual bar and accommodation concept in Notting Hill, marking a bold expansion in heritage-inspired venues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
London\u2019s vibrant dining scene is set to welcome a significant new addition with Dishoom planning to open its twelfth UK restaurant in a historic building near Borough Market. The proposed site is The Hop Exchange, a Grade II listed building on Southwark Street, which Dishoom describes as an “important but underused and underappreciated heritage asset.” Originally opened in 1867, The Hop Exchange was once the centre of hop trading for the brewing industry, featuring architectural highlights such as a distinctive glass roof designed to illuminate the trading floor with natural light. Following a fire in 1920, the building was partially altered but still retains its historic charm, though it was once nominated for a blue plaque, a recognition that was ultimately declined.<\/p>\n
Dishoom\u2019s plans, expected to materialise in late 2026, envision the western area of the building being transformed to accommodate around 296 diners, including 44 outdoor seats. The project aims to connect diners more closely to the Borough Market area, complementing the market\u2019s alfresco dining culture with a new pedestrian link via Park Street. According to planning documents, while some minor alterations to the listed building will be necessary to create internal connections and reveal features such as two historic fireplaces, these changes are proposed to be carefully managed to preserve the building\u2019s special architectural interest. The company acknowledges potential noise impacts on local residents and has committed to undertaking a noise impact assessment to mitigate concerns. The restaurant will operate extensive hours, from early morning to late evening throughout the week, and is expected to employ between 52 and 62 staff.<\/p>\n
This new Dimension will mark Dishoom\u2019s seventh London venue, joining established locations in Covent Garden, Kensington, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, King\u2019s Cross, Carnaby, and Battersea. The group also operates regional restaurants across Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, as well as a distinct line of \u2018Permit Rooms\u2019, more casual, all-day bar cafes inspired by Bombay\u2019s mid-20th-century drinking culture.<\/p>\n
Highlighting this complementary concept, Dishoom is poised to launch its first Permit Room in London on Portobello Road, Notting Hill, slated for spring 2025. This follows successful openings in Brighton, Cambridge, and Oxford. Situated within a Victorian four-storey property formerly home to the Portobello Gin Distillery, the Permit Room aims to recreate the atmosphere of Bombay\u2019s \u2018permit rooms\u2019, licensed establishments that became popular in the 1960s and 1970s when alcohol consumption was heavily regulated but allowed under specific permits. The London site will have a drinks-led focus, serving cocktails, sharing plates, and dishes emblematic of Dishoom\u2019s style such as bacon naan rolls and crispy spinach chaat. A notable feature of this venue will be its two-bedroom Lodging House accommodation, a nod to the Parsi-operated migrant refuges of 19th-century India, making it Dishoom\u2019s first venture into hospitality accommodation. The project for the Notting Hill Permit Room is estimated to cost around \u00a32 million, with construction planned to begin early in 2025.<\/p>\n
Dishoom’s expansion signals a broader strategy of blending heritage spaces with contemporary dining experiences, filling previously underutilised landmarks with vibrant culinary activity. As it looks internationally, the company is also reportedly close to securing a site for its first US restaurant, underscoring its ambition to grow beyond the UK market.<\/p>\n
The opening of the new Dishoom at The Hop Exchange, along with the upcoming Permit Room in Notting Hill, reflect the restaurant group\u2019s dual focus on preserving historic sites while innovating within the restaurant sector, catering to varied customer experiences, from full-service dining to casual bar settings. Both venues will add to London\u2019s eclectic food and drink fabric, attracting both locals and tourists to areas rich in history and culture.<\/p>\n