<\/p>\n
Indian restaurant group Dishoom is set to expand into the Grade II listed Hop Exchange, blending heritage preservation with vibrant new dining experiences near Borough Market, subject to planning approval.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
London is poised to welcome a new Dishoom restaurant in a historically significant yet often overlooked building near Borough Market. The Indian dining group, renowned for its homage to Bombay\u2019s Irani caf\u00e9s, is planning to open its twelfth UK venue in The Hop Exchange, a Grade II listed building on Southwark Street. This location marks the seventh Dishoom restaurant in London, joining existing sites in Covent Garden, Kensington, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, King\u2019s Cross, Carnaby, and Battersea.<\/p>\n
The Hop Exchange, opened in 1867 and designed by R.H. Moore, originally served as the central hub for hop trading within the brewing industry. Its distinctive glass roof allowed natural light to illuminate the trading floor, making it an architectural hallmark of industrial-era London. However, after a fire in 1920, the building lost its top two storeys and was converted into office spaces. Despite its historical significance, Southwark Council’s attempt in 2004 to recognise it with a blue plaque was unsuccessful, underscoring its underappreciated status in the city\u2019s heritage landscape.<\/p>\n
Dishoom\u2019s planned restaurant, which could open toward the end of 2026 pending final committee approval, will seat 296 diners, including 44 outdoor seats, and employ between 52 and 62 staff members. It aims to enhance the dynamic Borough Market area by linking The Hop Exchange\u2019s western section more integrally with the market via Park Street. The company acknowledges the need to minimise noise disturbance to nearby residents and has commissioned a noise impact assessment as part of its planning process.<\/p>\n
The renovation and repurposing effort aligns with broader redevelopment plans for The Hop Exchange, led by Resident Architects. Their project includes adding two new storeys to create contemporary office spaces while carefully preserving the building\u2019s historic features. Restoration of the original front fa\u00e7ade and the replacement of a 1950s atrium roof with a design more respectful of the building\u2019s heritage are key elements of the refurbishment. The scheme also introduces a secondary entrance to facilitate public access and improve connectivity through the building\u2019s impressive atrium, creating a vibrant corridor linking Borough Market with Park Street. Ground-floor restaurant spaces, including the Dishoom outlet, are expected to contribute significantly to the area\u2019s vibrancy and appeal.<\/p>\n
Dishoom\u2019s concept, inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of Bombay’s Irani caf\u00e9s, is well known for combining authentic Indian cuisine with a distinctively stylish and welcoming interior design. The company has recently expanded its footprint with a Canary Wharf location that echoes the 1970s South Bombay caf\u00e9 aesthetic, complete with signature dishes such as the bacon and egg naan and Malai lobster. It has also launched \u2018Permit Rooms\u2019, all-day caf\u00e9-bars inspired by Bombay\u2019s mid-20th-century beer bars, in Brighton, Cambridge, and soon in London\u2019s Notting Hill, further diversifying its offerings.<\/p>\n
According to planning documents, Dishoom\u2019s use of The Hop Exchange will involve minor alterations to the listed building to facilitate connectivity between spaces and reveal historic features like two fireplaces. While these changes entail some impact to the building\u2019s fabric, the company argues that the long-term benefits of securing a sustained, vibrant use for this heritage asset outweigh such challenges. This approach reflects local and national planning policies aimed at balancing conservation with adaptive reuse.<\/p>\n
The new venue will operate with extensive opening hours, serving customers from 8am to late evening on weekdays, extending to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and closing at 11pm on Sundays. This schedule positions Dishoom as both a breakfast and evening destination, catering to a broad range of dining occasions in one of London\u2019s most historic and bustling food districts.<\/p>\n
The expansion of Dishoom into The Hop Exchange also fits within the group\u2019s broader growth ambitions, which include its first international venture planned for New York City by late 2026. CEO Brian Trollip expressed the company\u2019s commitment to opening new locations that carry compelling stories and maintain the high standards of their existing venues.<\/p>\n
This proposed Dishoom site at The Hop Exchange promises to bring fresh cultural and culinary vibrancy to a building deeply rooted in London\u2019s industrial past. If approved, it will weave together heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality, enriching the Borough Market area and providing residents and visitors alike with a unique and memorable dining experience.<\/p>\n