Cabana to open at the O2 Arena this summer

Cabana has confirmed it will open its sixth site at London’s O2 Arena in time for the Brazilian World Cup this summer.

The Brazilian barbecue chain has secured a 5,000 sq ft site inside the world-famous venue, where it will join the likes of Soundbites Grill,  Base Pizzeria and Chop Chop Stir Fry.

The 220-cover restaurant will be spread over two floors, with an outdoor seating area and a unique design featuring Cabana’s iconic ‘upcycled’ fixtures.

It will serve Cabana’s new menu, which is being launched across the brand’s sites this Spring and features a new selection of Brazilian dishes including “Passarinho” Fried Chicken alongside favourites such as the Malagueta Chilli Chicken and sticky barbecue ribs.

As with other Cabana sites the rstaurant's cocktail menu will focus on varieties of Brazil’s signature cocktail, the Caipirinha.

Cabana co-founder David Ponté, said: “At such an exciting time for Cabana and Brasil, we are extremely pleased to be opening at the O2, the world’s busiest music venue and look forward to expanding further.”

Growth strategy

Cabana has gone from strength to strength since its launch by Ponté and Jamie Barber in 2011.

Last year, the brand raised £3.5m of new funding and opened two new sites, including a 5,000 sqft restaurant overlooking the entrance to Wembley stadium.

Barber and Ponté also secured a book deal with Gordon Ramsay’s publisher Quandrille, which is due to release Cabana: The Cookbook in May 2014.

Watch BigHospitality's exclusive video interview with Jamie Barber on the concept behind Cabana here