Eataly finally set to make UK debut next week

The flagship 42,000sq ft venue, first announced back in 2018​​, will open next to Liverpool Street station on Broadgate in the City of London.

With indoor dining initially restricted, Eataly will first launch its market and retail area, takeaway eateries, and brand-new outdoor dining concept called La Terrazza di Eataly.

La Terrazza will offer an Italian menu of sharing dishes for the summer, and will also be host to the Aperol Spritzeria, offering cocktails, wine and beer.

Eataly's ground floor will feature a selection of takeaway options including Roman-style pizza by the slice concept Pizza alla Pala; a fresh pasta bar; and a Made In Eataly serving Italian paninis, focaccia, salads and 'classic' meals to go.

The market, meanwhile, will offer over 5,000 Italian and local food products and include a butcher, fishmonger, and wine cellar stocking more than 2,000 labels. 

A dedicated dessert counter (Via del Dolce) will showcase freshly-baked Italian cakes, pastry, cannoli and handmade gelato; the cheese laboratory will produce fresh mozzarella and Italian cheeses on site every day; and the bulk refill section will be the first Eataly packaging-free area in the world. 

Following the anticipated lifting of lockdown restrictions on indoor hospitality settings next month, Eataly will then have its 'grand opening' on 20 May and launch two indoor restaurants, Cucina del Mercato and Pasta e Pizza, alongside the in-store bars and seating areas.

Eataly's cookery school, La Scuola, will open on the same day, offering classes that will teach customers how to master classic Italian dishes.

Fine dining restaurant concept Terra is expected to subsequently launch in September.

“We are delighted to finally open our Eataly London doors to bring our love of Italian gastronomy to the UK at a time when consumers and hospitality professionals appreciate and need it the most," says Nicola Farinetti, Eataly CEO.

"Eataly was founded with a vision to bring the biodiversity, craft and different layers of culinary experiences of Italy together under one roof, under our motto of 'Eat, Shop, Learn'.

"Togetherness is at the heart of our brand and, while we will adhere to and implement all the necessary safety measures, we cannot wait to meet our new locals and celebrate passionate artisans and high-quality food in a dynamic and culturally diverse reality such as London.”

Farinetti opened the first Eataly in Torino, Italy, back in 2007 as an urban hub for local artisan food producers and chefs.

The business has since expanded to over 40 sites across 15 countries.