Dishoom to Open Flagship Hop Exchange Café in Borough 2026

Key Points

• New Location: Dishoom is opening its eighth London outpost in the Grade II-listed Hop Exchange at 24 Southwark Street, directly opposite Borough Market.
• Scale & Layout: Occupying two floors in the West Wing along with a covered verandah, the venue is set to become the largest Dishoom site in the UK.
• Historic Site: The 1867 Victorian building was previously home to the Bavarian beer hall Katzenjammers, which closed in August 2025.
• Opening Timeline: Operations are scheduled to launch later this year, with initial listings pointing towards an autumn opening.
• Expansion Footprint: The new branch marks Dishoom’s 11th UK location, following recent expansion into Leeds and preceding a planned New York debut in 2027.
• Culinary Focus: The café will maintain Dishoom’s signature homage to Mumbai’s heritage Irani cafés, serving established favourites including the House Black Daal and Bacon Naan Roll.

South London (South London News) July 25, 2026 – Popular Bombay-style restaurant group Dishoom has officially confirmed plans to open a flagship café in Borough later this year, expanding its footprint into south London. Located at 24 Southwark Street within the historic Grade II-listed Hop Exchange building, the venue sits directly opposite Borough Market and moments from London Bridge station. The upcoming opening brings the group’s signature comfort food and Bombay café culture to one of the capital’s busiest culinary hubs.

Where Will The New Dishoom Café Be Located In South London?

As reported by Catherine Hanly of Hot Dinners, planning applications were initially submitted to Southwark Council for space within the West Wing of The Hop Exchange.

Constructed in 1867 as a trading centre for Britain’s hop industry, the Victorian building features a central glass ceiling and currently functions primarily as commercial office space.

According to Eloise Feilden of Time Out UK, Dishoom’s new venue will span two floors of the West Wing and will feature a covered dining verandah, replicating a layout style seen at its Shoreditch branch. Property updates published by landlord Peer Group Plc confirm that the site will represent the largest Dishoom establishment in the UK.

The premises were previously occupied on the ground floor by Bavarian beer hall Katzenjammers, which closed its doors in August 2025 after 16 years of trading.

Commercial property listings from NovaLoca indicate that the Hop Exchange site benefits from Class E planning consent and full extraction infrastructure, with permitted trading hours running from 07:00 to 00:00 seven days a week.

The venue forms part of a broader refurbishment scheme by Peer Group Plc scheduled for completion in Autumn 2026, incorporating step-free lift access and an updated central atrium.

When Is Dishoom Borough Scheduled To Open?

While an exact launch date has not been finalized, Dishoom has confirmed that it intends to welcome its first guests later this year. Industry listings on food directory Thatsup indicate an anticipated opening window in autumn.

As reported by London Now, an official spokesperson for Dishoom stated:

“Dishoom is looking forward to opening a new café at 24 Southwark Street in Borough later this year. The Borough café will continue Dishoom’s enduring celebration of Bombay: its food, history, culture and its quirks, while paying homage to the city’s much-loved Irani cafés, which once formed part of the fabric of everyday life. Further details will be shared closer to opening.”

What Menu Items Will Dishoom Offer At Its New Borough Branch?

The Borough site will serve Dishoom’s standard all-day menu, drawing inspiration from the food stalls, Irani cafés, and family kitchens of Mumbai.

As detailed by London Daily News, the menu will feature established signature dishes such as the House Black Daal—simmered for over 24 hours—alongside Gunpowder Potatoes, Okra Fries, and the Chicken Ruby curry. The restaurant will also provide its morning menu, centered around its popular Bacon Naan Roll, alongside chai offerings and full bar service.

What Is The Background Of Dishoom’s Expansion And The Historic Hop Exchange?

Dishoom was co-founded by Shamil and Kavi Thakrar, opening its first Bombay-inspired café in Covent Garden in 2010.

The concept was designed to pay tribute to the traditional Irani cafés opened by Persian immigrants in 20th-century Bombay, which became famous for bringing together people of different classes, cultures, and religions over shared tables.

Over the past 16 years, the restaurant group has expanded into a multi-site operation. In London, Dishoom operates branches in Covent Garden, Carnaby, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Kensington, Canary Wharf, and Battersea. The Borough outpost will mark its eighth café in the capital.

Nationally, the group has established sites in Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Brighton, with a Leeds location launching shortly. The company has also announced plans for its first international expansion in New York, scheduled for 2027.

The choice of 24 Southwark Street places Dishoom in the heart of Southwark’s food district. The surrounding neighborhood hosts a high concentration of prominent dining operators, including David Carter’s Michelin-starred Oma, Michelin Bib Gourmand winners Kolae and Agora, as well as Café François, Barrafina, Rambutan, Bancone, Cahoots, and Camille.

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What Are The Predictions For How Dishoom’s Borough Opening Will Impact Local Businesses And Diners?

The arrival of Dishoom at The Hop Exchange is expected to influence several key groups across the local hospitality economy:

For local residents, office workers, and visitors around London Bridge and Southwark, the opening provides a substantial capacity increase for casual dining in a high-demand area. Dishoom’s all-day trading model (from 07:00 to midnight) will offer additional options for breakfast, lunch, late-night dining, and walk-ins.

However, given the brand’s established popularity and queueing culture, increased footfall and street congestion along Southwark Street during peak dining hours are anticipated.

Joining an established food ecosystem alongside Borough Market, Dishoom’s presence is likely to drive higher overall footfall to the immediate area.

While the addition of a high-profile competitor increases direct competition for lunch and evening trade, destination diners drawn to Dishoom may also generate spillover customer traffic for adjacent bars, pubs, and neighboring restaurants in the Southwark Street and Bankside corridor.

By taking up two floors in the West Wing of the Grade II-listed building, Dishoom acts as an anchor tenant for Peer Group Plc’s wider refurbishment of The Hop Exchange.

Securing a national hospitality brand reinforces Southwark Street’s transition from predominantly traditional office space toward mixed-use leisure and food destinations, potentially influencing future commercial lettings and rental valuations across the London Bridge periphery.