In its Swinging Sixties heyday it was a mecca for followers of fashion. Now after decades living on past glories Carnaby Street is reinventing itself as the heart of one of London’s hottest foodie quarters.
Top London restaurateurs including Alan Yau and Vivek Singh have opened outlets in and around the short stretch of pedestrianised road where Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Mary Quant once shopped.
The landlords of Kingly Court, immediately west of Carnaby Street, want to transform it into a gastronomic hub to rival other West End restaurant clusters such as Charlotte Street.
Upcoming launches include Rum Kitchen, a 70-seat restaurant serving West Indian dishes and rum due to open on November 14.
Recent openings at Kingly Court include diner Whyte & Brown and the Moosh juice bar, while Rosa’s Thai Café launched in Ganton Street, close to the junction with Carnaby Street.
Landlords Shaftesbury say they are also talking to a potential new vegetarian restaurant, a bakery and a wine shop.
Catherine Hanly, editor of website Hot Dinners, said: ”Soho is experiencing an explosion of new openings and with so much interest in the area, places like Kingly Court and Carnaby Street are seeing the benefit of that competition for restaurant space.
“It helps that Kingly Court has a sheltered courtyard for alfresco eating, which sets it apart by giving it a bit of a street food vibe compared with other restaurants.”
