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Dishoom plans to breathe new life into historic Hop Exchange building in Central London

Sunday, 9 November 2025 5:05AM UTC

Indian restaurant chain Dishoom aims to restore and revitalise the Grade II listed Hop Exchange building near Borough Market, blending heritage preservation with modern dining in a move set to transform the area’s culinary scene by late 2026.

Dishoom, the renowned Indian restaurant chain, is planning to open a new location in Central London within a historic but "underappreciated" building near Borough Market. The proposed site is The Hop Exchange, a Grade II listed building on Southwark Street, notable for its heritage as a hub for hop trading in the brewing industry since 1867. Although nominated for the blue plaque scheme in 2004, the building was not awarded one, underscoring its relatively overlooked status despite its architectural and historical significance.

According to planning documents submitted by Dishoom, the restaurant aims to revitalise the western area of The Hop Exchange while integrating the space more closely with Borough Market. The company emphasises that the area around the market is globally recognised for alfresco dining beneath striking industrial architecture and that its arrival will enrich this atmosphere further. The plan includes external dining, which will establish a new pedestrian connection via Park Street. Recognising potential concerns from local residents about noise, Dishoom has committed to conducting a noise impact assessment to mitigate disturbance.

The proposed development will preserve The Hop Exchange's special architectural interest, although it will involve some minor modifications to connect different rooms within the building. Dishoom argues these changes are necessary to ensure the building's long-term use and vitality, balancing heritage preservation with functional adaptation. The restaurant will offer seating for 296 patrons, including 44 outside, and employ between 52 and 62 staff working in shifts. Operating hours are planned from 8am to 11pm Monday through Thursday, extending to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and closing at 11pm on Sundays. The opening is anticipated by late 2026, subject to the planning committee's approval.

This new central London site will be the twelfth Dishoom restaurant nationwide and seventh within London. The company currently operates venues across the capital in Covent Garden, Kensington, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, King’s Cross, Carnaby, and Battersea. Beyond London, Dishoom has establishments in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, alongside a concept known as ‘Permit Rooms’ , all-day bar cafés focusing on sharing plates and drinks rather than full meals. These ‘Permit Rooms’ exist in Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, and soon in Notting Hill, where a new venue is planned to open in Spring 2025. The latter will be Dishoom's first ‘Permit Room’ in London, focusing on cocktails and a more casual dining setting.

The brand is also expanding its footprint into new cities outside London, with a first-ever Dishoom ‘Permit Room’ slated to open in Liverpool on Dale Street. This continues Dishoom's broader growth strategy as it transitions the distinct Bombay Irani café experience into more parts of the UK. The company’s site at Battersea, near the iconic power station, opened recently, marking its first restaurant in south London with a capacity of 235 covers and features nostalgic 1950s Bombay décor combined with modern elements.

Dishoom’s expansion highlights a keen blend of culinary innovation and heritage conservation, as it converts special venues to enhance their cultural and social relevance while growing the brand's presence. The Hop Exchange project in particular exemplifies this approach, as Dishoom seeks to honour and revitalise a significant but somewhat overlooked piece of London’s architectural history, offering residents and visitors a unique dining experience steeped in both heritage and vibrant modernity.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (MyLondon) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
^[2] (Evening Standard) - Paragraph 7
^[3] (Time Out) - Paragraph 7
^[4] (Time Out) - Paragraph 8
^[5] (The Caterer) - Paragraph 9
^[6] (Time Out) - Paragraph 9
^[7] (Dishoom Website) - Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/food-drink-news/plan-new-central-london-dishoom-32838697 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/dishoom-permit-room-bar-cafe-indian-portobello-raod-notting-hill-b1207589.html - Dishoom is set to open its first London 'Permit Room' bar and café in Notting Hill. The venue, located at 186 Portobello Road, is expected to launch in Spring 2025. The company has applied for an alcohol licence and planning permission for the site, which was previously occupied by the Portobello Gin Distillery. The 'Permit Room' concept focuses on sharing plates and cocktails rather than full sit-down meals, and the new venue will be the fourth of its kind, following openings in Brighton, Cambridge, and Oxford.
https://www.timeout.com/london/news/dishoom-is-opening-its-first-permit-room-restaurant-in-london-012925 - Dishoom has announced plans to open its first 'Permit Room' restaurant in London, located in Notting Hill. The 'all-day bar-café' is set to launch in Spring 2025 at 186 Portobello Road. The venue will focus on cocktails and sharing plates, offering a more casual dining experience compared to Dishoom's traditional sit-down meals. The company has applied for an alcohol licence and planning permission for the site, which was previously occupied by the Portobello Gin Distillery.
https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/dishoom-is-opening-its-first-ever-restaurant-in-liverpool-090625 - Dishoom is set to open its first-ever restaurant in Liverpool, with plans to launch a 'Permit Room' at Exchange Court on Dale Street. The 'Permit Room' concept focuses on sharing plates and cocktails rather than full sit-down meals. This will be the first Dishoom location in Liverpool, expanding the brand's presence beyond its existing sites in London and other UK cities.
https://www.thecaterer.com/news/dishoom-battersea-power-station-restaurant-opening - Dishoom is to open its first restaurant in south London at the Battersea Power Station development. The 235-cover site will be located on Electric Boulevard, outside the main building, and will feature a 'Permit Room' bar serving cocktails, chai, and non-alcoholic drinks. This will be the 11th overall site for Dishoom, which has previously opened locations in Canary Wharf and launched its first 'Permit Room' bar in Brighton.
https://www.timeout.com/london/news/dishoom-is-opening-its-first-restaurant-in-south-london-110323 - Dishoom is opening its first restaurant in south London at Battersea on Electric Boulevard, right next to the iconic Battersea Power Station. Set to open on December 6, the 235-cover site will be the chain's ninth branch. The restaurant will blend modern furnishings with nostalgic touches for 1950s Bombay and will serve all-day dining, from breakfast to dinner, including the brand's favourites like the legendary black dal.
https://www.dishoom.com/locations/ - Dishoom operates multiple locations across the UK, including cafés in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, as well as 'Permit Rooms' in Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, and Notting Hill. Each location offers a unique dining experience inspired by Bombay's Irani cafés, serving a menu of Bombay comfort food with an evolving selection of dishes.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be original, with no prior reports found. The earliest known publication date is 9 November 2025. The report is based on planning documents submitted by Dishoom, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([dishoom.com](https://www.dishoom.com/locations/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: No direct quotes were identified in the narrative. The absence of quotes suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from MyLondon, a reputable news outlet. The information is corroborated by other reputable sources, including the Evening Standard and Time Out. The planning documents submitted by Dishoom are accessible online, further supporting the reliability of the information. ([dishoom.com](https://www.dishoom.com/locations/?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about Dishoom's expansion plans are plausible and align with the company's recent growth strategy. The proposed location at The Hop Exchange is a Grade II listed building near Borough Market, which fits Dishoom's pattern of revitalising historic sites. The operational details, such as seating capacity and operating hours, are consistent with Dishoom's existing establishments. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is original, with no prior reports found. It originates from a reputable source and is corroborated by other reputable outlets. The claims are plausible and consistent with Dishoom's known expansion strategy. No discrepancies or suspicious elements were identified.

Hospitality
Heritage Conservation
London Development