Hong Kong’s two-Michelin-Star restaurant Duddell’s will to open a branch in London this year.
The historic Church of St Thomas near London Bridge will be converted into an 80-seat restaurant. It will be the first Duddell’s-branded restaurant outside of Hong Kong.
Heading up the kitchen will be Daren Liew, former executive sous chef at the Hakkasan Group, with the menu featuring a modern take on authentic Cantonese dishes with “handcrafted” dim sum.
On a mezzanine overlooking the dining room, the bar will offer cocktails with an Oriental twist.
Describing itself as a “cultural destination”, Duddell’s runs year-round art programs at its Hong
Kong sites. In similar vein, a pop-up exhibition from Hong Kong artist Nadim Abbas from June 20 until July 15 will promote the London restaurant. Work on the restaurant will begin immediately following the exhibition.
St Thomas, which dates from 1703, closed as a place of worship in the late 19th century. Damaged by metro line works in the 1990s, the building was placed on English Heritage’s “at risk” register. However, it was refurbished in 2007 and became headquarters for a property development company.
Part of the church tower and roof are occupied by the Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret. With the church’s conversion into the restaurant, new lift access will be provided for the museum.
