Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany are heading to Stratford
While we wait for the V&A East Museum to open its doors, we’ve got more info on what to expect from its food and drink offering, as it’s been confirmed that Jikoni founders Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany will be opening Cafe Jikoni at the institution.
The Marylebone restaurant that the two have been operating since 2016 bills itself as a ‘mixed heritage’ restaurant South Asian, Middle Eastern, East African and British influences. The 120-cover Cafe Jikoni will build on this, offering nourishing food that reflects the diversity of the area at accessible price points. As well as offering a coffee programme developed with Workshop Coffee, including Jikoni’s own ‘no-borders’ roasted blend, the menu will include the likes of:
- turmeric & ginger chicken pie
- lamb merguez flatbreads with fennel, tahini and pickled chillies
- macaroni dhal
- mushroom and egg congee with chilli oil
- classic Bombay sandwich with green chutney
- triple greens and feta filo pie
- lamb, baharat, currant and pine nut sausage rolls
- palak paneer flatbread with pickled onions
- Vietnamese coffee brownie with coffee fudge icing
- banana cake with miso frosting
- loaded sweet potato with chilli beans, avocado crema and pickled cabbage
- butter beans alio olio with zhoug, tahini and pangrattato
Speaking about the opening, Bhogal and Nanjuwany said: “Café Jikoni is a joyful expression and natural evolution of our long-standing mission to cross borders and unite people through food. We’re delighted to have a dedicated home within one of the world’s greatest institutions, serving up delicious, culturally appropriate food to all who visit us, with dishes that will speak to the depth and breadth of the rich and diverse communities of our capital, particularly in East London. Beyond nourishing and delicious food, our intention is grounded in inclusivity, hospitality and positive change. A home from home for all.”
While we wait for the restaurant and the museum proper to open, you can get inside the V&A East Storehouse and see its vast collections, and the David Bowie archive, now.
Key Information
Opening date | Sat 18th April 2026
Address | V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Rd, London, E20 2AR.
For more information | @cafejikoni
