The Jikoni Founders Are Opening a Restaurant at the V&A East Museum

Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany are heading to Stratford

The V&A East Museum may not be opening until spring 2026, but we’ve been given a little taster of what to expect from its food and drink offering, as it’s been announced that Jikoni founders Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany will be involved. 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, but we don’t know yet whether the V&A East restaurant will follow the same path.

Speaking about the opening, the pair have said, “We’re excited to be in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on East Bank, with a project that will speak to the depth and breadth of the culturally rich and diverse communities in East London. Beyond serving nourishing and delicious food, our intention is inclusivity, collaboration and connectivity.”

Laura Parker, Deputy Director of V&A East, has also shared a little more info on the project, saying, “Ravinder and Nadeem share our vision of making the arts and culture more accessible. They’ll be bringing their passion for storytelling through food while focusing on seasonal ingredients, sustainability, and supporting local producers. Alongside delicious food and drinks, the café will also host events and experiences that bring people together in new and exciting ways.”

While we wait for the restaurant and the museum proper to open, you’ll be able to get inside the V&A East Storehouse and see its vast collections from May, with the David Bowie archive available to view from September.

Key Information

Opening date | spring 2026
Address | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20
For more information | vam.ac.uk

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