Eataly, Broadgate

After much anticipation and some Covid-related setbacks, Eataly is finally opening the doors of its first London outpost. From Thursday 29 April, visitors can browse the food hall or book an outdoor table and tuck into a range of pizzas, pasta, cannoli, gelato and more – or enjoy all of the above in takeaway form. Then from Monday 17 May, an indoor dining service will launch.

Eataly brings a playground of Italian gourmet experiences to London, offering shops, cafés, restaurants and a cookery school within its 42,000 square feet. Other branches of Eataly already exist in 34 cities, from New York to Sao Paulo. London's eagerly anticipated vast Italian food centre is next to Liverpool Street station and will have a terrace on Bishopsgate.

Founded by Oscar Farinetti in Alba, Italy, in 2004, Eataly marketplaces have since grown into a global chain. Each stand-alone food hall is a giant melting pot of Italian produce, restaurants and bars. Some – including the new London branch – even boast a cooking school.

Eataly offers Italian take-home produce as well as on-site restaurants and bars

Ahead of the London opening, Eataly CEO Luca Baffigo revealed that Borough Market was in fact an inspiration for the first Eataly outlet in Italy. 'Visiting Borough Market before opening our first Eataly in Italy was a source of great inspiration for our concept,' he said. 'This is why opening a place in London where people can buy, eat and learn is a very important and exciting milestone for us. Being able to bring our model into a place that is so significant for us fills us with satisfaction and stimulates us to create in London a wonderful multifunctional experience.'