Since Dishoom’s breakfast pop-up at Pastis in 2024, rumors have swirled that the London import would expand to New York. This spring, the restaurant group told Eater they were actively exploring leases in Manhattan. And today, the New York Times has more details: The restaurant that leans into 1960s Bombay (now officially known as Mumbai) with dishes like bacon naan rolls, black dal, chicken ruby curry, gunpowder potatoes, and chile cheese toast, is opening in 2026, though the location hasn’t been announced. It’s one of a handful of buzzy London imports headed to Manhattan.
Dishoom will join splashy overseas openings, arriving in New York like Punjabi-leaning Ambassadors Clubhouse. As Eater reported last fall, JKS Restaurants (the group that also owns the acclaimed Gymkhana restaurant) had signed a ground-floor lease at the A24 building — home to the film company behind Lady Bird, Uncut Gems, and Moonlight — at 1245 Broadway, at West 31st Street in Nomad. Ambassadors is set to debut this fall, a spokesperson tells Eater.
There’s also a slew of other London Indian spots joining the New York fray, including one from celebrated chef Asma Khan behind Indian restaurant Darjeeling Express. Khan told the publication she’d open “at least a year” from now. And Indian small plates Kricket is also on track to open in Manhattan, the Times reports.
Beyond Indian restaurants, there are more London imports on the way for New York. In the old Lucky Strike space in Soho (59 Grand Street, at West Broadway), controversial princess-dating chef Thomas Straker is opening something new. Fast-casual Farmer J, open in London since 2014, is also headed to New York this year at 31 West 52nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. And already open there’s the Japanese and Italian restaurant, Aqua, the 24,000 square foot spot in Flatiron, which opened last fall.
Dishoom opened in 2010 in Covent Garden, founded by cousins Shamil and Kavi Thakrar.. Modeled on the Iranian cafes from Persian immigrants in India, the restaurant was a hit for its colorful, bold interiors and nostalgic comfort food dishes. Today, it runs at least 10 locations across the U.K., along with sibling cafe Permit Room with four locations; employs around 2,000 people; and serves roughly 100,000 diners a week.
Earlier this month, Dishoom took on outside investment from private equity firm L Catterton, backed by luxury goods company LVMH, for about 300 million pounds. The founders remain in control, but the partnership signals ambitious international growth.
LVMH’s involvement aligns Dishoom with a broader lifestyle positioning, which has defined its cult status in London: A source says it may involve the option of allowing for overnight stays, much like one of its London locations.
Dishoom’s arrival underscores how groups like Unapologetic Foods, with its focus on award-winning regional Indian fare with Dhamaka and Semma, have paved the way for international Indian restaurant openings. It also reinforces how a new wave of global restaurant brands is shaping higher-end dining in Manhattan. These go along with New York’s globally famous Indian restaurants, such as Bungalow by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna.