Ikea opens its first UK high street restaurant in Hammersmith, bringing Swedish cuisine and beloved menu items, like its iconic meatballs, to local diners.
Ikea Launches First UK High Street Restaurant in Hammersmith
Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant known for its flat-pack furniture and minimalist design, has expanded its culinary footprint with the inaugural opening of a high street restaurant in the UK. Located in Hammersmith, West London, the newly launched restaurant promises to bring the brand’s signature Swedish meatballs and other beloved menu items to the local high street, making them accessible to a broader audience outside of its traditional store setting.
Situated adjacent to Ikea’s recently updated local store branch, the restaurant occupies the former premises of a Wasabi establishment. Designed to welcome up to 75 diners, the venue offers a diverse menu that captures the essence of Swedish cuisine. Customers can indulge in Ikea’s iconic meatballs, served with mashed potatoes, cream sauce, peas, and lingonberry jam. Priced at £4.95, the dish can also be enjoyed in a plant-based variant featuring plant balls. Additionally, the menu features traditional British options such as battered cod and chips, as well as kid-friendly choices like pasta with tomato sauce.
For those seeking a morning meal, the restaurant provides an affordable breakfast selection. The bargain breakfast set, available for £2.75, offers bacon, sausage, a hash brown, omelette, baked beans, and tomato. A heartier option, comprising nine items including two slices of bacon, two sausages, and two hash browns, is priced at £3.75.
Matthew Gould, Market Manager at Ikea London City, expressed enthusiasm about the restaurant’s opening. “We know how much our customers love the Ikea restaurant, and we’re excited to celebrate the opening of our very first high street restaurant,” he stated. Gould highlighted that customers can now enjoy their favourite Ikea dishes while shopping in Hammersmith, or take a traditional Swedish ‘fika’ break with coffee and sweet treats.
This development coincides with challenges at another prominent Ikea UK location. The much-anticipated Oxford Street store, housed in the historic Grade II listed building that once belonged to Topshop, has encountered unforeseen delays. Originally slated for a 2025 opening, the project has faced significant renovation complexities, particularly concerning leaks in the building’s basement. Ingka Investment, Ikea’s investment arm, acquired the property following the administration of Topshop’s parent company, Arcadia.
Despite setbacks, the retail giant assures that significant progress is being made across the building’s seven floors. The delay underscores the intricate nature of revamping a historical site to meet modern retail needs.
As Ikea navigates construction hurdles on Oxford Street, the opening of its new restaurant in Hammersmith marks a strategic move to extend its gastronomic offerings to a wider audience, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovation beyond home furnishings.
Source: Noah Wire Services