New Turkish Restaurant Lokal Opens in Fitzrovia May 2026
A Celebrated London Restaurant Team Turns to Turkish Cuisine
London's dining scene is no stranger to exciting new openings, and Fitzrovia is about to welcome one of the most anticipated restaurants of 2026. The creative team responsible for the beloved Fred Bakery and Mediterranean-Italian favourite Faros is now setting its sights on Turkish cuisine with the launch of Lokal, opening on Friday 1st May at 7-8 Market Place, London W1W 8AG.
With the city's food culture as vibrant as ever — drawing visitors from Buckingham Palace to the backstreets of Soho — Fitzrovia has long established itself as a destination for serious food lovers. Lokal looks set to add something genuinely distinctive to that reputation. The restaurant will seat 110 diners inside, with additional outdoor covers, a semi-private dining room, a counter space, and a dedicated cocktail bar. It's a considered, ambitious setup that signals the team's confidence in what they're bringing to the table.
Co-founder Burak Demirelli has spoken about wanting Lokal to challenge and expand what Londoners expect from Turkish food, celebrating its regional depth and diversity in a city he describes as uniquely open to both innovation and authenticity.
Modern Turkish Flavours and Creative Cocktails on the Menu
At the heart of Lokal's offering is a menu designed by Head Chefs Salih Serden and Akacan Agir, who bring a contemporary lens to the rich traditions of Turkish regional cooking. Guests can expect handmade mezze, vibrant fresh salads, and reimagined classics such as slow-cooked lamb tandir — all crafted with care and a clear respect for the source material.
The food philosophy here isn't about reinvention for its own sake. Instead, the chefs aim to honour the versatility and sophistication of Turkish cuisine while presenting it in a way that feels fresh and relevant to a modern London audience. Think familiar comfort and bold, considered flavour in equal measure.
The cocktail list is equally thoughtful. The Mesopotamia blends padron pepper-infused tequila with rosé wine, Campari, and rosehip cordial, while the Galata combines Yeni rakı, Tokaji sweet wine, lychee liqueur, and elderflower for something altogether more delicate. Both drinks hint at the same cross-cultural creativity that defines the food menu. Whether you're visiting for a full dinner or settling in at the bar, there's clearly something here for every kind of guest looking to explore london attractions through the lens of great food and drink.
What Lokal Means for the Fitzrovia Community
The site at Market Place has seen a number of restaurant concepts come and go in recent years, including outposts from other well-regarded operators. That history makes Lokal's arrival all the more interesting to watch. With an established team behind it, a clear identity, and a 110-cover space designed for multiple dining experiences, it has the foundations to become a genuine neighbourhood staple.
For the local community in Fitzrovia and the wider West End, this kind of opening matters. Independent and chef-led restaurants contribute significantly to the character of London's streets, offering something beyond the predictable. Lokal represents a real investment in the area — not just financially, but creatively and culturally.
As one of the more exciting london events in the food calendar this spring, the restaurant's debut on 1st May 2026 is already generating considerable buzz. Co-founder Burak Demirelli has made clear that London, with its appetite for new ideas alongside genuine culinary tradition, felt like the only right place to launch this vision. For locals and visitors alike, Lokal promises to be a welcome and lasting addition to one of the capital's most dynamic dining neighbourhoods. Bookings and further information are available at lokalrestaurant.co.uk.
Source: The Team Behind Hyped Bakery Is Opening a New Turkish Restaurant
