New British bistro Tavern to open in Shoreditch with refined pub-inspired menu

A new British bistro, Tavern, is opening on Old Street in Shoreditch on this April. The restaurant is the latest venture from the team behind Nest and the Michelin-starred and Green Star-awarded Restaurant St Barts. Located at the former site of Nest, Tavern aims to evoke the atmosphere of a classic local pub while offering a menu of refined, bistro-style dishes. The opening will see executive chef Brendan Appleby, formerly of Inver, Silo and Lyle’s, at the helm, working alongside Johnnie Crowe and head chef Kirsty Easterbrook (previously sous chef at St Barts).

The team behind the new venue has stated it will “channel the buzzy energy of a great local whilst serving refined, bistro style food”. The design will feature a minimalist palette of black and off-white, with a prominent black slate counter wrapping around an open kitchen. Diners can choose to sit at the bar for snacks and drinks while watching the chefs at work, or settle into the main dining area, which will be set with white tablecloths and candlelight.

Tavern’s menu will change regularly, with a small selection of daily specials. The focus will be on seasonal British produce, whole-animal butchery and dishes cooked over fire, reflecting the group’s established relationships with UK farmers, fishermen and growers. Initial offerings include snacks such as Devilled Pig Skin with Smoked Cod’s Roe, Hogget Scrumpets with Mint and House-made Sausage with Curry Sauce, referencing chip shop traditions. Other small plates will feature a Cheese and Onion Chunion Puff, Barbecued Cuttlefish and Pork XO Skewers and British Bluefin Tuna Tostada with Irish Wasabi.

For main courses, guests can expect dishes like Brixham Turbot with English Sparkling Wine and Cobnut Sauce, Yew Tree Farm Hogget with Anchovy and Ewe’s Curd and Tamworth Pork served nose-to-tail with cider mustard sauce. Larger sharing plates, such as Welsh Wagyu Rib of Beef with Marrow and Dorset Snails, will also be available. For dessert there are treats like British Chocolate Tart with Barley Ice Cream, Todoli Lemon Sorbet with Meringue and Bread and Butter Pudding Ice Cream.

Tavern will continue the group’s commitment to sourcing ingredients from sustainable British suppliers, including Keltic Seafare and David Lowrie for seafood, and Swaledale, Udale and Alternative Meats for meat. The drinks menu will include beer served in tankards, a wine list focused on natural and low-intervention producers, and cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients and preservation techniques.

The restaurant will open for lunch from Wednesday to Saturday from noon till 3pm, and for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30 to 9pm. Bookings will open on 30^th March.

Food Desk

Tavern opens on 28^th April 2026 at 374-378 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT. For further information or to book a table, visit their website here.