London Epicerie specialist grocery shop is now open in Belgravia

London Epicerie, a brand-new high-end grocery co-founded by Raissa van Dijk and Jared Wybrow, has opened in Belgravia. The new establishment combines the range of a weekly food shop with the sourcing practices of truly specialist food retailer, selling seasonal produce, bread, dairy, artisanal cheese, charcuterie, wine and pantry staples all in one place.

The business follows more than a decade of trading at London Cheesemongers, where Wybrow and van Dijk built working relationships with growers and producers across Britain and Europe. The founders say the new shop is intended to negate the distinction between specialist food and everyday groceries, presenting both in the same space.

“London Epicerie was created from a belief that people shouldn’t have to choose between convenience and quality. By bringing together trusted producers, transparency and expert curation, we aim to make better food easier to buy and enjoy everyday. We hope that small, informed choices can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable food system,” they explained.

Staff are on hand to answer questions about how products are made and where they come from, and the shop keeps information about producers visible. Suppliers include Westcombe Dairy in Somerset, which produces clothbound Cheddar, and the Alpine cheesemaker L’Etovas, which makes raw milk cheeses in mountain chalets during the summer months. There’s also bread from Alma Bakery, ancient-grain pasta from Noja Progetto Agricolo, early-harvest Tuscan olive oil from Piro, balsamic vinegar from Bonini, Maison Marc cornichons and charcuterie supplied through Ham & Cheese Co, who have worked with London Cheesemongers for more than ten years. Even further, there’s seasonal produce, small-batch dairy from producers including Long Lane, coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters, prepared food, store-cupboard options and more.

Two specialists work alongside the food selection. Daniel Garcia Thomas, previously head sommelier at Brat for four years and formerly of The Goring Hotel in Belgravia, is wine director and has assembled a list focused on growers from both established and less familiar regions. Edmund Swinburn, a nutritional therapist trained at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London with further specialisation in nutrigenomics, advises on the shop’s approach to nutrition and everyday eating.

The interior was designed by Deidra Hodgson and draws on the format of traditional European food stores, using light oak, stone finishes and a repeated architectural grid expressed through shelving and display structures. Crates, shelving and preparation areas are built into the fabric of the interior rather than added as surface finishes.

Wybrow has worked in food for more than 30 years, starting as a chef in the UK and abroad before moving into specialist retail at Neal’s Yard Dairy, and founded London Cheesemongers in 2014. Van Dijk, originally from Rotterdam, has a background in clinical psychology alongside training in fitness and yoga, and has managed London Cheesemongers for the past three years. Clearly, the two make a powerhouse team – their new outlet is a must for foodies city-wide.

Food Desk

London Epicerie is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm at 65-69 Ebury Street, London SW1W 0LU. For further information, visit their Instagram here.