Alley Cats to open Portobello Road restaurant

Alley Cats will open a new restaurant at 233 Portobello Road in early February, introducing a street-level walk-up hatch serving individual 18-inch slices alongside an upstairs dining room.

The two-floor site will offer grab-and-go service at ground level and full table service on the first floor, where a dining room and hidden outdoor terrace will provide additional seating away from the street.

Head chef Francesco Macrì has developed new dishes for the opening, including Fat Cat Squares – the brand’s take on Sicilian square pizza – as well as sub sandwiches such as a Philly cheesesteak.

The menu will also feature deep-fried carbonara bites and an aubergine parmigiana. These sit alongside the pizzeria’s existing 14-inch whole pies and classic slices.

Co-founder Ellie Noble has worked with architect Nadia Sousa of Sousa Studios on the new design. The first-floor dining room will feature exposed brickwork and a pared-back style in line with the brand’s neighbourhood feel, while the ground floor will adopt a more experimental look drawing on Portobello Road’s bohemian aesthetic.

Materials include Italian flooring, a bespoke tie-dye awning and psychedelic Alpi veneer joinery designed by Ettore Sottsass.

The company said the opening marked a further stage in its expansion and its arrival on a street known for its character and creative identity.