Bloomsbury’s Sicilian Avenue secures two new F&B brands

Sicilian Avenue in Bloomsbury has secured two food and drink operators as part of its first wave of lettings, with Flying Horse Coffee now trading and Japanese tea specialist Matchado set to open in spring 2026. 

The activity forms part of the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed pedestrianised street, which includes 70,000 sq ft of refurbished offices above 17,500 sq ft of retail and F&B space.

Flying Horse Coffee has taken the corner unit at No.1 Sicilian Avenue for its fourth London store and its first in central London. The site serves the company’s signature coffees alongside toasties and bagels aimed at office workers, students and visitors.

Owner and founder, Philip Way, said: “We are super excited to get started, and it’s our most beautiful setting yet to open in. We’ve really taken our time to respect its heritage down to details like matching the colour of our coffee machine with the Grade II listed oriel window frames.”

Matchado, founded in 2019 by tea specialist Hiromi Matsunobu, will bring its Japanese tea-led offer to the avenue next year. The brand prepares ceremonial-grade matcha and hojicha to order, and will serve baked goods incorporating flavours such as yuzu, black sesame and hojicha.

Matsunobu said: “It’s wonderful to open Matchado in such a heritage-rich location just minutes away from The British Museum. For this opening, I’ve created a new baked treat exclusively for guests at Sicilian Avenue – our Matcha Florentine.”

The restored avenue lies close to Holborn Station and the British Museum, with developers positioning the scheme as a hospitality-led streetscape with outdoor seating and space for independent operators.

Jonathan Eastwood, head of retail agency at Knight Frank, added: “We’re curating a high quality, premium destination that combines creative and joyful experiences whilst redefining London living, shopping and dining.”

Further food and beverage lettings are expected as leasing progresses.