Prolific chef Nick Molyviatis (right in picture) unveils his debut Greek taverna Zylia in London this week as the headline act at Covent Garden’s Arcade food hall – one of three new food halls opening this month as operators gear up for the summer.
South of the Thames, Manchester’s Freight Island launched a southern outpost in Brixton last week, which is billed as the capital’s biggest rooftop venue with capacity for 1,000 guests. Meanwhile, Winchester gets its first food hall later this month with the arrival of Helch Market, which has taken over a former nightclub and one-time cannabis factory that was closed down by the police.
Athens-born Nick is the co-owner of Singburi Thai restaurant in Shoreditch and a former head chef at Kiln. He has linked up with Cypriot restaurateur Barry Karacostas (left in picture) to launch Zylia, which has its own street entrance adjacent to Arcade.
Nick says the project is very personal for both of them. “For me, it’s about capturing the energy of the tavernas I knew in Athens, and working with Barry to reflect his Cypriot roots too. We want Zylia to feel warm, generous and full of life, a place where people feel looked after and can experience a genuine taste of both cultures.”
The new Arcade is the third after Oxford Street and Battersea and is the brand’s smallest food hall, with a total of 385 seats – but is also its most central, having taken over a former TGI Fridays just off the Strand. It features several familiar outlets, including a third location for Plaza Khao Gaeng, Luke Farrell’s Southern Thai restaurant, Argentinian-style chicken & steak grill Solis, Gracey’s New Haven-style pizzeria and Manna smashburgers.
Freight Brixton, opposite Pop Brixton and adjacent to Brixton Village Market, is an outdoor venue with a festival vibe thanks to a programme of live music and DJs, several bars and four separate food outlets led by a wood-fire barbecue.
Winchester’s food hall, in Upper Brook Street, is the second Helch Market from founder Jamal Benamor, following his 2023 debut in Bournemouth. Open from 11.30am daily and licensed for events until 3am, its line-up of confirmed traders for the opening on Friday 22 May include Will’s Meals soul food and fried chicken, Matcha Lab, Woosabi, Loco Lime and 3Bros British wagyu burgers.
Jamal says: “We’ve finally finished building Winchester’s first food hall – Rome wasn’t built in a day! We’ve been working for more than a year on this place to make it unrecognisable from what it used to look like. We’re in the final stretch now, welcoming seven independent businesses to Winchester at once, serving more than 100 street food dishes and a bar with 18 draft taps.”
