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The long-anticipated wait is over… Amy Poon is set to open her first restaurant, Poons, within Somerset House—the final operator to join the incredible line-up at this iconic London venue. Over the past 18 months, we’ve been working closely with the Somerset House team to curate a selection of unique and best-in-class operators, helping to establish this cultural destination as a standout on London’s vibrant culinary scene.
Cafe Petiole
From the mastermind behind Bar Tendril, Chef Rishim was the first to arrive on the scene. At this lively and independent café, Rishim has stayed true to his ethos from Bar Tendril, serving a delicious array of vegan salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Our in-house, self-proclaimed tiramisu connoisseur can confirm that the tiramisu here is truly exceptional.
The Future Plates
The Future Plates, the UK’s largest collective of African and Caribbean chefs specialising in luxury catering, is now based at Somerset House. United by a passion for exploration and culture, they’ve chosen this venue as their home base—allowing them to experiment, test, and trial new dishes before catering a myriad of high-end events. It's the perfect stage to showcase their treasured cuisines.
Aram
Imad made a big splash in the West End with his first concept, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen at Kingly Court. Now, seeking to pay homage to Syrian produce, he’s chosen Somerset House to launch Aram—a new café, deli, and restaurant. Here, guests can indulge in breakfast, lunch, and dinner, experiencing the very best of authentic Syrian flavours.
Set List
Set List is a venture by acclaimed restaurateur James Dye, alongside Thomas Kidd and Paul Smyth. Tapping into Somerset House’s rich artistic and cultural identity, Set List is a platform for creators who represent the diversity and excellence of London’s cultural scene. The venue has partnered with leading female Chefs Opeluwa, Sophie Wyburd, Andrea Montes, Laura Copp and Terri Merieca to deliver a unique menu; Clement Ogonnay to curate an exciting line-up of weekly events; and, completing the trifecta, Set List will also be home to the largest public painted artwork commission in London.
Poons
We’ve been on the edge of our seats to announce the final addition to Somerset House: the recent letting to Poons. Amy Poon, a well-known chef in London’s culinary scene, has long been on Distrkt co-founder Camillia Topham’s radar—and this year, the stars finally aligned. Amy brings the Poon’s legacy into a new era, and following a knockout residency at Carousel, we’re thrilled to welcome her first permanent restaurant to Somerset House’s New Wing.
We’re exceptionally proud of our work at Somerset House and the special relationships we've built with each individual operator. We hope you’ll enjoy the incredible range of cuisines on offer while exploring the unique cultural experiences this venue provides. If you’ve had the chance to visit any of the exceptional operators, please do reach out as we’d love to hear whether you enjoyed the experience as much as we’ve loved curating it!
