The Swedish flatpack furniture giant IKEA has quietly opened a permanent restaurant in Hammersmith, the first of its kind in the UK.
The venue, located next door to IKEA Hammersmith, sold close to 2,000 meatballs on its opening day (October 31) and is on track to shift around 100,000 before Christmas.
A company spokesperson told the Standard that 1,000 customers walked through the door in the first 24 hours of trading and more than 5,000 visited over the weekend. Many went only to dine, without any need for homewares next door.
Meatballs remain a symbolic part of IKEA’s DNA and might be described as a cult classic in the UK today, operating in a similar sphere to a “cheeky Nando’s” and Greggs sausage rolls.
A standard serving of eight meatballs in the restaurant comes alongside mashed potatoes, peas, and a cream sauce. It costs just £5.50.
Elsewhere on the menu are dishes such as fish and chips and salmon with couscous and yoghurt for £6.95.
A nine-item full English breakfast, made up of two slices of bacon, two sausages, two hash browns, an omelette, baked beans and a tomato, is just £3.75.
Matthew Gould, a UK-based market manager at IKEA, said: "Since opening last Thursday, the response has been fantastic. It’s wonderful to see it becoming a social hub so quickly — people are coming in for breakfast meet-ups, bringing their kids after school, and we even spotted a date here one evening."
He told the Standard that IKEA plans to open more restaurants across the UK: “[More] IKEA city restaurants in will open in London in spring 2025, with Brighton to follow after. We’re also exploring other locations where these new stores and restaurants can be opened.”
38 King Street, W6 0YJ, ikea.com
