Buzzy New York bistro Buvette will open in Covent Garden in spring, bringing its Paris cafe-inspired concept to the former St John Bakery space. Chef Jody Williams opened the original Buvette in New York’s West Village in 2011, and the atmospheric all-day bistro has since earned praise for its transportive design and hearty Gallic food. It’s spawned outposts in Paris, Seoul and Tokyo, as well as one in Notting Hill, which launched in the thick of the pandemic and closed in early 2024.
When Buvette opens in Neal’s Yard, it’ll seat 80, with extra terrace seating. The bistro will operate from breakfast and coffee in the morning till dinner and cocktails late in the evening. While few details have been released, diners might expect NYC signatures like rich croque monsieur, silky steamed eggs, steak tartare and anchovy on bread with salty butter, as well as a French wine list with a natural bent and a solid cocktail list. Williams and wife and business partner Rita Sodi are known for bringing in flea market finds and plenty of natural materials to create evocative spaces.
Williams – who, along with Sodi was named New York City’s best chef in the 2019 James Beard Awards – is also behind a slate of other popular NYC venues, including the highly acclaimed celebrity magnet Via Carota, Tuscan restaurant I Sodi, old world-style US tavern The Commerce Inn and Italian-style cafe Bar Pisellino.
Buvette opens at 2 Neal’s Yard, WC2H 9DP in spring.
