The brand, which was originally founded in 1909 and has been owned by Naveen Handa’s Big Belly Hospitality group (BBR) since 2021 (see boxout below), will take over the former Pizzeria Mozza site within Treehouse Hotel London on Langham Place next month.
A further site in Tower Bridge will follow soon after, with international openings in Dubai and Saudi Arabia set for 2026 in partnership with BBR Group.
It comes two years after BBR’s previous iteration of Richoux closed its doors in Piccadilly having traded for just 18 months.
At a glance – the history of Richoux
– Richoux was founded in London in 1909 as a patisserie and confectioner by two French émigrés.
– Its original Edwardian shop was located in Baker Street.
– After World War II it reopened as the Richoux Tea Room near Portman Square.
– Steadily, the Richoux brand grew and became a destination for friends’ afternoon teas or to hold business meetings in quiet surroundings with several sites across the capital.
– In 2019, having gone through various phases of ownership, Richoux was acquired by casual dining operator Dining Street Limited.
– Two years later, Dining Street Limited entered administration with Richoux subsequently acquired by Naveen Handa.
– Richoux’s PIccadilly restaurant was subsequently relaunched in early 2022, led by former Moor Hall chefs Jamie Butler and Lewis Spencer.
– In September the following year it was announced that Richoux would close its Piccadilly restaurant and relocate to Soho.
– Plans for the Soho restaurant are understood to have subsequently stalled with Spencer and Butler leaving the business in early 2024.
The new, 110-cover restaurant will be ‘rooted in Parisian café culture’ and serve an all-day menu of ‘signature plates’ including 36-day, dry-aged ribeye to share; steak tartare prepared tableside; and croque monsieur.
There will also be handcrafted patisserie and viennoiserie, served alongside specialty coffees and Parisian-style hot chocolate topped with Chantilly cream.
The drinks list will feature French wines by the glass, carafe or bottle, as well as classic cocktails and draught beers.
Designed by Collective Design Studio, the restaurant’s interiors will nod to the grand cafés of early 20th-century Paris with wood panelling, white marble table tops, eclectic vintage artwork, and deep navy leather banquettes,
“With Richoux, we’ve brought together the best of the past including timeless design, a sense of occasion, and a menu that balances comfort with craft,” says Handa.
“It’s a place to pop in for a pastry or stay for something special, either way, it should feel memorable.”
Pizzeria Mozza, which was the London branch of chef Nancy Silverton’s celebrated LA pizza restaurant, closed its doors in June after nearly four years trading.
Dining and Cooking