Banchina Italian is currently being fitted out for an opening date within the next month
A new independent Italian restaurant is coming soon to Gloucester Quays(Image: GloucestershireLive)
A new independent Italian restaurant is coming to Gloucester Quays.
Banchina Italian will occupy the former TGI Fridays building in a prime location at the front of the shopping centre, looking out towards the Docks.
An exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, but it is estimated the restaurant will open its doors within the next month, either in late February or early March.
Signage is already in place along the front of the building advertising Banchina Italian, and a digger is in place on the site, with workmen busy fitting out the new restaurant for its imminent arrival.
Banchina Italian is set to stand out as an independent restaurant in Gloucester Quays, joining the likes of chain eateries such as Wagamama, Zizzi, Nando’s, Pizza Express, and more.
The new Italian venue comes from the owners of Sef Steakhouse in Cheltenham, one of the top-rated restaurants in the town. Sef opened in May 2023, and now the owners, who have previously run restaurants in Turkey and Kuwait, are embarking on their second UK venture.
Whilst Banchina Italian is not yet accepting bookings, the website for the upcoming restaurant is live, with an introduction to the city’s newest dining experience.
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The website reads: “Banchina Italian is a new casual Italian dining restaurant opening in early 2026 at Gloucester Quays, bringing the warmth, flavour and spirit of Italy to the city in a relaxed, quality-focused setting.
“Inspired by years of travel across Italy, from the Amalfi Coast and Naples to Lake Como and the Dolomites, Banchina Italian is built on a simple philosophy that great food, warm hospitality and beautiful surroundings should feel effortless.
“The menu will focus on fresh, premium ingredients and well-executed Italian classics, designed to feel approachable yet refined. An open kitchen and Neapolitan pizza oven sit at the heart of the restaurant, allowing guests to experience the energy, craftsmanship and pace of a true Italian kitchen.
“Banchina Italian is designed as a place to enjoy simple but exceptional dishes, genuine hospitality and the joy of Italian dining, whether for a quick lunch, a relaxed evening meal or time spent around the table with friends and family.”
The restaurant is set to accommodate approximately 130 diners, with a ‘lively yet comfortable’ atmosphere and a modern, Mediterranean aesthetic.
Just a few hundred metres away, at Gloucester Food Dock, there are two new restaurants set to arrive in the coming months.
Wagyu & Feather, a premium street food eatery with a menu centred around high-quality British Wagyu beef, is expected to open this month, although an official launch date has yet to be announced.
And also within the Food Dock, South Indian street food diner, Mazala Dosa, is coming soon, serving up crispy dosa and hot masala.
Announcing the new arrivals on Instagram earlier this month, Gloucester Food Dock wrote: “We are thrilled to be announcing not one, but TWO upcoming arrivals to the Food Dock this New Year. We can’t wait for them to open in the coming months!”.
And the team at Mazala Dosa responded, writing: “So thrilled to be joining the Food Dock family! Looking forward to serving up some incredible food alongside our neighbours. See you all very soon.”
Dining and Cooking