The UK's first African food hall is coming to London after a successful residency in Dubai.
Despite there being a speckling of African-inspired restaurants across the capital, including the likes of Akoko and Kudu, African cuisine is still largely under-represented in London, a sad truth that Alkebulan is striving to rectify. The term is the original word for Africa, a rather apt name for what is set to be the first African food hall to open in London.
The food hall comes from global hospitality agency TGP International, the same team who opened 3 Henrietta Street in Covent Garden, which is another enterprise that brings multiple chefs and restaurants together under one roof. The driving force behind the food and overall concept, however, is New York-based chef and co-founder of award-winning restaurants The Cecil (New York) and Minton’s (Harlem), Alexander Smalls.
The partnership first premiered the food hall in Dubai at Expo 2020, with the aim of showcasing the rich and diverse cuisine across the African continent and to celebrate both established and new African chefs. In fact, the reaction to Alkebulan was so positive that it's now a permanent fixture in Dubai, with London and Harlem secured as two brand new sites launching in 2023.
Speaking about the idea behind Alkebulan, chef Small said: "Despite its rich culinary heritage, African cuisine has been overlooked and underestimated for many years. With Alkebulan, we look forward to bringing its diverse and spectacular culinary palates to the forefront by introducing a unique dining concept to two of the world's most thriving food destinations."
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Continuing, he said: "We aim to not only deliver a taste of Africa but offer a one stop destination that becomes a boiling pot of the various African cultures at the core of its 54 countries and offer opportunities to young culinary entrepreneurs from under privileged backgrounds. We want to provide them space in the food halls to start their own businesses as part of an incubator program, providing support through coaching and mentoring as well as financially."
Find out more about when Alkebulan opens, where it’s located as well as the line-up of chefs and businesses set to fill the space. Can't find what you’re looking for? Keep checking in as we update this guide with all the latest details.
When does Alkebulan in London open?
The official opening date of Alkebulan has yet to be announced, but it is scheduled to open at some point in 2023. Watch this space for further details – we'll update this guide as more information is released.
Where is Alkebulan located in London?
The location of Alkebulan hasn’t been announced yet, but we imagine it will need to be fairly large to accommodate the broad range of chefs and food concepts. Here's hoping for a central London spot that's easy to access for lots of people.
What restaurants are there at Alkebulan?
There will be 10 chef-led concepts curated by Smalls at the new London site, but specific names of traders haven’t yet been confirmed. To get a flavour of what the offerings might be, over in Dubai you’ll find the likes of Choma BBQ, Tasty Goat, Penja, Bar Cane, Shoebox, Afro Street and Seven Seafood.
We do know that the food hall will be running an incubator programme to support and celebrate up-and-coming chefs, alongside more established chefs and businesses. There will also be plenty of live music and entertainment on offer. TGP International's founder Simon Wright explains: ''This is not just a dining destination but a community project that supports upcoming African talent and provides a platform for Africa’s next generation of creators."
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