Kiji, the acclaimed Korean BBQ by Atomix chefs, opens in 2026 at 60 Curzon, heralding a new era of fine dining in Mayfair.
There are restaurant openings, and then there are moments. The latter is unfolding at 60 Curzon, where the ghosts of Mayfair’s storied past are about to be stirred by the unmistakable sizzle of Korean barbecue, albeit the sort served with Champagne, sea urchin, and a sommelier on standby.
In 2026, Kiji will open its doors in the former home of Mirabelle, once the playground of Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor and, if legend is to be believed, Winston Churchill. It was a place where crystal clinked and secrets were swapped over sole meunière. Now, that same corner of Curzon Street is preparing for a new chapter, this time under the deft hands of Ellia and Junghyun Park, the power duo behind New York’s two-Michelin-starred Atomix.
From Manhattan to Mayfair
If you’ve dined at Atomix, you’ll know it’s not just a restaurant, it’s a revelation. A meticulous, 10-course journey through contemporary Korean cuisine that has captivated critics and landed the restaurant among the world’s top ten. Bringing that calibre of culinary theatre to London is no small move, but then, this isn’t just any London address.
60 Curzon is as Mayfair as it gets. The building, recently reimagined by PLP Architecture with interiors by the late Thierry Despont, is a hymn to Art Deco elegance, all clean lines, Portland Stone, and understated opulence. Upstairs, 32 private residences (over half already sold) whisper of polished brass, bespoke panelling, and wine fridges built for First Growths. But the jewel in the crown is downstairs, where 8,000 square feet of prime space will soon be devoted to Kiji.
The concept? Korean barbecue, but elevated. A bar, lounge, and private chef’s room will anchor the experience, though precise details are, for now, tightly guarded. What we do know is that it won’t be traditional grill-your-own fare. This is the Parks’ first foray into the UK and, by the sound of things, it’ll be far more Kyoto-meets-Seoul than kimchi-and-a-beer.
A Site Steeped in Story
The location carries weight. Mirabelle, in its heyday, wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a rendezvous. A spot where society dined before dancing at Annabel’s. Where screen legends held court and where discretion was always part of the service. Closing its doors in 2008, its loss was felt across London’s dining scene.
Now, with Kiji, there’s a sense of continuity, of something deeply international coming full circle. Not a pastiche or nostalgia act, but a knowing nod to a glamorous past, reinterpreted for a globalised, post-Atomix world.
As Charles Leigh, Director at 60 Curzon, puts it:
“This is another exciting chapter in the history of the icon that is 60 Curzon, and we are honoured to be involved in this moment: this team’s first foray into the UK after their outstanding successes globally. Not only are we welcoming a world-renowned restaurant into the development, but we are also paying tribute to the extraordinary legacy that came before.”
One suspects the Churchill quote about history repeating itself, first as tragedy, then as farce, wouldn’t apply here. This is more resurrection than repetition.
A Broader Shift in Mayfair
There’s something afoot in W1. While Soho remains buzzy and east London experimental, Mayfair is quietly restyling itself as London’s gastronomic grande dame. Not fussy or fusty, but assured. Kiji’s arrival is part of a broader return to form: a revival of culinary ambition in a postcode that once defined decadence.
The deal itself, brokered by Distrkt and Matta. London, with legal expertise from CMS and Keystone Law, is one of the most notable hospitality signings of the year. With the Parks involved, expectations are already sky-high.
And rightly so. Junghyun Park’s cooking has been described as “sculptural” and “poetic”; Ellia Park, meanwhile, brings the kind of visionary hospitality that turns a meal into a memory. Together, they are less interested in trend-chasing than in storytelling, the kind that unfolds dish by dish, scent by scent, and ideally, over the course of several hours.
The Countdown Begins
For now, details remain tantalisingly sparse. There’s no sample menu. No renderings. Just whispers and anticipation. But the combination of world-class talent, a landmark location, and an audience that craves both novelty and nuance is potent.
When Kiji opens in 2026, it won’t just be a place to eat. It will be, in every sense, a destination.
And in a city that never tires of the new, it’s rather fitting that one of its most exciting arrivals is taking place in a building that knows a thing or two about comebacks.
*Images: Ben Dale
