Mowgli to open its first London restaurant this year

Mowgli founder Nisha Katona (pictured) has confirmed she is bringing her Indian restaurant group to London, launching in Fitzrovia in October.

In an Instagram post Katona, who first hinted at the opening in July, said she had taken on a site at 5 Charlotte Street, formerly a Côte Brasserie.

Katona wrote: "It's a street that I have dined upon and been fond of all my life. It is beyond my wildest dreams that we have this opportunity to open, heads down and humbly, in a sweet little building that feels like it was always Mowgli.

"We will slink open and I'm sure suffer the slings and arrows of accusations of audacity and hubris. But this little northern home-grown brand, with a flawed but passionated leader and honest food that can never be everyone's cup of tea, should not be afraid to venture wherever you might want her. And it is because of your beckoning that we brave the capital. Wish us well won't you. A big step for our little monkey – we look to our Mowglite family as we swing to our new frontier."

Former barrister Katona launched Mowgli in 2014 and has grown the brand to 12 restaurants, initially across the north of England.

The group secured nearly £3.5m in funding from private equity firm Foresight Group in 2017 and has further expansion planned.

According to Mowgli's website, the group's Cheltenham site is due to to open 30 August followed by a site in Bristol later this year.

Openings in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Brighton are also expected in 2022.