US chain Velvet Taco confirms debut UK restaurant site

US chain Velvet Taco has confirmed its first UK restaurant will open in November.

The group, which runs more than 50 US restaurants, has taken over the former Shoryu Ramen site in London’s Broadgate Circle.

It is the first international location for the brand, which was founded in Dallas, Texas in 2011. The UK franchise is being overseen by Sunny Kooner of Old Northampton Group, who also brought US burger chain Black Tap to London.

Velvet Taco’s menu takes inspiration from global cuisines, with its London offer set to include spicy tikka chicken tacos made with buttered coriander basmati rice, as well as fish and chip tacos with beer battered cod, curry aïoli, chips, malt vinegar and napa slaw.

New flavours such as barbecue ranch pork or paneer hash will be introduced every week as part of a Weekly Taco Features (WTF) menu.

The Broadgate Circle restaurant will also feature a bar serving the brand’s signature Kick Ass Margarita made with orange liqueur and agave nectar.

Clay Dover, chief executive of Velvet Taco, said: “Opening our first UK restaurant in the heart of London is the perfect way to kick off our global expansion. Velvet Taco’s menu is inspired by flavours from around the world so London, known for its international food scene, was naturally at the top of our list for our first location outside of the US. 

“We’ve always been inspired by UK flavours and featured them on our menu, so to have our global debut in London feels like a real full circle moment.”

Last year Velvet Taco said it had signed for site in London’s Piccadilly Circus. A spokesperson for the brand said details on future restaurants would be confirmed at a later date.

Velvet Taco is the latest in a string of US chains opening in the UK over the next year, including Coyo Taco, Raising Cane’s, Chick-fil-A and Which Wich.