We’re thrilled to announce that when V&A East Museum opens in spring 2026, its food and drink offer will be shaped by a collaboration with Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany, the co-founders of Jikoni. Together, we’re creating an experience that goes beyond just great food—it’s about culture, community, and creativity.
More Than Just a Café
Food isn’t just about eating—it’s about stories, experiences, and bringing people together. To shape this new offer, we worked with V&A East’s Youth Collective, a group of 16–24-year-olds from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. Their insights helped us develop a space that’s welcoming, affordable, and offers more than just food—think entertainment, conversations, and opportunities to learn about where food comes from.
Inspired by East London
East London’s diverse communities have shaped its incredible food scene, and our café will reflect that. Expect a menu inspired by global flavours, rotating daily specials, and meal deals for local residents and under-25s. It’ll be a space where everyone feels at home, whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or staying for a longer catch-up.
Food, Creativity & Sustainability
Ravinder and Nadeem share our vision of making the arts and culture more accessible. They’ll be bringing their passion for storytelling through food while focusing on seasonal ingredients, sustainability, and supporting local producers. Alongside delicious food and drinks, the café will also host events and experiences that bring people together in new and exciting ways.
We’ll be sharing more details as we get closer to opening, but we can’t wait to welcome you in spring 2026!
