Hoppers comes to Shoreditch, adding new South Indian dishes to its Sri Lankan signatures

Updated 20/1/25 with full details and an opening date.

It's been nearly 10 years since the original Hoppers launched in Soho. Now they're about to open their fourth restaurant, but this one is taking things in a different direction than before. Up until now, Hoppers has been known as a Sri Lankan restaurant but with this Shoreditch opening, they're bringing in more influences from South India. 

Led by Karan Gokani (who tells us more about it here), the team has been travelling around the southern states of India and are using what they've discovered to bring a more authentic representation of South Indian cuisine to London. These new dishes are going to live on the menu alongside the signature Sri Lankan dishes that Hoppers has specialised in up until now. 

New dishes on the menu include a Crab Kari Omelette served with a traditional thread paratha (based on dishes from Madurai), as well as a balgalore dishe that they're apparently going mad for now, the Benne Dosa (which comes with a paneer ghee roast or lamb). They are also taking inspiration from Kerala (where Hoppers' exec chef comes from) with the new Sizzling Salmon Mappas as well as a Kochi Chilli Chicken Chop, topped with a coconut and curry leaf crumb.

A new style of South Indian biryani is also being added to the menu, inspired by those in Dindigul - a short-rib beef biryani that's made with seeraga samba rice from Tamil Nadu, in a change from the long-grain rice we're more likely to see in Biryanis in London. 

The new drinks will also look to South India for inspiration, with drinks like the Young Monk which is a take on the "iconic" Old Monk rum and cola. Expect lots of new low/no alcohold drinks on the menu too. 

As for the space itself, it's taking over what used to be Lyles which was, like Hoppers, part of the JKS group. It's a small site, fitting around 55 people. The design will change a little from the previous Hoppers restaurants, with influences from family Chettiyar homes in the design as well as sculptures, art and photography from Chennai and Colombia.

For lots more about the Shoreditch opening, read our interview with Karan Gokani.