How Much Does a Restaurant Fit-Out Cost in London in 2026?
Opening a restaurant in London is exciting until you see the fit-out quote.
From the outside, it looks simple: tables, lights, bar, kitchen, done.
But behind every beautiful restaurant is a complex mix of design, construction, compliance, and branding that can make or break your launch.
So how much does it actually cost to build a restaurant that people want to walk into?
Let’s break down real 2026 numbers and where your money really goes.
The Short Answer: £2,000 – £4,000 per m²
For a quality London restaurant fit-out, expect £2,000–£4,000 per square metre depending on design level and complexity.
That Means:
- 60 m² café = ~£150K–£250K
- 150 m² restaurant = ~£300K–£600K
- 300 m² flagship = £750K+
These figures include design, construction, joinery, lighting, and compliance — not just decor.
If someone quotes £800 per m², they’re not building a restaurant — they’re painting a box.
Where the Money Really Goes
CATEGORY | DESCRIPTION | % OF TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
Construction & Fit-Out | Flooring, walls, ceilings, plumbing, electrics, HVAC | 35–45% |
Joinery & Furniture | Bar, banquettes, tables, bespoke features | 20–25% |
Kitchen & Extraction | Commercial kitchen, grease traps, ducting, fans | 15–20% |
Lighting & Sound | Architectural lighting, controls, ambient design | 5–8% |
Design, Branding & Project Management | Concept, drawings, licensing, coordination | 10–15% |
Contingency | Unforeseen costs and council compliance | 5–10% |
Restaurants are essentially mini-hotels — mechanical systems, finishes, and branding all running together.
The Difference Between Basic, Mid, and Luxury Fit-Outs
| Level | Example Concept | Average Cost | Design Notes |
| Basic (£1,200–£2,000/m²) | Quick-service café, minimal decor | Simple finishes, prebuilt furniture, low-end equipment | |
| Mid-Range (£2,000–£3,000/m²) | Independent restaurant with style | Custom bar, lighting design, quality materials | |
| Luxury (£3,000–£5,000+/m²) | Fine dining or branded flagship | Bespoke joinery, stone floors, art curation, acoustic design |
The visual difference between £200K and £600K is usually detailing — not size.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
- Extraction & Ventilation — £25K–£80K depending on distance to roof.
- Licensing & Fire Systems — £5K–£15K.
- Disabled Access Compliance — mandatory in all commercial premises.
- Grease Traps & Drainage — £5K–£20K.
- External Signage & Canopies — £2K–£10K.
- Structural Modifications — older London buildings often need strengthening before fit-out.
Most “cheap” quotes exclude at least two of these.
Design First, Build Second
- The biggest mistake business owners make is building before designing.
- Without detailed drawings and material specs, costs explode mid-project.
- A design-led process — like we use at Accanto — eliminates guesswork.
- It ensures lighting, furniture, branding, and build flow together under one vision.
- Good design doesn’t just make your restaurant beautiful — it saves money in rework.
How Long It Takes
Most restaurant fit-outs take 12–20 weeks depending on site condition and permissions.
| Project Type | Duration |
| Shell & Core (empty unit) | 16–24 weeks |
| Refurbishment / Rebrand | 10–16 weeks |
| Small café or takeaway | 6–10 weeks |
Always factor in 4–6 weeks for design and permissions before the build even begins.
Where You Can Save (Without Compromise)
- Reuse existing services (ducts, toilets, or electrics) if possible.
- Invest in lighting and seating — they define mood and comfort.
- Choose mid-range materials but premium finishes (e.g., laminate base, stone-look top).
- Plan extraction and kitchen early — relocating them later costs thousands.
Spend where people sit, touch, and look.
The Cost of Doing It Wrong
- We’ve rescued multiple projects where clients hired “cheap builders.”
- After reopening walls, correcting electrics, and redoing joinery, the real cost doubled.
- In hospitality, a delayed opening can cost £10K+ per week in lost revenue — far more than proper project management.
Why Design-Build Saves Money
- At Accanto, our design and construction teams work together — same drawings, same priorities.
- That means no blame, no gaps, no delays.
- With a single design-build contract, clients save 10–15% on total costs compared to hiring separately.
- Efficiency is the new luxury.
Real Example: Chiswick Kitchen
- For a 150 m² restaurant, we managed full design and build — marble bar, CNC panelling, and bespoke lighting.
- Total cost: £420K, delivered in 16 weeks.
- Result: 120-seat venue that paid back the investment within a year.
- Good design isn’t an expense — it’s an asset.