KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar now open in Oxford
Contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar, KIBOU, opened its sixth restaurant on Friday 19th July 2024 in the vibrant Jericho neighbourhood of Oxford. The new venue, located at 11-12 Little Clarendon Street, launches with 10 days of soft opening training sessions (which are now all fully booked), ahead of the official opening date on Tuesday 30th July. The new site marks another milestone in KIBOU’s expansion, joining its popular counterparts in Cambridge, Cheltenham, Battersea, Clifton, and Solihull.
The former Wilding site has undergone a stunning transformation, thanks to the expert redesign and refurbishment by Q&A Interior Design Ltd. This beautiful Victorian property now boasts a striking Japanese-inspired aesthetic, featuring KIBOU’s signature murals hand painted by talented Gloucestershire illustrator, Martyna Sabadasz and a stunning cherry blossom installation to the front and inside the venue. Rich upholstery, iconic Japanese block print textiles and Tokyo-inspired red neons blend seamlessly with the venue’s original features, to create a chic and decadent atmosphere that oozes glamour.
The new 100-cover bar and restaurant features a range of individually designed areas in which to enjoy the KIBOU experience. From the atmospheric dining room with impressive artwork, rich neons and views to the open sushi kitchen, a light-filled conservatory with cosy booth seating and mirrored illustrations, and a relaxed cocktail lounge featuring a large Japanese-inspired mural with a nod to Oxford’s riverside heritage, along with an eye-catching steel-topped spirits bar and more relaxed seating. Additionally, there’s a Japanese-inspired walled courtyard with seating for up to 40 amidst stunning white hydrangeas, lush foliage, and beautiful bespoke-made Japanese textile cushions, plus a private dining room, accommodating space for up to 12 guests.
KIBOU Oxford’s menu is a celebration of classic and contemporary Japanese cuisine. Guests can indulge in beautifully presented ‘moriawase’ sushi and sashimi platters, fresh seafood, A5 grade seared wagyu, hot Japanese sharers, and hearty bowls of steaming ramen. Catering to all tastes, the diverse menu also features an extended vegan offering, traditional dishes like teriyaki and katsu curry, and a selection of Japanese-inspired desserts.
Complementing the culinary offerings, KIBOU’s standalone bar serves signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, no-and-low options, and an impressive selection of Japanese whisky, sake and Japanese-brewed beers.
Imogen Gautama-Whelan, General Manager at KIBOU Oxford, expressed her excitement about the opening: “We’re thrilled to finally welcome guests to KIBOU Oxford. The venue has undergone a total redesign, and it’s been amazing to see people’s reactions when they first step through the door. We’ve received tremendous support from the local community since announcing our move here, and are thrilled to now be a firm fixture within this bustling neighbourhood. Our team, made up of both new recruits and past team members from Wilding, are eager to show off the restaurant, and I can’t thank them enough for all their hard work in getting the place ready.”
Head Chef Balazs Jakab adds:
“We can’t wait to introduce Oxford to KIBOU’s unique flavour of Japan. Our menu features a wide range of classic and contemporary dishes, each crafted with passion and precision. From our slow-cooked ramen and hot Japanese sharers, to our premium sushi and sashimi platters, we aim to delight our guests with every bite.”
For more information about KIBOU Oxford, and to book your table visit www.kibou.co.uk
ENDS
Photo credits: Nic Crilly-Hargrave
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images with credits:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_vjZ_W2IriU9QJmsnKE3SWcv3HFjqhM/view?usp=sharing
Photographer – Nic Crilly-Hargrave
About KIBOU Restaurants Ltd
Founded in August 2019 by established hospitality leader David Franks, KIBOU Restaurants Ltd comprises of six Japanese restaurants and bars.
David Franks was previously CEO of Regent Inns and more recently chairman of Redcomb Pubs Ltd, where he was instrumental in the sale of the 15-strong pub estate to Young & Co.’s Brewery P.L.C in 2019.
KIBOU Locations:
| KIBOU Battersea – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened July 2020) 175-177 Northcote Road Battersea London SW11 6QF Facebook/Instagram: @kiboulondon
| KIBOU Cheltenham – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened September 2020) 36 Regent Arcade High St Cheltenham GL50 1JZ Facebook/Instagram:@kiboucheltenham
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| KIBOU Clifton – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened October 2021) 16 King’s Rd Clifton Bristol BS8 4AB Facebook/Instagram: @kibouclifton
| KIBOU Solihull – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened April 2022) 134 High Street Solihull B91 3SX
Facebook/Instagram: @kibousolihull |
| KIBOU Cambridge – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened August 2023) 7a Jesus Lane Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8BA Facebook/Instagram: @kiboucambridge | KIBOU Oxford – Japanese Kitchen & Bar (opened 19 July 2024) 11-12 Little Clarendon Street Oxford OX1 2HP Facebook/Instagram: @kibouoxford |
Awards:
2024 – Highly Commended – Restaurant of the Year – SoGlos Lifestyle Awards
2024 – Finalist – Best Multi-Site – Golden Chopstick Awards
2023 – Finalist – Best New Restaurant (Cambridge) – R200 Awards
2023 – Highly Commended – Restaurant of the Year – SoGlos Lifestyle Awards
2023 – Winner – Excellence in Hospitality & Retail – Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
2022 – Winner – Hospitality & Leisure Venue of the Year – Solihull BID Awards
2021 – Winner – Restaurant of the Year – SoGlos Lifestyle Awards
2021 – Winner – Best Restaurant in Gloucestershire – Muddy Stilettos
2020 – Winner – Restaurant of the Year – Cotswold Life/Cheltenham BID awards
2019 – Winner – Restaurant of the Year – SoGlos Lifestyle Awards
For further information or comment please contact:
Vicki Patterson, Marketing Director, KIBOU Restaurants Ltd.
