Famous restaurants include Nobu, co-owned by Robert De Niro, and Trejo’s Tacos, which Danny Trejo just announced is opening in London (Getty Images)
Celebrity-run restaurants are more common than the public might think: actors, footballers, directors and all sorts of entertainment people are trying their hand at the restaurant business.
Danny Trejo is the latest celebrity to announce he’s opening a restaurant in London, but the Machete actor is by no means the first or – probably – the last to do so.
Celebrities like Nicholas Braun, Bad Bunny, Norman Reedus and Channing Tatum own restaurants and bars across the US, and some have decided to venture across the pond.
From Mark Wahlberg to Sir Ian McKellen, there are several restaurants and trendy bars that have a famous owner. Here are some of the stars who have made their mark on the UK restaurant industry.
The celebrities with their own restaurants
Danny Trejo: Trejo’s Tacos
Danny Trejo (R) owns the restaurant Trejo’s Tacos, which will open a location in London (Alamy Live News)
As mentioned, Trejo is opening a Trejo’s Tacos restaurant in London. The actor’s business venture is already proving popular in the US, which is why he aims to do the same in the UK.
Read more: Danny Trejo’s Mexican restaurant empire is coming to the UK (Bang Showbiz, 2 min read)
Trejo’s first British restaurant opens on Portobello Road, west London. It is expected to be a two-story restaurant that will accommodate 70 guests for indoor dining and 30 guests for outdoor dining.
The restaurant will serve both daytime and evening dining and will also feature an “opulent cocktail bar” for guests to enjoy.
Ian McKellen: The Grapes
Actor Ian McKellen co-owns a pub in Limehouse called The Grapes (Getty)
McKellen co-owns a pub in Limehouse called The Grapes, where guests can enjoy classic British pub food and drinks in a picturesque 16th century building.
The pub hosts a regular quiz night, which McKellen sometimes takes part in, and the venue will also be of interest to fans of The Lord of the Rings as one of the prop sticks used by the actor in his role as Gandalf is on display.
Ed Sheeran: Bertie Blossoms
Ed Sheeran owns a pub in Notting Hill. (Getty Images)
Musician Ed Sheeran has a number of business ventures, including a successful hot sauce brand, and one of them is a pub called Bertie Blossoms.
The story goes on
The pub is located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and its menu offers a wide range of different foods, from classic pub dishes to tapas.
Idris Elba: The Parrot, Black Door
Idris Elba owns several bars (Getty Images)
Idris Elba is co-owner of several restaurants and bars in London, including Porte Noir in King’s Cross and The Parrot in Aldwych.
The Parrot is a rainforest-themed cocktail bar with chic interiors and live music for guests to enjoy while they sip their drinks.
Robert De Niro: Nobu
Robert De Niro co-owns Nobu with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper. (Getty Images for Nobu)
Arguably the most famous celebrity restaurant is Nobu, which Robert De Niro co-owns with chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper.
The restaurant has become a celebrity hotspot and there are a number of locations around the world, including three in London in Portman Square, Old Park Lane and Shoreditch.
Mark Wahlberg: Wahlburgers
Mark Wahlberg owns Wahlburgers with his brothers (Getty Images)
For something a little more mainstream, look no further than Mark Wahlberg’s burger chain Wahlburgers, which he co-owns with his brothers Paul and Donnie.
The restaurant previously had a location in London, but this closed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. However, those who want to try Wahlburgers can do so at locations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
David Beckham: Walmer Castle
David Beckham co-owns a pub in Notting Hill with Guy Ritchie (Getty Images)
Since leaving the life of professional football behind, David Beckham has looked for other business ventures. One of these is his pub called The Walmer Castle, which he co-owns with his good friend Guy Ritchie.
The pub is based in Notting Hill and offers a range of classic British pub dishes as well as refined versions of dishes such as duck confit.
Guy Ritchie: Lore of the Land
Guy Ritchie also owns a pub in Fitzrovia (Getty Images)
The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels filmmaker owns another pub called Lore of the Land, which reopened in 2021 after a fire.
Ritchies Pub is another popular eatery for those looking for classic British cuisine and is based in Fitzrovia, London.
James Blunt: The Fox and the Pheasant
James Blunt owns a pub in Chelsea. (Getty Images)
Another singer jumping at the chance to open a restaurant is James Blunt, who owns The Fox and Pheasant pub in Chelsea with his wife Sofia.
The restaurant offers everything you would expect from a British pub with an added touch of glamour, and there is also a Sunday roast menu at weekends.
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