Cloth To Revive Historic City Restaurant Simpson's Tavern

"The team behind much-loved Farringdon restaurant Cloth, are gearing up for another smash hit with their next restaurant, having taking on the legendary Simpson's Tavern in the City. Open since 1757, Simpson's is known as London's oldest chop house, and was a favourite of William Thackeray and Charles Dickens back in the day. Although it's been shuttered for the past couple of years, the Cloth team - Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth, and Tom Hurst - are hard at work transforming the site"

"As you'd expect from such an old Grade II listed building, many of the original features, such as the wood panelled walls, bow windows, brass rails, fireplaces, and high-backed wooden seating booths, will be kept, while giving the place a much needed makeover to bring it up to date. Given how nice the original Cloth looks, the combination of the Cloth style with this historic building should be an absolute winner."

"With the opening stil a few months away, there aren't too many menu details available, but we can expect a continuation of Tom's produce-led, modern British style from the original Cloth, with lots of new dishes plus chops, steaks and a couple of nods to Simpson's tradition. Simpson's was always known for debaucherous wine-fuelled lunches and dinners, so wine importers Joe and Ben are well placed to ensure the restaurant remains a key part of City life."

The Cloth team — Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth, and Tom Hurst — have taken on Simpson's Tavern and will reopen it as Cloth Cornhill in mid-2026. Simpson's Tavern dates to 1757 and will retain many original Grade II listed features including wood-panelled walls, bow windows, brass rails, fireplaces, and high-backed wooden booths. The site will be refreshed to bring it up to date while combining Cloth's contemporary interior style with the building's historic character. The menu will continue Tom Hurst's produce-led, modern British approach, featuring new dishes alongside chops, steaks and nods to Simpson's traditions. Joe and Ben will curate a substantial wine list drawn from their portfolio and top UK importers.

Read at London On The Inside