Modern Pantry

Modern Pantry in London opens like a promise: inventive global-fusion food in a comfortable, three-floor setting on St John’s Square. From the first step inside, the scent of warm, house-baked bread and sharp citrus draws attention. The dining rooms fill with conversation at breakfast, midday meetings, and dinner, and the menu invites tasting across cultures. Modern Pantry brings bright flavours, precise technique, and approachable portions to diners who want discovery without ceremony. Located in Clerkenwell, the restaurant sits among Georgian facades and creative studios, giving a city-centre address that feels both lively and local. The kitchens serve throughout the day, so guests can plan an early brunch, a midday business lunch, or a lingering evening meal.

The restaurant’s vision traces to chef Anna Hansen, who opened the original Modern Pantry in 2008 after notable work at The Providores. Her cooking philosophy emphasizes ingredient clarity, bold pairings, and measured use of global spices—yuzu, amchur, and black garlic appear alongside British lamb and seasonal vegetables. Anna Hansen’s background in New Zealand and experience in London kitchens shaped a menu that blends technical skill with curiosity. The Modern Pantry name became associated with playful yet exacting dishes, strong brunch reputation, and a steady stream of food-loving guests. The original partnership with D&D London and a later Finsbury Square outpost expanded the concept while retaining the same culinary focus. A 2022 announcement signaled plans to revive the Clerkenwell presence near The Zetter Hotel, underscoring continued demand and the brand’s local ties.

The culinary journey at Modern Pantry maps a clear route from ingredient to plate. Start with tea-smoked salmon—thin slices smoked over brewed tea, served with bright acid and crisp shards of house-baked bread for contrast. The amchur-fenugreek lamb arrives tender, seasoned with mango powder and fenugreek for tang and warmth, balanced with a cooling salad or yogurt. For brunch, dishes apply yuzu hollandaise to eggs or roasted vegetables, lending citrus lift instead of the usual lemon. Small plates rotate; expect black-garlic elements that add sweet-savory depth to roasted vegetables or dressings. Seasonal specials update the menu: spring menus favor herb-heavy salads and soft-shell preparations, while autumn moves to root vegetables, braises, and spiced sauces. Cooking techniques include careful smoking, controlled roasting to retain texture, and house baking that highlights daily doughs. Portions are designed to share so diners can layer tastes—start light, then order a main and a couple of sides to compare textures and spices.

Inside, Modern Pantry balances a clean, modern aesthetic with the warmth of a lived-in house. The original Clerkenwell site occupied a Georgian townhouse with high ceilings, simple lines, and a terrace that faces St John’s Square. Dining rooms sit over multiple floors, creating intimate corners and a convivial ground-floor bar area. The Finsbury Square outpost adapted the menu to a sharper Art Deco environment in the Alphabeta building, but both locations keep a focus on accessible, detail-oriented service. Staff describe dishes and suggest pairings, offering a confident but relaxed service style that encourages exploration. Small design touches—wood shelving, stacked jars, and visible baking—reinforce the pantry concept while keeping the mood unpretentious and energetic.

Best times to visit Modern Pantry are weekday brunch slots for a quieter experience and weekend early evenings for the full buzz. Dress code is smart-casual; guests typically wear neat separates rather than formal attire. Book ahead for weekend brunch and evenings; phone reservations are useful given the restaurant’s popularity in Clerkenwell and limited multi-floor seating. Walk-ins can sometimes be seated at the ground-floor bar.

Modern Pantry offers a clear invitation: taste inventive global pairing in a friendly London setting. With Anna Hansen’s long-standing influence and a menu that changes with the seasons, the restaurant is ideal for diners who want ambitious flavors without formality. Reserve a table at Modern Pantry for brunch, lunch, or dinner and plan to sample tea-smoked salmon, amchur-fenugreek lamb, and freshly baked breads as part of a thoughtfully paced meal.