Three Uncles Backs Counter-Service Format with New King’s Cross Restaurant

Three Uncles, the London restaurant group inspired by the neighbourhood siu mei shops and bustling food courts of Hong Kong, is backing counter service as its preferred model for future growth, as it prepares to open its eighth London restaurant in King’s Cross at the end of September.

The move follows strong trading across the Three Uncles estate and reflects the founders’ belief that counter service offers a compelling model for modern casual dining: combining operational efficiency with the quality, atmosphere and social experience customers expect from a restaurant.

Rather than viewing counter service simply as a way to make restaurants faster, Three Uncles sees the format as a way to create accessible, high-quality restaurants that are efficient to operate, easy for customers to use and capable of generating the energy and atmosphere of a full-service dining room.

The new King’s Cross restaurant will occupy the former Ekachai site at 66 York Way, London N1 9AG, spanning approximately 1,000 sq ft and accommodating around 40–50 diners.

Customers will order at the counter before eating in a relaxed, design-led dining room inspired by the energy of Hong Kong food courts and neighbourhood roast-meat shops.
The restaurant will combine the speed and efficiency of counter service with the ambience of a full-service restaurant, featuring music and an expanded drinks selection, including organic wine, beer, alcohol-free drinks, and bubble tea, alongside a range of Hong Kong desserts.

The aim is to create an easy, affordable, and social restaurant that works just as well for a quick lunch as for drinks and dinner with friends. King’s Cross draws on lessons learnt across the Three Uncles estate, from its smaller grab-and-go sites to its neighbourhood restaurant in Brixton and larger dining space in Ealing.

“Every restaurant we have opened has taught us something, and King’s Cross brings those lessons together,” says Three Uncles co-founder Cheong Yew (Uncle Lim). “We are trading well and continuing to grow, so this is about being very deliberate about the model we believe gives Three Uncles the greatest potential for the future. Counter service allows us to run an efficient restaurant while still delivering the food, value, energy and experience that have built the brand.”

Mo Kwok (Uncle Mo) adds: “We have always loved the accessibility of counter service. It is how so many of the places we grew up eating at in Hong Kong worked: great food, served quickly, in places full of people and atmosphere. King’s Cross takes that principle and develops it further. You have the ease of our original model, plus great drinks, desserts, music, and a lively evening atmosphere. It can be somewhere you stop for a quick meal, or somewhere you spend the evening with friends.”

The opening reflects Three Uncles’ continued growth and confidence in the London market. Having expanded to eight locations, the business is actively pursuing further sites across the capital, with the counter-service format expected to play a central role in its next phase of expansion.

The founders say the strategy is ultimately a return to Three Uncles’ origins.

“Three Uncles began with our memories of the siu mei shops and food courts where we spent our childhoods. They were places to eat, meet friends, laugh, socialise and return to again and again.”

“King’s Cross brings that heart and soul right back to the centre of the concept. It will feel easy, fun and welcoming, whether you are stopping for lunch, meeting after work or bringing a group of friends for the evening. King’s Cross welcomes commuters, workers, students, residents and visitors from around the world every day, and we think Three Uncles can offer something genuinely different to the area,” adds Kwok.

Early interest in the opening is already strong. More than 2,500 people have subscribed for King’s Cross updates ahead of launch, generated mainly through the Three Uncles website, digital advertising, and a QR code on the restaurant hoarding.

For comparison, around 2,300 people had registered ahead of the opening of Three Uncles’ Brent Cross restaurant, which subsequently attracted a launch-day queue stretching beyond the shopping centre.

To celebrate the opening of King’s Cross, Three Uncles will offer 50% off to the first 500 registered customers, who will also receive a launch goodie bag.

The restaurant is expected to open in early October 2026, with a media and influencer first-look event planned ahead of the public opening.

Further details will be announced ahead of launch.