Kitchen + Kocktails Will Open in Times Square

The Southern-inspired concept arrives at 7 Times Square on October 3, 2026, marking its eighth location.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Dining Out

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Kitchen + Kocktails will expand to its eighth location, opening a new Southern-inspired restaurant in Times Square on October 3, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Kitchen + Kocktails is set to open its newest restaurant at 7 Times Square in New York City on October 3, 2026. The expansion marks the eighth location for the concept, which serves Southern food classics and craft cocktails.

Why it matters

The opening brings a popular Southern dining brand into the competitive heart of Manhattan, capitalizing on high tourist and local foot traffic. With 4,000 confirmed bookings already secured, the brand demonstrates strong initial demand in the New York City market.

The new 10,000-square-foot space at 7 Times Square spans two stories and includes multiple dining rooms and a bar. This site serves as the eighth addition to the restaurant group founded by Kevin Kelley.

The players

Kevin Kelley

He is the founder of the Kitchen + Kocktails restaurant concept established in 2020.

Kitchen + Kocktails

This restaurant group operates locations in cities including Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Miami.

The details

The restaurant offers a two-story layout featuring private dining areas to accommodate various group sizes. The menu focuses on Southern food classics paired with a signature bar program.

Timeline

  1. Kevin Kelley founded the restaurant concept in 2020.

  2. The Times Square restaurant opens on October 3, 2026.

  3. Kitchen + Kocktails opens in New Orleans in late 2026.

Culture Shift

The entry of Kitchen + Kocktails into Times Square highlights the enduring demand for Southern comfort food in dense, high-visibility urban markets. This move reflects a broader trend of regional culinary brands scaling their operations to meet national appetite for niche dining experiences.

New York City diners can secure reservations at the new 10,000-square-foot space now that 4,000 bookings have been confirmed. The two-story venue offers private dining rooms and a bar, providing new options for groups visiting the Times Square area.

The takeaway

The arrival of Kitchen + Kocktails adds a substantial 10,000-square-foot dining option to Midtown Manhattan. Residents and visitors should book well in advance given the high volume of initial reservations.

What happens next

The restaurant group has scheduled future openings for locations in Boston and New Orleans, the latter of which is expected to launch later in 2026.

Further reading

Explore the local culinary landscape further in New York City Dining Out.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Nation's Restaurant News.

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Would you try to secure a booking at a highly anticipated new restaurant opening?