Kevin Kelley Opened Kitchen + Kocktails in Times Square

The Southern comfort food chain has expanded to New York City with a new storefront at 7 Times Square.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Dining Out

Gouache-painted illustration of a modern architectural facade, representing the opening of a new restaurant in New York City. — Attorney and restaurateur Kevin Kelley has opened a new Kitchen + Kocktails location at 7 Times Square in New York City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Attorney and restaurateur Kevin Kelley has officially launched his latest Kitchen + Kocktails location in New York City. The restaurant, situated at 7 Times Square, brings Southern comfort food staples to the heart of the city.

Why it matters

The opening reflects an ongoing effort to establish Black-owned dining options in high-profile, prime real estate locations. Kelley maintains full ownership of all his restaurant properties, ensuring that every menu item meets his personal approval.

The brand, which originated in Dallas in August 2020, now operates across 7 locations nationwide. Kelley launched the business with an initial $1,000 investment from his grandmother.

The players

Kevin Kelley

He is an attorney and the owner of Kelley Law Firm, P.C., who personally oversees his restaurant empire.

The details

The new establishment features a menu of Southern comfort food served in a modern environment. It is the latest addition to a chain that includes sites in Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.

The first Kitchen + Kocktails location opened in Dallas in August 2020.
The Times Square restaurant officially opened on October 3, 2026.

Culture Shift

This opening underscores a broader trend of Black-owned restaurant groups securing high-traffic urban real estate to increase market visibility. It positions the brand as a competitive player in the premium casual dining space alongside established national restaurant chains.

New Yorkers can now visit the venue at 7 Times Square to experience a menu personally curated by the owner. The expansion offers diners a new option for Southern-style cuisine within a highly accessible tourist district.

The takeaway

Kelley's expansion demonstrates the viability of scaling a personally-managed hospitality brand into major international markets. Diners looking for consistent Southern staples in a modern setting can now find the brand in the heart of midtown Manhattan.