Chef Thomas Straker Opens New Restaurant in Soho
The London-based chef debuts his latest wood-fired dining concept in the former Lucky Strike space.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Dining Out
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Chef Thomas Straker has officially opened his namesake restaurant, Straker's, in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood. The new establishment takes over the location formerly occupied by Lucky Strike.
Why it matters
The opening marks a major expansion for the London-based chef, who brings his wood-fire cooking style to the competitive New York City dining scene. Straker, who grew up in Herefordshire, England, chose the historic neighborhood of Soho for his first Manhattan location.
The restaurant is situated in the former Lucky Strike space and utilizes wood-fire cooking methods. Interior amenities include a kitchen finished with steel and green stone counters, alongside a formal back dining room featuring white tablecloths.
The players
Thomas Straker
He is a London-based chef known for his wood-fire culinary style and his roots in Herefordshire, England.
The details
Designed by Post Company, the space integrates the building's existing structure with a bar area and a formal dining room. The interior is decorated with art pieces by Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Brian Clarke, and Jake Clark.
Timeline
The opening occurred in October 2026.
Culture Shift
Straker's latest opening follows a pattern set by the expansion of London-based restaurant groups into the New York market. This arrival underscores the ongoing trend of high-profile international chefs bringing established European concepts to the competitive Manhattan landscape.
Residents and visitors to Soho can now experience the chef's wood-fired menu in a redesigned dining space. Diners should prepare for a formal atmosphere in the back dining room while noting the prime location in a high-traffic neighborhood.
The takeaway
The restaurant offers a distinct dining aesthetic that blends modern industrial design with classic service elements like white tablecloths. Guests should anticipate a culinary focus on wood-fire techniques that defined the chef's original London success.
Further reading
For more on the latest local restaurant openings, visit our guide to Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hospitality Design.
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