What’s Actually Happening At Olympia Right Now (And Why You Should Go)

The 140-year-old Olympia London is known for its cavernous exhibition halls that once hosted everything from Vivienne Westwood’s first catwalk show to legendary rock performances by The Who and Pink Floyd, horse shows to university fairs.

In 2026, it is mid-transformation. And unlike most major regenerations that feel sterile and corporate, Olympia’s reimagining actually feels like something is being restored rather than bulldozed.

The £1.3 billion overhaul isn’t finished (it won’t be until 2027) but enough has opened that you can finally visit and understand what the fuss is about. Here is what you need to know.

Olympia’s Transformation: From Exhibition Halls To Foodie Destination

Olympia started life in West Kensington in 1886 as an events venue, following the tradition of large-scale exhibition halls popularised by the Great Exhibition in 1851. And it stayed that way for nearly 140 years. But today, Olympia is being repositioned as London’s newest destination for eating, drinking, culture and work. The architects behind this (Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC) have kept the heritage intact, while injecting a much-needed contemporary zhuzh.

The site is split between the historic exhibition halls (still hosting events), the new International Convention Centre, and the new hospitality layer – literally another layer, with many venues sitting on top of those halls on Olympia’s striking new rooftop, the Canopy. Open from 15 June onwards, with sweeping views towards Kensington and beyond, you’ll find four restaurants and bars, plus a food hall with four more concepts. Below, in the Grade II* listed Pillar Hall (open since March), there’s Idalia, a glamorous all-day restaurant; Pepperbird, an intimate basement speakeasy; and Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a 500-capacity events and live music venue.

If you’ve been to one of Des Gunewardena’s restaurants (he founded D&D London), you’ll know what to expect: intelligent food and drink served in a space built for lingering. Idalia pairs modern British cooking with an interior that channels a garden room crossed with a country house; it truly is breathtakingly beautiful, all greenery and warmth, designed by Robert Angell. The kitchen is led by women: Executive Chef Samantha Williams (formerly Executive Chef to Angela Hartnett) and Executive Pastry Chef Lorena Tommasi.

The Canopy at Olympia.

The Rooftop Venues

The rooftop is where Olympia gets interesting (and brand spanking new). Lillie’s is a wine bar and restaurant serving English sparkling wines and seasonal British small plates. Understated and proper, there’s a retractable roof in case the British weather objects (which it probably will for most of the year).

Wolves of Tokyo spans 8,000 square feet and channels Tokyo’s after-dark energy, with an 80-cover restaurant with counter seating and open kitchen. Upstairs find a 200-capacity rooftop cocktail bar serving elevated izakaya-style snacks and curated late-night programming. Bar Arriba brings Mexican-inspired food and agave cocktails to the rooftop. It also has a retractable roof (good sense prevails), heated terrace, and Saturday brunches called Casa Arriba featuring free-flowing drinks and DJs.

Then there’s Arbour, a food hall housing four separate concepts: Fry Baby (gourmet fried chicken), The Rambler (farm-to-fork), Whammy Burger (smashed burgers), and Café Modo (artisan coffee). Somewhere to eat well without ceremony, this is where you’ll come for a quick bite before or after an event on site.

Lillie’s (© Incipio)

Beyond The Restaurants: What Else Is There?

As well as its exhibition halls, Olympia London now has a 3,800-capacity live music venue, British Airways ARC, opening 16 June, with Van Morrison, Puscifer and The Dresden Dolls on the bill. Still under construction is the 1,575-seat British Airways Theatre, set to be London’s largest new theatre in 50 years when it opens in 2027. Together they transform Olympia into a new cultural venue, joining the recent relocation of annual international fair Photo London.

Two hotels are also arriving on-site – Hyatt Regency London Olympia in July, followed by citizenM London Olympia in early summer – as well as a 1Rebel gym. And for lucky office workers, a 550,000 square foot office building, One Olympia, is also set to open, boasting some of the largest terraces in London. (Beating the office-space crisis with style.)

The public spaces matter too, with 2.5 acres of space entering the public realm. Olympia Way is a newly pedestrianised street leading visitors into or through Olympia from the Overground/Underground station. Emberton Walk also runs through the site, connecting the venues by foot. Here there’s an 83-metre digital screen called the Canvas for immersive art and activations.

When To Go

While a select number of restaurants are open, most are still under construction with an eye on a mid-June launch, and while the exhibition halls are being used for various events, the music venue and theatre are still yet to arrive.

By 2027, this will all be fully formed. For now, it’s interesting to watch a major London destination being built before our eyes. If you’re a Kensington or Hammersmith local, it’s worth stopping by just for a nosy.

Find out more and stay up to date at olympia.co.uk