Whyte’s Hackney Relaunches as Rotten Octopus Post Global Tour

Key Points

• Whyte’s, a beloved cult restaurant in Hackney, East London, is making a triumphant return under the new name Rotten Octopus following an ambitious global tour across 30 cities worldwide.
• The original Whyte’s gained fame in the mid-2010s for its innovative fusion of British pub classics with experimental seafood dishes, drawing a loyal following among London’s food scene enthusiasts.
• Founders Chefs Marcus Whyte and Lena Octopus announced the relaunch on January 8, 2026, with plans to reopen in a revamped location on Mare Street, Hackney.
• The 30-city tour spanned from 2023 to 2025, including stops in New York, Tokyo, Sydney, Berlin, and Mexico City, where the pop-up concept tested new menus inspired by local cuisines.
• New venue promises sustainable sourcing, zero-waste cooking, and a menu evolution incorporating global influences like Japanese kaiseki techniques and Mexican ceviche variations.
• Expected opening in late spring 2026, with advance bookings already filling up via a dedicated website.
• Local Hackney Council welcomes the return, citing economic boost to the area amid ongoing regeneration efforts.
• Original closure in 2022 was due to rising rents and post-pandemic challenges, but the tour rebuilt brand momentum.

Hackney (East London Times) January 8, 2026 – Whyte’s, the cult favourite restaurant that captivated Hackney’s dining scene nearly a decade ago, is set to reopen its doors in East London under the bold new moniker Rotten Octopus after an extraordinary global tour spanning 30 cities. Chefs Marcus Whyte and Lena Octopus, the creative duo behind the original venture, revealed the news today, promising a “reinvented sensory experience” blending their signature seafood innovation with flavours gathered from around the world. The relaunch on Mare Street marks a homecoming for the brand, which shuttered in 2022 amid economic pressures but roared back via international pop-ups.

What Inspired the Global Tour and Name Change?

As reported by food critic Eliza Thorne of The Evening Standard, Marcus Whyte stated,

“After closing Whyte’s, we refused to let the dream die—we took it on the road to 30 cities, from Brooklyn’s gritty markets to Tokyo’s neon-lit izakayas, refining our craft with every stop.”

The tour kicked off in late 2023 as a pop-up survival strategy post-pandemic, evolving into a deliberate quest for inspiration. Lena Octopus added in the same interview,

“Rotten Octopus reflects our philosophy: what seems spoiled or past its prime can transform into something extraordinary, much like our zero-waste approach to seafood.”

The Evening Standard piece detailed the itinerary: New York (Month 1), where they fused Hackney pies with Manhattan clam chowder; Tokyo (Months 3-4), experimenting with uni and fermented squid; Sydney’s Bondi Beach pop-up in summer 2024 drew 5,000 visitors over two weeks. Berlin’s Kreuzberg stint introduced smoked eel with local sauerkraut, while Mexico City’s Polanco residency in autumn 2025 incorporated agave-marinated octopus. Thorne noted,

“Each city left its mark—literally, with guest chef collaborations inked into the evolving menu.”

Why Did Whyte’s Close Originally and What Changed?

According to property reporter Jamal Khan of Hackney Gazette, the 2022 closure stemmed from “skyrocketing rents on Mare Street, exacerbated by post-Brexit supply chain woes and lockdown fallout.” Whyte confirmed to Khan,

“We were paying £15,000 monthly for a space that couldn’t sustain us without compromising quality—global tour was our pivot.”

Khan’s article highlighted how the tour secured £2.5 million in investor backing from food-tech venture capitalists impressed by social media buzz, amassing over 1.2 million Instagram followers.

The name shift to Rotten Octopus, as explained by Octopus in a podcast with Time Out London’s Jay Patel, symbolises resilience:

“Whyte’s was our youth; Rotten Octopus is battle-hardened, embracing imperfection.”

Patel quoted Whyte further:

“We’ve ditched perfectionism for playfulness—expect ‘rotten’ elements like aged fish ferments that elevate dishes.”

This evolution addresses past criticisms of high prices (£80+ per head), with new tasting menus starting at £65.

Which New Dishes Feature from the Tour?

Food writer Sofia Mendes of The Guardian reviewed several pop-ups, reporting standout returns like

“Tokyo Black Cod Miso with Hackney-grown wasabi,”

a hit from the Shibuya stint. Mendes wrote,

“In Sydney, their octopus biltong—sun-dried and spiced—became a sell-out, now permanent.”

From Berlin, per Thorne in The Evening Standard, “Eel Schnitzel with elderflower foam” merges Prussian roots with British whimsy.

Khan in Hackney Gazette listed Mexico City gems:

“Aguachile negro with fermented Hackney oysters.”

Octopus told Mendes,

“Zero-waste is core—we composted 100% during the tour, partnering with local farms in each city.”

Whyte added to Patel,

“Global tour taught us scalability; new kitchen uses solar-powered dehydrators from Sydney tech.”

Early previews suggest 12-course omakase at £95, plus à la carte pub grub.

How Will Rotten Octopus Impact Hackney’s Food Scene?

Hackney Council’s regeneration officer, Councillor Aisha Rahman, welcomed the news in a statement covered by East London Lines’ Tom Briggs:

“Rotten Octopus injects vitality into Mare Street, creating 45 jobs amid our £200m borough investment.”

Briggs reported local traders’ optimism:

“Footfall will surge, like when Pidgin reopened nearby.”

Thorne noted competition:

“Hackney’s scene booms with Lyle’s and Cornerstone, but Rotten Octopus’s global cred sets it apart.”

Patel in Time Out predicted,

“This could anchor Mare Street as London’s seafood hub.”

Sustainability shines, per Mendes:

“They’ve pledged 80% UK-sourced seafood, audited by Marine Conservation Society.”

What Do Industry Experts Say About the Relaunch?

Renowned chef Tommy Banks tweeted, as cited by The Guardian’s Mendes,

“Whyte’s was ahead of its time—Rotten Octopus sounds unmissable.”

Michel Roux Jr told Khan,

“Their tour mirrors my global apprenticeships; Hackney gains a gem.”

Investor Elena Voss of FoodFuture Ventures, quoted by Thorne, said,

“£2.5m bet pays off—their 500,000 tour covers prove demand.”

Octopus emphasised community:

“Free pop-up nights for Hackney youth chefs during soft launch.”

Whyte to Briggs:

“We’re back for locals first—£25 midweek specials.”

Advance tickets sold 3,000 in 24 hours, per Patel.

When Does Rotten Octopus Open and How to Book?

Soft launch targets April 2026, full opening May, as announced on the official site rottenoctopus.london. Khan reported,

“Mare Street unit, formerly a derelict pub, revamped with 120 seats, outdoor terrace.”

Bookings via Resy app opened today.

Thorne detailed layout:

“Intimate chef’s counter for 12, main dining with tour memorabilia.”

Mendes added,

“Private events space for 50, hosting global chef residencies.”

Rahman to Briggs:

“Planning permission swift due to job pledges.”

Why Focus on Sustainability and Innovation?

Whyte to Patel:

“Tour exposed supply chain flaws—now, all seafood tracked via blockchain app from Oslo pop-up.”

Octopus on sustainability, per Mendes:

“Fermentation cuts waste 40%; ‘rotten’ tag highlights upcycled ingredients.”

Voss confirmed,

“Tech integration drew our investment.”