ALTA to Fire Up Soho’s Culinary Scene with Basque-Inspired Grilled Plates and Low-Carbon British Produce
Rob Roy Cameron brings open-fire Spanish cooking to Kingly Court with ALTA – a bold new restaurant championing the Basque spirit through British ingredients.
London’s summer dining scene is about to get a whole lot smokier—and more delicious. ALTA, a brand-new restaurant dedicated to open-fire Basque cooking, is officially opening its doors in Kingly Court, Soho this August. Led by Rob Roy Cameron, a chef with deep roots in Spain’s most lauded kitchens, ALTA promises to be a love letter to Northern Spain, with a distinctly British accent.
Named after Alta Navarra, the culinary-rich region stretching from Pamplona to Donostia, ALTA is set to deliver sharing plates and grilled fare that channel the traditions of the Basque country while honouring hyper-local, low-carbon British produce. With more than 100 covers, a private dining room, and a heated terrace, it’s arriving in Kingly Court’s largest restaurant space—and it’s coming in hot.
A Chef’s Spanish Soul, Rooted in British Soil
Rob Roy Cameron isn’t just referencing Spanish cuisine—he’s lived it. He spent a decade working in some of the country’s most forward-thinking kitchens, including El Bulli and alongside Albert Adrià at 41 Degrees and Hoja Santa in Barcelona. In London, he previously led the kitchen at Gazelle.
At ALTA, Cameron’s signature style will shine through dishes rooted in escabeche techniques, open-fire grilling, and ingredient-driven simplicity. Think British-sourced seafood, Shropshire-bred Iberico pork, and seasonal veg from southern England farms—all prepared with Basque soul and smoky finesse.
A Sharing Menu Built for Fire and Flavour
The menu is designed for sharing, with dishes that balance rustic flair and refined execution. Expect plates like Cornish mussels with grilled bread, wood-fired courgette with pumpkin seed romesco, razor clams in white escabeche, and homemade txistorra with onion cider jus. From the grill, standout items include 38-day aged beef sirloin and whole turbot head—smoked, blistered, and boldly seasoned.
Desserts continue the Basque narrative with playful twists. Chocolate mousse arrives topped with smoked olive oil meringue, and their Basque cheesecake pairs beautifully with escabeche strawberries. Expect depth, not just sweetness.
Wines, Vermouth, and Tap-Flow Cider
The drinks list, curated by Dino Koletsas (ex-Harrods), leans heavily into low-intervention European wines from small-scale producers. A rotating wall of wines on tap adds novelty, featuring one-offs and fine bottles rarely poured by the glass.
Cider culture also plays a leading role—nodding to Northern Spain’s sidra tradition. The lineup includes bottles from Wilding in Somerset, Little Pomona in Herefordshire, and Naughton in Scotland. Vermouths, sherries, and savoury, herb-forward cocktails round out a distinctly European drinks offering built for long, firelit evenings.
Interiors That Glow with Earth and Fire
The interior is tactile, natural, and raw. Expect a palette of exposed brick, unfinished wood, concrete, and warm earth tones. An open kitchen and fire grill dominate the ground floor, with seafood displayed over a chilled counter. The vibe is elemental but refined—borderless, buzzy, and unpretentious.
Upstairs, a private dining room seats 12 for more intimate gatherings, while outside, a heated terrace offers al fresco seating for 14 year-round. Inside and out, ALTA feels like a slice of Donostia—just off Carnaby Street.
Meet MAD Restaurants: Bold Dining for a New London
ALTA is the second venture from MAD Restaurants, founded by Artem Login and Executive Chef Andy Cook. It follows the July 2025 opening of MOI on Wardour Street. With ALTA and MOI both launching in the heart of Soho, MAD is staking a strong claim on London’s high-end casual scene with an eye for fire, flavour, and serious hospitality talent.
Bookings for ALTA open in June 2025. You’d be wise to get in early.
Why ALTA Matters: A New Benchmark for Fire-Cooked Simplicity
In a city that loves reinvention, ALTA feels timely. It’s a bold, fire-fuelled homage to Spain’s north—but one grounded in the British countryside and London’s global energy. For lovers of escabeche, smoky seafood, and natural wine, this is the reservation to chase.
Whether you’re a carnivore chasing rare-breed pork or a veg-head swooning over grilled courgettes and romesco, ALTA invites you to sit back, share plates, sip cider, and soak up the flames. It’s Soho’s new summer obsession—in every sense of the word.
ALTA Opening Details:
📅 Opening August 2025
📍 Kingly Court, Soho, London W1B
🎟️ Bookings open June 2025 at madrestaurants.co.uk
