Hyped east London wine bar Oranj is opening its first permanent restaurant

Natural wine lovers rejoice, after three years of residencies, east London’s coolest wine bar is finally putting down roots. 

Oranj began as an online wine retailer before becoming a temporary restaurant and trendy wine bar with revolving chef and artist residences. Now it’s found a loving permanent home east London (of course) on Dray Walk, just off Brick Lane. 

The venue can host up to 72 guests, and it includes outdoor seating – ideal for an alfresco chilled red – and a private dining room. There’s a striking nine-metre, zinc-wrapped bar and plenty of, well, orange. We’re talking custom-built orange tables, amber lighting and dozens of candles.

At the helm of the kitchen is Japanese-born Yuto Fujimoto, who is a former resident at Oranj. His debut menu is European-inspired, changes with the seasons and features small plates, large plates and desserts. Highlights include homemade gnocchi with sage and cep sauce, monkfish with chard and lemon butter sauce and oyster mushroom with cured egg yolk sauce, all intended to be perfectly paired with a glass of natural, low-intervention wine.

Fujimoto said the menu will be different from his former residences, and represents a ‘thrilling new side’ of his culinary expression inspired by his experiences working in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe.

Oranj founder Jasper Delamothe said: ‘Through the residency programme at Oranj, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented chefs from all over the world. It’s been a logistical minefield, but a priceless education in how to run a restaurant, which I’m now ready to put into practise, and it’s given me a uniquely broad insight into the minds of culinary geniuses.’

Oranj opens on October 14.

15 Dray Walk, E1 6QR. 5pm-12am Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm-3pm Wednesday to Saturday.

The best wine bars in London, according to Time Out.

Plus: trendy Soho pub The Devonshire has expanded.