Luke Ahearne and Stevie Parle to open Motorino this October

This October, chef Luke Ahearne and restaurateur Stevie Parle will open Motorino, a modern London-Italian restaurant and bar in the heart of Fitzrovia.

About Luke

Luke is an Irish-born chef whose culinary experience includes leadership roles at some of London's most respected kitchens, including Luca and Corrigan’s Mayfair.

His food reflects a precise yet soulful style - one built on fire, flavour, and finesse. At Lita, he’s carved out a new space for rustic elegance: an approach that lets seasonal ingredients shine without overcomplication, rooted in tradition but executed with modern refinement.

A bold new partnership

For Luke, Motorino comes hot on the heels of his role as head chef at Lita in Marylebone, a Mediterranean bistro that won a Michelin star in under a year.

Speaking about the new opening, Luke said: “Opening Motorino with Stevie is a chance to create something new, bold and exciting in central London. For us it’s all about celebrating great produce, cooking with joy, and bringing my perspective on Italian food to Fitzrovia.”

Stevie, whose recent Covent Garden restaurant Town has won critical acclaim, said he was excited to collaborate with one of London’s brightest young chefs.

He said:

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“Luke is a fantastic young chef, passionate about produce, obsessed by quality and consistency, and together we want to create something really special. We’re determined to open the best London-Italian we can. With Luke’s food, Kevin Armstrong’s world-class cocktails and a wine list to match, we want to make Motorino the London-Italian this city deserves.”

Motorino: The London-Italian

With space for 150 covers, Motorino is set to be an expansive addition to the Fitzrovia dining scene, combining ambitious cooking with a sense of fun. Seasonal produce sourced from Stevie’s network of trusted UK and Irish suppliers will be central to the menu, interpreted through Luke’s modern Italian lens.

Like Town, Motorino will feature a dedicated bar overseen by Kevin Armstrong (of World’s 50 Best Bar, Satan’s Whiskers). The drinks programme will include seasonal cocktails on tap alongside quick-serve, icy cold direct martinis.

A restaurant with ambition

With its scale, pedigree and star-studded team, Motorino aims to redefine what a modern Italian restaurant can be in London. Blending Stevie’s experience with Luke’s rising profile, the Fitzrovia launch is set to be one of the most anticipated openings of autumn 2025.

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