If you have a penchant for cheese—whether a modest taste or an insatiable craving—there is one UK dining destination you simply must experience. Pick & Cheese, located at Seven Dials Market in London's Covent Garden, is widely recognised as the world's first cheese conveyor belt restaurant, presenting an innovative way to sample British artisan cheeses in a sushi-style format.
A unique dining concept
Perched on the top floor of the KERB-run market, the restaurant features a 40-metre conveyor belt that carries rotating plates of cheese, each thoughtfully paired with a complementary accompaniment such as chutney, crackers, bread, pickles or cured meats. Despite opening its doors in September 2019, a surprising number of people remain unaware of its existence.
The concept draws direct inspiration from traditional Japanese kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi bars. Founder Mathew Carver established Pick & Cheese to make artisan British cheeses more approachable and less intimidating for diners.
How it works
The belt has been specially designed for the restaurant, incorporating bespoke covers—or domes—to maintain the cheese at its ideal temperature and condition while rotating. Diners receive small plates of British cheese and simply take whatever catches their eye. Each plate is colour-coded according to price, typically ranging from £3 to £8 or more per plate.
The restaurant boasts more than 25 varieties of British and Irish cheeses, including Keens Cheddar with tomato chutney, Cropwell Bishop Stilton with kimchi, Cornish Yarg with pea and mint pesto, and Truffled Baron Bigod with charcoal crackers.
For those seeking heartier fare, there are also "Off-Belt" hot dishes available to order separately, such as Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Five Cheese Macaroni, Blue Cheese Raclette and Fondue Smoked Sausage, and La Latteria Mozzarella Sticks, famous for their remarkable cheese pull.
Value and timing
Cost-conscious diners may want to visit on a Wednesday, when a Bottomless Plates offer is available at £29.50 per person. This allows unlimited cheese and charcuterie plates from the belt for 75 minutes. The restaurant can become busy, so booking ahead is advisable. Portions are fairly modest, making it more of a sampling experience than a full meal.
Journalist and editor Samantha Bartlett was so taken with the idea that she posted a clip on TikTok, which rapidly went viral, amassing more than 174,000 views. One user commented: "These should be in every town," while another remarked: "OMG, I would be the size of a house."
Expansion plans
Alongside the Covent Garden site, there is now a Pick & Cheese restaurant at Camden Market, which took over from The Cheese Bar. That venue was redesigned in July 2025 and features an 18-metre-long conveyor belt. This year, a Pick & Cheese is due to launch in New York, USA, located in Shaver Hall, the new food hall housed in the former Lord & Taylor flagship building at 424 Fifth Ave, Midtown Manhattan. As of May 2026, the New York location has yet to open, with the grand opening reportedly pushed back to 1 June 2026.
