Ikea opens its first UK High Street restaurant - meaning anyone can pop in for Swedish meatballs or Daim cheesecake without having to buy flat-pack furniture

Ikea has cultivated something of a cult following for its in-store food and now fans of their Swedish meatballs and Daim cheesecake will be able to get their fill without needing a side of flat-pack furniture.

The homeware giant has opened its first UK High Street restaurant in Hammersmith, London, next-door to its recently-revamped City Store.

Replacing a Wasabi branch, the new eatery can seat 75 diners with meal costing as little as £2.95, and less than £1 for children.

A serving of eight of the iconic Swedish meatballs, served with mashed potatoes, peas, cream sauce & lingonberry jam, comes in at £5.50.

We know how much our customers love the IKEA restaurant and were excited to celebrate the opening of our very first high street restaurant, said Market Manager at IKEA London City, Matthew Gould.

Ikea has opened its first UK High Street restaurant in Hammersmith, London ,next-door to its recently-revamped City Store in King Street

A serving of eight of the fan-favourite Swedish meatballs, served with mashed potatoes, peas, cream sauce & lingonberry jam, comes in at £5.50

Visitors to the King Street restaurant can order using self-service screens before taking their seats in the minimalist surroundings

The new Ikea restaurants menu also includes a plant based alternative to the classic meatball favourite, at the lower price of £4.95; penne pasta in a tomato and basil sauce, at just £2.95; fish and chips with peas for £6.95 and salmon with yoghurt and couscous also for £6.95.

Meanwhile, children can get a smaller portion of pasta in tomato sauce, with a piece of fruit and a soft drink, all for 95p.

There are also cooked breakfasts available featuring bacon, sausage, hash browns, omelette, beans and tomato for either £2.75 or £3.75 depending on portion size.

Visitors to the King Street restaurant can order using self-service screens before  taking their seats in the minimalist surroundings.

To celebrate the restaurant opening, IKEA Hammersmith is offering IKEA Family Members £5 off in store when spending £5 or more at new restaurant on the same day, until the end of the month.

The restaurant has been opened before the furniture giants main London project - a new flagship store on Oxford Street (seen hidden behind an Ikea bag display)

The new venture comes as Ikeas other London project, another City Store on Oxford Street, continues to prove problematic.

The furniture brand pushed back its flagship stores opening date for a second time in May due to a leak in the Grade II listed buildings basement.

It means the site at 214 Oxford Street is now set to open in spring 2025, three years after work started and two after it was originally intended to be opened.

Until then, shoppers will continue to be greeted by the eye-catching giant Ikea bag design which currently hides the building.