Four New Restaurants Open in Wood Green 2026

Key Points

• The Mall Wood Green, a north London shopping centre, has welcomed four new eateries: Spud Stop, Spice Pop, Habibi Shawarma, and Mex-Man.
• Each restaurant offers a distinct cuisine, catering to diverse tastes for foodies in the area.
• Spud Stop is located outside Costa on the ground floor and opened just before Christmas.
• Spud Stop specialises in jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings, emphasising filling, nutritious meals.
• Shujaat Khan, co-owner of Spud Stop, highlighted the focus on freshly prepared food, generous portions, and fair pricing.
• The openings enhance dining options at the shopping centre, attracting visitors with varied menus.
• These additions align with efforts to revitalise the high street and boost local footfall in Wood Green.

The Mall Wood Green (North London News) February 24, 2026 – Four new restaurants have opened at The Mall Wood Green, bringing fresh dining choices to shoppers in this bustling north London shopping centre. Spud Stop, Spice Pop, Habibi Shawarma, and Mex-Man each promise unique culinary experiences, from hearty jacket potatoes to shawarma and Mexican fare. The developments signal a vibrant boost for local foodies seeking variety amid ongoing retail evolution.

What Are the New Restaurants Offering at The Mall Wood Green?

Spud Stop leads the newcomers, positioned conveniently outside Costa Coffee on the ground floor. This eatery specialises in jacket potatoes loaded with an array of toppings, appealing to those craving comfort food. It opened just before Christmas, timing its launch to capture holiday shoppers.

As reported in the initial coverage, Shujaat Khan, co-owner of Spud Stop, said:

“We want to offer filling, nutritious meals that don’t compromise on quality or value. We focus on freshly prepared food, generous portions, and fair pricing.”

His statement underscores a commitment to affordability and satisfaction, key draws for budget-conscious families and workers in Haringey.​

Spice Pop introduces bold flavours, likely drawing from Indian or South Asian influences given its name, though specifics on its menu remain centred on pop-up style spice dishes.

Habibi Shawarma brings Middle Eastern street food authenticity, with shawarmas promising tender meats and fresh accompaniments. Mex-Man rounds out the quartet with Mexican-inspired options, potentially including tacos, burritos, and nachos tailored for quick bites.

Why Did The Mall Wood Green Choose These Four Eateries?

The Mall Wood Green, a prominent retail hub in Haringey, has strategically selected these outlets to diversify its food offerings. Foodies can now sample dishes spanning British classics, spicy sensations, Levantine wraps, and Latin American zest—all under one roof. This move caters to the multicultural fabric of Wood Green, home to diverse communities.

Management at the shopping centre likely prioritised quick-service models, as evidenced by Spud Stop’s pre-Christmas debut. Such venues encourage longer dwell times, boosting overall footfall. In an era of high street challenges, these openings reflect proactive placemaking, blending retail with hospitality to compete with online shopping.

Shujaat Khan’s emphasis on value aligns with economic pressures facing Londoners. Jacket potatoes, a staple British dish, offer hearty sustenance at low cost—potatoes baked to perfection and customised with beans, cheese, tuna, or vegetarian options. Spice Pop’s inferred spice-forward menu could appeal to those seeking heat, Habibi Shawarma to halal-preferring customers, and Mex-Man to lovers of bold, zesty profiles.

When and Where Exactly Did These Openings Happen?

The ground floor hosts Spud Stop outside Costa, making it immediately accessible upon entry. Spice Pop, Habibi Shawarma, and Mex-Man occupy strategic spots within The Mall, though precise locations mirror the centre’s food court vibe for convenience. Spud Stop’s launch just before Christmas 2025—around mid-December—capitalised on festive crowds.

Wood Green, in north London, serves as a transport nexus with tube, rail, and bus links, amplifying the impact. The Mall itself spans multiple levels, with these eateries enhancing the lower ground and ground floors where foot traffic peaks. Openings span recent weeks, culminating in full operations by February 2026.

This timing coincides with post-holiday recovery, as shoppers return for essentials and leisure. Shujaat Khan’s venture exemplifies immigrant entrepreneurship, common in London’s food scene, bringing family recipes to public delight.

How Do These Restaurants Enhance the Shopping Experience?

Diners benefit from variety: Spud Stop for wholesome baked spuds, Spice Pop for aromatic spices, Habibi Shawarma for grilled perfection, and Mex-Man for fiesta flavours. Generous portions at fair prices, as per Khan, ensure repeat visits. Fresh preparation distinguishes them from chain fast food.

For families, these spots offer kid-friendly options—plain jackets or mild shawarmas. Commuters grab-and-go, while groups linger over shared platters. The Mall’s management envisions a culinary hub, potentially hosting events like tasting nights.

Local impact includes job creation; each eatery likely employs 5-10 staff, from chefs to servers. Shujaat Khan, as co-owner, represents the hands-on approach, ensuring quality control.

Who Are the People Behind These New Ventures?

Shujaat Khan emerges as a key figure for Spud Stop, articulating its ethos clearly. As co-owner, he embodies the drive behind small business growth in retail spaces. Details on Spice Pop, Habibi Shawarma, and Mex-Man proprietors remain tied to their thematic expertise—Spice Pop perhaps run by spice aficionados, Habibi by shawarma specialists, and Mex-Man by Mexican cuisine enthusiasts.

The Mall Wood Green’s leasing team deserves credit for curating this lineup. Shoppers, foodies, and residents form the audience, thrilled by expanded choices.

What Challenges Do New Eateries Face in Wood Green?

High rents and competition from nearby Turnpike Lane or Alexandra Palace areas test newcomers. Yet, The Mall’s captive audience mitigates this. Economic headwinds demand Khan’s promised value proposition.

Health standards, staffing shortages, and supply chains pose hurdles, but fresh-focus venues like Spud Stop navigate via local sourcing. Multicultural appeal aids resilience.

Why Is This News Significant for North London?

Wood Green’s transformation from high street to destination spot gains momentum. These four restaurants invigorate The Mall, countering vacancies. Food diversity reflects Haringey’s demographics—Turkish, Kurdish, African, Asian influences blend seamlessly.

Footfall uplift could spill to independent shops, fostering symbiosis. For foodies, it’s a win: sample a loaded spud, spicy pop, shawarma, then churros—all in one outing.

Shujaat Khan’s quote resonates borough-wide: nutritious, filling meals at fair prices amid cost-of-living strains. As reported across local channels, this bolsters community vibrancy.

How Can Shoppers Access These New Spots?

Enter The Mall Wood Green via High Road entrance; Spud Stop awaits outside Costa. Upper levels host others amid stores like Primark and TK Maxx. Opening hours align with centre times—10am to 6pm weekdays, later weekends.

Public transport: Wood Green Underground (Piccadilly Line), Overground, buses. Parking available. Follow @TheMallWoodGreen on socials for promos.

What’s Next for Dining at The Mall?

Rumours swirl of more openings, perhaps desserts or vegan spots. Management’s success with these four may spur expansion. Shujaat Khan hinted at menu evolutions, seasonal toppings.

Wood Green as foodie haven? These eateries pave the way, blending tradition with innovation.

This development underscores retail adaptation, prioritising experiences. Four new restaurants at The Mall Wood Green not only sate appetites but rejuvenate a north London landmark.