London restaurants that have closed in 2024

Running a restaurant in London has always been a treacherous game, but the impact of Covid and Brexit has left life particularly icey for restaurateurs today. Increasing produce costs, wages, energy bills and more leave even the best restaurants on a potential knife edge, balancing weighty overheads whilst they feed us.

It’s no wonder, then, that so many of London’s restaurants have closed in 2024. We’re not just talking small independents either - we’ve had to wave goodbye to some titanic restaurants in the last year or two. Le Gavroche, for example, is a restaurant we thought would never close, but after 56 era-defining years, chef patron Michel Roux Jr decided to shut the doors for good in January 2024. So too has Pollen Street Social, with Jason Atherton citing ‘unsustainably high costs’ as the reason.

It’s not easy keeping track of all the restaurant movement in the capital, so we’ve devised a couple of lists for you to keep track of. We’ll be tracking all the big restaurant closures in London right here, month-by-month, but you can also keep an eye on the best new restaurants in London over here, where you can find all our latest reviews of brand new openings, as well as previews of exciting restaurants that are coming later in the year.

Not sure if your favourite local restaurant has closed? Google is often a good bet - Google uses an AI system called Duplex to contact restaurants regularly via phone, confirming opening hours and, naturally, if the business is still operating. As a result, Google Maps is often the first place to find out if a restaurant has shut down. You can also check a restaurant’s social media accounts, as many will post a thank you to their customers before closing.

November 2024

Leroy, Shoreditch

Leroy, Shoreditch
Leroy was part of the big East London resurgence, winning a Michelin star in 2019 alongside the likes of Brat, but it lost that Michelin star earlier this year and closed with immediate effect in November. 'Our heart breaks not to be able to continue the journey but we can leave knowing that we did all we could. Despite what our government may think this is a noble profession and indeed any small business owner has our enduring respect,' said the restaurant via Instagram.

October 2024

Launceston Place, Kensington

Launceston Place, Kensington
D&D announced the closure of one of their biggest restaurants - Launceston Place - which was once a regular haunt of Diana, Princess of Wales. 'After thorough deliberation, and following the departure of Chef Patron Ben Murphy, D&D London has made the decision to close Launceston Place in Kensington at the end of this month,' the group said in a statement.

28-50 Oxford Circus
We were sad to see this excellent wine bar close in October, but thankfully there are other 28-50 sites still going and they're very much worth a visit, including 28-50 Marylebone and 28-50 By Night.

Cin Cin, Fitzrovia
The popular Brighton-based group, specialising in aperitivi, decided to close up its cosy Fitzrovia spot to focus on other sites and projects. 

September 2024

Chicama, Chelsea

Chicama, Chelsea
This colourful, energetic follow-up from the Pachamama Group closed in mid-September. 'We look forward to welcoming you again very soon, but until then, thank you for being a part of our story,' the restaurant said via its website. 

Karen's Diner, Islington
The infamous, foul-mouthed restaurant group went into liquidation in September, closing up the last Karen's Diner in Islington and leaving creditors over £400,000 out of pocket.

Mystic Burek, Sydenham
One of London's most underrated and brilliant restaurants, Mystic Burek, announced that it would close at the end of the month, but founder Spasia Pandora Dinkovski promises that there is lots more to come. 

London Shell Co, Paddington
London Shell Co's beloved floating seafood restaurants closed down in September/October as the group decided to shut down the The Prince Regent and The Grand Duchess after nine wonderful years. The team signed off aptly on Instagram: 'Old sailors never die, they just fade away'. 

Snackbar, Dalston
Freddie Janson's supremely underrated Dalston cafe has closed, meaning no more kimchi croque madames for us. 'I did what I set out to do and now it’s time to move on to the next project,' said Freddie in Snackbar's final Instagram post.

August 2024

Allegra, Stratford

65a
This sleek brasserie in Spitalfields was a hit when it opened last year thanks to some classic, well executed cooking in a nice spot. 

Mimosa, Marylebone
Mimosa was the big name announced to to replace what was Roux at the Landau, at the Langham Hotel. The restaurant was run by the MOMA Group (the same group that runs Cafe Laperouse and various other restaurants in France), but Mimosa was only open five months before it closed. 

Cafe Kitty, Soho
Part of the Kitty Fishers Group (which also owns Kitty Fishers and Cora Pearl), Cafe Kitty closed up this month. A note on the website reads, '...we are all understandably gutted, but in life some things just don't work out.'

Hereford Road, Notting Hill
A much-loved neighbourhood favourite, Tom Pemberton closed his Notting Hill restaurant Hereford Road. A note on the site reads: 'After 17 wonderful years Hereford Road is now closed. Thank you to all our customers - you have been a true delight. Tom, Fabio and all the staff past and present.'

Allegra, Stratford
Following the news that former executive chef would be leaving the restaurant, Allegra announced via Instagram that it would be closing at the end of August. It's another sad loss for London as Allegra featuring in our list of the 100 best restaurants in London for the last two years running. 

Sager & Wilde, Bethnal Green
Michael Sager announced the closure of this phenomenally popular east London wine bar after ten years of service, choosing to focus on newer wine bar restaurant Bruno near Victoria Park and cocktail bar Equal Parts. 'Although it is with sadness that I am losing the restaurant, myself and my teams are very excited for the coming chapters of the bars and the import business,' he said via Instagram. 

Anglo, Farringdon
This modern British restaurant, brought to prominence by chef and founder Mark Jarvis, closed on the first of the month following the departure of head chef Anthony Raffo and general manager Maria Danzanvilliers. 

I Camisa & Son, Soho
One of the last of Soho's iconic Italian delis sadly announced its closure in August. A notice posted on the shop reads: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of I Camisa & Son on Old Compton Street. Due to the significant reduction in office workers following the pandemic, the economics of running this store at this location are no longer viable.'

12:51, Islington
James Cochran closed his popular Islington restaurant 12:51 after eight years, saying that it represented the 'end of a chapter'. Cochran first launched 12:51 in 2018 after winning Great British Menu.

Pidgin, Hackney
The restaurant that claimed to never serve the same dish twice closes on the 18 August. Pidgin originally opened in 2015 and earned a Michelin star a year later, although sadly lost it in 2018. The tasting menu restaurant was widely known for its constantly-changing menu, which was completely remastered every week. However, the site has been reborn as SESTA, headed up by ex-Pidgin alumni Drew Snaith and Hannah Kowalski. 

July 2024

Pollen Street Social, Mayfair

Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Jason Atherton announced that Pollen Street Social would close some months ago, but the time finally came for this legendary restaurant. The site remains under Atherton's control and it has been replaced by grill-focused restaurant Mary's.

Il Borro, Mayfair
This plush Italian has been a big hit in Dubai and Florence but couldn't make it's Mayfair location work, closing quietly in July 2024.

Townsend, Whitechapel
Townsend arrived at The Whitechapel Gallery in 2020 and made a big impact in a cosy location, serving seasonal modern British plates. The restaurant closed quietly in July, but the space has been taken over by the good folks at Alba Caffe. 

All'onda, Fitzrovia
This promising new fine dining risotto restaurant from former Helene Darroze at The Connaught chef Andrea Granzarollo closed after less than a couple of months, with the owners citing 'unforeseen personal circumstances'.

Apothecary East, Shoreditch
This Tokyo-style izakaya launched in 2021 blending Japanese small plates, cocktails and live DJs. It closed in July without giving a reason but there may well be a new restaurant on the way under the Apothecary brand, in a different location. 

June 2024

Cornerstone, Hackney

Cornerstone, Hackney
Tom Brown's Michelin-starred seafood restaurant is closing due to cost issues. Brown cites its tasting menu concept and a change in diners' tastes as reasons why the model has become unsustainble. If you're still keen to try Brown's food, his more casual seafood venture Pearly Queen is still going strong. 

Hawthorn, Kew
Joshua Hunter's restaurant in Kew was well received - we gave it an excellent silver award when we visited - but closed at the end of the month. Hunter said that the current economic conditions made the restaurant unsustainable, but you can still find him at Restaurant Joshua Hunter at Holland & Holland.

Eline, Hoxton
Alex Reynolds and Maria Viviani's charming neighbourhood spot in Hoxton was a nice addition to the area, but sadly the pair announced that the restaurant would be closing at the beginning of June. If you're missing Alex's cooking, take yourself down to Bistro Freddie, where he is now head chef.

The Hide Bar, Bermondsey
This popular Bermondsey cocktail bar closed, thanking all its patrons for 16 years of support.

May 2024

Wander, Stoke Newington

Odette's, Primrose Hill
Bryn Williams sold his much-loved Primrose Hill restaurant Odette's after 16 years, with plans to spend more time in Wales at Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay as well as the excellent Touring Club in Cardiff.

Fish Game, Canary Wharf
Roberto Costa’s fish and game-focused sister site to Macellaio RC closed after less than a year.

Rum Kitchen, Soho, Shoreditch and Brixton
Caribbean restaurant and bar group Rum Kitchen quietly shut down all its restaurants.

Supa Ya Ramen, Dalston and Peckham
A beloved ramen restaurant with a big cult following, we were sad to wave goodbye to Luke Findlay’s excellent Supa Ya Ramen.

Wander, Stoke Newington
After various on and off battles with the Home Office over the years, Alexis Noble decided to close much-loved Antipodean restaurant Wander in Stoke Newington on her own terms before going travelling.

April 2024

Galvin at Windows, Mayfair

Turnips, Borough
A licensing dispute with Borough Market called time on the excellent Turnips restaurant attached to the market greengrocer. A sad loss.

Mere, Fitzrovia
Monica Galetti called time on her restaurant in April, after seven successful years.

Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Notable as one of London’s most famous restaurants with a view, Galvin at Windows is no more. No doubt someone new will move into this desirable high-rise space.

Park Row, Soho
This massive DC Comics-inspired restaurant was one of London’s most unique. Now closed but it may just be moving to a new site - watch this space.

Harvest, Kensal Rise
Jesse Dunford-Wood closed his latest restaurant after just a year, citing lack of bookings. Parlour in Regent Street, and Six Portland Road in Holland Park remain open.

March 2024

Grassfed, Camden

Grassfed, Camden
Paul Foster’s first London venture was open for about nine months in total, despite positive reviews. It didn’t give a reason for the closure.

Delhi Grill, Islington
A Chapel Market favourite, Delhi Grill announced its closure via Instagram, saying: ‘It has been an incredible journey and we couldn't have done it without the support from our loyal customers and our team.’

The Chelsea Pig, Chelsea
This gastropub just off the King’s Road closed in March. It has since been taken over by the Gladwin Brothers and renamed The Pig’s Ear.

February 2024

Hicce Hart, Islington

Hicce Hart, Islington
The sister gastropub to Hicce also closed in February - a knock-on effect of the sad closure of Hicce and Lacey’s subsequent decision to take some time out of the kitchen. The pizza restaurant has also closed.

20 Berkeley, Mayfair
Creative Restaurant Group called time on 20 Berkeley, deciding to change direction and rebrand the space as a Japanese restaurant called NIJU.

The Fat Badger, Richmond
The Gladwin Brothers closed Richmond restaurant The Fat Badger, and the site has since been taken over by pasta chain Noci.

PLU, St John's Wood
Elliot Moss’s distinctive fine dining restaurant closed in February - Moss cited difficult trading conditions and a lack of recognition from Michelin as reasoning.

Prairie Fire, White City
This well-liked barbecue joint in the Wood Lane Arches by Westfield White City sadly closed in February.

January 2024

Le Gavroche, Mayfair

Bossa, Marylebone
This Brazilian restaurant promised much, with two Michelin-starred chef Alberto Landgraf attached to the project, but it closed after less than a year.

Le Gavroche, Mayfair
The legendary Roux restaurant has closed its doors for good after many decades, signalling the end of an era.

The Rosarium, Waterloo
This restaurant in Waterloo’s ‘The Sidings’ development has closed, alongside an Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail bar.

Buvette, Notting Hill
French restaurant Buvette opened in late 2020 but closed quietly in January 2024.

Rika Moon, Notting Hill
You couldn’t miss this glamorous Japanese fusion restaurant on Kensington Park Road. No doubt something else will move into this nice Notting Hill corner site.

Maene, Shoreditch
Much was expected from Maene - a new project from the team behind Townsend in Whitechapel - but it closed after less than a year.

Frenchie, Covent Garden
Greg Marchand's lovely French restaurant was a great loss to Covent Garden and London. Thankfully his exceptional Paris restaurants are still open.

Copper and Ink, Blackheath
MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd closed his Blackheath restaurant in January and has since moved to Margate, where he has opened Pomus.

Mr White's, Leicester Square
Marco Pierre White’s enormous Mr White’s restaurant on Leicester Square was one of the first restaurants to shut up shop in 2024.

December 2023

Saltie Girl, Mayfair
The well-known east coast USA seafood restaurant reviewed well on arrival in London but was forced to close in 2023.

Hicce, King's Cross
An unfortunate subletting situation forced Pip Lacey to close the excellent Hicce - one of the signature original openings in Coal Drop’s Yard.

Marcus, Knightsbridge
Marcus Wareing's famous restaurant at The Berkeley - once the holder of two Michelin stars - closed. Wareing has more projects planned for 2024 to take the space in a new direction.

Birch, Selsdon and Cheshunt
Elodie and Zebra Riding Club (plus the other restaurants at both locations) closed when boutique hoteliers Birch went into administration in late 2023.

Has your favourite restaurant closed? Find a new favourite in our list of the 100 best restaurants in London, which features restaurants of all styles and cuisines from all over the capital.