London restaurants that have closed in 2026

In the last few years, we've seen London restaurant bankruptcies spiral out of control, with multiple restaurants a week closing in the capital, and an estimated three hospitality businesses a day closing across the UK. Running a restaurant in London has always been a treacherous game, but the impact of the COVID pandemic, Brexit, and geopolitical instability has left London restaurants on a knife edge. 

It’s no wonder, then, that so many of London’s restaurants have closed recently. 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; Pollen Street Social; Lyle's; Bibendum - just a snapshot of some of the huge, award-winning restaurants that have closed since London's hospitality crisis began in 2024.

Why are so many London restaurants closing?

• Employment costs: Significant recent increases in the National Living Wage, combined with a steep hike in National Insurance Contributions, have made it much more expensive for businesses to hire and keep staff. 
• Surging Business Rates: The 40% business rates relief - originally brought in during COVID to help protect businesses - expired on 31 March 2026. That resulted in a huge jump in business rates owed for most hospitality businesses.
• VAT: The UK charges a flat 20% VAT on hospitality - the second highest rate in Europe. Despite the government recently slashing VAT on children’s meals to 5% over the summer, chefs like Tom Kerridge and Yotam Ottolenghi have warned that without cutting VAT to 10% for hospitality, many restaurants won’t survive.
• Produce and energy costs: Geopolitical events - from wars in Ukraine and Iran to Brexit and COVID - have caused energy and ingredient costs to surge over the last five years or so. Domestic consumers are protected by price caps - commercial consumers are not; some restaurants are paying over four times the amount they were paying for energy in 2021.
• Cost-of-living crisis: Customers are also being squeezed by a lot of the same pressures, and with less disposable income, dining out is one of the first things that many have cut back on.
• Changing cultural habits: In cities especially, generational shifts in cultural habits are having an impact too. Younger generations are drinking much less alcohol, which affects late-night trading. Hybrid and remote working has also hit lunchtime trade hard.

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.

2026 London restaurant closures

We do our very best to keep this section updated with all the recent restaurant closures in London, but if you hear of any more, you can pop us a message on Instagram to let us know. 

June 2026

The Water House Project was a social fine dining concept, blending the line between kitchen and dining room 

Water House Project
We absolutely loved Gabriel Waterhouse’s restaurant Water House Project, but Waterhouse announced it would close at the end of June, after coming to the end of its lease in Bethnal Green. The team said via Instagram: ‘Looking back on the past five years here makes us incredibly proud. We’ve loved our time on Corbridge Crescent and have poured ourselves completely into this space.’

May 2026

Mandy Yin's famously fiery laksas at Sambal Shiok will be a great loss to London

Sambal Shiok, Holloway
Mandy Yin’s Malaysian spot in Holloway has been held up as one of London’s real independent restaurant champions over the last decade, which makes it all the more sad to see it close. Yin has been outspoken about the economic challenges facing restaurants - she said on closing: ‘I cannot continue personally carrying the financial risk or injecting funds to keep the business afloat. Relentless cost increases, staffing pressures and the weight of operational responsibility have taken a deep toll on my mental health and personal life.’

Paradise, Soho
Dom Fernando’s modern Sri Lankan Soho restaurant was much loved for its imaginative take on Sri Lankan dishes, and sleek, minimal architecture. As of May 2026 it appears to be closed - though the website says the restaurant will be returning soon.

Sartoria Launceston Place, Kensington
Evolv planned for Sartoria to rollout across multiple sites, starting with this West London restaurant (previously the home of Ben Murphy’s Launceston Place). The restaurant sadly only made it six months before closing quietly.

Franco Manca, Various locations
Franco Manca announced the closure of 16 sites nationwide after restructuring by parent company Fulham Shore, and the approval of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) by creditors. That raft of closures sadly includes the original Franco Manca site in Brixton, as well as sites in Battersea, Chiswick, Kilburn, Tottenham Court Road and more. It still has 32 London sites open.

Spaghetti House, Various locations
One of the UK’s oldest restaurant groups is a sad loss indeed, as Spaghetti House closed its five sites in Marble Arch, Cranbourn Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Kensington High Street, bringing to an end a 70 year run on London’s high streets.

Mriya Neo Bistro, West Brompton
Mriya was one of the first Ukrainian restaurants to open following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, and it had become a real touchpoint for Londoners to delve into the undiscovered country of Ukrainian cuisine. To see successful restaurants like this forced to close is a sad loss. Founder Olga Tsybytovska said via Instagram: ‘This is an emotional moment for us. But even as one dream comes to an end, we continue dreaming - because “Mriya” means “dream” in Ukrainian.’

Sophie’s Steakhouse, Chelsea
After 25 storied years in Chelsea, the original Sophie’s Steakhouse has closed as of May 2026, with co-founder Rupert Power saying: ‘I want to say to our loyal customers, our independent suppliers and of course our team both past and present, who by day by day, by and large, make this a really happy place.’ Sophie’s Soho remains open.

Big Night, Hackney
Hackney’s izakaya-inspired skewer bar served its last vodka shot at the beginning of May, throwing one last big night before closing the doors.

April 2026

Caravel & Studio Kitchen, Islington
Both Caravel and Studio Kitchen - two Islington restaurants set up on old grain barges on the Regent’s Canal - announced their closure in April, following a turbulent time after the departure of Fin and Lorcan Spiteri (who you can now find at The Latimer in Notting Hill). The last, cryptic message simply reads: ‘Caravel and Studio Kitchen have been forced to close our doors with immediate effect. We will provide an update as soon as the details are allowed to be made public.’

Hacha, Dalston
One of the oldest members of Kingsland Road’s taco mile, Hacha sadly closed in April, following the closure of its other site in Bermondsey. Hacha founders Deano and Emma say that Hacha has outgrown the original Dalston site, and they’ll be looking for something bigger after a busy summer of festivals and short-term residencies - good news for fans of that signature Mirror Margarita.

Little Social, Mayfair

Little Social followed the same fate as Pollen Street Social, with Jason Atherton choosing to close his award-winning bistro after 13 years. Fans of the space won’t have to wait long to get back in though: Atherton and Spencer Metzger are reinvigorating the space as Chez Rose - a gorgeous French bistro inspired by Metzger’s grandmother.

March 2026

Marceline, Canary Wharf
Floating Canary Wharf brasserie Marceline closed quietly at the end of March, after less than two years open. Launched by chef-restaurateur Hus Vedat in summer 2024, it opened alongside sister site Hovarda, which sat underneath the restaurant. Both are now closed, along with another Hovarda site in Soho - the restaurant that lent half its space to David Thompson's Long Chim pop-up (which has also closed as a result). 

HUMO, Mayfair
This Michelin-starred Mayfair spot closed up at the end of March, but only briefly, as the site has been replaced by IGNI - an exciting new fire-led restaurant led by Theo Clench.

MEATliquor, Various locations
MEATliquor was another group forced to shutter sites after restructuring, closing sites in Islington, Forest Hill, Clapham and Queensway. If you’re craving your favourite burger, don’t worry - MEATliquor Oxford Circus and MEATliquor East Dulwich are both still open, as is fabulous Covent Garden bar BLOODsports.

Bébé Bob, Soho
Bob Bob Ricard’s rotisserie chicken offshoot closed quietly in March, with no announcement. Sad to see, as we’ve always been great fans of the artsy interiors and fantastic cooking. 

Somssi, Mayfair
Somssi scooped a Michelin star in February 2026 as Jihun Kim took full ownership of the Korean fine dining spot inside the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, but a month later, he left the project, resulting in the restaurant closing. It has been a turbulent time all things considered - this restaurant was once Dosa, which was rebranded when founding chef Akira Back departed in summer last year. Jihun Kim said via Instagram: 'Today marks my departure from the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair after an unforgettable journey full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Those who have enjoyed Somssi and been part of its journey – I hope to welcome you again, wherever that may be.'

The Silver Birch, Chiswick
The Silver Birch had become a real fixture in Chiswick, but it sadly closed in March 2026. Opened in 2022 by Tim Price, the restaurant had evolved into one of London's more impressive neighbourhood restaurants, with former Moor Hall chef Nathan Cornwell overseeing some excellent cooking. The restaurant said in a statement: 'Over the years many people gave us their all, showing up every day, giving their energy, care and talent, and helping to make The Silver Birch what it was. Restaurants are nothing without their teams, and we feel so lucky to have worked alongside such brilliant people.'

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal was one of London's signature restaurants, famous around the world for 16 years for it's modern take on historical British recipes

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Knightsbridge
Although not closed just yet, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal announced that it will close at the end of January 2027, almost exactly 16 years to the day that it first opened. The restaurant opened in 2011 with Ashley Palmer-Watts (now of The Devonshire) as head chef, and quickly ascended the ranks, winning a second Michelin star by 2013. Famous for dishes that take inspiration from British historical recipes, and a liquid nitrogen ice cream trolley, Dinner by Heston has had a huge impact on cooking in London. It's understood that Blumenthal's contract was due to end in summer 2026, but the hotel agreed to extend it in order to celebrate the anniversary. In an interview with The Times, Blumenthal said: 'There are some huge feelings there; sadness. It’s bitter sweet, but it has run its natural course. We are effectively tenants in a building and our tenancy is finished.'

Club Gascon, Smithfield
The Michelin-starred restaurant in Smithfield - owned and run by chef Pascal Aussignac - will be shutting up shop at the end of March 2026. French restaurant Club Gascon announced the news in a post on Instagram, stating: 'We are deeply thankful to our loyal guests, and to our incredible team past and present, whose passion and dedication brought Club Gascon to life every day. We're also incredibly grateful for the loyalty, support and enthusiasm shown by our community, and for the recognition we have received, including nearly 25 years of Michelin stars and other accolades.' The restaurant served food inspired by the cuisine of southwest France, earning a Michelin star in 2002 and holding onto it for almost a quarter of a century.

Papi, Shoreditch
Trendy Shoreditch restaurant Papi announced that it's closing its doors on Saturday 7 March after four years. However, all is not lost. The team has opened a new restaurant in Stoke Newington - The Golden Tooth - which brings the same irreverent cooking to more of a gastropub setting. On Instagram, the team said: 'We will be back soon with a new name and quite a fancy new home,' so we'll let you know as soon as we have more details about that. In the meantime, the team will be spending its final days serving up beloved Papi classics and hosting some epic chef collaborations. 'Please come and see Papi out in style in it’s beloved form as we know it', they said. Consider that your official invite and book a table at Papi while you still have time.

Nest, Shoreditch
After nine successful years, Nest closed at the end of March. Co-founded by Johnnie Crowe, Luke Wasserman and Toby Neill - the same team who would go on to launch Michelin-starred restaurant St Barts - Nest was much-loved for its affordable, monthly tasting menus. In the same site, the trio has launched Tavern - a classic British bistro serving up 'generous, nostalgic' cooking in a relaxed setting. 

February 2026

Casa Mexicana continues to close sites - in February is closed its Soho location, joining another recently closed site in Shoreditch

Club Mexicana, Soho
The popular vegan Mexican spot closed it's site in Kingly Court, but don't worry - you can still get your vegan fish taco fix at Club Mexicana Leicester Square, or at the stands at Boxhall and Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair.

Da Maria, Notting Hill
Da Maria was a fixture of Notting Hill for nearly 50 years before it sadly closed in February 2026. Founders Pasquale and Maria Ruocco decided to retire after many decades serving their soulful Neapolitan cooking, during which time London's Italian dining scene has transformed. In an Instagram message, Pasquale said: 'After so many wonderful years, we have decided to close Da Maria permanently at the end of this month. Thank you for your loyalty, your affection, and for being part of our journey. You will always remain in our hearts.'

January 2026

Bethnal Green bar Cav had a successful 2025, but closed quietly at the beginning of 2026

Cav, Bethnal Green
This slick wine bar and restaurant housed the exceptional Iberian pop-up Tasca last year, but in January it closed quietly, becoming yet another solid hospitality business that has failed to make a site on Paradise Row work. 

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.