Restaurants, bars and pubs across the world have been struggling since the outbreak of Covid-19, but the Prime Minister’s latest statement, which urges UK citizens to avoid restaurants, pubs and clubs has come as a real blow to the UK hospitality industry.
Restaurants in Chinatown were among the first to make the tough decision to close temporarily due to Coronavirus prejudices, and many more in the West End quickly followed suit. A number of these restaurants have issued statements expressing their sadness at having to close, particularly as these closures will obviously have financial consequences for staff and potentially the businesses as a whole, but the considerable downturn in diners has meant that it’s just not financially viable to remain open while people are self-isolating.
Quite a few businesses are working on quick contingency plans to provide takeaway instead of opening their dining rooms, but as the number of people ordering food to be delivered has dropped off too, it’s not clear if this will be enough for some restaurants to survive.
It’s not just small, local restaurants that are feeling the effects of Coronavirus either; acclaimed chef Claude Bosi of Bibendum in South Kensington told The Evening Standard that bookings from Far East customers had dropped off significantly and last month chef and restaurateur Adam Handling said his flagship restaurant The Frog in Covent Garden had suffered the worst two weeks in two years.
We love dining out here at SquareMeal and we know you do too, which is why we’ve published a list of the restaurants we know to be temporarily closed due to Coronavirus. We’ll update it each day so that if you do decide to venture out to eat, you won’t be disappointed that your restaurant of choice is taking a break.
If you are self-isolating, but still want to support the UK hospitality industry during this time of adversity, check out our guide to supporting your local restaurant during Covid-19.
Restaurants temporarily closed due to Covid-19
Check back daily for new additions as and when they're announced
DUKES Bar
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: 20 April
DUKES Bar is known for being the birthplace of the Vesper Martini, created by James Bond author Ian Fleming. One for the purists and a must-visit for Martini fans, this most discreet of drinking dens is old school to the core.
Aqua Group
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
Aqua Shard, Hutong, Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva are all swanky dining destinations that offer excellent food and service.
Akira At Japan House
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: 20 April
The menu at this Japanese restaurant is extensive, but the enthusiastic staff are only too happy to explain the dishes on offer.
Aubaine – all sites
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
This chic French brasserie chain is open all day, from breakfast through to Med-influenced dinners.
Caprice Holdings
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
The group behind institutions such as The Ivy, Scott’s, J Sheekey and Balthazar is synonymous with luxury and excellence.
The Cinnamon Collection
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
Vivek Singh’s acclaimed modern Indian restaurants include The Cinnamon Club, Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea, Cinnamon Kitchen City and Cinnamon Bazaar.
Flat Iron – all sites
Date closed: 20 March<
Closed until: further notice
The menu is minimal, but if you want a top-notch flat iron steak and chips, this is the place to get it.
Iberica – all sites
Date closed: 20 March<
Closed until: further notice
Spanish powerhouse Ibérica dishes out a range of tapas specialities worth toasting with a glass of vintage cava.
Ottolenghi – all sites
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
Yotam Ottolenghi’s distinctive cuisine sans frontiers never fails to disappoint.
Searcys – all sites
Date closed: 20 March
Closed until: further notice
Oysters and Champagne are what this well-established brand is known for.
Aquavit
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: 18 May
Michelin-starred Nordic restaurant Aquavit is all about clean flavours, simple presentation and healthy ingredients.
Blacklock – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Blacklock is a steak and chop house mini-chain that’s famous for its pork, beef and lamb chops piled onto strips of toasted flatbread.
Brasserie Blanc – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Raymond Blanc’s user-friendly Brasserie Blanc chain is a popular choice for families after crowd-pleasing French food.
Caravan – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Now spread across the capital, Caravan serves a seasonally changing all-day menu bursting with ideas from around the globe.
Chick ‘n’ Sours – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Sizeable portions of spicy fried chicken have ensured Chick ‘n’ Sours success in the capital. Delivery is still available in Haggerston.
Duck & Waffle
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
40 floors above London, Duck & Waffle has remained open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the past eight years to provide food and drink to City folks.
Enoteca Turi
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Enoteca Turi, synonymous with Italian regional cooking at its best, is a spot much loved by SW1 locals.
Galvin La Chapelle + Galvin HOP
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle is one of London’s must-visit restaurants, while Galvin HOP provides less formal bistro fare in Spitalfields.
The Gate – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Vegetarian mini-chain The Gate was one of the first gourmet veggie spots in London and continues to dish out subtly flavoured, seasonally-inspired dishes to plant-based fans.
Grind – most locations
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Great, small-batch coffee is what this mini-chain’s known and loved for. Shoreditch Grind, Exmouth Market Grind and Greenwich Grind will remain open, serving takeaway coffee.
Ikoyi
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
You don’t need to know your banga from your igbin to have a great meal at Michelin-starred West African restaurant Ikoyi.
Maxwell’s Group
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
From classic French Brasseries to American diners, Maxwell’s Group restaurants keep Londoners fed and watered. Venues include Boulevard Brasserie, Café de Paris, Maxwell’s Bar & Grill, Old Compton Brasserie, Palm Court Brasserie, PJ’s Bar & Grill, Roadhouse, Sticky Fingers and Tropicana Beach Club.
Medlar
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Charming neighbourhood restaurant Medlar has been a popular choice of the Chelsea crowd since it opened in 2011.
No. Fifty Cheyne
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Classy but with the feel of a country house dining room, No. Fifty Cheyne is a particularly popular spot for Sunday lunch in Chelsea.
Northbank
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Crowned by a gem of a terrace, Northbank serves up a panorama of London as well as contemporary British fare.
Rules
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Established in 1798, Rules is London’s oldest restaurant. Slick service and top-notch British fare keep it busy with visitors and loyal regulars.
Sagardi
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: 6 April (pending)
Spanish steakhouse restaurant Sagardi majors in charcuterie, pintxos and txuletón steak, which is seared on a Basque-style grill.
Salt Yard Group
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Salt Yard, Ember Yard, Dehesa and Opera Tavern all major in good-quality Spanish and Italian cuisine.
Spring
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: 1 June (pending)
Skye Gyngell’s talented team of chefs at Spring use sustainably produced and ethically sound ingredients for seasonal dishes that are always bursting with flavour.
Sushisamba
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
Show-stopping Sushisamba City is one of London’s coolest spots, while glamorous Sushisamba Covent Garden is a great spot for people-watching.
Wright Brothers – all sites
Date closed: 19 March
Closed until: further notice
London's uncrowned oyster kings serve up the freshest seafood in their London restaurants, which include branches in Borough Market, Soho, Battersea Power Station, South Kensington and Spitalfields.
Bao
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
For contemporary Taiwanese small plates served in an intimate dining space, head to Bao Fitzrovia, Bao Soho or Bao Borough.
Bocconcino
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
Moscow-meets-Amalfi at Bocconcino, a Russian-backed Italian restaurant in Mayfair.
Brat
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The house speciality at Michelin-starred Brat is turbot cooked Basque-style in an iron cage over a wood grill.
Chez Bruce
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
SW17 legend Chez Bruce remains a popular restaurant on account of its consistently superb Michelin-starred cooking and buzzy atmosphere.
Corbin & King Group
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The group responsible for gems including The Delaunay, The Wolseley, Colbert, Zedel, Fischer’s and Soutine is well-known for its spot-on service and please-all cooking.
The Culpeper
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The Culpeper is a stripped-back, all-day venue dealing in patriotic grub with Gallic overtones.
D&D London Group
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
All of the restaurants and bars in D&D’s huge portfolio are destinations worth visiting. Its London sites include: 100 Wardour St, 14 Hills, Angler, Aster, Avenue, Bluebird Café, Bluebird Chelsea, Blueprint Café, Butlers Wharf Chophouse, Cantina Del Pont, Coq d’Argent, Fish Market, Fiume, German Gymnasium, Launceston Place, Le Pont de la Tour, Madison, New Street Grill, Old Bengal Bar, Orrery, Paternoster Chophouse, Plateau, Quaglino’s, Radici, Sartoria, Skylon, South Place Chophouse, The Den and The Modern Pantry.
Hawksmoor – all sites
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
Surf ‘n’ turf experts Hawksmoor major in excellent British beef with boldly indulgent sauces, and a sumptuous seafood selection. The group has six London sites: Air Street, Borough, Guildhall, Knightsbridge, Seven Dials and Spitalfields.
Kanada-Ya
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The St Giles and Panton Street branches of this ramen bar are closed temporarily but Kanada-Ya Angel will remain open for business.
London Cocktail Club – all sites
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
This set of fun, outlandishly themed bars is each defined by a signature spirit. There are London Cocktail Club outposts in: Bethnal Green, Clapham, Goodge Street, Liverpool Street, Monument, Old Street, Oxford Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue and Shoreditch.
Machiya
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
An ode to Kyoto-style home cooking, Machiya majors in izakaya, yashoku and washoku.
McDonald’s
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The world’s biggest fast food chain is closing its seated restaurants, but still available via delivery and drive-thru.
Patron
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
The short menu at Patron Cave à Manger is dominated by some great French staples, including small plates and whiffy cheeses.
Sambal Shiok
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
This laksa bar on Holloway Road takes inspiration from classic dishes served in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Selfridge’s restaurants
Date closed: 18 March
Closed until: further notice
Selfridge’s London houses a number of restaurants including Brasserie of Light, alto by San Carlo, Aubaine, The Corner Restaurant, Harry Gordon's Bar & Kitchen, Dolly’s, Hemsley + Hemsley, Tonkotsu and EL&N Café.
Ayllu
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
Swanky fusion restaurant Ayllu boasts a menu bursting with traditional dishes influenced by the flavours and aromas of Peru and Japan.
Babbo
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: 17 April
Glitzy Babbo, owned by Chelsea players David Luiz and Willian Borges, is all about crowd-pleasing Italian dishes such as aubergine parmigiana and veal Milanese.
Breddos Tacos Clerkenwell
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
Taco-loving Breddos is a lively spot with an all-day menu based on Mexican-American cuisine.
Dirty Bones – all locations
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
This fun mini-chain is the place to go if you’re in the mood for hugely indulgent American junk food. Dirty Bones is currently offering double value gift vouchers.
The Lighterman
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
The Lighterman, an impressive, three-storey modernist pub/restaurant on Granary Square, majors in grilled meats and fish and trendy drinks.
Ormer Mayfair
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: 16 June
Shaun Rankin’s Ormer Mayfair within Flemings Hotel is fine spot for beautifully executed British cuisine made with fresh Jersey produce.
Percy & Founders
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
The all-day menu at Percy & Founders majors in casual-dining classics and sports a compact wine list priced just right for an egalitarian clientele.
Smith’s Bar & Grill
Date closed: 17 March
Closed until: further notice
Relaxed but vibrant, Paddington restaurant Smith’s Bar and Grill has something for everyone on its British menu.
Clipstone
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Modern European sharing plates and bistro-style dishes make Clipstone a top-notch Fitzrovia favourite.
Elliot’s Borough Market
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
The buzzy atmosphere of Elliot’s – a New York-style eatery aimed at foodies – is a great place to enjoy provenance-driven dishes.
Emilia
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Also part of the Woodhead Restaurant Group (which includes Portland, Clipstone and The Quality Chop House), Emilia is a contemporary Italian restaurant and wine bar.
Peckham Cellars
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Hip new neighbourhood restaurant, Peckham Cellars, is all about seasonal sharing plates and specially-selected wines.
Portland
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Michelin-starred Portland is a modern, dressed-down but elegant restaurant near the BBC which serves up high-end food without an ounce of affectation.
The Quality Chop House
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Founded in 1869, The Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell is known for its excellent-value daily set lunch menu. While the restaurant is closed, the shop remains open seven days a week.
Rochelle Canteen at The ICA
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold’s cool Rochelle Canteen within The Institute of Contemporary Arts is a favourite among artists and designers.
Silk Road Camberwell
Date closed: 16 March
Closed until: further notice
This Chinese canteen’s geographical and gastronomic marker is the ancient Silk Road trade route linking China and the Middle East.
Deliciously Ella Deli
Date closed: 14 March
Closed until: further notice
Vegan food blogger Ella Mills’ Deliciously Ella Deli majors in all-day dining options and plant-based baked goods.
JinLi Chinatown
Date closed: 9 March
Closed until: 20 April
JinLi, a smart Sichuan restaurant in Chinatown, is the place to go for adventurous appetisers.
As the list grows so do the financial losses of our friends in the hospitality industry. We're hoping things improve soon, and when they do we can't wait to get back to eating in the restaurants above to bolster them back to a good place. We'd ask you to join us in eating at your favourite spot again as soon as it's safe to do so.
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