It’s been a bit of a bloodbath when it comes to the number of great London restaurants that have closed so far this year.
At the halfway point of 2026, a host of legendary London eateries have shuttered, from our favourite east London graveyard burrito takeout spot Bad Manners to Holloway laksa bar Sambal Shiok. Many have cited rising operating costs such as business and VAT rates, which has lead to the likes of the #VATsTheProblem campaign, which is supported by many of the industry’s leading chefs, and is calling for hospitality VAT to be cut to 10 percent.
Other restaurants we wish to RIP include vegetarian pizza joint Flat Earth in Bethnal Green and historic Notting Hill Italian Da Maria.
The best London restaurants that have shut in 2026 so far
Here’s a full list of Time Out’s most-missed restaurants, which all closed in the past six months.
Ombra, Bethnal Green
Closing June
This is your last chance to grab fresh pasta from canal-side Italian Ombra. They’re open until the end of this week. Happily, their bakery Forno – which has sites in Leytonstone and Hackney – will remain open. ‘In our 15 years at Hackney’s canalside we’ve never traded through an environment quite like the one we’re experiencing now,’ said the owners on Instagram. ‘In the last couple of years we’ve been consumed by a rising tide of labour costs, utilities, rent hikes, business rate increases and the most stubborn VAT policy in Europe.’
Sambal Shiok, Holloway
Closed in May
We loved Sambal Shiok’s fiery noodle soups, steaming curry laksa and crunchy Malaysian fried chicken, but founder Mandy Yin said the business was financially doomed, adding she could not ‘continue personally carrying the financial risk or injecting funds to keep the business afloat’. The restaurant opened in 2018.
Bad Manners, Shoreditch
Closed in June
After their stint at St John at Hackney Churchyard, Bad Manners moved their silver Airstream kitchen to Shoreditch Church. Their Mexican-inspired menu featured the kind of burritos that would quell even the most vicious of hangovers. Don’t be too miserable though, because they plan to be back for events and pop-ups.
Morito, Hackney
Closed in June
A decade after launching, this Hackney Road off-shoot of Exmouth Market’s Moro (still open, FYI), called time earlier this month. ‘It’s no secret that the hospitality industry has been facing sustained and significant challenges,’ said the tapas joint. ‘Like many others, our Hackney location has been increasingly affected, despite our best efforts.’
Water House Project, Cambridge Heath
Closing in June
This one’s actually open for a couple more days, but after five years, this sustainable fine dining restaurant is shutting up shop and will serve its last 14-course tasting menu on June 27.
Made of Dough, Peckham
Closed in March
Sourdough pizza joint Made of Dough has closed its Peckham parlour. However, you can still order it through various delivery platforms via their Crystal Palace kitchen.
Tandoor Chop House, Covent Garden
Closed in January
One of the best Indian restaurants in London vanished at the start of the year, without warning.
Da Maria, Notting Hill
Closed in January
After 46 years in the game, this old-school Italian restaurant closed when owners Maria and Pasquale Ruocco retired.
Papi, London Fields
Closed in March
Some good news here. When the riotous Papi shut, the site was taken over by the excellent Auguste and Papi’s chef Matthew Scott and sommelier Charlie Carr headed north to open an instant classic, The Golden Tooth gastropub.
Bebe Bob, Soho
Closed in March
This slinky off-shoot of Soho’s Bob Bob Ricard went without warning. The chicken, caviar and cocktail spot had previously appeared in Time Out’s list of the most romantic restaurants in London.
Flat Earth, Bethnal Green
Closed in April
One of London’s best vegetarian restaurants, Flat Earth shut down its sustainable pizza parlour on on Cambridge Heath Road, after opening in 2022.
Sael, St James’s
Closed in June
Jason Atherton’s Britpop bistro quietly closed earlier this month. No reason for the closure was given and no formal announcement was made.
Mriya, Chelsea
Closed in June
After three years, Ukrainian bistro Mriya, which was run and staffed by refugees, closed its doors. Mriya, or ‘dream’ as it translates in English, opened on Chelsea’s Brompton Road in August 2022.
Silver Birch, Chiswick
Closed in March
Despite being named London Restaurant of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards in 2024, Chiswick’s Silver Birch went under this spring.
Dom’s Subs, City of London
Closed in March
Alas, Dom’s Subs have closed their sandwich shop in the City, but you can now enjoy their wares during the day at Rasputin’s bar on Mare Street.
Paradise, Soho
Closed in March
This Sri Lankan restaurant in the former Spuntino site on Rupert Street closed mysteriously in the spring.
Club Mexicana, Soho
Closed in February
Vegan Mexican restaurant Club Mexicana has closed the doors to its Kingly Court restaurant after six years. You can now find their tofish tacos at Boxhall City by Liverpool Street and Mercato Mayfair food hall.
Big Night, Hackney
Closed in May
This rowdy, party-first resto, which opened on Morning Lane in 2024, has served its last skewer.
Nest, Shoreditch
Closed in March
Tasting menu restaurant Nest closed to rebrand as bawdy British bistro Tavern, which we’ll be reviewing soon…
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