Although the news was first previewed in an article on Michelin-star closures in the Times back in September, it was still a shock to read late on Friday that Georgio Locatelli's Locanda Locatelli has now closed its doors for good. It's another very high-profile closure in London, and there are likely to be more in 2025.
The restaurant had been open for 23 years. For much of that, it was regarded as one of London's best Italian restaurants, albeit one on the very high-end of things (mains were mainly in the £30-£50 range). It was a complete scene when it opened, boasting a chic dining room designed by David Collins which proved to be a huge draw for the A-listers. You might spot Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Madonna or Lucian Freud dining with Kate Moss on an average Tuesday. But diners are perhaps shifting away from that old-school Michelin vibe of late. Certainly Marina O'Loughlin, when she reviewed it more recently for The Sunday Times, felt that the constraints of operating at Michelin-level in a posh hotel environment had muted Locatelli's offering.
The announcement reads; "With a Heavy heart, for reasons out of our control, we are now permanently closed. We will miss all of our clients, many who have become friends. But when one door closes, another opens, so please check our social media for updates on our new project". So more is planned from Georgio Locatelli - in addition to his judging duties on Italian Masterchef. Perhaps we'll see something new from him before the end of 2025.
Follow Georgio Locatelli on Instagram @giorgiolocatelli1.
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
