Coronavirus Lockdown: London Restaurants Closing, in Pictures

By now, the feeling is familiar. Following a Christmas and new year period in which most businesses were closed because of tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, the capital went into full lockdown for the third time on 6 January.

The differences to restaurants in London may seem immaterial on the surface. But the government’s announcement, coupled with the stark public health crisis in the capital, changes the mood. While restaurant owners worry about the future of their businesses, workers contend not just with concerns of the security of their job but their health and safety, too.

The public health, social, and economic situation in London is grave. With no assurances on when the crisis might ease, vaccine roll-out notwithstanding, both the end of lockdown and the path to reopening remain unknown. So restaurants, having been forced to adapt and survive once more, must just wait and wonder.

Below is a snapshot of London’s restaurants, in lockdown, in week one of 2021.

Wong Kei, a Chinatown institution, sits closed; while another, Cafe TPT, remains open for delivery riders.

Wong Kei, a Chinatown institution, closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Wong Kei, a Chinatown institution

Cafe TPT, a more modern Chinatown institution, open for takeaway during the coronavirus lockdown — Cafe TPT, a more modern Chinatown institution

Jolene, on Newington Green. Co-owner Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim told Eater at the start of the year: “As a nation, we place too much trust in the competence of our government and we are too dependent on its whims. The last 12 months have shown resilient businesses are built on decisions they make autonomously, on a controllable level for themselves.”

Jolene in Newington Green remains open during the coronavirus lockdown — Jolene in Newington Green

“We are back” is the message. The Eagle, like most hospitality businesses in London, were not back for long before having to close again before Christmas.

One of the country’s original gastropubs, The Eagle in Farringdon closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — One of the country’s original gastropubs, The Eagle in Farringdon

Voodoo Ray’s pizza slice joint on Kingsland Road.

Voodoo Rays on Kingsland Road, Dalston, closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Voodoo Rays pizzeria on Kingsland Road, Dalston

Purveyor of east London’s most famous naan, Ararat Bread packs up at the end of the day last week on Ridley Road market in Dalston.

Ararat Bread on Ridley Road market, one of London’s most well-known and much loved naan purveyors — Ararat Bread on Ridley Road market

The Duke of Richmond is serving a selection of its menu most suited to takeaway. The picks? A crab mayo and chip butty and Welsh rarebit croquetas. All day long, mate.

Duke of Richmond gastropub in Hackney remains closed during coronavirus lockdown in London — Duke of Richmond gastropub in Hackney remains closed

Chef Jeremy Lee on the restaurant whose kitchen he oversees: “the great dame of Dean Street hibernates.”

Quo Vadis, “the great dame” of Soho, closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Quo Vadis of Soho, closed

E5 Bakehouse and Secret Smokehouse, two businesses under the arches by London Fields in Hackney.

e5 Bakehouse on the edge of London Fields closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — e5 Bakehouse on the edge of London Fields

Secret Smokehouse in the arches at London Fields closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Secret Smokehouse in the arches at London Fields

Bright is open for takeaway during the day, offering the likes of squid sandwiches, cookies, and housemade soda bread.

Bright- one of the best restaurants in east London is closed during the coronavirus lockdown. Hackney, 2021. — Noble Fine Liquor’s Bright, closed

El Marsem, a sandwich bar which opened in spring last year on the Old Kent Road; and Jenecheru, the Bolivian cafe-restaurant, which continued to serve its community throughout last year.

El Marsem on the Old Kent Road open during the coronavirus lockdown — El Marsem on the Old Kent Road

Jenecheru on Old Kent Road closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Jenecheru on Old Kent Road

Bao’s original food stall, Netil Market, Hackney last week, open during lockdown.

Bao’s original location inside Netil Market, Hackney, open during coronavirus lockdown — Bao’s original location inside Netil Market, Hackney

Climpson and Sons coffee shop on Broadway Market.

Climpson’s and Sons cafe on Broadway Market, open but preparing to close at the end of the day on the first day of coronavirus lockdown in London — Climpson and Sons cafe on Broadway Market

Pavilion bakery on Broadway Market.

The Marksman Public House is closed but offering a range of provisions — pies and buns, primarily — for pick-up collection.

The Marksman on Hackney Road will offer takeaway and delivery through coronavirus lockdown in London this January — The Marksman on Hackney Road

Brick Lane’s Beigel Bake remains open for takeaway, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Beigel Bake in Brick Lane, its white and red sign standing out. — Beigel Bake in Brick Lane

The Fryer’s Delight in Holborn — possibly London’s best and most famous chippy — is open for takeaway.

The Fryer’s Delight in Holborn, one of London’s best fish and chip shops, open during the coronavirus lockdown in London — The Fryer’s Delight in Holborn, open

St John Bread and Wine, one of the city’s great restaurants, is open on Fridays and Saturdays throughout lockdown for takeaway pies and other dishes, as well as wine and bakery items.

St John Bread and Wine sits closed in Spitalfields during the coronavirus lockdown in London — St John Bread and Wine sits closed in Spitalfields

Koya, in Soho, will begin sending out flat-packets of udon noodles in the coming weeks.

Japanese udon noodle bar Koya in Soho, closed for now during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Koya in Soho, closed for now

One of London’s best-known steak restaurants, Hawksmoor’s original restaurant in Shoreditch. The group is offering London and nationwide delivery.

Hawksmoor, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, shuttered during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Hawksmoor, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, shuttered

Lyle’s, chef James Lowe’s Michelin-starred Shoreditch restaurant sits closed. Meal kits are being shipped nationwide while London is in lockdown.

Lyle’s on Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Lyle’s on Bethnal Green Road

An iconic London restaurant on Exmouth Market, Moro, with the shutters down at the start of 2021.

Moro, with its shutters down, on Exmouth Market last week during the coronavirus lockdown in London — Moro, with its shutters down, on Exmouth Market

Hoi Polloi, the restaurant inside the Ace Hotel on Shoreditch High Street, permanently closed last autumn. RIP.

Hoi Polloi at the Ace Hotel, permanently closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic — Hoi Polloi at the Ace Hotel, permanently closed as a result of the pandemic

In Shoreditch, Neapolitan-style pizzeria Pizza Pilgrims’ branch sits closed.

Pizza Pilgrims on Shoreditch High Street closed after Christmas when the coronavirus lockdown was announced in London, England — Pizza Pilgrims on Shoreditch High Street

The Michelin-Starred Clove Club, London’s highest placed restuarant in the World’s 50 Best, remains closed during lockdown. Owners Isaac McHale, Dan Willis, and Johnny Smith announced the permanent closure of sister restaurant Two Lights, helmed by chef Chase Lovecky last year. Meanwhile, the group’s Italian restaurant Luca remains open for takeaway and delivery through Big Night App.

Michelin-Starred The Clove Club, Shoreditch, closed during lockdown — The Clove Club, Shoreditch, closed during lockdown

Bun Bun Bun Vietnamese restaurant closed on Kingsland Road in Dalston.

Bun Bun Bun Vietnamese restaurant on Kingsland Road closed during the coronavirus lockdown in London, England — Bun Bun Bun Vietnamese restaurant on Kingsland Road

Italian meat specialist Macellaio RC is operating a delivery service from its sites in Clerkenwell, Northcote Road, South Kensington, Fitzrovia, and Union Street.

Macellaio RC Exmouth Market open for meat sales during lockdown in London — Macellaio RC Exmouth Market

Quality Chop House will continue to ship wine and supplies from its store in Clerkenwell. Quality Wines (at Home) is for the time being replaced by takeaway brand Arrosto, by chef Nick Bramham, out of the Clipstone kitchen.

Quality Chop House will continue to ship wine and supplies from its store in Clerkenwell

Wei Guirong’s Xi’an restaurant Master Wei has remained open for takeaway and delivery since last summer. While, Cafe Deco by Anna Tobias has known nothing but the pandemic, opening for takeaway collection in November last year.

Wei Guirong’s Master Wei is open for takeaway

Anna Tobias’ and 40 Maltby Street’s Cafe Deco in Bloomsbury open for takeaway during the coronavirus lockdown — Anna Tobias’ Cafe Deco in Bloomsbury

While Bao’s Fitzrovia restaurant and development kitchen remains closed for dine-in, the group’s delivery brand Rice Error has taken off from its Borough Market and Netil Market locations.

Bao Fitzrovia, closed for now

Michaël Protin

Some things remain too good to close: Good Friend in Chinatown.

Good Friend Chicken is open for takeaway in Chinatown during the coronavirus lockdown in London. — Good Friend Chicken is open for takeaway in Chinatown

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Dining Rooms Closed, London’s Restaurants Hope the Third Lockdown Will Be Their Last

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