Italian restaurant Margot in London’s Covent Garden is to close later this month, nine years after its launch.
In a post on Instagram, the restaurant said: “After much reflection, and as a result of the substantial business rate and national insurance cost increases imposed on us in this year’s budget, we have made the difficult decision to close Margot. Our final day of service will be the 28 June 2025.
“We are deeply grateful for the support, memories and meals we’ve shared with this wonderful community. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Your loyalty and encouragement have meant everything to us.”
Margot was launched by Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën in 2016, who became friends while working at Scott’s Mayfair in the noughties. They were inspired to open a restaurant in the style of Corbin & King’s brasseries.
Named after de Tarso’s mother-in-law, it was dubbed an antidote to chef-led operations for its strong front-of-house heritage and was shortlisted for the Catey Best Newcomer award in 2019, winning the AA Food Service award in the same year.
De Tarso left Margot in 2020, while Jaouën stayed on to run the restaurant. At the time Jaouën said: “These things happen in business. Paulo is moving on and we have to focus on those that are still in the business. We will continue to focus on the staff, the service and the quality of the food.”