Vegan group Rawligion closes its two sites
Founder and former professional poker player John Tabatabai launched the concept in Fitzrovia in June 2016 after crediting a change in his diet with curing his Bell's Palsy.
A second site in Balham opened last October in partnership with fitness studio operator Dog House.
In an Instagram post from February Rawligion confirmed it would be closing down, but hinted the group could continue under a new guise.
Its former Fitzrovia site is currently available to rent on RightMove for £5,883 pcm.
Rawligion wrote on 22 February: “Today marks the close of a wonderful chapter packed with delicious, healthy and energising food and drinks. It’s been an adventure and an honour to serve you wonderful Londoners everyday. The time has come to move on, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end. We’ll be biding our time until the time is ripe for the new generation of Rawligion.”
Tabatabai opened Rawligion with the aim of changing perceptions of plant-based eating. Its menu focused on organic ingredients with dishes including raw cauliflower sushi with seaweed caviar; pizza with crusts made with dehydrated courgette and seeds; and wraps made entirely from coconut.
Tabatabai told BigHospitality’s sister site MCA in February 2017 he had secured funding for five further sites and could see Rawligion working as both kiosks and flagship stores.
The group's closure comes after wellness blogger Eleanor Mills, aka Deliciously Ella, also shut two of her three health-focused London delis this year.
