Aquavit quietly closes London outpost
The restaurant, located on St James's Market, shut permanently on Friday 25 August.
No official statement regarding the reason behind the closure has been made, but Restaurant understands that the restaurant is going through some kind of insolvency proceeding.
A notice on the restaurant’s window directs enquiries to licensed insolvency practitioners AD Business Recovery. However, they declined to comment on the matter when contacted.
Aquavit launched in London in 2016 with chef Henrik Ritzen, who previously led the kitchens at The Anglesea Arms in Hammersmith and Henry Harris’ French bistro Racine, at the helm.
The restaurant, which specialised in high-end Scandinavian cuisine, was a sister site to the long-running Manhattan restaurant of the same name, although Aquavit New York only ever licensed the brand and never had any ownership or operational responsibility in the London entity
Aquavit London went on to gain a Michelin star within 10 months of opening its doors. However, it subsequently lost it in 2021, although the restaurant did continue to be listed in the Guide.
Most recently, Aquavit was led by Jonas Karlsson, who previously held head chef roles at restaurants including 100 Wardour St; Heaton Butler and Baine; and Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant.
