Michel Roux Jr to close celebrated London restaurant Le Gavroche to focus on work-life balance

19 August 2023, 14:54 | Updated: 19 August 2023, 15:02

Michel Roux Jr is pictured at Cheltenham earlier this year
Michel Roux Jr is pictured at Cheltenham earlier this year. Picture: Alamy

By Adam Solomons

Chef Michel Roux Jr will close Le Gavroche, one of London's best loved restaurants, in order to spend more time with his family.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The celebrity chef's flagship eatery in Mayfair, which opened in 1967, was London's first restaurant to earn one, two and finally three Michelin stars. It currently holds two.

Le Gavroche was established by Michel's father Michel Roux Sr and his brother Albert before being taken over by the TV cook, 61, in 1991.

Fellow world-leading chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White worked in its kitchen before setting up their own restaurants.

Read more: Michelin Guide 2023 results unveiled: See the full list of the UK's best restaurants

Read more: Two Michelin star restaurant charges single diners the price of a meal for two - and plans to hike the bill further

Le Gavroche was the first London restaurant to win one, two and finally three Michelin stars. It currently holds two
Le Gavroche was the first London restaurant to win one, two and finally three Michelin stars. It currently holds two. Picture: Alamy

Explaining the shock announcement in a statement on the restaurant's website, Roux Jr said: "I have always felt that should Le Gavroche ever close, it must be on a high. Le Gavroche has, and continues to be, fully booked, week in, week out, but I have known for a while that I must make time for a better work/life balance, so I can spend more time with my family and on my other business ventures.

"The end of the current lease gave me the opportunity to assess and consider the future, and I feel that now is the time to turn the page and move forward."

The restaurant's name, which translates to "urchin" in French, comes from the character in the Victor Hugo novel Les Miserables.

The restaurant's co-founder Albert Roux, uncle of Michel, poses outside Le Gavroche
The restaurant's co-founder Albert Roux, uncle of Michel, poses outside Le Gavroche. Picture: Alamy

Roux Jr told The Times: "I'm genuinely tired. Being in the restaurant almost every day has taken its toll and I have got to the stage where I'm not enjoying it as much as I used to."

He also claimed that Brexit is making it harder for young restaurateurs, adding: "I feel for any young independent restaurateur opening up now.

"Brexit has put a huge spanner in the works in terms of supplies, staffing and costs.”

The restaurant will remain open until January 2024.

Food critic Jay Rayner tweeted in response to the news: "Very few emails make my eyebrows genuinely raise. This one did.

"I totally understand the thinking but, boy that really is the end of something, allowing for the fact the name will live on."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump speaks at his election night watch party, Wednesday

What does Trump's victory mean for Russia-Ukraine war and rising tensions and fighting in Middle East?

Amy Dowden and former dance partner JB Gill

Amy Dowden gives health update after announcing she is dropping out of Strictly in 'heartbreaking' statement

Mpox only spreads between people who are in close proximity to each other.

Another case of new more infectious mpox strain detected in UK, bringing total to four

Kamala Harris spoke with Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory

Kamala Harris calls Trump to concede defeat and urges him to govern for all Americans as president

Exclusive
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during their meeting at Trump Tower, on Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump 'is serious about ending Ukraine war', says former national security adviser as he blames Biden for the conflict

Suzy Lamplugh disappeared in 1986, with John Cannan the prime suspect

Prime suspect in disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh dies in prison 40 years after she went missing

Queen Camilla will return to her royal duties next week.

Palace gives update on Camilla's return to work after Queen falls ill

Catherine Warrilow spoke out over her issue with Ryanair

Shock as Ryanair force passenger to pay over £100 for carry-on case - even though it fit in the checker

File photo of migrants being rescued in the Channel

Over 50 migrants rescued in English Channel, as 'several bodies' also pulled from the sea

JK Rowling funds a women-only rape crisis centre in Edinburgh

£70,000 payout for woman at centre of rape centre's 'trans heresy hunt'

Ukraine says forces clashed with North Korean troops for first time

Ukraine says forces clashed with North Korean troops for first time

John Swinney says he will press the new US government not to reintroduce tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Fears for Scottish whisky jobs with Trump election

Kamala Harris set to give concession speech hours after supporters are told to leave watch party amid Trump victory

Kamala Harris set to give concession speech hours after supporters are told to leave watch party amid Trump victory

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Sara Sharif's father accuses 'crazy' wife of abusing him before 10-year-old's death

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, launched a 'multi-million-pound' claim against the club over unpaid wages.

Benjamin Mendy wins court battle against Manchester City over £11m in unpaid wages

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has been ordered to apologise after telling a Parliament security guard to 'f*** off'.

Lee Anderson ordered for apologise after Reform UK MP told Parliament security guard to 'f*** off'