MULTIPLE famous chefs have thrown in the towel on their restaurants this year.
From rising crime rates to staffing issues, the culinary pros have pulled the shutters for a variety of reasons.
Despite stints on TV shows and success on cooking competitions, these chefs struggled to keep their establishments open in 2025.
These high-end eateries were all Michelin-backed from mentions in the Guide to highly-coveted stars.
The Sun has rounded up the major restaurant closures of 2025.
Tom Brown
This Morning and Great British Menu chef Tom Brown permanently pulled the shutters on his highly-rated eatery Pearly Queen.
Located in the Shoreditch area of London, the restaurant closed for the last time in mid-September.
Pearly Queen had received high praise from critics such as Grace Dent as well as a recommendation in the Michelin Guide.
Claude Bosi
The top BBC chef Claude Bosi announced the closure of Bibendum this year, with the last service on August 21.
This two Michelin-starred oyster and seafood restaurant first opened its doors in 2017.
Bosi, who has appeared on Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef, shared a statement revealing his “deep sadness” ahead of the shuttering of the South Kensington eatery.
Nuno Mendes
Despite appearing in the Michelin Guide just a year after it opened, London-based Lisboeta officially closed on August 23.
The restaurant, which was Nuno Mendes’ “love letter to Lisbon”, will be converted into a new eatery called LUSO, run by a friend of Mendes.
“The site of Lisboeta will stay and my dear friend and colleague, Leandro Carreira will be launching an exciting new project with the team from MJMK,” the TV chef said at the time of the closure.
“It’s called LUSO and I’m sure it will be a great addition to the London food scene. I’m excited to try it!”
And with appearances on MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen, and The Travel Show under his belt, Mendes’ recommendation is a gold standard.
Deri Reed
Appearing multiple times in the Michelin Guide, Deri Reed’s venture The Warren also closed this year.
The eatery Carmarthen, Wales, which was also a permanent listing on the UK’s Top100, had its last service on September 21.
Reed, who previously competed on the Great British Menu, cited climbing operational costs as the reason for the closure.
Paul Hearn
Despite winning ‘Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’ at the Prestige Wales Awards in 2023, the Michelin-rated Sheeps and Leeks in Caernarfon closed this year.
Paul Hearn, who appeared on BBC’s Chris Cooks Cymru, opened the restaurant in 2019.
Operating with just six tables, the venue offered an intimate and personalised experience.
Hearn cited “ever-rising” costs as the reason behind the closure on July 31.
Adam Handling
Chef Adam Handling announced the closure of his highly-acclaimed eatery Ugly Butterfly in May.
The restaurant, which was located at the Carbis Bay Hotel in Cornwall, was named one of the UK’s best by Conde Nast Traveller and was also listed in Michelin Guide despite only operating for four years.
Handling has earned a Michelin star at a previous location, with his other achievements including winning the coveted “Champion of Champions” title in the 2023 series of The Great British Menu.
Starting his culinary journey at 16, the Dundee chef previosuly appeared as a contestant on MasterChef before returning as a guest judge on MasterChef: The Professionals.
He has also appeared on Saturday Kitchen, Top Chef, The One Show, and MasterChef Goes Large.
Ahead of its final service on June 28, Handling described the Ugly Butterfly as an “incredible chapter” in his career.
Scott Smith
Great British Menu star Scott Smith also closed his restaurant, Fhior, earlier this year.
The Michelin-listed location had been operating in Edinburgh since 2018 before pulling the shutters on June 1.
Smith cited the “difficult hospitality climate” as the main reason behind the shocking closure.
He added that “personal and practical factors” had also contributed to the decision.
Harriet Mansell
Great British Menu semi-finalist Harriet Mansell closed her Michelin-listed eatery during the summer.
Lilac, a wine bar and restaurant located in Lyme Regis, hosted its final service on August 3.
Mansell, who has also featured as a guest judge on Top Chef, said “there is no sadness in closing” after four years in business.
Her first restaurant Robin Wylde, which was located on the same street, closed its doors in 2023.
Elizabeth Cottam
After reaching the semi finals of MasterChef in 2016, Elizabeth Cottam went on to open her own eatery in Leeds.
The Owl was officially launched in 2019 and went on to earn a Michelin recommendation shortly after.
This establishment served dishes “celebrating British produce”, with items such as smoked venison tartare, cauliflower risotto, and BBQ pork featuring on the monthly rotating menu.
The Owl hosted its last dinner service in April.
Anne-Sophie Pic
French chef Anne-Sophie Pic suddenly shut her two Michelin-starred restaurant at Tower Bridge in London in February.
Pic, who has been named the best female chef in the world, has appeared as a guest judge on The Final Table as well as the French version of Master Chef.
She was also profiled in the 2018 documentary film The Heat: A Kitchen (R)evolution and had her three Michelin-starred restaurant Maison Pic featured in the 2018 final of MasterChef: The Professionals.
Speaking ahead of the closure of her London establishment, which was located in a Four Seasons hotel, she described the experience as “unforgettable”.
Tom Kitchin
After competing in an early season of The Great British Menu, Tom Kitchin has gone on to have a hugely successful career.
This includes appearances on Saturday Kitchen, MasterChef, Remarkable Places to Eat, The Chef’s Protégé, The One Show, Market Kitchen, This Morning, and My Greatest Dishes.
Kitchin is also Scotland’s youngest ever winner of the Michelin star.
Despite his many accolades, the chef was forced to shut his Edinburgh restaurant Kora, which has appeared in the Michelin Guide.
Kitchin cited the “current economic climate” as the reason for the closure, which was announced in January.
Roger Hickman
TV chef Roger Hickman announced the closure of the self-named Roger Hickman’s Restaurant in March.
Since its opening in 2010, the establishment was frequently featured in the Michelin Guide.
Hickman, who has appeared on TV shows such as the Great British Menu and MasterChef, said he will continue to offer private dining services to customers.
The eatery held its final dinner service on March 30.
Mark Sargeant
A frequent fixture on British TV screens, chef Mark Sargeant also closed an eatery this year.
Sargeant, who has appeared on Saturday Kitchen, Saturday Cookbook, Great British Menu, Hell’s Kitchen, Beat the Chef, and Boiling Point, held the last service at The Restaurant MS in Kent in February.
Before its closure, the establishment received high acclaim, including a recommendation in the Michelin Guide.
Despite rave reviews from critics and customers, Sargeant made the decision to close due to “challenging market conditions”.
Josh Katz
Josh Katz, who has appeared on Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch, announced the closure of his eatery Carmel Fitzrovia at the beginning of the year.
The Mediterranean restaurant, which was located in central London, held its last service on January 20.
While it was only open for less than a year, the establishment did receive a mention in the Michelin Guide during its short-lived run.
Other locations run by Katz remain open, including Carmel Queen’s Park, Berber & Q, and Shawarma Bar.
Danielle Heron
MasterChef finalist Danielle Heron shut shop on her Greater Manchester eatery OSMA on February 9.
Before she appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals, Heron competed on the 2023 series of the Great British Menu.
At the time, the chef already co-owned her popular restaurant, which went on to receive a mention in the Michelin Guide.
Heron and her business partner cited a “struggle to find experienced staff” as the main reason for the closure, explaining they were working extra hours and had “little to no personal life” as a result.
Stu Deeley
Another MasterChef finalist, Stu Deeley, also closed an establishment in 2025.
Preparing for the arrival of his first child, the TV chef explained “it’s time for me to move on”.
Smoke, located in Birmingham, officially shut after three years of business, during which it earned three AA rosettes and a Michelin Guide recommendation.
The eatery hosted its last service on February 23.
Giorgio Locatelli
TV chef Giorgio Locatelli closed his Italian eatery Locanda Locatelli after 23 years of business.
The shock move came just days after a busy New Year’s service, with the Channel 4 star saying it was “out of our control”.
Giorgio, who appeared on Celeb Cooking School teaching celebrities how to cook, opened the joint with his wife Plaxy in 2002.
It went on to receive a Michelin star just one year after opening.
