A much-loved restaurant lauded by critics and diners has announced it will close at the end of this week. Margot Italian restaurant in Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, opened to much fanfare in 2016 as a venture by two of London’s most experienced maitre d’s Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën.
It won applause from the Michelin Guide, CN Traveller and other critics for its menu, serving up the likes of “buttery, rich ravioli parcels served simply with toasted hazelnuts, to the chicken wrapped in delicate Parma ham and tucked into a bed of sage and shredded rapini”.
In a post on Instagram, Margot announced its last day of business will be on Saturday, June 28, citing difficult trading conditions and the consequences of the chancellor’s budget as reasons for the closure.
In a message to “dear friends and valued guests”, the restaurant wrote: “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 28th of 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. Though this chapter is ending, we are proud of what we built and we’ll carry these memories with us always.”
Diners react to closure announcement
Followers reacted with dismay at the news. One person wrote: “So sad to hear this. One of my all time favourite restaurants with so many great meals and wonderful memories. Thank you for being so special. You will be very missed.”
Another posted: “This is dreadful news! You will be so missed. We’ve had wonderful evenings with you and some unforgettable birthday meals. We always recommended you to friends and family, and often drove up from Devon just to have dinner!”
A third added: “Thank you for all you did and the memories that will last forever. It’s tragic that places of true customer love and craftsmanship close, while chains expand…”
In contrast to most chef-led restaurants, de Tarso and Jaouën’s front of house expertise put an emphasis on an exalted customer experience at Margot and won high praise from critics and the Michelin Guide.
The venue was named after de Tarso’s mother-in-law and used the image of a dachshund as its emblem, in honour of the affectionate nickname given to her by her husband due to her small size.
Although de Tarso left the business in 2020, Jaouën stayed on and steered it through the Covid crisis. CN Traveller praised its “charismatic service” and head chef Alessio Piras’s “polished and unfussy” regional menu, writing: “This copper-trimmed, leather-boothed, jazz-infused space is the ideal place to drop in for cheese and wine before hitting the West End.”
The Michelin Guide was similarly enthusiastic about Margot, observing: “The service and the surroundings are equally slick at this plush Italian restaurant on the edge of Covent Garden. The menu offers an appealing choice of dishes, from simply prepared fish of the day to veal-based classics like ossobuco and vitello alla Milanese – and top quality ingredients and bold flavours run throughout.”
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