Spaghetti House, one of London’s longest-running Italian restaurant chains, has entered administration and shut all five of its locations across the capital. The family-run business had operated in the city since 1955 and was known for introducing traditional Italian dishes to British diners during the postwar era.
A statement published on the company’s website thanked customers for their support over the past seven decades and confirmed that all restaurants are now closed. According to the official notice published in the London Gazette, Lavval Restaurants Limited, the company behind the chain, entered administration earlier this month.
The closure marks the end of a business that had become a familiar presence in central London, serving generations of residents and tourists. Spaghetti House had locations near Marble Arch, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Kensington, and Cranbourn Street before ceasing operations.
Administrators Appointed as Business Shuts Down
According to the London Gazette, Asher Miller and Stephen Katz of BTG Begbies Traynor (London) LLP were appointed joint administrators of Lavval Restaurants Limited on May 6, 2026. Administration is a legal process in which external administrators take control of a company in financial difficulty, with the aim of protecting it from creditors while options for the business are assessed.
The restaurant group has not publicly explained the reasons behind the closures. The Daily Express reported that it contacted Spaghetti House for comment, though no additional statement had been issued at the time of publication.
A notice displayed on the restaurant chain’s website expressed gratitude to customers and reflected on the company’s long history in London. The statement described Spaghetti House as “London’s oldest family-run Italian restaurant” and referred to the support it had received throughout its decades in business.
Spaghetti House was founded by Simone Lavarini and Lorenzo Fraquelli in the 1950s, opening its first restaurant on Goodge Street. The company said its founders aimed to introduce Londoners to traditional Italian cuisine at a time when knowledge of pasta dishes in Britain remained limited.
The business also recalled one of its earliest advertising slogans: “Spaghetti, but not on toast,” a reference to how canned spaghetti was commonly consumed in Britain during that period.
A Long-Standing Restaurant Brand Remembered by Customers
Over the years, Spaghetti House developed a loyal customer base and maintained strong online reviews. At the time of reporting, the chain held a 4.4-star rating on Google, with many reviewers highlighting the homemade food and welcoming atmosphere.
According to customer reviews cited by the Daily Express, diners praised dishes including salmon tagliatelle, pizza, tiramisu, and panna cotta. One reviewer described the restaurant as “the real-deal made with passion,” while another highlighted the quality of the ingredients and the “home-from-home feeling” created by staff.
In recent years, the company also expanded into takeaway services by introducing a click-and-collect option for customers ordering food to eat at home.
The closure comes during a difficult period for parts of the hospitality industry. According to the Daily Express, industry figures have raised concerns over increasing business rates, higher energy costs, and rising labor expenses affecting restaurants across the UK. No announcement has been made regarding the future of the Spaghetti House brand or its former restaurant sites.
