Michelin-starred chef Stuart Ralston announces restaurant closure

The Staff Canteen

After more than a decade at the forefront of Edinburgh’s dining scene, chef Stuart Ralston has announced the closure of his first restaurant, Aizle.

The final service will take place on September 21, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the city’s most celebrated and progressive restaurants.

ABOUT STUART

The Scottish chef produces fine dining seafood, celebrating the best the local waters have to offer, at his 28-cover Georgian townhouse.

He opened Lyla in 2023, earning a Michelin star less than two years later, in February 2025.

Stuart came from a family of chefs. Having started out as a kitchen porter as a teenager, Stuart would go on to follow in his parents’ and siblings’ footsteps and don the chef whites himself.

He worked at The Roman Camp Hotel, Greywalls Hotel and Michelin-starred Inverlochy Castle, before linking up with Gordon Ramsay, sealing a job at his London Hotel in New York.

He returned to England to work at Lower Slaughter Manor in the Cotswolds, winning three AA rosettes.

A spell in Barbados followed, before moving back home, to Scotland in 2014.

Lyla was his fourth Edinburgh-based restaurant, a more refined offering after Aizle, Noto and Tipo.

THE CLOSURE

In an emotional statement, Stuart said:

“After an incredible decade, I have made the decision to close the doors to my first restaurant, Aizle. Firstly, thank you to our amazing team that have moulded Aizle to what it is, to all the producers, and to our guests - we have loved having you. I look forward to continuing our path, together.”

Aizle quickly earned a loyal following for its seasonal, ingredient-led tasting menus, and in 2020, moved to the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, where it has continued to evolve.

Reflecting on the journey, Ralston said: “When I first opened Aizle, I wanted to do something that would challenge me as a young chef, provide a place that people would choose to work in and serve food that would make people happy. Over the past 11 years, we’ve moved homes, met brilliant people along the way, served some great food and together, built a restaurant to be proud of. Anyone who was a part of Aizle - thank you.”

While the decision to close Aizle was not taken lightly, Ralston says the time has come to focus more deeply on his growing portfolio, including LylaTipo, Noto, and a new project currently in development.

Any remaining Aizle vouchers will be honoured across the group’s other venues.

 

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 27th June 2025

Michelin-starred chef Stuart Ralston announces restaurant closure