Michelin-starred Club Gascon to close in 'profound loss for London'

Michelin-starred Club Gascon is set to close its doors next month, bringing to an end one of London’s longest-standing and most influential French restaurants.

The Clerkenwell restaurant confirmed the news that Saturday, March 28 would be its final service via its official Instagram account, sharing a full statement reflecting on more than 25 years of service under chef patron Pascal Aussignac.

The statement read: “With both gratitude and a heavy heart, we share that Club Gascon will be closing its doors following dinner service on 28th March.

“Since 1998, it has been our privilege to celebrate the cuisine and spirit of Gascony in London; welcoming guests from around the world and sharing a dining experience rooted in tradition, seasonality, and creativity.

“We are deeply thankful to our loyal guests, and to our incredible team past and present, whose passion and dedication brought Club Gascon to life every day. We're also incredibly grateful for the loyalty, support and enthusiasm shown by our community, and for the recognition we have received, including nearly 25 years of Michelin stars and other accolades.

“Until our final service, we will continue to welcome you for lunch Wednesday to Friday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.

“We look forward to sharing many more moments together before 28th March.

“Thank you for being part of our story.”

Founded in 1998, Club Gascon became a defining force in London’s modern French dining scene.

Rooted in the flavours and traditions of south-west France, the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2002 and retained it consistently for nearly a quarter of a century, placing it among a rare group of enduring starred restaurants in the capital.

Under Pascal’s leadership, Club Gascon was widely regarded as ahead of its time.

It was an early advocate of vegetable-forward tasting menus, seasonal sourcing and a lighter, more contemporary expression of French cuisine, while remaining deeply respectful of classical technique. Its commitment to Armagnac also helped elevate the spirit’s profile within fine dining.

Industry reaction

The closure prompted an outpouring of reaction from chefs across the industry, many of whom credited Club Gascon with shaping London’s dining culture.

Ben Tish, chef director at Cubitt House, commented: “Sad news but I’d say congratulations to you and the team for creating one of London's pioneering restaurants.

"You were and are trailblazers. I wish you the best of luck and happiness.”

Phil Howard of Elystan Street added: “You should be nothing but proud of such enduring achievements! Congratulations. A profound loss for London.”

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A significant moment for London dining

Club Gascon’s closure comes amid continued pressure on chef-led, fine dining restaurants in the capital, with rising costs, staffing challenges and shifting consumer behaviour impacting even the most established operators.

For Clerkenwell in particular, the loss is keenly felt. The area has long been associated with independent, chef-driven restaurants, and Club Gascon was one of the neighbourhood’s defining culinary institutions.

While the restaurant will close its doors at the end of March, Pascal’s influence on London’s restaurant scene remains significant, both through the chefs who trained under him and his wider contribution to French cooking in the UK.