One of the most famous names in post-war London dining has bowed out with the closure of all five Spaghetti House venues, after the family company behind the brand was placed in administration.
A Braccetto, the Earl’s Court trattoria opened two years ago by the second generation of the Lavarini family, has also ceased operation.
Luigi Lavarini, executive chairman and chief executive of Lavval Restaurants, said: “After 70 years of serving our loyal customers, it is with a heavy heart that we announce Lavval Restaurants has entered administration and will cease trading. Years of increasing costs from the pandemic, Brexit, government Budgets and global instability have created difficult market conditions for hospitality. Balancing these costs with reduced demand and spending from customers as they navigate the rising cost of living has proven too challenging. Despite best efforts and seeking professional advice, we have had to make this difficult but necessary decision to wind down our business.“
Luigi’s late father Simone Lavarini opened the first Spaghetti House on Goodge Street in 1955, and the group expanded at its height to 10 restaurants. Simone died at the age of 93 in 2023.
The name entered London folklore with the so-called ‘Spaghetti House siege’ in 1975, when three armed robbers held the staff of the Knightsbridge branch hostage for six days, while police, reporters and TV crews encircled the building. The hostages were released unharmed and the robbers and two accomplices sent to prison.
Two years ago, when he opened A Braccetto, Luigi said, “Our family was part of the revolution that transformed London into becoming arguably the most exciting food city in the world. Back then, people simply fell in love with Italian food and culture – they still do today.”
Meanwhile, another much younger Italian restaurant has announced its imminent closure –Giulia in West London’s Askew Road, which in its five years has established a reputation for “an unusual level of excellence”, according to the 2026 Harden’s Guide.
Owners Giulia Quaglia and her partner, chef Endris Kerbisi, said they had made the decision to close their doors on 13 June “with a heavy heart”.