The original Hakkasan restaurant, located on Hanway Place in London’s West End, is set to permanently close its doors on 28 February after 24 years of operation.
Opened in 2001 by Alan Yau, Hakkasan introduced modern Cantonese cuisine to Londoners in a luxurious setting and was among the first Chinese establishments in the city to be awarded a Michelin star in 2003.
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Former general manager Sharon Wightman told The Caterer in 2021 that the 220-cover Hanway Place averaged 300 covers for weekday dinner and 250 at weekends.
But despite acclaim, the restaurant, along with its sister site Hakkasan Mayfair, lost its Michelin star in the 2024 guide.
A Hakkasan spokesperson said: “After 24 years of culinary excellence and unparalleled service, the original Hakkasan on Hanway Place will bid farewell with its final service on Friday, February 28th.
“Fortunately, our cherished guests can continue to savour signature dishes — such as our iconic Peking Duck with Caviar — at eleven locations worldwide, including our flagship Mayfair London restaurant near Berkeley Square.”
The expansive interiors of Hakkasan Hanway Place, which can accommodate more than 200 guests, are reminiscent of a nightclub rather than a traditional eatery, with dining areas partitioned by intricately carved wooden screens.
Following the success of the original restaurant, a second Hakkasan was launched in Mayfair in 2020, as reported by restaurant.
The brand has since expanded globally with a dozen locations in cities such as Las Vegas, Istanbul, Madrid, Dubai and Shanghai, and recently opened its 12th global location in Muscat, Oman, at the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort.
The new venue upholds the brand’s tradition of re-imagining authentic Cantonese cuisine with classic techniques, featuring signature dishes such as Grilled Chilean Seabass and Crispy Duck Salad.
