Long-running Italian restaurant leaves Goodge Street

One of Fitzrovia’s longest running restaurants has suddenly stopped trading and closed its doors for the last time.

After 70 years in the neighbourhood, the Spaghetti House restaurant occupying several floors on the corner of Goodge Street and Whitfield Street shut up shop this month.

Its distinctive frontage with red letter signs and awnings has been a landmark since 1955.

“As a new generation of Italians brought espresso and ‘la dolce vita’ to London in the 50s, our father Simone Lavarini and his friend Lorenzo Fraquelli decided it was time to introduce the locals to a real deal trattoria in the middle of Goodge Street!” states the website of Spaghetti House Limited.

But now they are saying goodbye with a final message to their many customers.

“Dear valued guests, after 70 unforgettable years of service, we’ve closed the doors of Spaghetti House Goodge street, the very place where it all began. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for these years. Thank you for bringing laughter, joy, memories and most importantly, life, to this beloved restaurant. It’s been a pleasure to open our doors to you every day and to be a part of your lives,” states an announcement.

“In 1955, our grandfather Simone Lavarini opened this restaurant with a simple dream: to welcome people in, feed them well, and make them feel at home. Goodge Street wasn’t just a restaurant, it’s been the heartbeat of our family’s legacy. A place where generations gathered, stories were shared, and lifelong memories were made. From first dates to family gatherings, you brought this space to life.

“Though Goodge Street has closed, we proudly run five more Spaghetti Houses and remain the oldest family run Italian in London.

“From our family to yours, grazie.

“Over the past few years and months, we’ve heard wonderful, heartwarming stories from you all, if you have one to share please do, we’d love to read your memories!” says the final message which invites former customers to get in touch.

While no reason has been given for the closure, The Fitzrovia News understands from sources that the premises, which is run by a company with other restaurants, was no longer commercially viable due to the rising cost of trading in central London.

Over recent years there has been a very high turnover of restaurants, cafes and wine bars opening and often closing again within months or a year or so in Fitzrovia.

While there is no shortage of places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood residents who got in touch with The Fitzrovia News remarked it was “sad” to see a such a long-standing and familiar venue closed and gone.

Last year The Caterer reported that the Spaghetti House had posted a loss in its accounts following an “extremely difficult year” for the business, despite its best ever gross profit margin of 77 per cent. The filing to Companies House stated that the company had changed its name from Spaghetti House Limited to Lavval Restaurants Limited and that they had opened a new restaurant in Earl’s Court under a new brand, A Braccetto.

In May 2024 Camden Council gave planning permission for the owners of the Goodge Street building to carry out a refurbishment, build a roof extension and make other alterations.

According to council records, the application had received an objection from the Spaghetti House which, among other things, stated that the restaurant employed 20 people and it could not viably operate under the proposed changes.

Editor’s note: On Thursday 18 December this article was amended to report additional information about the Spaghetti House company and a recent planning decision affecting the building.

Please support The Fitzrovia News. Consider helping us cover our costs by visiting our secure payment page.