Vanilla Black announces closure

Vanilla Black, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant based in Holborn, will not reopen following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The restaurant, known for its gourmet vegetarian cuisine and art-deco inspired dining room, held two AA rosettes and was listed in the Michelin guide.

Co-owners Andrew Dargue and Donna Conroy, who founded the establishment in York in 2004 before relocating to London in 2008, announced the news on social media.

The pair said: ‘‘Like many hospitality businesses around the world, as a direct effect of Covid-19 we are deeply saddened to announce that we are unable to see a financially viable way to reopen Vanilla Black on its current site.

“As a small independent restaurant, which has traded for 16 years, the effects of the last few months have been immensely devastating.”

They added: “We have always put our hearts and souls into Vanilla Black and it is a passion rather than a business so it has been a very difficult decision to make. However, we don’t see this as the end, this is never the way we imagined it.

‘‘This is not the end of our mission to create innovative vegetarian and vegan cuisine. We will return in the near future with a new and exciting venture.’’