Le Gavroche
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | April 1967 |
| Founder | Michel Roux, Albert Roux |
| Defunct | January 13, 2024 |
| Fate | Closed due to lease expiration |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | London |
Key people | Michel Roux Jr (chef patron until 2024), Rachel Humphrey (Executive Chef), Gaetano Farucci (Head Chef) |
| Products | French cuisine |
Le Gavroche (translated as The Urchin) was situated at 43 Upper Brook Street in London's Mayfair district. Initially launched in April 1967 by Michel and Albert Roux at 61 Lower Sloane Street, the establishment operated there until 1981. From 1991 until its closure in 2024, Albert's son, Michel Roux Jr, held the position of chef patron. It earned the distinction of being the first restaurant in the United Kingdom to be awarded three Michelin stars, a status it retained from 1982 through 1993.
The menu focused on traditional French gastronomy, complemented by contemporary culinary creations. Notable dishes featured Soufflé Suissesse (a cheese soufflé baked atop double cream), Le Caneton Gavroche (a whole poached duck served with three sauces intended for two diners), and Omelette Rothschild. The restaurant's name was inspired by Gavroche, a figure from Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables.
In August 2023, Michel Roux Jr revealed plans to close Le Gavroche upon expiration of its lease in January 2024, marking the end of more than 56 years in business. The final service took place on 13 January 2024.
Overview
Le Gavroche has been instrumental in shaping the careers of celebrated chefs such as Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing, and Pierre Koffmann. Following Albert Roux’s tenure, his son Michel Roux Jr assumed the role of chef patron in 1991, ensuring the restaurant’s steady inclusion in Restaurant (magazine)'s Top 50 rankings. At the time of closing, the Executive Chef was Rachel Humphrey with Gaetano Farucci serving as Head Chef.
The establishment once set a world record documented in the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the priciest meal per person, when three patrons spent $20,945 in 1997. This total included cigars, spirits, and six bottles of wine valued at $19,248.
After 37 years of service, Silvano Giraldin retired from his role as General Manager in 2008 but continued to contribute as a director. In 2011, David Coulson—who was runner-up on BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals—joined Le Gavroche as chef de partie.
In 2016, the restaurant attracted criticism for compensating some staff members with wages as low as £5.50 per hour, beneath the UK's statutory minimum wage of £7.20. In response, management pledged to review pay rates and reduce employee working hours. Additionally, Le Gavroche faced scrutiny over its practice of treating service charges as revenue instead of distributing them as tips to staff, which negatively impacted employee earnings.
Michel Roux Jr confirmed in August 2023 that Le Gavroche would cease operations at the conclusion of its lease in January 2024. The restaurant officially closed on 13 January 2024.
Ratings
Le Gavroche made history in 1974 by becoming the first restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star, followed by being the pioneer British venue to earn two stars in 1977 while located on Lower Sloane Street. Upon moving to Upper Brook Street in 1982, it became the first UK establishment awarded three Michelin stars—a distinction it maintained until 1993 when it lost one star after Chef Patron responsibilities transitioned from Albert Roux to his son. Michel Roux Jr commented, "I would love three stars... but I am not cooking that style of food. There are dishes worthy of it but my style doesn't suit that status."