'I look at this as a very positive step': Alexis Noble to close Wander

Australian-born chef Alexis Noble is to permanently close her London restaurant Wander after more than six years of trading.

In a post on the restaurant's Instagram page, the chef said she was ready to move on to the “next challenge”.

Noble opened neighbourhood restaurant Wander in Stoke Newington in 2017, serving a regularly changing menu inspired by the team’s travels, food memories and experiments.

“I love both this restaurant & N16 and although I have created a successful and sustainable life & business here, I have achieved all my goals in this space and I’m now ready to move on to my next challenge,” she wrote.

“I know I have said that we were closing before, but unlike last time which was not at all my decision, this time it is and I want to be transparent with everyone which is why I’m giving three months notice of my intention to permanently close.”

She added: “Closing a successful business may seem crazy to some, but I’m at a stage in my life where I would like to have some more flexibility with both my money and time.

“When I moved to the UK and opened Wander I was 32, and now approaching 39 at this stage in my life I want to take a year to travel, make pottery, play tennis and watch NBA.

“Whilst it is almost inevitable that this decision will cause some sadness, I look at this as a very positive step and there will be plenty of time for thankyous and goodbyes.”

Wander briefly closed at the end of 2022 while Noble appealed a decision to deny her visa extension, but the restaurant reopened in March 2023.

Noble said she planned to trade the restaurant until “probably the end of May”.

Image: wanderrestaurant / Instagram