Tinned fish restaurant Saltie Girl closes in London

Saltie Girl, the London restaurant specialising in tinned fish, has closed its doors after just over a year of trading.

The Mayfair venue is no longer accepting bookings as its website has been taken down and it could not be reached by phone.

US restaurateur Kathy Sidell, founder of the Sidell Hospitality Group, opened Saltie Girl London in November 2022 in partnership with Meraki restaurateur Varun Talreja.

It was the first UK outpost for the brand, which was launched in Boston in 2016 with a menu featuring 65 varieties of tinned fish.

Chef and food writer Richard Turner consulted on the London menu, which included fried lobster and waffles; clam chowder; and a whole fried seabass.

Saltie Girl caught the attention of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland and was recommended in its 2024 selection, though it was not awarded a star or Bib Gourmand.

However, the Guardian’s Grace Dent criticised Saltie Girl for its “big mark-up” on dishes, despite many containing “the Rolls-Royces of the tinned fish world”.

The London opening coincided with the launch of a third Saltie Girl, in Los Angeles, which remains open.