London’s Papi restaurant to close as founders hint at ‘exciting project’

Papi in London Fields is to close this March, three years after the launch of the restaurant.

Charlie Carr of Wingnut Wines and Matthew Scott of restaurant residency Hot 4 U opened the restaurant in early 2023 following a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Prior to its closure on 7 March, the restaurant will host a “massive party” and celebrate “all things Papi” through the re-introduction of classic dishes and the hosting of chef collaborations.

In an Instagram post, the founders said: “This is bittersweet news for us. Whilst we will be very much in our feels about departing from our little corner of London Fields, we are also thrilled to turn our hands to a new and very exciting project currently coming very soon!

“We will be back soon with a new name and quite a fancy new home but please come and see Papi out in style in its beloved form as we know it: Take your last photo in our red bathroom, eat one final potato bun, enjoy one last buck-a-shuck oyster.”

The name Papi pays homage to Carr’s late father and Scott’s daughter, Sesame.

At the time of opening, The Guardian food critic Grace Dent praised the restaurant for serving “cooking worth waiting for”, while Leonie Cooper of Time Out described it as a “classy, crowdfunded joint”.