One of London's most acclaimed vegetarian restaurants has announced it will be closing permanently next month. The ultra-sustainable pizza parlour, Flat Earth Pizza, located on Cambridge Heath Road in Bethnal Green, will serve its final pizzas in mid-April.
A Sustainable Vision Comes to an End
Flat Earth Pizza first opened in 2022 after trialing its innovative, plant-based concept at a series of pop-up events across London. One notable location was the Railway Tavern in Dalston, which now hosts another pizza residency called Little Earthquakes. The restaurant quickly gained recognition for its commitment to sustainability and meat-free offerings.
Owners Announce Closure on Social Media
The owners broke the news to their followers on Instagram, expressing both gratitude and frustration. In their statement, they reflected on the challenges facing the hospitality sector, noting that being busy is no longer sufficient to sustain a business.
'For some, [Flat Earth] will be another statistic in hospitality's ongoing bloodbath. For many, we hope we've been a little bit of magic on the corner of Vyner Street,' they wrote. 'With over 30 per cent of our turnover being taken away through central and local government taxing and ever spiralling operating costs, yet another goose dies having laid its last golden egg.'
Eco-Friendly Practices and Menu Highlights
Flat Earth Pizza distinguished itself with a strong environmental ethos. The restaurant operated with a zero-landfill policy, sending no waste to landfill sites. Their food waste was reportedly 30 percent lower than the industry average, with scraps being converted into renewable energy and fertiliser.
The menu featured creative vegetarian and vegan toppings, including:
- Kimchi fiorentina
- Creamy garlic mushrooms
- 'Hackney Hot' with sweet pickled beetroot, chilli, and hot salsa
Recognition and Industry Context
The restaurant earned a spot on Time Out's list of the best sustainable restaurants in London, alongside establishments like Silo in nearby Hackney Wick, which also closed recently. This highlights a troubling trend for eco-conscious dining venues in the capital.
The closure of Flat Earth Pizza underscores the broader pressures on London's hospitality industry, where rising operational costs, taxes, and economic uncertainties continue to challenge even the most innovative and popular establishments.
