Prawn on the Lawn, an acclaimed seafood restaurant on St Paul's Road in Islington, will serve its final dinner on Friday, July 10, after 13 years of operation. Owners Rick and Katie Toogood announced the closure, describing it as 'more like a celebration than an ending,' as they shift focus to their three restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall.
From fishmonger to Michelin-recognized restaurant
The restaurant began as a small fishmonger in 2013, offering cured fish and seasonal small plates with just eight seats. Its popularity led to a move to a larger site in 2015, where it served small plates, fresh oysters, and UK-sourced seafood with a daily-changing menu featuring fish from Cornwall and Devon. Prawn on the Lawn was recently mentioned in the Michelin Guide.
'What started as a small fishmonger serving cured fish and seasonal small plates in 2013 grew into something we could never have imagined,' the Toogoods shared in an Instagram post. 'London was our very first restaurant and the launch pad for everything that followed.'
Owners reflect on journey and express gratitude
The couple noted that along the way, they opened three more restaurants in Padstow—Prawn on the Lawn, Little Prawn, and Barnaby's—survived a global pandemic, raised three children, and met countless guests, suppliers, and team members. They reserved a special thank you for team members Daniela and Patrizia, who had become the 'beating heart' of the restaurant. 'Quite simply, we couldn't have done it without them,' Rick and Katie said.
Customer reactions and impact on Islington's hospitality scene
News of the closure sparked an outcry from diners. One fan said: 'So sad, POTL is one my favourite restaurants in London with so many good memories! Gutted the last service is tomorrow as can’t get there for it.' Another wrote: 'POTL is one of my favourite London restaurants, we hold such special memories there. Thank you for creating that space for us.' A third added: 'It was nothing short of spectacular - you should be so proud. Some of the most memorable times I had in London were at POTL.'
The shuttering of Prawn on the Lawn marks another blow for Islington's hospitality scene, having lost Sambal Shiok to 'relentless cost increases' at the end of May.
