Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Beloved restaurant closes its doors for good as pandemic takes its toll

Opened in April 2017 on Forth street, Le Roi Fou specialised in modern European cuisine served in an artistic

setting and quickly became a firm favourite amongst Edinburgh’s foodies.

That year they won Best New Restaurant at The Scottish Food Awards.

Their success continued the following year as Chef Patron Jerome Henry won the award for Classic Cuisine Chef of the Year.

Le Roi Fou are yet to issue an official announcement on the closure but their website has been wiped clean of all menus, exhibitions and contact details. The homepage reads: “Le Roi Fou is permanently closed.”

A brief list of awards and achievements they earned in the last three years is posted below.

During lockdown, the restaurant launched a delivery service to continue offering locals their much loved cuisine.

In the last three years as it has grown in popularity, the restaurant has held exhibitions and displayed the work of local artists on its walls.

In February this year, an exhibition called ‘Homme Libre’ (free man) was held at the venue featuring striking and intimate male portraits by Paris-born photographer Carla Borel.

Creative Director for Le Roi Fou Isolde Nash said of the exhibition: “This is a beautiful, sensitive and sometimes romantic show about male identity to start our spring season in Edinburgh.”

Other Edinburgh restaurants which have suffered permanent damage include The Tower, which has been operating on the roof terrace of the National Museum for 22 years and Hendersons, a 58-year old, family run, vegetarian restaurant.

Locals have taken to social media to voice their sadness at the news that Le Roi Fou will not be reopening, with Joanna Kessel - an artist whose work featured in the restaurant - posting on Facebook: “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Isolde Nash on my solo exhibition ‘AURUM | Gold’ last winter. The small mosaic and cast concrete collages were designed specifically in response to the restaurant interior.”

She added: “Much respect to Isolde Nash for bringing this gem of a place into being and, with Chef Patron Jerome Henry, bringing great joy into people’s lives.”

The Evening News contacted Le Roi Fou for a comment.

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