Further details have been announced of the project taking over the old Le Gavroche site on Mayfair’s Upper Brook Street. The new restaurant, which has nothing to do with the old, is to be called Bonheur by Matt Abé. In English, the name can be taken to mean happiness or good humour.
It will open in the autumn of this year, with more details expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Abé made his name at the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Hospital Road, where he worked for 16 years, eventually becoming the chef patron. While Bonheur is being billed as his first solo venture, the property has been leased for 15 years by Ramsay, who earlier this year told the Standard he was “delighted” for his former mentee. “Matt is absolutely ready to make his mark with his own restaurant,” the chef said.
Speaking to the Standard, Abé said: “Bonheur translates to ‘happiness’ in French, so for me, Bonheur is a place of escapism.
“We’re breathing new life into an iconic site, creating a space that is elevated without overwhelming; that is warm, timeless, and comfortable; and that celebrates community, craftsmanship, and the bounty of the British Isles.”
The restaurant is expected to largely be classical French and modern British, and seasonal, as speaks to Abé’s experience, though the design is to nod to his Australian roots. Russell Sage Studio are in charge of design, and early site photos show the former Gavroche interior — distinctive might be the word, or eccentric — having been ripped out entirely.
Little else is known about the food offering at this stage, though a description of the restaurant on the website reads: “A fine-dining experience designed to inspire complete contentment. A celebration of seasonality, community, and craft.”
Both á la carte and tasting menus will be offered, and there will be a six-seater chef’s table, dubbed Petit Bonheur.
“This is a very personal project for me, a full circle moment,” Abé said. “After nearly two decades learning, growing, and leading in some of the world’s most demanding kitchens, I wanted to create something that feels true to who I am as a chef. Ultimately, Bonheur is about sharing everything I’ve learned — from technique to philosophy — and creating a space where guests and the next generation of chefs alike can feel inspired and at ease.”
Le Gavroche closed after 56 years in January 2024, and was famed not just for its food but for the great many chefs who trained in its kitchen — including Ramsay himself, who cooked at Gavroche under the late Albert Roux. Its former owner, Albert’s son Michel Roux Jr, recently found himself in hot water online after starring in an advert for Brooklyn Beckham’s hot sauce, alongside Beckham himself.
Bonheur by Matt Abé will open in autumn 2025. For more details, visit bonheurbymattabe.com
