28 Mar '23

Iconic Stax Diner in London announces permanent closure

One of London’s iconic Halal burger brands revealed yesterday that it would be closing its doors in Carnaby’s Kingly Court for good.

Stax Diner made the unexpected announcement on Instagram that it would be permanently closing its restaurant before thanking its followers for all their support.

We hope to leave the legacy of Stax Diner strong with amazing memories. From all of us here at Stax thank you again for those memories – Stax Diner

“It is with a heavy heart to announce that as of today 27/03/2023 we have closed our doors permanently,” the American-style restaurant said.

Although a specific reason behind the closure has not being divulged, Stax added:”We cannot thank you all enough for all your support throughout the years! We hope to leave the legacy of Stax Diner strong with amazing memories. From all of us here at Stax thank you again for those memories.”

Having been opened by restaurateur Bea Vo almost a decade ago, Stax acquired a reputation within the Muslim community for being one of the few London eateries at the time that served genuine gourmet burgers.

Stax was the first place I really appreciated a beef burger. The fact that it was halal AND organic was great – Instagram follower

While alcohol was served on site, the restaurant was committed towards serving a fully Halal food menu which consisted of popular items like freshly-made cajun popcorn shrimp and their famous chicken and waffle.

News of Stax’s closure was met with well wishes from diners and food bloggers alike, with a number of replies praising their innovation and menu.

One follower, angm44, wrote: “Lots of lovely memories, my first chicken and waffles, the best window seat to people watch, lovely staff, such a great atmosphere thankyou stax.”

While noorpheus said: “This is very sad news. Stax was the first place I really appreciated a beef burger. The fact that it was halal AND organic was great.”

Stax Diner founder Bea Vo’s journey as a restaurateur

Having set out on her journey as a restaurateur way back in 2008 with the launch of bakery business Bea’s of Bloomsbury, Bea eventually launched Stax Diner in 2014 with FtLion reviewing them a year later.

This was followed in 2016 by a second American-inspired restaurant called Boondocks in London’s Old Street which was later rebranded in April 2019 to Harlem Soul before that too closed the same year in November.

After giving up creative direction of Bea’s of Bloomsbury in 2016, which was rebranded to Bea’s Cake Boutique, Bea launched Butterscotch Bakery in west London’s White City in 2017, which is currently running.

Although she also managed to open a third burger restaurant during that same year called Famous Flames in London’s Kentish Town, this only managed to last until 2019.