‘I’ve loved every minute’ – iconic Dalston restaurant to close after 13 years

Andy Jones, founder of Jones & Sons, says he’s ‘loved’ running the Dalston location. Photograph: Lizzie McAllister

Legendary restaurant Jones & Sons is closing its doors after 13 years.

The restaurant at Gillett Street has become a mainstay of the Dalston culinary scene, even appearing in the 2019 Stephen Graham film Boiling Point.

But founder Andy Jones declared this festive period will be his last at the current site, having made the difficult decision to close before the eatery’s lease at its Gillett Street location is up next year.

Jones said he had loved ‘every bloody minute’ of setting up shop, initially in Arcola Street. “The Jones & Sons sites in Dalston have been open for over a quarter of my life,” he said.

“I’m now 45 and my life is very different to the guy that used to swan around with an old fashioned in hand, trying to chat up every man and woman that came through the doors.

“We’ve had over 200 weddings here, countless events, we’ve had couples on first dates, to their engagement parties, to their weddings and their newborns coming in.

“It couldn’t make me any happier that Jones & Sons in Dalston has been a beautiful part of people’s lives.”

Fans have until mid-December to get their fix before the branch closes for good. Photograph: Lizzie McAllister

Jones added that the catering side of his business had boomed in recent years, which saw him “serve up to 1000 people a day on film sets.” He hopes this will keep him “busy for years to come.”

Speaking to the Citizen, he said the cost of rent and other overheads had also prompted him to focus on the catering side of the business, which he described as “wildly successful.”

“The current state of hospitality in London is tough,” he said.

“The business has evolved away from restaurants and it just felt like the right time.”

Reflecting on launching the business, Jones said he had been a “wildly average” actor before turning his hand to hospitality.

“I did a few bits and saved some money. I did an episode of Miranda which gave me the amount of money I needed to buy some tables and chairs, […] borrowed a bit of money off my mum and dad, borrowed a bit of money off the guy who owned the building in Arcola Street,” he recalled.

“So it was very humble beginnings. […] So to start a business with little to no money, and to grow it to what it’s become, is really cool – but restaurants have a shelf life. It’s not normally as long as 13 years.”

Fans of the restaurant will still be able to get their fix at Jones & Sons’ site in South Woodford. “With Gavin Gordon at the helm, the food is absolutely banging,” Jones added.

However, those who wish to say a final farewell to the Dalston branch have until December 20 to do so, when Jones and his staff will host their final bottomless brunch.

Their last Sunday lunch is scheduled for December 14.

Jones added: “Come and see us on a weekend before we close,” adding there are still a few slots available for Christmas gatherings, starting from the beginning of December.