Owners Emilio Malik and Javier Troitino-Ramos say the restaurant is closing on a temporary basis at the end of this month.
“The current rise in energy prices, combined with an increase in the price of wheat, has meant that keeping our Neal St store open is just not viable for us at the moment,” says Troitino-Ramos.
“We had a lot of success in the last 12 months, with some fantastic feedback from happy customers. This shows that the concept is definitely one we can continue with when the time is right.
“Our landlord has been very supportive, and we’d like to thank him for all the help he’s given us,”
Manakish & Naanza opened on Neal Street last spring as a new concept from Malik, founder of Mayfair-based Lazeez Lebanese Tapas and Liban Tapas in South Woodford, and Troitino-Ramos. It serves an option of Levantine flatbread manakish or soft naan with a range of toppings.
The duo had been aiming to expand the brand but say this will also be put on hold for now. They will continue to research potential sites with the aim of launching another permanent store later in the year.
Manakish & Naanza will continue to offer a takeaway service and corporate catering, which will be run from its sister restaurant Liban Tapas.