Since opening in 2006, popular bayside restaurant Lau’s Family Kitchen has been bringing Cantonese classics to Acland Street in St Kilda. But this month will mark the end of an era.
In a post shared to Instagram on Tuesday, the team announced: “We regret to inform you that we have decided to close the restaurant at the end of March due to end of lease.
“Lau’s Family Kitchen could not have been as successful without your support,” it goes on. “We thank you for 15 wonderful years.”
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SIGN UPIt was launched by lauded restaurateur Gilbert Lau, who also opened Flower Drum in 1975, and whose sons Michael and Jason went on to run the show at Lau’s Family Kitchen.
In 15 years, it’s cemented itself as a neighbourhood favourite, often making it difficult to just walk in off the street and find a table.
The humming kitchen turns out inventive variations on staples such as salt-and-pepper squid and spring rolls, as well as wonton soup, sweet vinegar pork loin and sautéed eye fillets – all of which arrive delicately arranged and aesthetically pleasing.
The news comes after the recent closure of Balaclava restaurant Ilona Staller, which was swiftly taken over as part of a new project by Hanoi Hannah and Tokyo Tina’s Commune Group.
Three beloved CBD venues have also met a similar fate this year, including Hardware Société’s original CBD cafe, Middle Eastern restaurant Bar Saracen, and Ian Curley’s bar and bistro French Saloon, which has transitioned from a restaurant to an events space.
Lau’s Family Kitchen closes at the end of March.
Broadsheet reached out to the restaurant directly but did not hear back before publishing. We’ll update this story as new information comes to light.
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