Michelin-starred Deanes Eipic to close in Belfast after 25 years

The Michelin-starred Deanes Eipic restaurant in Belfast is to close in January after more than a quarter of a century in business.

Chef Michael Deane blamed the decision on an "increasing cost sensitivity" among customers.

"With Brexit, Covid and now the cost of living crisis, the world has changed, my team has changed, customers have changed their choices, and I have changed," he said.

"While people are back to eating out, there is increasing cost sensitivity which is out of kilter with our fine dining offering at Eipic and we have to respond to that."

The chef first opened restaurant Deanes on the Howard Street site in 1997 and won a Michelin star within a year of opening. It lost the award in 2011 after the venue was closed due to flooding but regained a star as Deanes Eipic in 2015.

The chef's company will relaunch the venue next year under a new brand designed to reflect "current consumer choices with an increased focus on value for money".

All existing staff will be redeployed across the group's other restaurants including Deanes at Queens in Belfast, which holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Deane said he had informed the Michelin Guide of his decision to relaunch the restaurant.

"I am excited and invigorated by this opportunity to refresh the business, but I must also say how very proud I am of the Michelin star and the length of time we have been fortunate to have it," he added.

"We have reaped the benefits it has brought to our brand. Our decision to move away from this has been carefully considered and evaluated and I believe it is the right direction to take now and it's the right time to do it."

Following news of the closure, Deanes Eipic head chef Alex Greene and general manager Bronagh McCormick announced they will leave the business to open their own hospitality venture in Mourne Country in early 2024.