Reubens, the famous kosher restaurant in central London, has suddenly announced its immediate closure after 46 years, “due to a family bereavement.”

The Baker Street establishment has served generations of Jewish Londoners, and for many years has been the only kosher restaurant in London’s West End.  

In a post to its Facebook and Instagram accounts on Tuesday morning, the restaurant announced “with a heavy heart” that it had “unexpectedly had to close".

“We are proud that of the 46 years Reubens has served the community, our family have proudly run the business for over 37 years”, the message read.

It thanked people who had eaten there for their custom “and the good memories we have all shared.”

Responses on social media expressed condolences for the owner’s family, and said that the restaurant, which has become an institution among the Jewish community, particularly for its salt beef sandwiches, “would be missed.”

The restaurant, which also included an upstairs deli section, was originally further down Baker street, but reopened in new premises after a fire in 1995.