Sevva drew guests including Pharrell Williams, Bill Clinton and David Beckham, but now the iconic Hong Kong restaurant is closing. Bonnae Gokson explains why

Sevva, an icon of Central in Hong Kong since 2008, is closing. Owner Bonnae Gokson reflects on its glory days, and a changed city, and hints it has a future

The restaurant has hosted celebrities such as Pharrell Williams, David Beckham and Fan Bingbing, but the 2019 anti-government protests and Covid took their toll

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Bonnae Gokson, the Hong Kong self-proclaimed “queen of style and sophistication”, is closing swanky restaurant Sevva (above), which she founded in 2008 in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: courtesy of Sevva

Published: 12:45pm, 30 Nov 2023Updated: 8:12am, 14 Dec 2023

A simple statement ended months of rumours and speculation: “Hong Kong icon Sevva to bid adieu after 16 years of verve, boldness of vision and inimitable style.”

Bonnae Gokson, purveyor of style, sophistication and sweets – she also owns dessert spots C’est La B and Ms B’s Cakery – will close the swanky restaurant she founded in 2008 in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district, after its lease expires in May 2024.

As with many other establishments in the city’s hospitality industry, the impact of Covid-19 and social unrest ultimately took its toll.

“The social movements of 2019, followed by the unprecedented pandemic, posed enormous challenges to our operations,” Gokson said in the statement. “Sevva is taking stock of its success after more than a decade and a half and will be open to new creative directions.”

Social unrest in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic have taken their toll on Sevva. What’s next for proprietor Bonnae Gokson? “Qué será, será , as l’ve always said.” Photo: courtesy of Sevva

Gokson says the closure will affect the livelihoods of all of its staff. “We have just under 100 staff,” she says, adding many of them have worked at Sevva for more than a decade.

“There are plenty of nostalgic sentiments to be parting with our many staff, especially the ones who have been working with me for a decade,” she says. “I sincerely wish them well in their future endeavours and to have a boss who will treat them just as well.”