8 LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS THAT CLOSED IN JUNE
Los Angeles’s restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds that picked up in the second half of 2023 and led to an industry-wide slowdown. From the lingering impacts of the Hollywood strikes to adverse weather and increased costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), a plethora of variables continue to batter restaurant owners who operate on razor-thin margins. Here is a running list of restaurant closures beginning from the last days of 2023 to June 2024.
Mercado - West Third Street and Santa Monica
After closing his foundational Mexican restaurant Yxta in Arts District last month, Mercado owner Jesse Gomez announced on Instagram he was closing locations on West Third Street and Santa Monica after 10 years at the end of June. Gomez still operates Mercado in Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, and Hollywood.
De Buena Planta - Silver Lake
Breezy, leafy, plant-based Mexican restaurant De Buena Planta has closed in Silver Lake, making way for a new modern Mexican restaurant called Tacolina from the Blue Plate Oysterette group that will soon open there.
Jewel - Silver Lake
Cherished local plant-based restaurant Jewel from owner Sharky McGee has closed on the border of Silver Lake and Virgil Village as of June 30. McGee opened Jewel with her ex-wife and business partner Jasmine Shimoda after initially opening in 2018. For years, it was a refuge for regulars, especially those that were queer or looking for community. Soon it’ll become Beautiful Day, a breakfast spot from La Quinta.
Cowboy Hat Arby’s - Hollywood
An unfortunate sign of the times, fast-food restaurant Arby’s has closed its iconic outpost in Hollywood that was famous for its glorious neon cowboy hat sign. This location had been open for 55 years before announcing a sudden closure that its longtime owners blamed on rising costs, pandemic fallout, and the new minimum wage for fast-food workers.
Cinque Terre West - Pacific Palisades
Cinque Terre West from husband-and-wife team Marlo and Gianba Vinzoni opened in 2019 in a cozy Pacific Palisades strip mall serving spot-on Italian pastas and more. The Vinzonis still operate Enoteca 5, which debuted in 2021 and Deliziozo Cinque, which opened in 2023.
Jist Cafe - Little Tokyo
Longtime breakfast and lunch spot Jist Cafe, which opened in 2013, closed without much notice right at the end of May. Opened by Glen Ishii and Caroline Shin, the Little Tokyo restaurant served Japanese homestyle comfort dishes and every day brunch fare at reasonable prices.
Dal Milanese - Los Feliz
Italian restaurant Dal Milanese, which hailed from Milan, opened in March 2023 from the prolific Luca Guelfi Company. The dark date-night spot installed chef Emanuele Gasperini to helm the kitchen serving things like veal cutlets and housemade pasta. The restaurant announced it would close permanently on June 3 on its website.
Gracias Madre - Newport Beach
Vegan Mexican restaurant Gracias Madre opened in Newport Beach in 2019 with over 200 seats and a bustling bar area. Lisa Bonbright, CEO and co-owner of Love Serve Remember, the parent company of Gracias Madre and Cafe Gratitude, announced the Newport Beach location’s closure on May 4 due to an expired lease. The company originally opened Gratitude Kitchen in 2016 before converting it to Gracias Madre in 2019. The Los Angeles Times wrote last week that Nick’s would take over the space. Bonbright wrote in an emailed statement, “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Newport Beach community for their support over the last eight years and to our team members who have been the heart and soul of Gracias Madre. It’s been a good run.” Gracias Madre still operates in West Hollywood on Melrose Place.
Grilled Fraiche - Various Locations
Black-owned California Caribbean restaurant Grilled Fraiche announced the closures of its locations in Hyde Park, Hollywood Park, and South Central on May 5. “We are unable to sustain operations due to a lack of necessary capital,” wrote owner Peace Love Reedberg on Instagram. The remaining Long Beach location is open from noon to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
La Golondrina - Olvera Street
Opened in the 1930s on Olvera Street, La Golondrina filed for bankruptcy and announced that it would be closing on May 17. The owners filed a lawsuit against the city, citing an ongoing plumbing issue in the city-owned building, but said it could no longer avert funds to the litigation. The restaurant is located in the oldest brick house in Los Angeles, serving combo-plate Mexican fare to the sounds of live mariachi music.
Playa Amor - Long Beach
Thomas Ortega, chef of Redondo Beach’s Ortega 120 and Cerritos’s Amor y Tacos, is closing his Long Beach restaurant Playa Amor on May 31, according to Longbeachize. The modern Mexican restaurant first opened in 2016 and served cocktails, tacos, and large-format dishes at the Marina Pacifica Complex. Playa Amor was number 59 on the 2019 edition of the Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants list, praised by then-critic Patricia Escárcega for serving “delicious cuisine smudging the line between high and low.”
Rose City Pizza - Rosemead
Beloved San Gabriel Valley pizzeria Rose City Pizza, known for its off-the-wall toppings such as Taiwanese popcorn chicken, elotes, and al pastor, closed on May 26 after 15 years in Rosemead. Owner Brian Nittayo said the landlord raised the rent by 40 percent and was unwilling to negotiate. While sales were steady at the restaurant, they were insufficient to cover the increased rent. He and his late father, Boone, opened the pizzeria in the strip mall in 2009. Nittayo continues to operate Rose City Pizza in Covina.
Sesame LA - Chinatown
Neighborhood shoppy-shop Sesame LA from Linda Sivrican, which served packaged foods, local produce, and some grab-and-go items made by Sivrican’s mother, Judy Mai Nguyen, as well as local Buddhist nuns, closed in Chinatown on May 25. Sivrican opened Sesame LA in 2021 and continues operating the Vietnamese restaurant Sesame Dinette with her parents in Long Beach.
Yxta - Arts District
One of the pioneer restaurants of the Arts District, Yxta announced May 31 as its final day of service after 15 years in the neighborhood. A modern Mexican restaurant founded by Jesse Gomez and chef Jose Acevedo, Yxta received numerous accolades over the years, including a nod from OC Weekly’s Gustavo Arrellano for serving the “best flan in the universe.” Gomez and Acevedo opened the Mercado chain in 2012 with locations in Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, West Third Street, Pasadena, and Santa Monica.
April
All Flavor No Grease - South LA
All Flavor No Grease, one of LA’s most storied food trucks founded by social media star Keith Garrett from his home in Watts serving South LA-influenced tacos, quesadillas, and sandwiches, announced a final tour on Instagram that ended with service in Las Vegas on April 27. Garrett explained that he was taking the food truck off wheels due to several factors including the high costs of operating and the physical and emotional toll of the job.
B’ivrit - Cypress Park
Longtime pop-up-turned-permanent-restaurant B’ivrit announced on April 18 that it closed its Cypress Park location. The Israeli-inflected falafel sandwich and hummus spot from founder Amit Sidi opened in October 2023 with mismatched furniture set on a cute patio. Sidi promised to keep followers updated on the restaurant’s next chapter on social media.
Patrick’s Roadhouse - Santa Monica
Iconic green roadside diner Patrick’s Roadhouse, adorned with kitsch and constantly celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, closed in Santa Monica. The restaurant’s owner, Anthony Fischler, is attempting to renegotiate a long-term lease with the building’s landlord but needs $250,000 to cover back rent and building maintenance, which he hopes to raise on GoFundMe. The celebrity-favorite diner opened in 1973.
Pie Hole - Arts District
The Pie Hole, a popular pie specialist that opened in 2011, has closed its original Arts District outlet. While the store’s Yelp page says it will reopen in September 2024, Eater has learned that the location has been leased to a different business; the Pie Hole may relocate elsewhere in the neighborhood. The shop has since expanded to numerous locations, including Pasadena, Orange County, and Arizona.
Pinky’s - Los Feliz
Located in the former Skylight Theatre rehearsal space, swanky Los Feliz bar Pinky’s closed on April 28 with an announcement on Instagram. Founders Beau Laughlin and Jay Milliken opened the well-designed space next to their former restaurant Atrium, which closed in January 2024.
Slab Barbecue - West Third Street and Pasadena
H.Wood confirmed to Eater that Slab closed its locations on West Third Street and in Pasadena. Slab’s first store on West Third opened to great fanfare in 2018 from pitmaster Burt Bakman, who had been serving barbecue out of his Studio City home for years as Trudy’s Underground Barbecue. Slab expanded to Pasadena in November 2023, adjacent to the always-popular Howlin’s Ray’s. Slab is focusing on its newest outlet at Topanga Social, a food hall located inside the Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park that recently opened.
Two Bit Circus - Arts District
First opened in 2017 and covering over 50,000 square feet, this interactive amusement center in the Arts District from Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman has closed, at least temporarily. The venue offered arcade games, virtual reality equipment, an escape room, lounge areas, snacks, and a full bar, serving hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years.
Walter’s - Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills Courier reported that Walter’s, the 75-year neighborhood restaurant opened in 1949 by Swiss baker Walter Weber, is closing on April 30. The restaurant was best known for its sticky cinnamon raisin rolls called schnecken, and attracted plenty of celebrities, including Jodie Foster, John Lithgow, and Carrie Fisher, says the Courier. Originally located on Rodeo Drive, Walter’s moved to its current location on South Beverly Drive in 2014 serving shakshuka, salmon bowls, and pastries.
March
3rd Stop - Beverly Grove
West Third Street gastropub and wine bar 3rd Stop told its workers this past Monday that it would be closing at the end of the month. Originally opened in 2006, the all-day restaurant served an array of American food, like grilled chicken nachos, burgers, pizza, and sandwiches.
Bicyclette and Manzke - Pico Robertson
Manzke and its sister restaurant Bicyclette will close on March 1. Manzke opened in 2022 as a bastion for fine dining in the former Picca space serving a $225 10-course tasting menu and earning a Michelin star; Bicyclette transformed Sotto into a French bistro in 2021. With these latest closures, acclaimed chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke operate only one LA restaurant: the powerhouse République. Previously, the Manzkes closed Petty Cash Taquería after 10 years in October 2023, followed by the abrupt shutter of Sari Sari Store after seven years of business inside Grand Central Market in December 2023.
Conga Room - Downtown
Legendary music venue Conga Room, which was instrumental in bringing Latin music acts and other performers to L.A. Live, closed after 25 years. The venue was originally located in Mid-Wilshire but moved to Downtown in 2008. Founder Brad Gluckstein told Billboard that inflation, high interest rates, and a drop in Convention Center traffic led to a changing business model. March 27 was the club’s final night.
El Muelle 8 - Downey
Celebrated Sinaloan seafood spot El Muelle 8 opened last February with pristine shellfish, ceviches, and tacos in a small Downey strip mall. The restaurant quietly closed earlier this year, likely in late January, without much notice. However, its new owners have reached out to Eater and confirmed that El Muelle 8 is plotting a comeback.
El Torito - Santa Monica
El Torito’s expansive restaurant in Santa Monica, which was originally branded as Acapulco and operated by Xperience Restaurant Group, closed on March 9, reports the Santa Monica Sun. Santa Monica mayor Phil Brock said on social media that it had been operating month-to-month for a while and that the property had likely been leased to another operator.
The Farm of Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills
Daytime eatery the Farm of Beverly Hills closed on March 3 after 26 years of business. Founder and owner Kelli Cotton thanked customers and bid farewell in a note, recognizing past and present staff for their dedication and passion. The reliable breakfast and lunch spot was a reasonably-priced, family-friendly eatery in the heart of the Golden Triangle.
Mezcalero - Downtown
Mezcal bar and taco cantina Mezcalero closed on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles in early March, with a simple announcement that it would be closed for the weekend. However, Mezcalero never reopened and a note on its Instagram profile confirms it is closed. Originally opened in December 2016, the restaurant was opened by Jay Krymis, who also owned Padre in Long Beach and Fubar in West Hollywood, according to DTLA Weekly.
Nic’s - Beverly Grove
Plant-based restaurant Nic’s on Beverly opened five years ago in the former Terrine space from restaurateur Nic Adler, who also owns Monty’s Good Burger. Nic’s was going to close last June, blaming increased rent, but was able to make an arrangement with the landlord to stay open for another year. Its last day will be March 31 for Easter brunch.
Mandrake - Culver City
Culver City bar Mandrake closed on March 16 after 18 years of operation, according to the Los Angeles Times. Owners Flora Wiegmann, Drew Heitzler and Justin Beal cited life changes as the reason for closing, with Beal and Wiegman moving out of the state and Heitzler becoming a recent father. Mandrake represented the art scene in Culver City and greater Los Angeles, with a famous art curator coming up with the name for the bar.
Tenseven Rolls - San Gabriel
Tenseven Rolls, a bánh cuốn specialist inside Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel, announced it would close on March 17. The Vietnamese snack spot also served chả giò, bánh xèo, rice rolls, and smoked brisket pho in the mostly Asian American vendor food hall in the heart of SGV. The stall originally opened in December 2022. The Klaude family said on Instagram that it hopes to appear at another venue in the future, with plans to serve at community events in the meantime.
Western City Bagel - Redondo Beach
Not to be confused with the much larger and still-in-operation Western Bagel, Western City Bagel in Redondo Beach announced that it will close on March 31 after 30 years. “While this chapter may be coming to a close, the memories we’ve shared and the connections we’ve made will forever remain close to our hearts,” the shop wrote on Instagram.
February
Banh Oui - Hollywood
Hollywood banh mi spot, Banh Oui, closed on February 13. The restaurant, which started as a pop-up, moved into the space in 2018. Over the years, it was known for its non-traditional takes on the Vietnamese sandwich, as well as its burger, fried chicken sandwich, and more.
Charcoal Sunset - West Hollywood
Josiah Citrin’s West Hollywood location of Charcoal suddenly closed on February 17 after less than a year in operation. Citrin attributed the closure to a rise in the costs of business in the neighborhood, and in a statement to Eater said that it was “a real bummer, to say the least.”
Flore - Silver Lake
Silver Lake’s 16-year-old plant-based restaurant Flore closed for good in late December and announced the closure via Instagram. Owner Miranda Megill opened the restaurant when Silver Lake’s was full of mostly independent businesses. After facing eviction from its original location in Sunset Junction in 2019, Megill moved the business into the shuttered Local space in 2020. Flore’s original location now houses mostly retail shops including clothing brand Maison Kitsune.
Hotel Figueroa (restaurants and bar) - Downtown
All the restaurants and bar inside Downtown’s historic Hotel Figueroa will close in February including Bar Magnolia, Cafe Fig, the Cafeteria, La Casita at Driftwood, and Sparrow Italia. The Los Angeles Times reported that Noble 33 (Casa Madera, Taco Madera), the third-party restaurant group that operates the hotel’s bar and restaurants, announced the closures in December, six days after its workers notified management that they intended to form a union.
Hyperion Public - Silver Lake
Silver Lake pub Hyperion Public closed on January 26. The owners shared via an Instagram post that the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control shut down the bar on January 16 and that they were unaware that the business was operating illegally.
Pearl River Deli - Chinatown
Chinatown’s modern Cantonese spot Pearl River Deli is no longer serving its beloved Hainan chicken rice, char siu pork belly, and Macau pork-chop bun. After opening in January 2020 in Far East Plaza and relocating to Chinatown Central Plaza, chef and owner Johnny Lee announced that Pearl River Deli will be on hiatus indefinitely and possibly forever.
Sakai Ramen Bar - Central LA
After nearly five years in business, Sakai Ramen closed on February 19. The restaurant announced the closure in an Instagram post and shared that the owners would be taking a break for the time being.
Shin - Hollywood
Hollywood’s decade-old Shin restaurant closed on February 4. Though best known for its ramen, the restaurant also prepared sushi and yakitori, including a $175 omakase option with cocktails.
Tokki - Koreatown
After 15 months inside Koreatown’s Chapman Plaza, Tokki closed on February 18. The modern Korean tapas restaurant opened in 2021 with chef Sunny Chang (Quince SF) at the helm, but she departed after just a few months. A part of the team then went on to open Liu’s cafe, which will remain open.
January
Atrium - Los Feliz
Los Feliz restaurant Atrium, which opened in 2018 from Beau Laughlin and Jay Milliken, closed without warning on December 23, 2023. The stylish Los Feliz restaurant offered versatile dishes with international flavors in a high-ceiling space in a neighborhood that sorely lacks quality dining. Staff was notified of the closure just a few days before Christmas though outwardly Atrium hinted that it would reopen in the new year. Atrium has not reopened though its sister lounge space Pinky’s continues to operate.
Caffe Roma - Beverly Hills
For 45 years, Caffe Roma has been a streetside destination for Italian food and coffee in the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills. The restaurant announced its closure on January 1, 2024, though its sister restaurant Cafe Amici will continue to operate, which means longtime fans will still have a place to get eggplant parmigiana and lasagna with beef ragu. Eater spoke with a representative from Caffe Roma who said the landlord had doubled the rent, which made it more challenging to operate despite nearly half a century of history in the neighborhood.
ETA - Highland Park
Jazz bar and cocktail lounge ETA, which is a sister restaurant to the Greyhound sports bar, closed on December 30, 2023 after initially opening in 2016. Owner Mateo Glassman said part of the reason for the closure was that his partners James and Ryan had moved farther away and that Glassman’s recent addition to the family had made it difficult to sustain operations. Glassman said the Highland Park and jazz community were a huge part of ETA’s success and was thankful for both.
Jeni’s Ice Cream - Venice
Rose Avenue ice cream parlor Jeni’s has closed since around the end of December, though word is that the artisan scoop shop has reopened as a stand on Windward Avenue closer to the Venice Boardwalk. Jeni’s still has locations in Larchmont, Beverly Hills, the Runway in Playa Vista, Calabasas, Los Feliz, and Highland Park within the LA area.
Skylight Gardens - Westwood
Westwood Italian restaurant Skylight Gardens had just celebrated its 12th anniversary when it quietly closed in recent weeks (it originally opened in 2012). A tipster says the signage was taken down and that multiple Yelpers have reported it closed, though the restaurant’s website — which announced the restaurant’s 10th anniversary — is still up at the time of publication.
Spartina LA - Melrose Avenue
Spartina LA, which opened in 2015 by chef Stephen Kalt, announced on social media last week that it would close on January 28. Kalt has had a nearly four-decade-long career in restaurants spanning New York City, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas. Spartina was originally named for a restaurant he helped open in the early 1990s in Tribeca before that neighborhood had become one of the hottest in Manhattan.
Spartina in LA was his ode to California Italian food, preparing shareable pizzas, handmade pastas, and seasonal produce. Kalt told Eater that from Memorial Day onwards, sales had dropped off about 40 percent from expected, blaming the writer’s and actor’s strikes. “In 40 years in this business, I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Kalt. The last day of operations will be this coming Sunday.
Wine House Kitchen — West LA
Located on a West LA rooftop blocks away from the bustling Sawtelle Japantown, Wine House Kitchen closed late last year after more than a year in business. Maiki Le’s Vietnamese French and California menu was a favorite among Eater’s editors with dishes like bún bò Huế spiced elk strip loin, which combines different meat with a central Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
2024-01-23T00:44:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd
