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This is a curated list of the Bay Area’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published once a week. See a closing we missed? Then drop us a line.
August 31
SUNSET — Pluto’s, the fast-casual spot for sandwiches and salads, on 8th Street and Irving closed its doors for good earlier this summer, meaning the Sunset storefront that was home to the restaurant is now up for sale, the landlord confirmed to Eater SF. It appears to have been the only remaining location of the chain, which at one point had outposts throughout northern California.
DOGPATCH — A year after opening, the fast-casual offshoot of Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Kin Khao permanently closed, the San Francisco Chronicle reported first. Owner Pim Techamuanvivit says she always planned on having the outpost be a short-term arrangement but also cited rescinded Restaurant Revitalization Fund money as part of the cause.
MARINA — Popular French bakery and bistro Le Marais will close its flagship location on Chestnut Street, the San Francisco Business Times reports. Per the Biz Times, a listing from “real estate firm Maven Commercial indicates the space at 2066 Chestnut St. is available for leasing inquiries.” A cashier also confirmed the location will shutter, though it’s open for now with no details available on the timeline for its closure.
EMERYVILLE — As posted on the company’s Instagram, Oui Oui Macaron’s East Bay outpost at Public Market Emeryville is closing today, August 31 to make way for a new location on Divisadero.
PALO ALTO — Turkish restaurant Anatolian Kitchen has closed, though the Chronicle says owner Dino Tekdemir plans to replace it with a second location of Naschmarkt, his Austrian restaurant in Campbell.
August 18
HAYES VALLEY — After nine years of “wonderful memories,” the owners of Pläj announced the permanent closure of the Nordic restaurant via Instagram on Tuesday. In a post signed by Robert and Andrea Sundell, the couple says they were initially excited to plan their reopening but have now decided the “current reality” makes the restaurant unsustainable. There’s good news for fans of Swedish meatballs, however: the couple’s other restaurant, Stockholme, which is located in Petaluma, remains open.
YERBA BUENA GARDENS and THE MISSION — The brothers behind Samovar Tea House Cafe’s two locations in SF, one at the Yerba Buena Gardens and the other on Valencia, officially announced that the cozy tea houses are gone for good. In their places, Jesse and Joshua Jacobs have launched Joyride Pizza, a new Detroit-style pizza concept.
PALO ALTO and WALNUT CREEK — Lemonade, the chain known for its cute branding and quintessentially California cuisine (read: salads, bowls, and sandwiches) has closed its locations in Palo Alto and Walnut Creek, reports the Mercury News. That leaves only two locations in San Francisco proper to serve the greater Bay Area.
August 23
RUSSIAN HILL — Lord Stanley is hanging up its Michelin star and offering its last service on September 4, husband-and-wife chef-owners Rupert and Carrie Blease announced in a statement. But it’s not quite a slam close — Lord Stanley restaurant may be retiring, but it’s going to spin into Lord Stanley’s Turntable, more of a pop-up series featuring chefs from around the world for residencies of up to two months. First up is chef Narda Lepes from Argentina on September 7, with more to follow.
BERKELEY — Berkeleyside reports that Rivoli has gone ominously dark after 27 years as a favorite Cal-Mediterranean restaurant. The restaurant’s website says it is closed “until further notice,” and the answering machine says “closed for the foreseeable future.” And despite an outpouring of concerned fans, the owner declined to answer questions, only stating, “The restaurant was closed due to a confluence of factors beyond our control.” Sister restaurant Corso closed in November 2020 after a 12-year run, although it’s been revived under new ownership as the new Via del Corso, also according to Berkeleyside.
August 6
SOMA — San Francisco’s first Nigerian restaurant Eko Kitchen is ending dine-in services in order to focus on private chef services, catering, cooking classes, and retail, owner Simileoluwa Adebajo announced on social media Thursday, the SF Business Times reported first. The restaurant debuted (and immediately gained national buzz) in 2019 and will continue to occupy the brick-and-mortar space at 130 Townsend, Adebajo told the Business Times. For upcoming pop-up dates or for information about cooking classes, head over to the Eko Kitchen Instagram.
2 years have passed and I’ve decided to close the restaurant portion of my business. Thank you all for riding with me on this part of my journey. I’ll be focusing on private chef services, catering, cooking classes and food retail. Here’s what I learned on my journey: https://t.co/q3OaNkGzFk
— Simileoluwa. (@simileolu) August 5, 2021
MISSION — The Namu Restaurant Group said goodbye to it’s “mothership” location across from Dolores Park due to an unresolved landlord conflict, owner Dennis Lee told Eater. The prime spot was the original location of Namu Gaji, the restaurant that brought the Lee brothers to local fame starting in 2012.
FIDI — Chef Michael Mina closed his eponymous fine dining restaurant at 252 California Street in order to make way for a new Greek seafood concept called Estiatorio Ornos. The chefs namesake restaurant held one Michelin star in 2019.
BERKELEY — Berkeleyside had been tracking the uncertain future of Nick’s Lounge, a popular Berkeley karaoke and jazz bar — but now reports that Nick’s is indeed closed for good. The bar had been dark since March 2020, then went up for sale. A Facebook post on the business page in June confirmed: “Nick’s Lounge is closed forever.”
July 23
PORTOLA — After two years of serving sweet ice cream in a historic picture palace, Churn Urban Creamery is closing indefinitely, the shop shared in an Instagram post. “We are sad to make this announcement, but we cannot possibly survive 2 years of a pandemic,” the shop says. They are having a birthday party this weekend with Lil’ Eagle smashburgers and cupcakes, and Yes Pudding is going to be popping up in the space. Churn will have regular hours this week, short weekend hours next week, and then wind down in August.
SUNSET — Cafe Bakery & Restaurant has closed the bakery side of the neighborhood business, which was once Mayor Ed Lee’s favorite spot to grab a pork bun. The bakery shuttered during the pandemic, and a call confirmed that the owners are not planning on reopening the bakery, although the restaurant side is still clattering.
ALBANY — After 48 years as a strangely medieval pink icon in Albany, Royal Cafe has gone dark and sources say it likely won’t reopen, according to Berkeleyside. The family-friendly restaurant was known for brunch pancakes, waffles, fried chicken, and Benedicts, as well as muffins.
August 6
SOMA — San Francisco’s first Nigerian restaurant Eko Kitchen is ending dine-in services in order to focus on pop-ups, catering, cooking classes, and retail owner Simileoluwa Adebajo announced on social media Thursday, the SF Business Times reported first. The restaurant opened in 2019 and will continue to occupy the brick-and-mortar space at 130 Townsend, Adebajo told the Business Times. For upcoming pop-up dates and to sign up for cooking classes, head over to the Eko Kitchen Instagram.
MISSION — The Namu Restaurant Group said goodbye to the group’s “mothership” location across from Dolores Park due to an unresolved landlord conflict, owner Dennis Lee told Eater. The prime spot was the original location of Namu Gaji, the restaurant that brought the Lee brothers to local fame starting in 2012.
FIDI — Chef Michael Mina closed his eponymous fine dining restaurant at 252 California Street in order to make way for a new Greek seafood concept called Estiatorio Ornos. The chefs namesake restaurant held one Michelin star in 2019.
BERKELEY — Berkelyside had been tracking the uncertain future of Nick’s Lounge, a popular Berkelel karaoke and jazz — but now reports that Nick’s is indeed closed for good. The bar had been closed since March 2020, then went up for sale. A Facebook post on the business page in June confirmed “Nick’s Lounge is closed forever.”
July 16
MISSION — Bon Voyage, the tropical cocktail bar from the Trick Dog team, is departing from Valencia Street, and it seems we won’t meet again. It’s been shuttered since the pandemic began, and now the Bon Vivants group is replacing it with a new concept called Chezchez, a rep confirmed. Details are scant, but stay tuned for cocktail updates.
SFO AIRPORT — Back of the House restaurant group might be opening a new sports bar in Hayes Valley, but it appears that the group has permanently shuttered its Super Duper Burgers location at the airport. Try one of these other spots to grab a bite before a flight, instead.
MISSION — The only Top Round Roast Beef location in San Francisco has closed after four years, SFGate reports. But do not despair, it’s being replaced by the equally beefy La Vaca Birria, which plans to serve birria tacos, birria ramen, and birria fries.
OAKLAND — The Camino team’s fast-casual spinoff the Kebabery is closing its location in Oakland, according to the SF Chronicle. But it’s opening a new location in Berkeley.
MILL VALLEY — Mill Valley Beerworks has closed after 11 years of craft beer and kale salads in the redwoods, the SF Chronicle reported first. Fort Point Beer Company is now the largest independent brewery in SF, but Mill Valley Beerworks was the Catalana brothers’ first venture from 2009, as memorialized in an Instagram throwback. Fort Point Lower Haight is the only location open at this time, but the brewery says it still plans to reopen its other locations in SF and Oakland. And Michelin-starred chef Brandon Jew and his more casual Mamahuhu restaurant appear to be moving into the Mill Valley space.
July 9
SUNSET — Boavida Cafe has closed out by the beach, the SF Chronicle reported first. Owner Andrea de Francisco, who previously owned Cafe St. Jorge in Bernal, departed a month ago, citing irreconcilable differences with her silent business partner — who turns out to be David Quinby, owner of the Riptide in the Sunset, as the SF Business Times tracked down. It’s not entirely clear whether Quiny plans to partner with another cafe in the space. But de Francisco was the soul of Boavida and its Portuguese-inspired coffee and pastries. The neighborhood will surely miss both her and her warm cafe.
CASTRO — Golden Grill has served its last sandwiches and hot dogs to Castro, shuttering after only a year at the end of May, according to Hoodline.
OAKLAND — Berkeleyside fears that La Estrellita Cafe & Bar has permanently closed after 52 years as a Mexican neighborhood favorite, saying that calls and emails have gone unanswered.
OAKLAND — Lost & Found Beer Garden has closed its sunny patio, Berkeleyside reports. A long pandemic closure appears to have turned from temporary to permanent.
BERKELEY — The King’s Feet was a newish vegan Italian restaurant from the same owners as the Butcher’s Son, which opened right at the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, it has closed, although Butcher’s Son remains open, according to Berkeleyside.
ALAMEDA — China House closed permanently in May after 53 years of serving affordable Chinese food to the island, Berkeleyside reported first.
RICHMOND — Brezo, the favorite brunch spot in quaint Point Richmond, appears to have closed permanently in early 2021. The owners posted a note on the restaurant’s website. It indicates they’re looking for a new location, so the breakfast torta may not be gone forever.
LARKSPUR — Posie ice cream bar is closing up shop after five years, the SF Chronicle reports. Owner Kyle Caporicci told the Chron he’s launching a separate business called Ghost Dog Creamery, and those pints may pop-up around the Bay, as well as on grocery shelves.
June 25
SOMA — The SF Chronicle spotted that one of its restaurant critic’s favorite downtown lunch counters has shuttered. Falafelland has served its last falafel wraps and baklava, and closed without comment after two years.
PORTOLA — Four Barrel Coffee apparently departed from its location in the Garden District, because it’s being replaced with Hey Neighbor, another new coffee shop, Tablehopper reports. Four Barrel still has locations on Valencia and Divis; the owners, meanwhile, are taking over the former 20th Century Cafe space in Hayes Valley. The question of ownership still remains, though: they have not shifted ownership to employees as promised following the cafe’s sexual harassment scandal in 2018.
HEALDSBURG — Mateo’s Cocina Latina is closing after a decade of Yucatecan cochinita pibil and huevos motuleños, as the SF Chronicle first reported. In an Instagram post, owner Mateo Granado thanked his regulars and farmers, and promised that he has some new upcoming projects in the works.
June 9
FISHERMAN’S WHARF — Broke-Ass Stuart reported in May that three old-school Italian restaurants have gone dark, but there’s bad news and good news. Castagnola’s, established as a crab shack in 1916, and Tarantino’s, opened in 1946, are both listed as permanently closed, and have not responded to requests for comment. But despite a false alarm, Pompei’s Grotto, opened in 1946, is still planning to reopen, the SF Chronicle found.
PAC HEIGHTS — Landmark Vietnamese-Californian restaurant the Slanted Door remains dark in the Ferry Building, but the Out the Door fast-casual location on Larkin Street is closing permanently, the restaurant announced on Instagram. Meanwhile, Chef Charles Phan is selling his loft in Pac Heights for $6.2 million, Mercury News reported.
NOPA — Namu Stonepot is also closing its fast-casual location on Divisadero, the restaurant shared on Instagram. But the Namu Stonepot location near Dolores Park remains open, and Chef Dennis Lee is moving forward with his food hall project in the former Perennial space.
POTRERO — If the twenty-teens saw a trend in mac and cheese, alas, another spot has surrendered the cheese sauce. Mac Daddy, the 14-seat comfort food destination, is now listed as permanently closed on Google and Yelp, and the website is down and the phone is disconnected.
POLK GULCH — Mr. Holmes, the Insta-genic bakery known for popularizing the cruffin, has filed for bankruptcy, the SF Chronicle reports. The Larkin Street location has been dark since last summer, but this might really be the end.
OAKLAND — Pretty Lady Korean-American diner has served its last banana pancakes and bibimbap to West Oakland, according to Berkeleyside.
OAKLAND — Wild Rabbit Bakery has baked its last muffins and cookies for Grand Ave, the SF Chronicle reports. It is being replaced by Bake Sum, the pandemic-born bakery of pineapple bun fame.
BERKELEY — Lalime’s Cal-Mediterranean restaurant is permanently closing after a 35-year run, partially due to the pandemic, but also so that the owners can retire, Berkeleyside reports.
DALY CITY — Beit Rima rapidly expanded to open three locations within a year in 2019, but is now closing its location in Daly City: Tablehopper spotted that Nick the Greek will be replacing it at Westlake Center. But Beit Rima is still serving Arab comfort food at its two locations in Duboce Triangle and Cole Valley.
May 26
PAC HEIGHTS — Out the Door Pac Heights has closed after 11 years of fresh spring rolls and comforting chicken porridge, Tablehopper spotted first. Slanted Door, the original Vietnamese-Californian restaurant in the Ferry Building, is still temporarily closed. Right now, the only restaurant within the group that’s currently open is the new location of Slanted Door in San Ramon. Additionally, Chef Charles Phan appears to be selling his loft in Pac Heights for $6.2 million, according to Mercury News.
SAN LEANDRO — Noodles Pho Me, possibly the only Lao-style pho shop in the Bay Area, has closed, the owners confirmed. Chef-owner Cindy Sengsourith said over email that they were unable to negotiate a new lease with the landlord, who was trying to raise the rent. Noodles Pho Me came back from the brink in August 2020, when they say they were scrambling to pack up the kitchen and rent a U-Haul, when the landlord offered them a last-minute deal, but unfortunately, this is really the end, at least at this location. The Sengsouriths are on the hunt for a new space, but after operating at a loss during the pandemic, they say options are limited. Noodles Pho Me was known for its Lao-style pho, with a darker and bolder broth, as well as other noodle soups and nam khao (crispy rice ball salad).
HAYWARD — Playt southern restaurant and bar has closed permanently after two years, Berkeleyside reports. Owner Michael LeBlanc closed his other restaurant Picán in Oakland in 2017, later sharing with Eater that he was sick with cancer, and needed to focus on one restaurant. Playt was the more casual of his two spots, known for fried catfish, mac and cheese, and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. LeBlanc once described it as a “soulful Cheers.”
May 19
JAPANTOWN — While researching katsu sandwiches, Eater SF realized that Ichi Sando closed quietly and permanently inside Japan Center, at least according to Google and heartbroken Yelpers, who will miss the beautifully layered tamago sandwiches.
FIDI — Owner Angela Voloshyna confirmed that she has permanently closed Topsy’s Bar at 260 Kearny Street, near the Dragon’s Gate entrance to Chinatown. But she has opened the new DecoDance bar on Polk Street, adding to her collection of neighborhood bars.
INNER SUNSET — The SF Chronicle reports that Honey Creme, a popular Korean soft-serve shop, has closed on Irving. But the Chron says there’s a sign in the window, promising ice cream and boba in June, so stay tuned.
FIDI — Tin Cactus, the Mexican restaurant that opened on the formerly French-themed Belden Alley, has closed after only a couple of years, the SF Chronicle reports. It has been replaced with Vida Cantina SF, which appears to be a new vegan restaurant.
OAKLAND — Homestead is closing in June, after nine years of fine-dining farm-to-table, the SF Chronicle reported first. The restaurant broke the news in an Instagram post. The Humble Sandwich, their more casual spot, remains open.
OAKLAND — Liege Spirits is closing on May 31, according to Berkeleyside. The owner posted the news on Instagram, thanking regulars for “a hell of an 11 year run.”
SONOMA — Backyard Restaurant is closing permanently on June 6, according to Sonoma Magazine. Despite serving pandemic-inspired fried chicken and honey butter, the owners of the farm-to-table restaurant said that looming repairs and dwindling locals drove the decision. They will be popping up at Davis Family Vineyards and Gravenstein Apple Fair.
May 12
OAKLAND — Berkeleyside points out that given that the Lede has opened in its space, Cafe Encina must have quietly closed, serving the last of its Spanish-inspired espresso and pintxos.
BERKELEY — Boilerroom, a Taiwanese restaurant known for spicy hotpot and ice cream rolls, has shuttered on Telegraph Ave, Berkeleyside reports. A temporary closure turned out to not be so temporary, when a Sojo Ramen sign appeared in the window.
BERKELEY — Gecko Gecko Thai restaurant is closing after 12 years of hotpot, spring rolls, and noodles, Berkeleyside reports. But its sister restaurants Giin Thai Canteen and Gai Barn Thai are still open.
ALBANY — Da Nang Vietnamese, a long-running restaurant with a combined 25 years, has closed its location in Albany, although its second location in Antioch remains open, according to Berkeleyside.
ALAMEDA — Berkeleyside says that Elaine’s Gourmet Chinese was only a few weeks old when the owner was in a car accident, prompting the fledgling restaurant to permanently close doors.
SUNNYVALE — The okonomiyaki is on the move. Fugetsu, a popular Japanese chain, has closed its location in Santa Clara, according to the SF Chronicle. But it’s sliding into Rokko Japanese restaurant in Sunnyvale, where the crispy, saucy pancakes will be on the menu by May 12.
May 5
RICHMOND — Neighborhood breakfast spot 6th and B is closing, at least for now. Owner David Chien told Eater SF that he is consolidating his two restaurants, so Sushi Bistro is moving into the space at 452 Balboa St, which has the better setup for outdoor dining. While the sign for 6th and B is coming down, Chien promises they may still hang onto some of those favorite menu items, as Sushi Bistro hopes to launch brunch soon, bringing back the French toast, seafood Benedicts, and loco moco. It looks like an unnamed cantina may be moving into the vacated spot on 431 Balboa St, so stay tuned on the Balboa restaurant shuffle.
HAYES VALLEY — 20th Century Cafe is closing permanently after eight years of grand pastries. Star pastry chef Michelle Polzine told Eater SF that she was not a “COVID sob story,” she simply doesn’t want to own a business anymore. Inspired by the grand cafes of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague, the rare cafe will wind down operations over the next couple of months with a few last takeout pastry boxes and sit-down lunches. And she says the iconic honey cake, featuring 10 layers and burnt honey, may still pop up around town.
MARINA — Ristorante Parma is closing after 40 years of comforting Italian-American parmigiana and piccata, SFGate first reported. With a heartfelt thank you to their longtime customers, the Elia family confirmed their last day of service was April 30.
MISSION — Tablehopper broke the news that Myriad Gastropub is closing permanently after six years of craft beer and inventive pub fare. Chef-owner Trish Tracey went out like a class act, thanking her customers, staff, and even her landlord, and wishing her neighbors like El Techo and Little Baobab the best.
MISSION — As feared for the past couple of years, Chef Dennis Lee finally confirmed that Namu Gaji is permanently closed, according to the SF Chronicle. The stereotype-defying Cal-Korean restaurant first shuttered for a seismic retrofit in 2019, then was hoping to move into the former Perennial space in SoMa, but Lee now plans to turn that space into a food hall with several different vendors.
FREMONT — Xian Kitchen has closed its location in Fremont, serving its last dumplings and noodles, according to the SF Chronicle. The Milpitas location remains open.
April 28
CASTRO — Last Call Bar has been sold to new owners after more than a decade in the Castro, Hoodline reports. The publication reached out to the new owners, but no word yet of their plans for the friendly neighborhood gay bar.
MARIN — Pey-Marin Vineyards is closing after 22 years of growing merlot, pinot noir, and riesling in coastal Marin, according to the SF Chronicle. Apparently it’s rare for wineries to shut down entirely, but the owner said conditions were too punishing, with climate change and wildfires.
ALBANY — Potala Organic Cafe has served its last Tibetan-inspired vegan eats, the SF Chronicle reported first. But the Chron says the same team has opened a new location of Shangrila Buddha Vegan in Albany, expanding the macrobiotic mini chain.
HALF MOON BAY — San Benito House, a historic inn that’s more than a hundred years old, closed due to a fire, Palo Alto Weekly reports. Which means that the Garden Deli Cafe, its popular corner deli, is also closed for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, the fresh sandwiches on housemade bread are now popping up at Pizza Pie, the owner’s other new restaurant.
April 15
GLEN PARK — Tyger’s Coffee Shop, the no-frills diner at the corner of Chenery and Diamond, has permanently closed, Glen Park Association reported first. Sources disagree about the exact age of the business, but it was a neighborhood favorite for at least three decades, serving straightforward eggs, pancakes, and French toast. It was owned by Young Kim since 1997, according to SF Heritage. There have been reports of a new owner putting on a fresh coat of paint, but no confirmation yet on what he’s planning to do with the space.
COW HOLLOW — Little Gem on Union Street appears to have quietly closed sometime in the past few months, and it’s being replaced by Sushi Hakko, a new sushi restaurant from the Sushi Hon team, instead. Little Gem was a fast-casual spot well liked for healthyish salads and bowls, and the original location in Hayes Valley is still open for takeout and delivery.
MARINA — The Greenwich from the Big Night Restaurant Group (Marlowe, Park Tavern, Cavalier, Leo’s) won’t be returning after the pandemic. It originally opened as Cow Marlowe in 2018, then rebranded as the Greenwich in 2019, in an attempt to freshen up with oysters and salads for the Marina crowd. But it went quiet during the pandemic, and now the space is officially being taken over by the Westwood team, who are replacing it with a rowdy new brunch and happy hour spot called Wilder.
OAKLAND — Bissap Baobab’s location in downtown Oakland closed on March 6, making way for a new LGBTQ+ nightclub called Que Rico, Berkeleyside reported first. “I just couldn’t stay open in this big space, paying big rent,” owner Marco Senghor told Berkeleyside. But for fans of the Senegalese restaurant’s chicken dibi and mafe peanut stew, it is survived by the original location in SF, which is still open in the Mission.
MENLO PARK — Ann’s Coffee Shop will be serving its last fluffy pancakes and hot coffee on April 19, after 75 years on Santa Cruz Ave, according to Mercury News. Owner Nicki Poulos told the outlet she never expected to have to keep flipping pancakes in her 70s, but was forced to due to staffing cuts during the pandemic, and the family is now devastated to finally close doors.
April 7
OAKLAND — As B-Dama, the popular izakaya within Swan’s Market, won’t be coming back after the pandemic has closed permanently, Berkeleyside reports. But chef Chikara Ono’s other restaurants are slated to return, including Delage, Masabaga, and Utzutzu, and he has some other pop-ups and projects in the works.
WALNUT CREEK — The Walnut Creek location of Scott’s Seafood closed after 34 years of chowder and cioppino, Berkeleyside reports. But fortunately, the Jack London Square location is all lit up and reopened for fish business, piano players and all.
NEWARK — Arzu Uyghur Cuisine, one of the only Uyghur restaurants in the Bay Area, has closed, although it may reopen in a new spot, the SF Chronicle says.
PALO ALTO — Antonio’s Nut House, the peanut-strewn dive bar on Cal Ave, closed in 2020, Mercury News reports. The wound was salted when the bar finally sold off their memorabilia in March, including more than 40 neon signs and a table shaped like a peanut.
MILPITAS — Baja Cactus restaurant closed after 36 years of Baja-style tacos and enchiladas, according to Mercury News.
March 12
SAN FRANCISCO — For 18 years, Cowgirl Creamery’s retail spot has been a flagship tenant in the Ferry Building, one of the first food venues to move in when the renovated building opened in 2003. The SF Chronicle reports that the cheese shop — and its lunch spot, Sidekick Cafe & Milk Bar, will permanently close on April 10. Amanda Parker, the managing director of the Point Reyes Station-based company, tells the Chron that it was always a difficult venue, but the pandemic made it impossible. “We tried really hard to make it work and ultimately it’s just not an operation we could sustain any longer,” she says.
SAN FRANCISCO — Parkside restaurant Zhong Shan Hakka, which since 2019 has attracted visitors to the west side with its menu of Cantonese and Hakka cuisine, has been sold, the SF Chronicle reports. The restaurant quickly became a neighborhood favorite for dishes like its pan fried tofu and its salted and baked chicken, but also gained an audience beyond the region for its high-profile chef Jin Hua Li, who was once hailed by food writer Jonathan Kauffman as “the new Craig Stoll.” Zhong Shan Hakka remained open for takeout throughout the pandemic, but its owners say that “the challenges of running a restaurant” prompted its sale. It will close for business on Monday, March 15.
OAKLAND — Mexican dining destination Cosecha has been an anchor tenant at Swan’s Market since 2011. That ends on March 27, Berkeleyside reports, as chef/owner Dominica Rice-Cisneros says her lease is up, and her new restaurant, Bombera, is gearing up to open. That means fans of her homemade tortillas and pozole can still score the dishes at the new. full-service spot’s 3459 Champion Street location, which is slated to open by April 27.
SAN FRANCISCO — Lauded chef Azalina Eusope tells the SF Chronicle that challenges with her landlord have spurred the permanent closure of Mahila, her ambitious Noe Valley restaurant. The nearly two-year-old restaurant, which specialized in Malaysian food influenced by Eusope’s upbringing on the island of Penang, has struggled throughout the pandemic, with Eusope telling Eater SF last fall that the takeout business restaurants were restricted to for much of the winter was “not successful enough to sleep well at night.” Eusope is now focused on opening Uncle Sok Hee, her upcoming Malaysian-Chinese coffee shop in the Tenderloin.
SAN FRANCISCO — After nine years in the game, Maven, a Lower Haight bar and restaurant known for quality cocktails and thoughtful small plates, has shut its doors. SFist has the scoop, writing that owner Jay Bordeleau says the business was “unable to find a reasonable path forward with our landlord.” Its last day of service will be March 29.
SAN FRANCISCO — In pre-pandemic times, the 7-11 at 3998 18th Street was a popular stop for a post-night-out-in-the-Castro-meal. Hoodline reports that the longstanding business has permanently closed, much to the delight of some area residents, one of whom said the spot was responsible for “food packaging wrappers strewn all throughout the Castro.”
March 3
SAN FRANCISCO — Revolution Cafe, a 15-year-old restaurant at the corner of 22nd and Bartlett Streets known (even before the pandemic) for its breezy outdoor dining scene, has closed for good, Mission Local reports. Its owners (who also own the Alamo Square Seafood Grill) raised funds for workers last summer and was open for takeout, but closed to customers and will not be reopening.
SAN FRANCISCO — Pop-up Sunset Slurps, who made waves with a business based on hard-to-find Vietnamese noodle soups, has closed down, it announced on Instagram. The SF Chronicle notes that it operated out of two different commissary kitchens and was plotting a permanent location, but (sic) “it is with a heavy heart to announce that this will be our last week of operation,” the business wrote in late February.
SAN FRANCISCO — The city’s only location of the Krispy Kreme doughnut chain closed its doors last week, the SF Business Times reports. Its Fisherman’s Wharf windows are papered over, and a spokesperson said the three outpost was closed by “multiple factors of which declining tourism since we opened three years ago and the pandemic are a part.”
SAN FRANCISCO — While we’re on chains, SF has also lost two locations of the Subway sandwich company: Hoodline reports that the Subway at 2375 Market Street in the Castro was emptied this past weekend, and the SF Business Times writes that another Subway at Fisherman’s Wharf has disconnected its phone line and papered over its windows.
February 24
DALY CITY — Prior to the pandemic, Moonstar’s 400-patron dining room was often packed with diners who paid between $17 to $32 for its all-you-can eat buffet of everything from sushi to barbecue. Mid-pandemic, Daisy Li, the CEO of the 30-year-old restaurant, told SF Gate that “I don’t even make enough money to pay my staff with takeout alone,” and expressed hopes that the spot could pivot from its self-serve model to a different system. That said, “Whatever we do, it’s not going to financially sustain the decision, because you lose your volume as a buffet,” Li said at the time. Now KTSF reports (h/t SF Chronicle) that the business will permanently close at the end of February.
SAN FRANCISCO — Virgil’s Sea Room, a nearly eight-year-old bar on a Bernal-area stretch of Mission Street, has closed for good, Hoodline reports. Via Instagram, co-owner Lila Thirkield wrote that “We are another victim of the times. After a year of constant loss, not enough help from the feds, and a mental fatigue that can’t quite be described… Virgil’s has made the tough decision to close.”
BERKELEY — Elmwood coffee shop Espresso Roma tells Berkeleyside that it will shutter when its landlord finds a tenant to take over the space. “The reason is simple,” owner David “Sandy” Boyd says. “The rent is $18,000 a month and the income is $300 a day. Do the math.”
February 17
SAN FRANCISCO — Muddy’s, a classic 1990s-style coffee shop near the Mission District corner of 24th and Valencia Streets, has closed after 27 years in business, Mission Local reports. In a note posted to its door, its owners said “These trying times have changed everything,” but urged patrons to direct their business to their other shop, the Muddy Waters Coffee House at 521 Valencia Street.
BERKELEY and OAKLAND — Two unrelated Berkeley pizza spots — iSlice, on Bancroft Way, and Pizzahhh, on Hearst Avenue, have both shuttered, Berkeleyside reports. Meanwhile, Boombox’s Pizza, which opened inside Oakland’s Jingletown Eats takeout operation, also shut its doors for good.
SUNNYVALE — Don Don Ramen, a Taiwanese-Japanese fusion restaurant known for its roasted black garlic ramen dish, has closed for good, the SF Chronicle reports.
OAKLAND — The owners of China Garlic Chinese Restaurant have retired after two decades in business, Berkeleyside reports.
February 9
SAN FRANCISCO — Takara, a 20-year-old Japantown institution known for its bento boxes, has closed after its landlord refused to negotiate its rent. Even during the pandemic, Beverly Hills-based developer 3D Investments demanded nearly $20,000 a month in rent and maintenance fees, Takara’s 91-year-old owner, Lena Turner says. Read all about it here.
EAST BAY — Yalla Mediterranean, a fast casual chain known for “build your own” bowls and wraps, has closed its Fremont, Dublin, and Pleasant Hill locations, the Bay Area News Group reports. The chain is now down to just one Bay Area location, in Walnut Creek, as well as a delivery-only “virtual kitchen” in SF.
SAN FRANCISCO — Six months after the Presidio Trust announced that chef Traci Des Jardins’ two Presidio restaurants, the Commissary and Arguello, had shuttered — a move reported on by the SF Chronicle at the time but perplexingly denied by spokespeople for food staffing agency Bon Appétit management and Des Jardins — it’s official, the restaurants announced on Instagram. Des Jardins told the Chron that “the Presidio Trust chose to switch the properties from a contract deal to a lease, and the partners couldn’t agree on terms,” so they parted ways. As the Presidio Trust owns the restaurant names, the spots could open with the same monikers — and based on a rental listing for the Commissary property, it remains up for grabs.
LIVERMORE — The Vineyard Avenue location of Campo di Bocce, an Italian restaurant and bocce club, has closed for good, KPIX reports. “The continual shut downs, lock downs, changing of the rules, take out food only, outdoor dining only, minimal indoor dining, then once again take out only, finally took its toll, and the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic finally took hold and have forced us into this dire situation,” its owners say.
FREMONT — Chain restaurant Outback Steakhouse has shuttered its Stevenson Boulevard location, the Bay Area News Group reports, but seven other Bay Area outposts of the restaurant remain.
January 27
OAKLAND — The SF Chronicle reports that R’Noodle, a restaurant that on its website says that it is “one of the new restaurants in gentrified part of Chinatown Oakland,” has closed for good. The spot was known for its LiuZhou-style escargot rice noodle soup, which it says was its most popular dish.
SUNNYVALE — Rabbit’s Foot Meadery, a 25-year old mead producer and tap room, has announced on its website that “due to ongoing regulations related to the pandemic, we have decided to close the Tap Room and cease operations for the foreseeable future.” The Bay Area News Group reports that founders Mike and Maria Faul say that the pandemic accelerated their plans to retire, but that the pair is now building a small boutique meadery in the Sierra foothills near near Sutter Creek, at which they’ll again serve their honey-based beverages.
LAFAYETTE — Diablo Magazine reports that Joe and the Juice has shuttered its spot in the former Squirrels Coffee Shop space. The ubiquitous juice chain still has a multitude of locations across the Bay Area, for fans of its sandwiches, snacks and drinks.
January 20
SAN FRANCISCO — Potrero Hill breakfast institution Sally’s Restaurant, which for at least three decades has fed locals and area tech workers with all-day breakfast from its De Haro Street kitchen, appears to be shuttered for good. Google marks the venue as permanently closed, its phone number is disconnected, and Eater tipster Molly Ditmore, who visited the scene, says that that the restaurant is “totally dismantled” and that “Sally’s is gone.”
January 13
SAN FRANCISCO — Los Guisados Del Patrón, the stew-focused spinoff of beloved quesabirria destination Tacos El Patrón, has closed after only five months in business. Its owners say that opening a new business during the pandemic was harder than they expected, and that they hope to reopen in another space after the crisis ends. Read the full story here.
SAN FRANCISCO — Chloe’s Cafe, the 33-year-old Church Street legacy business known for its generous breakfasts and friendly service, has been sold, Tablehopper reports. The business is now shuttered for remodeling, and will reopen as a spot called Chloe’s Kitchen. According to its website, the new spot will open for takeout service by the end of the month.
January 6
SAN MATEO — Esposto’s Delicatessen opened in 1956, and built a following for its catering business, sandwiches, and baked goods. But a sharp rent increase mid-pandemic has prompted its closure, the San Mateo Daily Journal reports. Second-generation owner Bill Esposto says that a July increase from $6,200 to $9,200 wasn’t sustainable given the revenue drop his business saw during the coronavirus crisis.
BERKELEY — Berkeleyside confirms that Ma La Zui Tasty Wok, a Chinese restaurant that with a popular build-your-own-stir-fry menu, has permanently closed.
SAN FRANCISCO — For 40 years, Chocolate Heaven, a handmade truffles and fudge shop, has served sweet-toothed customers from Pier 39. But according to J Weekly, the pandemic-related decrease in Wharf-area foot traffic prompted its transition to an online-only business as of December 27.
OAKLAND — Krista and Tony Granieri, the owners of Bavarian biergarten Brotzeit Lokal, opened Magpie in November 2019 with a menu of small plates and pizza, all to go with the spot’s 39 taps. After months of temporary closure, the Granieris made the shutter permanent, Berkeleyside reports.
CONCORD — The Mel’s Diner chain of restaurants began with an SF spot in 1947, but the restaurant’s location at 4391 Treat Blvd has only been open since late 2016, Beyond the Creek reported at the time. That spot shuttered for good in recent weeks, the Bay Area News Group reports, but its other locations across NorCal and Nevada are still in business.