We’ll quickly be saying goodbye to the Jefferson Road location of Kim Son.
It’s secure to say that 2024 has been a tumultuous 12 months for Houston eating places. From coping with the aftermath of the derecho in Might to days and even weeks with out energy following Hurricane Beryl in early July, this 12 months has been like no different.
It’s no shock that the climate, together with different components like lasting results from the pandemic, has led to eating places closing their doorways. Listed here are some spots we have mentioned goodbye to this 12 months.
Kim Son
East Downtown
Houston’s concrete jungle has received as soon as once more. On account of TxDOT’s I-45 enlargement, Kim Son is being pressured to close its location on Jefferson Road. The restaurant will likely be demolished to make approach for extra freeway lanes. Whereas the spot in Houston’s OG Chinatown will stop to exist, diners can nonetheless drive to the outpost in Asiatown. In accordance with KHOU, Kim Son East will shut someday in 2025 or 2026, however its homeowners hope to open a smaller restaurant on one other piece of land in the identical space sooner or later.
Nippon
Montrose
This sushi restaurant has formally shut its doorways after 38 years in service. In accordance with an Instagram submit saying the closure, Nippon was the oldest Japanese-owned restaurant within the Houston space. It served dishes comparable to shrimp tempura, miso soup, teriyaki dishes, and varied nigiri, maki, and sashimi.
Cecil’s Pub
Montrose
After 34 years of serving Houstonians, Cecil’s Pub isn’t any extra. In accordance with an Instagram submit from the bar, its unique landlord put the property up on the market, and the incoming landlord selected to not signal a lease with Cecil’s. Regulars gathered there to toast its final day on November 10.
Flying Fish
Heights
This Heights joint introduced on its web site that it “by no means obtained sufficient enterprise to make a revenue.” However its homeowners aren’t fairly able to say goodbye simply but. The restaurant will likely be changed into a brand new idea, which is predicted to open in March 2025.

HiWay Cantina (previously Indianola) isn’t any extra.
HiWay Cantina, Lightnin’s Good Instances, Vinny’s
East Downtown
The Texas Division of Transportation’s current freeway enlargement tasks have begun to have an effect on a few of Houston’s eating places. In an Instagram submit, Agricole Hospitality—the group behind HiWay Cantina, Lightnin’s Good Instances, and Vinny’s—mentioned TXDOT’s adjoining US 59 enlargement work has left them with the choice to discontinue its operations on St. Emanuel Road after six years. (The group had not too long ago turned ideas Indianola and Miss Carousel into HiWay and Lightnin’s, respectively.) Transferring ahead, the group says will probably be doing what it might to assist its affected employees.
Benny Chows
Washington Avenue
After simply over a 12 months of service, Berg Hospitality is shuttering Benny Chows’ doorways. Though it’s unclear why the choice to shut the restaurant was made, in an announcement, the group mentioned they’re trying ahead to reimagining the house.
“This distinctive idea has introduced us immense pleasure, and we’re actually grateful for the fantastic recollections we’ve created with our company,” the assertion says. “We look ahead to welcoming diners again sooner or later with contemporary experiences and flavors.”
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Firm
sawyer yards
One in all Houston’s most well-known breweries was locked out of its house in January, following a number of authorized battles and monetary points. In a social media submit, William McLucas, CEO of Buffalo Bayou Brewing, mentioned he deliberate to return to the Sawyer Yards location. Nonetheless, the house now has new tenants, Tejas Brewery and Taproom, whose grand opening will likely be held from September 12 via 14.
Canary Espresso Home
montrose
This neighborhood espresso store shut its doorways in late July. It was identified for its yogurt parfaits, espresso choices, refreshing drinks, and pastries. The store introduced its closure on social media: “We respect the assist our small enterprise has obtained from the group. If we brightened your day even slightly bit throughout the previous couple of years, know you’ve executed the identical for us. Goodbye Montrose!” In accordance with a spokesperson for the enterprise, the closure is partly on account of pandemic-era prices.
Comalito
northside
Tucked contained in the Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive, this taqueria closed after lower than a 12 months of service. Comalito served tacos, a brunch menu on the weekends, and a wide range of drinks. In accordance with the social media submit saying the closure, this isn’t a everlasting goodbye. The institution is on the hunt for its subsequent house.
Damian’s Cucina Italiana
midtown
This Midtown restaurant formally ended its operations on August 17 after 41 years of enterprise. In accordance with the Houston Chronicle, this closure got here after a number of challenges through the years, comparable to Hurricane Harvey, the shortcoming to completely get better from the pandemic, and rising meals prices.
Dinette
heights
This Vietnamese restaurant opened in 2022 and shut its doorways on February 4 of this 12 months. Dinette served menu gadgets comparable to Vietnamese beef stew, a crispy pork stomach bowl, rice paper salad, and fried rice. The restaurant introduced its closure in a social media submit on January 31, which mentioned it was growing a brand new idea to open within the present house. And for individuals who aren’t conscious: you possibly can proceed to assist Dinette’s homeowners at their different institutions, Hando and Kanpai Membership.
Eau Tour
rice village
This French restaurant by the proprietor of Native Meals served its final service on June 2. The group is revamping its house into an Italian-American trattoria known as Milton’s. Menu gadgets will embody pastas made in-house and wood-fired meats, plus there will likely be a brand new wine program.
Gratify
rice village
The group behind this upscale bistro, the Large Vibe, selected to not renew Gratify’s 10-year lease. The idea first began in 2014 as Punk’s Easy Southern Meals, which turned Gratify in 2021. In a launch, Grant Cooper, proprietor and cofounder of the Large Vibe, mentioned the group is as an alternative selecting to concentrate on increasing its different ideas, Flora and Coppa Osteria.
Harold’s within the Heights
heights
This fan favourite mentioned bye after simply over 10 years of service. In accordance with Chron, proprietor Alli Jarrett determined it was time to shut her restaurant. She famous that she is just downsizing, as the corporate will shift its focus to catering. However if you happen to’re nonetheless trying to assist native companies within the Heights, make sure to make your approach over to Blue Tuba, the Euro-Tex idea that changed Harold’s.

Holman Draft Corridor may’ve shut its doorways in 2024, however a brand new idea will quickly exchange it.
Holman Draft Corridor
midtown
After a seven-year run, this watering gap shut its doorways over the summer season to make approach for a brand new idea, Solarium. In accordance with a launch, Solarium will supply a “multifaceted expertise” with full eating and drink service.
Love Buzz
montrose
After eight years of serving pizza and scrumptious cocktails, this Montrose restaurant determined to stop its operations. In accordance with a social media submit, the choice got here after “a lot deliberation” and adopted “extenuating circumstances.”

After simply three months, Molihua shut its doorways.
Molihua
medical middle
After solely three months of operation contained in the Blossom Resort, Molihua has shut its doorways. The restaurant showcased fine-dining Japanese delicacies and dim sum, however will now bear a reconceptualization—new particulars ought to come quickly.
Muse
river oaks
This Houston restaurant didn’t final lengthy. After a March 2023 opening, it formally shut its doorways earlier this 12 months. Its numerous menu included wagyu pot stickers, Hamachi, and duck fats fried rice. The house will quickly be house to the Kennedy, a restaurant and piano bar.
The Canary
oak forest
Closed to the general public in late July, this cocktail bar was identified for its drinks, tasty bites comparable to sizzling canine, the occasional steak evening, and crawfish when in season, and for having a pool and patio. The enterprise is “grateful for the group” and can “cherish the recollections made,” in keeping with the social media submit.
City Eats
washington hall
In January, this restaurant took to social media to ask for assist after revealing that it had been struggling on account of substantial money owed taken on throughout the pandemic, together with different components comparable to value of provides, taxes, lease, and labor. Regardless of group assist, after 9 years, City Eats was ordered to vacate its property on account of unpaid lease and property taxes. It held its final service on January 28.
Wild Oats
Spring department
This restaurant from Underbelly Hospitality introduced its closure in a social media submit on September 5. Wild Oats initially opened within the Houston Farmers Market, however had relocated to Spring Department in December 2023. In accordance with the submit, the choice to shut stemmed from the departure of their chef together with different challenges as a result of derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and “slower-than-desired progress.” The social media submit additionally notes that the group is in discussions with “unbelievable restaurant operators” who’re at present enthusiastic about taking on the house.
Xin Chào
outdated sixth ward
This Vietnamese-American restaurant, opened by James Beard nominees Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen, shut its doorways on June 8. Ha, who additionally owns Blind Goat and Stuffed Stomach in Spring Department, had introduced in November 2023 that she was leaving Xin Chào to concentrate on her different two ideas. The restaurant served dishes like braised pork stomach and crispy rice, shaken beef, eggrolls, and a well-known fried hen brined in lemongrass buttermilk and fried in pandan.