Cash Cat bought popularity of its sushi and different upscale Japanese dishes.
This 12 months is already off to an…attention-grabbing begin.
Eating places had a tough go of it in 2024, from coping with the aftermath of the derecho in Could to days with out energy following Hurricane Beryl in early July. The climate, together with different elements like lasting results from the pandemic, led to many eating places closing their doorways.
Whereas we’re hoping for a much less tumultuous 2025, the realities of the restaurant business are what they’re. Listed below are some spots we’ve lately stated goodbye to.
Searching for new eating places? Take a look at our information to the newest scorching spots.
Cash Cat
Higher Kirby
This Japanese restaurant has formally closed its doorways after two years of operation. Proprietor Sherman Yeung informed Chron his determination to shut Cash Cat stems from economy-related points, different new eating places popping up, and his uncertainty as to the course he needs to take with the restaurant. Followers can nonetheless help his sushi restaurant in Katy, Tobiuo.
Roka Akor
Higher Kirby
After almost eight years, Roka Akor has determined to close its Houston doorways. The restaurant was recognized for its cuts of prime steak, Wagyu imported from varied areas of Japan, grilled seafood, and sushi. The workforce is now shifting its focus to different markets. If you happen to’re a fan of the restaurant and you end up in Scottsdale, San Francisco, or Chicago, you should definitely carve out some journey time to go to the opposite places.
The Flying Dutchman of Kemah isn’t any extra.
The Flying Dutchman
Kemah
Landry’s is making means for brand spanking new beginnings in 2025. On December 31, the corporate introduced the closure of the Flying Dutchman. The restaurant first opened in 1976, and was acquired by Landry’s in 1997. This information follows the closure of neighboring restaurant Joe’s Crab Shack, which ended its operations simply over a month in the past.
“Flying Dutchman and Joe’s Crab Shack on the Kemah Boardwalk lately closed to make means for a serious renovation that can deliver new and thrilling power to the Kemah Boardwalk for all ages to take pleasure in,” COO Terry Turney stated in a press release. “We look ahead to asserting extra particulars on this thrilling transformation within the coming months.”
Eating places that closed in 2024
Kim Son
East Downtown
Houston’s concrete jungle has received as soon as once more. Resulting from TxDOT’s I-45 growth, Kim Son is being compelled to close its location on Jefferson Road. The restaurant can be demolished to make means 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. Based on KHOU, Kim Son East will shut someday in 2025 or 2026, however its house owners 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. Based on an Instagram publish asserting the closure, Nippon was the oldest Japanese-owned restaurant within the Houston space. It served dishes resembling 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. Based on an Instagram publish from the bar, its authentic 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 bought sufficient enterprise to make a revenue.” However its house owners aren’t fairly able to say goodbye simply but. The restaurant can be changed into a brand new idea, which is anticipated 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 latest freeway growth tasks have begun to have an effect on a few of Houston’s eating places. In an Instagram publish, Agricole Hospitality—the workforce behind HiWay Cantina, Lightnin’s Good Instances, and Vinny’s—stated TXDOT’s adjoining US 59 growth work has left them with the choice to discontinue its operations on St. Emanuel Road after six years. (The group had lately turned ideas Indianola and Miss Carousel into HiWay and Lightnin’s, respectively.) Shifting ahead, the workforce says it will likely be doing what it could possibly to help its affected workers.
Benny Chows
Washington Avenue
After simply over a yr of service, Berg Hospitality is shuttering Benny Chows’ doorways. Though it’s unclear why the choice to shut the restaurant was made, in a press release, the workforce stated they’re wanting ahead to reimagining the house.
“This distinctive idea has introduced us immense pleasure, and we’re actually grateful for the fantastic recollections we now have created with our company,” the assertion says. “We look ahead to welcoming diners again sooner or later with recent experiences and flavors.”
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Firm
sawyer yards
One in every of 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 publish, William McLucas, CEO of Buffalo Bayou Brewing, stated he deliberate to return to the Sawyer Yards location. Nevertheless, the house now has new tenants, Tejas Brewery and Taproom, whose grand opening can be held from September 12 by 14.
Canary Espresso Home
montrose
This neighborhood espresso store shut its doorways in late July. It was recognized for its yogurt parfaits, espresso choices, refreshing drinks, and pastries. The store introduced its closure on social media: “We admire the help our small enterprise has acquired from the group. If we brightened your day even just a little bit throughout the previous few years, know you’ve accomplished the identical for us. Goodbye Montrose!” Based on 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 yr of service. Comalito served tacos, a brunch menu on the weekends, and a wide range of drinks. Based on the social media publish asserting 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. Based on the Houston Chronicle, this closure got here after a number of challenges through the years, resembling Hurricane Harvey, the lack 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 yr. Dinette served menu objects resembling Vietnamese beef stew, a crispy pork stomach bowl, rice paper salad, and fried rice. The restaurant introduced its closure in a social media publish on January 31, which stated it was growing a brand new idea to open within the present house. And for many who aren’t conscious: you may proceed to help Dinette’s house owners 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 workforce is revamping its house into an Italian-American trattoria referred to as Milton’s. Menu objects will embody pastas made in-house and wood-fired meats, plus there can be a brand new wine program.
Gratify
rice village
The group behind this upscale bistro, the Huge Vibe, selected to not renew Gratify’s 10-year lease. The idea first began in 2014 as Punk’s Easy Southern Meals, which grew to become Gratify in 2021. In a launch, Grant Cooper, proprietor and cofounder of the Huge Vibe, stated the group is as a substitute selecting to concentrate on increasing its different ideas, Flora and Coppa Osteria.
Harold’s within the Heights
heights
This fan favourite stated bye after simply over 10 years of service. Based on 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 should you’re nonetheless seeking to help native companies within the Heights, you should definitely make your means 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 time to make means for a brand new idea, Solarium. Based on 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. Based on a social media publish, the choice got here after “a lot deliberation” and adopted “extenuating circumstances.”
After simply three months, Molihua shut its doorways.
Molihua
medical heart
After solely three months of operation contained in the Blossom Lodge, 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 yr. Its numerous menu included wagyu pot stickers, Hamachi, and duck fats fried rice. The house will quickly be residence to the Kennedy, a restaurant and piano bar.
The Canary
oak forest
Closed to the general public in late July, this cocktail bar was recognized for its drinks, tasty bites resembling scorching 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,” based on the social media publish.
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 in the course of the pandemic, together with different elements resembling value of provides, taxes, lease, and labor. Regardless of group help, 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 publish on September 5. Wild Oats initially opened within the Houston Farmers Market, however had relocated to Spring Department in December 2023. Based on the publish, 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 development.” The social media publish additionally notes that the workforce is in discussions with “implausible restaurant operators” who’re at the moment eager about taking up the house.
Xin Chào
previous 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.
