The Flying Dutchman of Kemah is not any extra.
This Yr is already off to an…fascinating 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 components 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 here are some spots we’ve lately stated goodbye to.
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 crew 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, make sure to carve out some journey time to go to the opposite areas.
The Flying Dutchman
Kemah
Landry’s is making method for brand 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 method for a serious renovation that can carry new and thrilling power to the Kemah Boardwalk for all ages to get pleasure from,” COO Terry Turney stated in an announcement. “We stay up for saying 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. Attributable to TxDOT’s I-45 enlargement, Kim Son is being compelled to close its location on Jefferson Avenue. The restaurant might be demolished to make method 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 keeping with 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. In keeping with an Instagram submit saying 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 is not any extra. In keeping 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 acquired sufficient enterprise to make a revenue.” However its house owners aren’t fairly able to say goodbye simply but. The restaurant might be changed into a brand new idea, which is predicted to open in March 2025.
HiWay Cantina (previously Indianola) is not any extra.
HiWay Cantina, Lightnin’s Good Instances, Vinny’s
East Downtown
The Texas Division of Transportation’s latest freeway enlargement tasks have begun to have an effect on a few of Houston’s eating places. In an Instagram submit, Agricole Hospitality—the crew behind HiWay Cantina, Lightnin’s Good Instances, and Vinny’s—stated TXDOT’s adjoining US 59 enlargement work has left them with the choice to discontinue its operations on St. Emanuel Avenue after six years. (The group had lately turned ideas Indianola and Miss Carousel into HiWay and Lightnin’s, respectively.) Transferring ahead, the crew says it will likely be doing what it will possibly to help its affected workers.
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 crew stated they’re trying ahead to reimagining the area.
“This distinctive idea has introduced us immense pleasure, and we’re really grateful for the fantastic reminiscences now we have created with our company,” the assertion says. “We stay up for welcoming diners again sooner or later with contemporary experiences and flavors.”
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Firm
sawyer yards
Certainly one of Houston’s most well-known breweries was locked out of its area in January, following a number of authorized battles and monetary points. In a social media submit, William McLucas, CEO of Buffalo Bayou Brewing, stated he deliberate to return to the Sawyer Yards location. Nevertheless, the area now has new tenants, Tejas Brewery and Taproom, whose grand opening might be held from September 12 by way of 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 respect the help our small enterprise has acquired from the neighborhood. If we brightened your day even just a little bit throughout the previous couple of years, know you’ve executed the identical for us. Goodbye Montrose!” In keeping with a spokesperson for the enterprise, the closure is partly because 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 quite a lot of drinks. In keeping with the social media submit saying the closure, this isn’t a everlasting goodbye. The institution is on the hunt for its subsequent area.
Damian’s Cucina Italiana
midtown
This Midtown restaurant formally ended its operations on August 17 after 41 years of enterprise. In keeping with the Houston Chronicle, this closure got here after a number of challenges through the years, resembling Hurricane Harvey, the lack to totally get well 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 resembling 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 stated it was growing a brand new idea to open within the present area. 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 crew is revamping its area into an Italian-American trattoria known as Milton’s. Menu gadgets will embody pastas made in-house and wood-fired meats, plus there might 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 an alternative selecting to give attention to 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. In keeping 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 should you’re nonetheless seeking to help native companies within the Heights, make sure to make your method over to Blue Tuba, the Euro-Tex idea that changed Harold’s.
Holman Draft Corridor would possibly’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 method for a brand new idea, Solarium. In keeping 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 keeping 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 endure 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 various menu included wagyu pot stickers, Hamachi, and duck fats fried rice. The area 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 recognized for its drinks, tasty bites resembling sizzling canine, the occasional steak evening, and crawfish when in season, and for having a pool and patio. The enterprise is “grateful for the neighborhood” and can “cherish the reminiscences made,” in response to 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 because of substantial money owed taken on through the pandemic, together with different components resembling value of provides, taxes, hire, and labor. Regardless of neighborhood help, after 9 years, City Eats was ordered to vacate its property because of unpaid hire 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 keeping with the submit, the choice to shut stemmed from the departure of their chef together with different challenges because of the derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and “slower-than-desired development.” The social media submit additionally notes that the crew is in discussions with “implausible restaurant operators” who’re presently keen on taking on the area.
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 give attention to her different two ideas. The restaurant served dishes like braised pork stomach and crispy rice, shaken beef, eggrolls, and a well-known fried rooster brined in lemongrass buttermilk and fried in pandan.
