B.B. Lemon says goodbye to Washington Avenue.
This Yr 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 trade are what they’re. Listed here are some spots we’ve lately mentioned goodbye to.
In search of new eating places? Take a look at our information to the newest sizzling spots.
B.B. Lemon
“It’s by no means a simple determination to shut a restaurant,” says Benjamin Berg, founder and CEO of Berg Hospitality Group. “The love Houston has proven B.B. Lemon-Washington through the years is what made it such a particular place. Thanks for making us a part of your on a regular basis moments and life celebrations.”
Grace Pizza and Shakes
One other Heights restaurant has fallen sufferer to closure. In response to a Fb publish, the restaurant homeowners had been optimistic concerning the location, however finally made the tough determination to close its doorways. The Alvin and Pearland places are nonetheless open.
“Whereas we had hoped for higher success, we stay dedicated to our mission and stay up for persevering with our expansions—with grace,” the publish says. “We lengthen our heartfelt due to our loyal clients and devoted employees who’ve been a part of this journey.”
Patton’s is considered one of a number of steakhouses to name it quits this 12 months.
Patton’s and Savoir
Houstonians say goodbye to one more steakhouse. After six years, Savoir has closed its doorways, in addition to its sister restaurant Patton’s, which opened as a speakeasy-style steakhouse in 2022. In response to a social media publish, the homeowners determined to maneuver on from Houston, prompting the closure.
“To everybody who dined with us, celebrated with us, and supported our journey, we’re deeply grateful,” the publish says. “Thanks for being a part of our story.”
Karne Korean Steakhouse
Heights
In response to Karne’s Instagram account, the sudden closure comes amid points “past [their] management.” Nonetheless, the publish says the workforce would like to open once more sooner or later.
“I need to lengthen my deepest gratitude to your complete Karne workforce, previous and current, for his or her dedication, distinctive work ethic, and the excellent service they offered to our company,” the publish says. “To my fellow restaurateurs, in the event you come throughout a former Karne workforce member, relaxation assured they are going to seemingly be a wonderful addition to your workforce.”
Andiron turned a decently well-liked steakhouse however was short-lived.
Andiron
Montrose
Sambrooks Hospitality is closing the doorways to its steakhouse, Andiron, after practically two years of service. Proprietor Michael Sambrooks says the group is staying dedicated to their different ideas, Candente and the Pit Room.
“We stay up for what’s to return sooner or later for our firm and each restaurant ideas,” Sambrooks says. “To our loyal Andiron clients, thanks endlessly to your patronage on our journey. We stay up for serving you once more quickly at our different ideas.”
The Barking Pig
Shady Acres
After eight years, this native bar identified for its trivia nights and steak nights has formally closed its doorways. In a Fb remark, Barking Pig proprietor Kristen Powell mentioned she is selecting to deal with household as her grandmother is dying from most cancers.
“We’re extremely grateful for the help, laughter, and recollections shared with our superb company, employees, and group,” an announcement on the restaurant’s web site reads. “Whereas this chapter is ending, we’re excited to go the torch to a different, thanks for being a part of our journey–it has really been an honor.”
Cash Cat received approval for its sushi and different upscale Japanese dishes.
Cash Cat
Higher Kirby
This Japanese restaurant has formally closed its doorways after two years of operation. Proprietor Sherman Yeung advised 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 desires to take with the restaurant. Followers can nonetheless help his sushi restaurant Tobiuo, in Katy.
Roka Akor
Higher Kirby
After practically eight years, Roka Akor has determined to close its Houston doorways. The restaurant was identified for its cuts of prime steak, Wagyu imported from numerous areas of Japan, grilled seafood, and sushi. The workforce is now shifting its focus to different markets. In the event you’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 is not any extra.
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 mentioned in an announcement. “We stay up for 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. Because of TxDOT’s I-45 growth, Kim Son is being compelled to close its location on Jefferson Road. The restaurant will probably 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 response to 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 response to 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 numerous nigiri, maki, and sashimi.
Cecil’s Pub
Montrose
After 34 years of serving Houstonians, Cecil’s Pub is not any extra. In response to 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 received sufficient enterprise to make a revenue.” However its homeowners aren’t fairly able to say goodbye simply but. The restaurant will probably be was a brand new idea, which is anticipated 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 current 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—mentioned 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.) Transferring ahead, the workforce says it will likely be doing what it will possibly to help 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 workforce mentioned they’re trying ahead to reimagining the house.
“This distinctive idea has introduced us immense pleasure, and we’re really grateful for the fantastic recollections we now 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
One among 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, 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 probably be held from September 12 by means of 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 recognize the help our small enterprise has obtained from the group. If we brightened your day even a bit of bit throughout the previous couple of years, know you’ve performed the identical for us. Goodbye Montrose!” In response to a spokesperson for the enterprise, the closure is partly as a result 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 response to 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. In response to the Houston Chronicle, this closure got here after a number of challenges through the years, resembling 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 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 mentioned it was creating a brand new idea to open within the present house. And for individuals who aren’t conscious: you’ll be able to proceed to help 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 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 will probably 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 deal with 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 response to 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 in the event you’re nonetheless seeking to help native companies within the Heights, you should definitely make your method 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 change it.
Holman Draft Corridor
midtown
After a seven-year run, this watering gap shut its doorways over the summer season to make method for a brand new idea, Solarium. In response to a launch, Solarium will provide 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 response to 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 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 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 resembling sizzling canines, the occasional steak night time, 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 as a result of substantial money owed taken on in the course of the pandemic, together with different elements resembling price of provides, taxes, hire, and labor. Regardless of group help, after 9 years, City Eats was ordered to vacate its property as a result 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 publish on September 5. Wild Oats initially opened within the Houston Farmers Market, however had relocated to Spring Department in December 2023. In response to the publish, 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 publish additionally notes that the workforce is in discussions with “unbelievable restaurant operators” who’re at the moment concerned about taking on 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 deal with 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.
