All of winter 2016's closures around the Bay Area. Head here for a full listing of fall 2016's shuttered spots.
February 24
There are changes in the works over at Westfield Mall, where four food court vendors have suddenly shuttered, including Peet’s Coffee, which means you’ll have to get your caffeinated shopping break elsewhere for now. No word yet on the retailers who will be taking over the empty spaces. In other restaurant news, longtime French bistro L’Olivier also announced that it will be closing after thirty-eight years serving traditional French food.
EMBARCADERO — Heirloom bean shop Rancho Gordo is vacating its stand inside the Ferry Building. The brand has done so well selling its goods both online and wholesale that a physical location isn’t necessary anymore. The good news? If you’re still hankering for Rancho Gordo’s flavorful bean selections, you can now buy them exclusively online. [SFGate]
MID-MARKET — Four of Westfield Mall’s food court stopovers closed this month as the mall makes way for seismic changes and new retailers. Peet’s Coffee, sandwich shop Amoura Cafe, Japanese grab-and-go Mr. Hana, and burger stop Bistro Burger, are all currently empty. [Hoodline]
EMBARCADERO — After nearly four decades of serving French food in a fine dining atmosphere, bistro L’Olivier at 465 Davis Street announced that it will close in April. The owners are inviting guests to join them for a final meal in the interim in which they’re offering all dinner guests fifteen percent off as well as a complimentary glass of wine. [Hoodline]
February 17
Three restaurants vacated the Bay this week, with Berkeley’s Bistro Liaison getting the most attention. It’s a bittersweet exit for the owners, who plan to start new careers. They’re currently in negotiations with the team behind Two Sisters Bar & Books, who will soon open a French cafe of their own in Bistro Liaison’s former location.
POLK — No-frills lunch stopover Thai 4 You has been sold to an unknown bidder. The restaurant opened three years ago, serving up casual Thai food from its walk-up shop at 807 Ellis Street. [Hoodline]
BERKELEY — Longtime Shattuck Avenue cafe Bistro Liaison has quietly closed after sixteen years of serving classic French cuisine to its loyal patrons. It’s rumored that the owners of Hayes Valley’s literary minded cocktail room Two Sisters Bar & Books will soon be opening a French cafe and wine bar in its stead, called Les Arceaux. Meanwhile, its low-key sister restaurant Le Petit Cochon closed February 5, and will become another location of Pedro’s Brazil Cafe. [Berkeleyside]
NORTH BEACH — Barbary Coast gastropub shuttered in January after less than year of business the city’s brutal dining scene. For now, its venue at 478 Green Street remains empty. [Hoodline]
February 10
Two East Bay restaurants shuttered this week — casual Mexican cantina Remy’s and College Avenue’s A.G. Ferrari (don’t worry though, its other Bay Area locations are still open). Old-timer Rose Pistola also waved its classic North Beach venue farewell, citing San Francisco’s rising expenditures as being too unrealistic to keep up with.
BERKELEY — Longtime deli and cafe A.G. Ferrari is vacating its spot at 2905 College Ave. due to ever-burgeoning overhead costs. The company has plans to transfer employees to its other Bay Area locations. [Berkeleyside]
NORTH BEACH — After two long decades, jazz-happy Italian eatery Rose Pistola has closed its doors. For now, the space at 532 Columbus Ave. remains empty. [EaterWire]
ALBANY — A sudden eviction notice left popular Thai restaurant Da Nang Krungthep/Muang Thai at 905 San Pablo Ave. without a home last week. The owner hopes to pursue legal recourse, but until later notice the shop remains closed. [East Bay Express]
BERKELEY — Mexican diner and casual cantina Remy’s Mexican Restaurant has closed. There’s no word yet on why the restaurant shuttered, nor any news of the newcomer that will be taking over the lease at 2506 Haste Street. [Berkeleyside]
February 3
Six closures to account for this week, with Lefty O’Doul’s certainly getting the most noise. It’s been a back-and-forth battle between the building owners and business owner as to who has the rights to the name and memorabilia, and it’s up to the courts now to decide its fate.
NOE VALLEY — In order to pare down, the owners of La Ciccia have decided to close sister restaurant and casual Italian pizzeria La Nebbia. The last night of service is Saturday, February 4. [EaterWire]
UNION SQUARE — After lots of drama and with its fate still up in the air, baseball bar Lefty O’Doul’s had its closing party this week. It’s unclear in what form it will return, though building owners say they will reopen it in the same spot, while the business owner maintains he will reopen it elsewhere. It’s up to the courts now. [EaterWire]
BERNAL HEIGHTS — After last June’s fire, dive bar 3300 Club will unfortunately be permanently closing. The owners wrote on Facebook that the lease was terminated without their input. [Bernalwood]
LOWER NOB HILL — In an emotional blogpost, Flour & Co. owner Emily Day announced that the restaurant has closed its doors for good as of January 31. But there’s still plans for Flour & Co. in the works -- Day has her sights set on an online iteration of the bakeshop, where you can order handmade treats like nutty granola with a click of the mouse. [EaterWire]
OAKLAND — Beloved vegetarian restaurant Encuentro is ditching the dining scene, siting bloated overheads and a spike in operational costs as its primary detractors. However, the space won’t be empty for long -- two cash-only pop-ups already have plans to host meals during the week. [EaterWire]
MISSION — Sushi bar Kiji Japanese exchanged ownership last fall, but the new proprietors were unable to keep the restaurant afloat. It was announced closed as of last Tuesday. [Tablehopper]
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January 27
In this week’s closing round up, several pocket-sized Oakland restaurants are on the chopping block, Romper Room’s technicolor room is going black and white, and San Francisco’s Village Market experiences an exchange of ownership.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Maiden Lane’s technicolor cocktail bar Romper Room will close this week as the owner focuses on his real estate business, making way for a new establishment. The liquor license and lease have been purchased by the owner of Playland and Topsy’s. [EaterWire]
INNER RICHMOND — Twenty-five-year-old Village Market is retiring, with the ownership transferring hands. According to the previous owners, Beanstalk Cafe (of Nob Hill) is taking over the lease and has plans on reopening with a similar menu, plus the addition of beer and wine. Opening timeline is March/April. [EaterWire]
OAKLAND — After a string of poor Yelp reviews siting skimpy portions and surly service, the Subway at 4013 Telegraph Ave. has permanently vacated. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Previously, Bakeshop Oakland was thought to be experiencing a temporary closure due to repairs, but according to an updated Yelp listing, the mom-and-pop bakery has closed its doors for good. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Guadalajara-style sandwich shop Tortas Ahogados Mi Barrio has shut down its International Avenue counter service spot. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Pho restaurant Pho Hiep Hung has closed for an ownership swap and reopened under a different name. This time, it’s going by Pho Vy. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Baja fast food joint Taco del Mar has officially waved adios to its downtown walk-up. [Hoodline]
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January 20
Issues with the city and rent disputes continue to characterize closures around the Bay Area, with Crogan’s and Le Chat Rouge falling victim this go round.
WALNUT CREEK — Longtime sports bar Crogan’s Sports Bar and Grill shutters on January 23 after issues with the city. [Inside Scoop]
NORTH BEACH — After just seven months at 1314 Grant Ave., French bakery Le Chat Rouge has shut down, following complications with opening and a recent rent dispute. [Hoodline]
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January 13
Quiet closures characterized this week’s departures, with food delivery app Bento and wine bar Les Clos both tiptoeing out of the SF scene.
SAN FRANCISCO — Food delivery app Bento has undergone a demise similar to that of several of the city’s meal delivery apps, announcing last week that the service is no longer in operation due to financial struggles. [EaterWire]
SOMA — French bistro Les Clos is vacating its downtown premises so that Big Night Restaurant Group’s (Leo’s Oyster Bar, Park Tavern) newcomer Petit Marlowe can take over in its stead. Les Clos’ owner, Mark Bright, will continue to oversee Petit Marlowe’s cellar, acting as wine adviser to the restaurant’s curated wine selections. [EaterWire]
SOMA — AQ bids adieu to San Francisco this weekend, following a steady drop in sales after an initially lauded debut. [EaterWire]
UNION SQUARE — Bristol Farms, the steeply priced Westfield grocery store with a running history of questionable health scores, is making a dismal departure from the mall’s basement at the end of the month. [EaterWire]
OAKLAND — Down-to-earth burger joint Crossburgers wished its patrons a fond farewell with a final celebration party in December. [Hoodline]
SUNSET — Irving Cafe, the reneged stepchild of Quickly’s boba tea chain, has closed up shop, making way for what a splashy window-length poster boasts as Takuya, a Japanese hot dog restaurant. [Hoodline]
January 7
Two longtime restaurants unexpectedly depart the scene this week, as the end-of-the-year closures drag into the new year.
SOMA — Family-style, French-leaning LuLu has abruptly vacated its SoMa headquarters after twenty-four years. In its opening days, LuLu garnered high praise from city food critics and patrons alike. [Inside Scoop]
EMBARCADERO — Butterfly’s fifteen-year lease is up, and the restaurant has thus closed. No word yet on what restaurant is expected to fill this coveted location along the waterfront’s prime tourist thoroughfare. [Inside Scoop]
OUTER RICHMOND — After less than year of cooking up Italian food on Clement Street, Luna Rossa has permanently shuttered. [Hoodline]
December 30
The death march of December continues with a number of longtime restaurants permanently vacating the Bay. Most significantly, all of Pasta Pomodoro’s 15 Bay Area locations (nine of which are in San Francisco) have closed for business, at least according to a text message employees received the day after Christmas. Founded by Bay Area restaurant empire builder Adriano Paganini (Super Duper, Beretta, Lolinda) in the 90s, the chain floundered once it was sold to new owners in 2010. More departures bleakly continue, with veterans like Sushi Boat, Lori’s Diner, and Pacifica’s Donut Time making way for new landlords and new leases.
DOGPATCH — Poquito has closed after six years of Ecuadorian-inspired tapas, ceviches and empanadas on Third Street. No word yet on what will take its place. [Hoodline]
BAY AREA — Pasta Pomodoro has abruptly closed all of its fifteen locations. Employees were notified not to come into work and that the chain was no longer open for business, but there was no reason given for the closures. [SF Gate]
TENDERLOIN — Vintage-styled Lori’s Diner will close its original Mason Street location at the beginning of January, though its nearby Sutter Street location will remain open. [Hoodline]
TENDERLOIN — Show Dogs and its next door cafe, Machine Coffee, are decamping from their corner at Market and Taylor, although a letter posted to the window suggests that the team may have plans in store for future projects. [Hoodline]
UNION SQUARE — Longtime restaurant Sushi Boat will abandon ship on New Year’s Eve. According to employees, the building’s new landlord has plans for an extensive remodel, as well as tripling the property’s rent. [Hoodline]
NAPA — Highway 29 Café has shuttered after 55 years of serving up straightforward diner fare to its steadfast customers. Its owner, Allen Organ, hopes to give up his 80-hour work weeks to hit the road. [Napa Valley Register]
PACIFICA — Donut Time’s new landlord has refused to renew its lease, which means that the 36-year-old doughnut shop will bake its final batch at the end of January. [The Chron]
December 22
December continues with an unprecedented number of closures as restaurateurs crunch the numbers and realize they can’t make it work in the coming year.
BERKELEY — Grocery Cafe has closed up shop, at least for now. The Health Department cited a long list of health code violations back in November, causing Berkeley’s beloved tea leaf salad shop to go on what we hope will be only a temporary hiatus. [Berkeleyside]
INNER RICHMOND — The Health Department has cracked down on D&A Cafe due to a number of health violations, including rodent infestation. It’s closed for now, but plans to re-open are scheduled for early 2017. [Hoodline]
SANTA ROSA — Oxford Public Market’s Ca’Momi will close on Sunday, January 1. As a result, its sister restaurant, Ca’Momi Osteria, plans to expand its takeout options. [Eaterwire]
CIVIC CENTER — Burmese mom-and-pop Tender Loving Food has closed. Owner William Lue hopes to turn his focus to the opening of his newest Burmese iteration in the Tenderloin on a spot called Laphet. [Hoodline]
MISSION — Neighborhood health food cafe Green Heart Foods has shuttered. But don’t worry — its organic rice bowls and salads will still be available via UberEats and Postmates. [Hoodline]
SANTA ROSA — The original Johnny Garlic’s of Guy Fieri fame has closed, just a few months after Fieri relinquished ownership of the Johnny Garlic’s chain. [BiteClub Eats]
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Despite a petition signed by Deli &...’s loyal customers (many of whom have been the shop’s longtime patrons during its 34 years in business), the property’s new landlord has declined to renew its lease. It will serve its final sandwich on Saturday, December 31. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Cambodian sandwich shop Siem Reap’s bahn mi prices may have been too steep for its neighborhood clientele, causing it to shutter after being open only a short few months. [Berkeleyside]
UNION SQUARE — After nearly two decades of serving up appetizers and Californian wines, First Crush has closed its doors for good. [Hoodline]
December 15
OAKLAND — After nearly sixty years, a handful of different owners, and three name changes, Oakland’s kosher Grand Bakery is throwing in the towel. The owner hopes to hand off the bakery to a buyer who will continue to maintain its kosher certified status. [Berkeleyside]
OAKLAND — alaMar Kitchen and Bar as you know it is shuttering on December 17, but will reopen in the new year with a fast casual format. The owner points to minimum wage raises and the cost of doing business in the Bay Area as the reasons cited for the closure/change. [EaterWire]
OAKLAND — The small duo of Actual Cafe and Victory Burger will close both operations, effective December 23. The owner said that the decision to close was due to his own “missteps,” in running the business, as well as the increasingly difficult task of hiring staff. [EaterWire]
JACK LONDON SQUARE — Seafood waterfront restaurant Jack’s Oyster Bar closed its doors two weeks ago, although its next door sister restaurant, Bocanova, still remains open. [EBX]
ALAMO SQUARE — Long time Divisadero pizza shop Stelladoro has shuttered, at least until further notice. For the meantime, you’ll have to get your pies elsewhere. [Hoodline]
OAKLAND — Church-owned soul food spot Souls Restaurant at 6403 Foothill Blvd. shuttered quietly back in October for unknown reasons. [EBX]
December 9
BERKELEY — Cafe Rouge, the restaurant and butcher shop that’s operated on Berkeley’s Fourth Street for just over 20 years, will close on December 30 due to staffing issues. [EaterWire]
MISSION — Twelve years after it opened, Range’s days are limited to the end of the month. There are already (apparently secret) plans for the Mission space since there’s 10 years left on the lease, but an increase in dining options and changes in the local economy are the reasons behind the closure. [The Chron]
SOMA — After 26 years, Boudin Bakery has called it quits on its Market Street location to focus on its new Boudin SF concept in other stores. Employees were shuffled around to other locations around the city, which remain open. [Hoodline]
BERKELEY — After sixty years of feeding people easy cafe fare, Caffe Med on Telegraph is now closed. It will reopen next year after an extensive renovation, but it’s unclear if it will be the same concept and name. [Berkeleyside]
UNION SQUARE — New Year’s Eve will be Kuleto’s last night, deciding to close after the head chef left in August. [Tablehopper]
NAPA — Fast casual burger spot BurgerFi has shuttered after two-and-a-half years, determining it was not a cost effective location. [Napa Valley Register]
MISSION — Less than a year after opening, late-night restaurant Starboard has closed, with no clear reason why. [Tablehopper]
BERKELEY — The College Avenue location of La Panotiq has closed, until further notice. Locations in SF and beyond are still open. [Berkeleyside]