A DESTINATION FOR FILIPINO RICE BOWLS ON MARKET STREET HAS SHUTTERED

This is a curated list of the Bay Area’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published once a week. See a closing we missed? Then drop us a line.

March 27

CIVIC CENTER — One of the Market on Market Street’s restaurants, Manila Bowl, closed on Wednesday, March 27. The business let fans know via Instagram that after seven years, it will serve no more Filipino lunches to downtown workers, though no reason for the closure was given.

CASTRO — A classic Market Street go-to right next to club Lookout and Super Duper Burger, Bonita Taqueria Y Rotisserie dished its last meals on Sunday, March 24. The San Francisco Standard reports that within a day, though, signage for Richmond-based Tacos El Tucan popped up in the space so it seems locals won’t have to go without Mexican food for long.

NOE VALLEY — Chef Anya El-Wattar’s groundbreaking Russian fine dining restaurant Birch & Rye will close on Saturday, March 30. Known for vegan and gluten-free riffs on favorites including caviar and borscht, El-Wattar said in a farewell note “labor-intensive techniques and using premium ingredients” meant remaining affordable and sustainable in the neighborhood was difficult.

LAUREL HEIGHTS — Tofino Wines is moving from 2696 Geary Boulevard after nine years in business at the location. Owners Mark Nevin and April Sack told fans in an email that the last day before relocating to a TBD new space is Saturday, March 30. There’s a GoFundMe to support the transition for longtime fans, too.

BERKELEY — The windows at Shattuck Avenue’s Boba Panda have been papered over as of recent weeks, according to East Bay Nosh. The tea shop opened in 2019 and came back to life after its pandemic closure in 2022; there was no reason given for the closure.

BERKELEY — After 17 years as the go-to Italian restaurant in West Berkeley, restaurant Riva Cucina is going dark. East Bay Nosh reports the building at 800 Heinz was bought out, and rather than looking for a new lease owners Massimo and Jennifer Boldrini will host a few ticketed goodbye parties before focusing full-time on their two children and starting a travel venture called Gemma.

LOS GATOS — Peninsula entrepreneurs Adam Chick and Joshua Allen closed their five-year-old business Sidecar Modern Tavern on Sunday, March 17. Chick told the Mercury News the duo hoped their debt would be forgiven by the landlord as the pandemic racked up lots of unforeseen and uncontrollable expenses. “We are packed, but not enough to pay back past debt,” Chick says.

March 20

DOWNTOWN — The last stalwart of the Lee’s Deli downtown lunch empire is closing up shop. The San Francisco Business Times reports that owner Lee Quan is finalizing the closure of the two remaining outposts of his family business, located at 303 Second Street and 280 Battery Street. At its height, the deli chain boasted 12 locations.

SOMA — Bar Agricole has gone dark again, a little over a year after a return from its first closure in 2020. But, much like that last closure, this one won’t stick for long: The San Francisco Chronicle reports that owner Thad Vogler is moving his bar to the former Liliana space next to Osito. Bar Agricole is expected to reopen as soon as May.

EMERYVILLE — Chevys is closing the doors to its waterfront location as of Tuesday, April 16. The Mexican restaurant was located at the Powell Street space for 25 years, but Xperience Restaurant Group — the parent company of Chevys Fresh Mex — was unable to reach a lease renewal agreement. When it closes, there will be just five branches of the once prolific restaurant chain left in the Bay Area.

March 13

CIVIC CENTER — Tenderheart at the LINE SF hotel on Market Street announced that it is closed for good on Monday, March 4. In an emailed statement, F&B Director Bryan Woolley says the team is “hard at work on what’s next,” meaning a new concept that will take over the location. Meanwhile, Dark Bar, a new highball haven from the same team, just opened in the hotel.

MISSION — After 36 years, go-to sushi bar We Be Sushi has closed its 1071 Valencia Street location. Owners Eiko and Andy Tonozuka posted a note on the door alongside a “restaurant for sale” sign. No reason for closure was given in the notice.

BERKELEY — Quince Cafe & Grill opened on San Pablo Avenue in 2009, bringing breakfast to the street for a decade until a truck crashed into its kitchen in 2019. East Bay Nosh reports that closure snowballed into the pandemic-induced shutdowns, and What NowSF confirmed the business will not return as a new Thai dessert shop Rosa La Moon will move into the space.

BERKELEY — Gaumenkitzel opened in 2011 and became a mainstay for German ex-pats. Now Oaklandside reports the restaurant will close for good on March 24. In a note posted to the restaurant website, owners Kai Flache and Anja Voth cited staffing issues, though a smaller version of the restaurant may return someday. “Despite our steady growth after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have faced persistent challenges in finding and retaining experienced team members,” the note reads in part.

WALNUT CREEK — Though there aren’t any details as to when or why, Beyond the Creek confirmed Kaiya Sushi closed for good at 1534 Locust Street. The report came on March 6, and East Bay Nosh writes the business was in town for about 18 years.

SACRAMENTO — Vegan food business Rabbit Food Revolution closed for good after four years as a food truck and ghost kitchen operation. The Bee reports Laura Benson, who bought the company in 2022, posted a farewell statement on the company website. “Rising operating costs have created an unsustainable environment,” the post read. “(Those), coupled with unforeseen personal health challenges, have given us no other viable option.”

February 28

CASTRO — More than 22 years after opening, Market Street’s Catch is closing on March 9. Hoodline reports owner Sanjay Gujral is retiring and closing his gathering place for the city’s rich LGBTQIA+ community. “It’s going to be sad and at the [same] time it’s going to be a relief,” Gujral told the outlet.

MARINA — Chestnut Street favorite for crepes and mimosas Squat & Gobble Cafe closed on Sunday, February 11 after 18 years in service. The San Francisco Business Times reports a new business from the group behind Tipsy Pig and August Hall will take its place by the end of the year, tentatively called “The Darling” or “Bar Darling.” In a note stuck to the door, the restaurant’s owner gave no specific reason for closure, instead thanking fans for their loyalty. “Unfortunately it’s just time,” the note reads in part.

MISSION BAY — Five years of nachos and tequila at Death by Tacos came to an end in early December 2023. The closure went by without a word, and tables and chairs are still in the now-shuttered restaurant.

OAKLAND — The new year is off to a big start for plant-based burger business Malibu’s as owner Darren Preston walks back his just-opened takeout location in Oakland. The last day of service at the new outpost was Sunday, February 17; now the entrepreneur turns his attention to a full-service restaurant in Marin. “This isn’t goodbye. It’s just see you later,” Preston wrote on Instagram.

TRACY — One of the region’s best gas stations that’s also a secret dessert operation is closing. Ellis Creamery let fans know via Instagram that their time at the National Gas Station is ending on Sunday, March 3. That’s just because the location is undergoing a serious renovation, so the Ellis team is moving to a yet-to-be-revealed new location.

SANTA ROSA — “The Dirty is DEAD,” reads a Facebook page for fan-favorite dive bar the Dirty in wine country. SFGATE reports the bar will close for good on March 1 after litigation between owners and the building’s landlord.

FOLSOM — Known for lordly views of the American River and classic burgers and salads, Cliff House in Sacramento closed quietly in late February. The Bee reports the phone is dead, the website is down, and Yelpers confirmed the closure. No reason is immediately clear for the closure, though health inspectors found eight violations in an early December 2023 visit.

February 21

OAKLAND — Oakland Cuban restaurant and cafe Caña Cuban Parlor & Cafe closed its doors on Sunday, February 18, East Bay Nosh reports. Since opening in 2011, the restaurant satisfied diners with “Cubano sandwiches, Latin American and Caribbean entrees, [and] Cuban coffee drinks” but announced its closure on Instagram in late January, giving no reason for the decision.

BERKELEY — After six years, the Timeless Coffee location at 2965 College Avenue in Berkeley will close permanently as of February 29. The coffee shop, known for its punk rock aesthetic and vegan drinks, shared the news on Instagram. “We really tried but the time has come to close the doors for good,” the post reads in part. “Thank you for all your love and support these last 6 years. We have made so many great friends and created amazing memories.”

BERKELEY — East Bay Nosh also has news that long-running Chinese restaurant King Dong served its final meals at 2429 Shattuck Avenue earlier this month. The restaurant was an “old-school bastion of fast Chinese food with a history stretching back decades, nourisher of college students, families, vegetarians and anyone wanting cheap, cheerful Mandarin-style classics,” the outlet writes.

BERKELEY — One of the only destinations for Hawaiian baked goods and desserts, Ono Bakehouse, closed its storefront in Berkeley, SFGATE reports. Owner Desiree Valencia drew inspiration from her childhood in Maui serving malasadas, guava chiffon cake, and haupia pie at 1922 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. In a post on Instagram, the business shared that the space will be used for an “exciting new concept.” In the meantime, the business will shift to focusing on cakes and catering, the post reads.

February 14

INNER SUNSET — To get a new oven set up, Arizmendi Bakery on 9th Avenue will close as of February 25 for at least two months. The bakery is taking orders through that date and will go dark until the installation is complete.

INNER SUNSET — Around the corner, Irving Street’s Naan N’ Curry closed as of February 1 to make way for Sunset Indian Cuisine. New owners took over the space, painting the walls, putting in new furniture, and expanding the menu in a big way. Like its predecessor, the new business will also stay open until 2 a.m.

OAKLAND — Management at Asha Tea House on Grand Avenue confirmed to East Bay Nosh that the location is all said and done. A tipster reached out and prompted the outlet to check in when they found the space dark with all the furniture gone.

SACRAMENTO — After about three years in business, Midtown’s Good News Wine Bar is closing for good on February 17. The Bee reports the bar will maintain its usual hours and menu of wine-by-the-glass and hot dogs, with 40 percent discounts on merch and online orders, until closing this weekend.

February 7

RUSSIAN HILL — North African restaurant and performance venue Berber is closing on Saturday, March 2, after five years in business. Co-owner Tony Garnicki cited a lack of tourism and conferences, along with fewer people going out, as reasons behind the closure, but hopes others will take up the mantle of creating new dining venues for the city. “Berber became a cultural hub for the arts,” Garnicki told Eater SF. “I love this city and I hope our story inspires others to forge new dining concepts to bring our city back to life.”

SOMA — Iconic SoMa restaurant and bar AsiaSF, known for highlighting transgender performers, is closing after 26 years. Co-owner Larry Hashbarger told the San Francisco Chronicle that the venue is closing so that he and his business partners can retire. Hashbarger went on to say that the business was difficult to run in recent years and that business had become irregular, the paper reports. The restaurant and bar will close on Sunday, March 31, the International Day of Trans Visibility.

MISSION — Osito’s bar Liliana relaunched at the start of the year as the Bar at Osito, but now chef Seth Stowaway confirms that the cocktail space is permanently closed as of Saturday, February 3. The bar space will be subleased to a new tenant, Stowaway says, and will hopefully be open by March 2024 if things go smoothly.

MISSION BAY — The huge New Belgium taproom that debuted in Mission Bay less than three years ago is now closed. The brewery shared the news on Thursday, February 1, stating that the taproom is shuttered effective immediately. The company said in its statement that San Francisco employees were offered a severance package or the option to “remain with New Belgium in another capacity should they choose to do so.”

OAKLAND — A long-running Denny’s at 601 Hegenberger Road closed as of January 31. The restaurant was open for 54 years, but the corporation told news outlets that “the safety and well-being of Denny’s team members and valued guests is our top priority.”

SANTA ROSA — Long-running La Tortilla Factory is closing after 47 years in business. SFGATE reports that parent company Flagship Food Group will relocate the plant to Moundridge, Kansas, and that the factory will close on Sunday, March 31. The news site states that 135 people work at the factory and were offered severance packages and job search assistance, while some positions will move to remote work.

PALO ALTO — California Avenue wine bar Calave is closing as of Saturday, February 10, Palo Alto Online reports. The owners told the news outlet that they’ll now “be shifting (their) focus to (their) families, friends and future endeavors.”

January 31

January 31 is the last day for fish and chips and tall glasses of beer at East Bay historic landmark Quinn’s Lighthouse. The Chronicle reports the restaurant, which is located inside a lighthouse that was built in 1890, is closing due to the increasing cost of goods and a lack of downtown activity. A manager told the paper a sale is in the works, which could keep the lights on.

OAKLAND — After a harrowing final year in operation, Broadway’s Port Bar will close at the end of February. Oaklandside reports the last day for dancing and drag shows will be February 25 as owners Sean Sullivan and Richard Fuentes could not come to a lease agreement with building owner Phil Leong, a conflict the San Francisco Business Times reported on November 2023. That was on the heels of rattling vandalism in October.

OAKLAND — David Benton’s Sugarsweet Bakery, a major opening in 2019, will close on January 31 due to “among other things, rampant crime, low foot traffic, and decreased sales,” according to an Instagram post from the baker. East Bay Nosh wrote about Benton’s journey in 2020 and his ambitions to make the Bay’s best cakes and cookies. “You can’t just be good, you have to be great,” Benton told the outlet.

BERKELEY — Himalayan Flavors reportedly closed over the third weekend of January. A reader of East Bay Nosh wrote to the outlet saying that the momo and korma destination of 14 years shuttered as new construction in the area is set to begin.

SACRAMENTO — State capital favorite coffee shop Chicory Coffee & Tea will close on February 1. The Bee reports the downtown crowd hasn’t recovered strongly enough to keep the lights on, though the business had been a favorite for legislators and city workers since it opened in 2005.

January 24

NOE VALLEY — It took 31 years of calamari and Margherita pies for Bacco owner Sharri Dominici to decide to call it quits. The Chronicle reports January 31 is the last day of service for the Italian restaurant, but Dominici plans to open a new business in the same space by the end of March, though it won’t be another Italian spot.

SOMA — Go-to favorite for craft cocktails and dog-friendly vibes Bloodhound has shuttered. The business’s Instagram page now says “permanently closed,” and the website has been changed to private. Yelp hours have been updated to reflect the closure and one user said they swung by on January 21 to learn the bar had closed sometime in the week before that.

DUBOCE TRIANGLE — Woodhouse Fish Co. closed its original location on Market Street on January 23 after 18 years. Owner Dylan MacNiven told Eater SF this allows him to focus on the Fillmore Street location more fully, citing a lack of commercial activity in the Duboce Triangle area and in the city in general.

BERKELEY — Delirama is no more as of January 28. The powerful pastrami dealer is folding as owner Cash Criss says the business side of things had become impossible. He will still open two businesses in the Bay Area, and is selling pastrami by the pound in the meantime, but what those businesses will be remains TBD.

MOSS LANDING — Located in the tiny town of Moss Landing off Highway 1, Whole Enchilada is closing at the end of the month. Mercury News reports the business opened in 1981, but when co-founder Ray Retez died at 93 years old in November 2023 the family decided it was time to call it quits.

GILROY — After receiving a surprising eviction notice from the property owners, Bitter Taphouse in Gilroy let its fans know via Instagram that the much-loved brewery is on its way out. The owners are now raising money to relocate, as the family of four also lived in the loft above the Monterey Street business.

SACRAMENTO — Golden Road Brewing closed its doors in Midtown Sacramento on January 22 after more than five years of pouring pints. The Bee reports the Southern California-based business was acquired in 2015 by Anheuser-Busch, meaning the 2018 opening found critics who wanted to see local businesses shine over a larger company setting up shop.

SACRAMENTO — Despite 40 years of successful Hunan and Szechuan cuisine: Mandarin Restaurant on Arden Way closed January 23. The Bee bore this bad news, writing that a lack of consistent business and high debts incurred has owner Michael Helmrich running a GoFundMe for the restaurant’s parting gift.

January 17

CIVIC CENTER — A tipster wrote in to report Cadillac Bar & Grill at 44 9th Street is temporarily closed. The restaurant’s phone line had been disconnected, and the business’s Yelp page confirmed a “temporary closure.” The tipster went even further, though, and called sister restaurant Taco Cantina in Pier 39. Allegedly, there’s no remodel underway, and the manager at Taco Cantina was unsure if Cadillac would reopen.

BAYVIEW — East side waffle and coffee purveyor Bloomstock let fans know that following a devastating break-in the cafe is closed for the foreseeable future. In an Instagram post, business ownership said while the location goes dark the espresso will flow at a Flora Grubb Gardens pop-up on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

OAKLAND — Though Los Kinjas is now open in San Ramon, East Bay Nosh reports the location at 366 Grand Avenue has gone dark after three years in service. A sign on the door reads “closed until further notice,” and all phone and Internet service for the business is down.

BUELLTON — In a tragic turn of events, one half of the Pea Soup Andersen’s empire just closed for good. SFGATE reports the flagship Central Coast location closed just shy of its 100th birthday, but, fear not, as the Interstate 5 location in Santa Nella remains operational.

January 10

OAKLAND — Sidebar, the waterside restaurant and bar across from Lake Merritt, will close after service on Saturday, January 27. Owners Seth and Jenni Bregman, also behind nearby Bardo Lounge & Supper Club, made the announcement via Instagram post. The couple purchased Sidebar in 2022, when Sidebar’s original owners Mark Drazek and Barbara Mulas made the decision to retire after 30 years. “Huge thanks to our team of dedicated professionals who invigorated Sidebar with new life and great food and cocktail programs during this last year,” the post reads in part. The Bregmans plan to use the restaurant as prep and private event space for Bardo.

CAPITOLA — Lookout Santa Cruz reports that waterfront restaurant Capitola Bar & Grill will close at the end of the month, citing issues with the business landlord as the cause for the decision. Lasalle and Michelle Strong tell the outlet that the disagreements started over whether or not the restaurant is allowed to host live music, but have escalated into multiple lawsuits. A post on Instagram invites fans to a closing banquet at 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 13.

SACRAMENTO — Wild Rooster Bistro, a Mexican restaurant known for its “homey dishes,” has closed after more than six years in business, the Sacramento Bee reports. The restaurant was located at 7984 California Avenue in Fair Oaks and offered plates of sopes, cochinita pibil, and chiles relleno, all of which could be made vegetarian.

January 3

MISSION — The Kentucky Fried Chicken at the busy intersection of Duboce Avenue and Guerrero Street is no longer, the San Francisco Standard reports. Previously a Kentucky Fried Chicken-Taco Bell combo, the fast food location has held down the prominent corner for years, but now the Standard reports the building is boarded up and the phone line is disconnected.

HAIGHT — Long-running Blue Front Cafe will not reopen its doors after 62 years in business, the San Francisco Business Times reports. After opening in 1961, the restaurant was purchased by brothers Hani and Issam Khoury in 1992; now, the Business Times reports that Hani Khoury filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on December 26, and he confirmed to the outlet via email that “the business will no longer be a going concern.”

OAKLAND — Calavera is set to close its doors on Saturday, January 6, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The business announced the decision in a post on Instagram. “As you all know, the state of Oakland hasn’t been kind to small businesses — with less foot traffic and severely decreased sales, we cannot continue on,” the caption reads in part.

BERKELEY — Berkeley vegan favorite Flacos is no longer. East Bay Nosh reports the restaurant closed its doors on Saturday, December 30, but shares there are hints it could continue in another iteration — a GoFundMe shares that the owner is looking to move Flacos to an industrial kitchen.

BERKELEY — The Business Times also caught the news that Cal mainstay Thai House has closed at 2511 Channing Way as of December 15. It’s sad news for Berkeley residents and Cal alum, but fans desperate for a Thai food fix from Thai House can drive a few cities over to Richmond, where the owners opened Pra Jam Thai on San Pablo Avenue.

PALO ALTO — Bay Area Singapore restaurant Killiney Kopitiam closed on December 26, but fans of the international chain won’t have to wait long — or travel too far — for another taste. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the restaurant is set to reopen in the spring at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose.

SEBASTOPOL — Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe closed down its Sebastopol location as of Monday, January 1. A message on the business’s website shares the sad news, but states they’re looking for another location to add to the still-running Santa Rosa bistro location, which is adding dinner service as of Thursday, January 11. “We have loved serving you, your family, and special guests and are excited to share that we are growing and have some great new plans under our toque,” the website shares.

SACRAMENTO — It’s official: long-standing Sacramento restaurant Sam’s Hof Brau is gone for good. The 60-year-old restaurant suffered a number of setbacks in recent years including a fire last February. Now, the Sacramento Bee reports the restaurant has been put up for sale. For decades, Sam’s was a destination for turkey legs, roast beef, and ham; it was one of only a handful of hof braus remaining in Northern California.

SACRAMENTO — Pressed Coffee and Records, a coffee shop and record store located at 1725 L Street in Sacramento has closed as of December 22, the Bee also reports. The business owner made the announcement via Instagram, citing a “significant annual increase in rent in September” as the reason behind the decision. It’s likely not the end of the road for Pressed, however. “I am certain that this isn’t the end and you will see some more news on that soon,” the post reads in part.

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