This is a curated list of the most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures in the Bay Area, with new updates released weekly. See a closure we missed? Then Write to us. For more news, see our list of Restaurants that are closed this summerR.
28.08.
OAKLAND — Feelmore Social Club, the “sex-positive bar” in downtown Oakland, closed on Tuesday, August 27, according to SFGATE. Owner Nenna Joiner told the news outlet that foot traffic in the area was a problem, as was insurance coverage, as the San Francisco Chronicle It was reported earlier this summer that Joiner closed her neighboring Oakland sex shop, Feelmore, a few months ago after 14 years.
BURLINGAME — Chad and Monica Kaneshiro's popular Burlingame Japanese restaurant Kuma Nori closed suddenly on Aug. 24. The owners thanked customers in a message on Instagram and wrote that they “came to the conclusion that the current space is not financially viable for us.” Their other business, Diamond Head General Store, which specializes in Hawaiian foods, is still operating in San Bruno.
NAPA/SONOMA — Sally Geftakys's Monday Bakery, a wine country favorite for kouign amann, cobbler, croissants and a variety of other baked goods, announced that both its Napa and Sonoma locations will be closed starting Sunday, Aug. 25, according to recent posts on the bakery's Instagram page. Geftakys had originally planned to stay open a few more weeks, according to the post, but a recent fire at the bakery changed the schedule.
ELK GROVE — Tilted Mash Brewing, known for its craft IPAs and annual chili cooking competitions for charity, will close after eight years in Elk Grove, according to Sacramento BeeThe reasons for the closure are currently unclear – the brewery posted a message on Facebook thanking customers for their years of support.
21 August
UNION SQUARE — San Francisco closed its last Denny's restaurant on Aug. 1, according to SFGATE. Franchise owner Chris Haque told the news outlet that the food and customers at the 24-hour restaurant were a problem — he also cited the decline in conventions in the city in recent years, which he said were a major source of revenue.
OUTER SUNSET — Sunset Reservoir Brewing Co., known for its craft beer and burgers, announced on Instagram that it will close on Noriega Street on Saturday, Aug. 31. The brewery did not give a reason for the closure, but invited customers to stop by for a farewell beer before the doors officially close. But owner Hilary Passman told the San Francisco Chronicle that she had decided to focus her energies on her other business, the Devil's Teeth Baking Company, and that the brewery business was not a problem.
OAKLAND — Popular Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant Shakewell will close on August 31 after 10 years in Oakland's Lakeshore neighborhood, the restaurant's staff announced on Instagram. First opened by Top chef Founded in 2014 by participants Jen Biesty and Tim Nugent and later managed by Soroush Ghaderi, owner of nearby Mama's Royal Cafe, the restaurant was known for its tapas and paella.
OAKLAND — Sushi and ramen restaurant Haruki (formerly Momo Ramen) has closed in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood, Easy Bay Nosh reports. In happier news, however, a sign on the restaurant door tells diners to “wait for an exciting new business opening soon.”
BERKELEY — Namaste Madras Indian Cuisine, a staple on Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley for 13 years, recently closed, according to East Bay Nosh. Chinese restaurant Easterly Hunan is moving into the space, according to What Now SF.
SACRAMENTO — O Tasty Mongolian BBQ, a fixture at Sacramento’s Westfield Galleria for 15 years, is now closed. Sacramento Bee reports. The reasons for the closure are unclear – Redditors are trying to figure out the situation online – and a representative for the mall gave few details, telling the bee only that the lease for the restaurant had expired.
15.August
COW HOLLOW — Bay Area bagel maker Daily Driver has permanently closed its Cow Hollow bagel shop. Don't worry: The Dogpatch and Ferry Building locations will remain open.
JAPANTOWN — The Anchovy Bar on Farrell Street will temporarily close for renovations on Sept. 2, Tablehopper reports. It is scheduled to reopen in late October.
STONESTOWN — Gram Cafe & Pancakes, the cafe that made a splash in San Francisco when it brought fluffy, wobbly, towering Japanese soufflé pancakes to the Stonestown Galleria in 2019, will close on Tuesday, August 27, according to the San Francisco ChronicleOwner Dorothy Tso cited high rent, low customer traffic and some thefts in the cafe as reasons for the closure, but told the Chron It is opening a new location in the Bay Area next year, possibly in the South Bay.
SAN JOSE – Longtime patrons are saying goodbye to San Jose Italian restaurant Vin Santo, which has closed after 17 years, according to Mercury NewsChef and owner Umberto Pala, known for his specialties such as ravioli de pere and wild boar braised in red wine, posted a message on social media saying his team “enjoyed every moment we spent serving you and creating memories together.”
9 August
NOB HILL — The 22-year-old Cocotte French Bistro is now closed, the San Francisco Business Times reported. Located at 1521 Hyde Street, the store was previously the Hyde Street Bistro before the owner converted it into the (now closed) casual Provencal restaurant. The space is already set to accommodate a new business: The Just reports that the owner of the family restaurant Thanh Tam II is opening a new restaurant called Blanca at this location.
NOE VALLEY — The omelets and breakfasts at cozy Toast Eatery are no more. A reader sent in a tip pointing out that the business at 1748 Church Street is now closed, and both Google and Yelp seem to confirm that.
BERKELEY — Longtime Gilman Grill closed Wednesday, July 31, after 33 years in business, East Bay Nosh reports. The eatery, located at 1300 Fourth Street, was known for its breakfast offerings, and an anonymous source blames high rents, “gentrification of the area” and construction in the area for the closure.
OAKLAND — The Uptown Oakland location of Wise Sons at 1700 Franklin Street is now closed, according to East Bay Nosh. The bagel shop has had a rough time on that corner, experiencing two car accidents and several break-ins in recent years, the food site points out. The brand's other locations in Temescal and San Francisco are still open.
FOLSOM – The owners of J. Wild's barbecue joint have announced they will close the business “in the coming weeks.” Sacramento Bee reported. The restaurant, located at 614 Sutter Street in Folsom, was known for its smoked meats and burgers.
