The year 2025 has been challenging for the Los Angeles food scene, as several decades-old hotspots around the city have closed. Several restaurants cited financial challenges, reduced foot traffic, and changing business conditions in the city as the reason for closure.
Los Angeles Loses Several Culinary Favorites in 2025
Century-old eateries, beloved soul food spots, popular restaurants and bars, and several other renowned establishments bid farewell to the LA community this year. Here is a look at the extensive list below:
1. The Den on Sunset
After 16 years on Sunset Strip, the Den, a small and hip eatery, closed its doors. The Den team announced the closure of the restaurant through an Instagram post. The restaurant offered a rustic-chic vibe and Southern-style cuisine, along with refreshing iced teas.
When: 29 March 2029
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2. Elf Cafe
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A local gem of a place in Echo Park, Elf Cafe, closed down after two decades of service. From fine options to an extensive wine list, the restaurant offered a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. The cafe did not share any official reason for its closure in its Instagram post.
When: June 1, 2025
3. Verve Coffee Roasters
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Los Angeles lost another café in June, as Verve Coffee Roasters announced the closure of its Downtown LA location in an Instagram post. The café offered fresh coffee, including lattes and Americanos, with its main highlight being coffee drinks made from its own beans, along with pastries and juices from Juice Served.
When: June 1, 2025
4. Shibumi
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Founded in 2015, a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant has closed down its Hill Street location. The restaurant is popularly known for its innovative Japanese-inspired cuisine and Kappo delicacies like shima-aji (striped jack) and poached lobster. It also featured strong and fiery Japanese whiskey.
When: July 19, 2025
5. Chin Chin
A celebrity and local go-to Chinese spot in West Hollywood, Chin Chin has shut down after four decades of service. The restaurant had served authentic, bold Chinese flavors since 1983, and its sudden closure saddened the community. In the official announcement post, the restaurant shared that due to financial pressure, it is closing its doors, and it had also launched a ‘GoFundMe campaign’. The campaign aimed to secure a new location for the restaurant and to support staff.
Closing Date: July 27, 2025
6. My Two Cents
A 12-year-old local favorite, My Two Cents, closed down its dine-in facility in July this year and transitioned into a full-service catering operation. The restaurant was owned and operated by chef Alisa Reynolds and has been a neighborhood staple. It served delicious and flavorful Southern soul food. Popular dishes include Turkey burgers, Peach cobbler, lemon cake, and Sunday brunch special items.
When: July 31, 2025
7. AOC Brentwood
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Due to financial constraints, AOC Brentwood, a popular restaurant and bar, has closed down. Chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne announced the closure news via social media. The restaurant team cited that after the post-pandemic period, it became difficult to sustain the business. The restaurant had a sophisticated setting and served seasonal small plates concepts, a wine bar, and California-inspired cuisine.
When: August 1, 2025
8. Father’s Office
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After 24 wonderful years, Father’s Office, a gastropub in the Arts District, has shut down. Owned by Chef Sang Yoon. The pub is popular for its great cocktails and vintage ambience. The restaurant did not specify any particular reason for its decision to close down.
When: September 5, 2025
9. Akasha
Akasha, a cozy all-day cafe and bakery in Hollywood, has closed its doors after 18 years. The restaurant team cited economic constraints and rising costs as the reason for the abrupt closure. For the last two decades, the cafe served breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a very affordable price.
When: October 5, 2025
10. Cole’s French Dip
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The historic public house Cole’s French Dip, a century-old institution, will close after the holiday season. The restaurant is considered one of the notable landmarks of LA, and offers signature and popular items like the French Dip sandwich. It has an authentic old-school saloon or speakeasy vibe. The restaurant team shared the closure announcement via Instagram post.
When: December 31, 2025
All these restaurant closures highlight the unstable economic conditions and constantly changing dynamics of the LA dining scene.
