Matsu, a modern Japanese fine-dining restaurant, is preparing to close its Oceanside location at 626 South Tremont Street and relocate within the city of Oceanside.
The restaurant’s current space is set to close on May 31, according to an Instagram announcement. Chef-owner William Eick is actively searching for a new location that better aligns with the concept’s long-term direction. While an exact reopening timeline has not been announced, the restaurant has confirmed on Instagram that it will continue to operate after relocating. Farewell dinners will be held in the final weeks of service, and customers can expect a transition rather than a permanent closure of the brand.
Matsu first began as a series of intimate tasting dinners in 2019 at Mission Avenue Bar & Grill before opening its standalone restaurant in Oceanside in 2021. The concept quickly built a reputation in North County for its seasonal Japanese-influenced tasting menus. The restaurant focuses on Southern California ingredients, foraging, and detailed plating, with a strong emphasis on chef-driven dining experiences.
The name Matsu comes from the matsutake mushroom, and the restaurant has been widely recognized as one of Oceanside’s more ambitious tasting menu concepts. It later expanded with a casual offshoot called Naegi, which featured items such as karaage and katsu sandwiches. Over time, Matsu developed a following for its evolving seasonal menus and collaborative dinners.
The restaurant has also hosted notable culinary collaborations, including a 2025 dinner with chef Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn. Matsu has been part of a broader discussion around the challenges facing independent fine dining in California, including rising rent, labor costs, and overall operating pressures affecting small restaurant groups.
Chef William Eick shared a message on Instagram reflecting on the closure, saying, “While this location may be closing, Matsu is far from over.”
He also added that the team plans to continue the concept in a new space, with farewell dinners planned in the coming weeks as the restaurant prepares for its next chapter in Oceanside.
