While Chicago has welcomed a wave of new restaurant openings this year, it has also said goodbye to several longtime eateries. From beloved neighborhood staples to once-buzzy concepts, here are some iconic restaurants that recently closed across the Windy City.
11 Iconic Chicago Restaurants That Shut Permanently This Year
Chicago’s culinary scene has said goodbye to several iconic names this year. From vegan eateries to flavorful Indian restaurants, pizza shops, and more, the list continues. Here’s a list of the eleven biggest restaurants that have closed their doors permanently this year:
1. Hard Rock Cafe
For nearly 40 years, Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago’s River North had been a favorite stop for locals and tourists. However, its closure marked the end of an era for the community. As one of the oldest locations of the chain, its popularity stood out among others, but the closure was also inevitable. Meanwhile, the brand ensured employee support during this closure.
Known for its loud, casual atmosphere, popular menu items include the Legendary Burgers, Tupelo Chicken Tenders, Fajitas, and more. Meanwhile, visitors have loved the Country Burger, Diablo Burger, Baby Back Ribs, Wings, and other dishes that will be missed.
When: March 29
2. St. Clair Supper Club
While the time spent with St. Clair Supper Club might have been a short six years, the restaurant won the hearts of Chicago. Offering classic American dishes and more, the restaurant closed after accepting its need to grow in a better place to fully develop its concept. The owners have bigger plans in mind and may return with something better soon, but for now, the restaurant is closed.
Celebrating the nostalgia of Midwestern traditions, popular dishes include the Chicago cut prime rib, grasshopper pie, and Brussels sprouts. Meanwhile, customers loved the oysters, Wisconsin fish fry, spiced carrot cake, Yorkshire pudding, and other dishes.
When: March 29
View this post on Instagram
3. Angry Crab Chicago
For nearly a decade, Angry Crab has been Chicago’s beloved and premier Cajun seafood boil spot. But its closure earlier this year left many surprised, though it was a mutual decision made by the owners. While no other reason has been shared, the restaurant went on to thank its beloved community for the years together.
Famous for its customizable Cajun-style seafood boils, the restaurant is also known for its crab fried rice, Cajun fries, and garlic noodles. Guests have named the seafood feast, garlic crab fried rice, lemon pepper wings, and Build Your Bag as their favorites.
When: April 29
View this post on Instagram
4. Oak Mill Bakery
After 26 years of service, Oak Mill Bakery in Chicago bid goodbye to customers via social media. Offering a final 50% off sale to customers, the European-style bakery was a favorite for people looking for sweet treats. While there is no clear reason behind the closure, assumptions of a shift or downsizing were made as the store continues to operate in other locations.
For years, the store has been popular for its intricate cakes, fresh fruit tarts, and classic pastries. Customers have loved the vanilla cake with raspberry mousse, paczki, pear Charlotte cake, and other items.
When: June 13
View this post on Instagram
5. Liberation Kitchen
Liberation Kitchen has served Chicago for over a decade with love and great food. Unfortunately, good things come to an end, and so did this restaurant. Citing a need to refocus on their primary business, Upton’s Naturals, the owners made the decision to close the restaurant.
While Liberation Kitchen continues to appear in vegan farmers markets and pop-ups, it is still missed by locals. Popular recommendations at the restaurant included its pumpkin donut, fried bacon mac, and pastrami seitan sandwich. Customers have named the hot dogs, Verners, the For Gretta donut, and the loaded vegan nachos among their favorites.
When: June 24
View this post on Instagram
6. My Pi Pizza
For over 50 years, My Pi Pizza has served Chicago’s beloved deep-dish pizza in Bucktown. Unfortunately, citing economic uncertainty, the restaurant decided to close. The family-run business introduced deep-dish pizza nationwide, making this closure a loss for the city’s culinary scene.
The restaurant’s most iconic dish has been its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Served with a secret sauce, artisan cheeses, primal cut sausage, and a unique crust, its popularity was known far and wide. Apart from the deep-dish pizza, customers have loved the thin-crust pizzas, Caesar salad, and mandarin orange salad.
When: June 26
View this post on Instagram
7. Art of Dosa
Another restaurant that served Chicago for a short six years was Art of Dosa. Offering a vegan South Indian concept to the Windy City, it became a favorite of many very soon. Unfortunately, its chapter had to come to a close sooner than expected despite the owners’ wish to keep running.
No specific reason has been shared behind the closure, but hints of the restaurant’s return were evident in their final message. Meanwhile, popular dishes at the restaurant include their unique dosa wraps, masala dosas, and other traditional dishes. Customers note the ramen dosa, biryani, buffalo dosa, and 65 dosa wrap as their favorites.
When: August 1
View this post on Instagram
8. Bacci Pizza
Bacci Pizza has been a favorite part of Chicago’s Ukrainian Village for over two decades. However, after serving over half a million Jumbo Slices, the restaurant decided to close this year. While the reason behind this has not been revealed, the restaurant promised its continued operations in other locations.
Popular selections at the restaurant include the Build Your Own Jumbo Slice, burnt pizza, and the pepperoni pizza.
When: August 23
View this post on Instagram
9. Five Star Bar
After 19 glorious years, Five Star Bar said goodbye to the community this year. Through a message on social media, the restaurant shared that while this is not their desired outcome, it was the only way. The message doesn’t reveal the reason for this decision but says that the circumstances were beyond their control.
Popular dishes here include chicken tenders, hamburgers, fried eggs, and garlic bread. Customers have loved the vodka penne, pizza slices, and fried Nutella bites served at the restaurant.
When: September 14
View this post on Instagram
10. The Green Post
Since opening in Lincoln Square, The Green Post has been a favorite meeting place for locals. Its cozy atmosphere and British-style pub features made it popular. However, the shift in Chicago’s dining scene made it hard for the owners to keep it open, leading to its closure.
Popular dishes at the restaurant include deep-dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, Italian beef, and Garrett popcorn mix. Customers have noted the corned beef hash, Turkish burger, and Reuben with a side salad as some of their favorites.
When: September 30
11. Les Nomades
A beloved French restaurant in Chicago, Les Nomades, closed its doors after 32 years of service. The closure came after the sale of its historic building and the expiring lease. Reminiscing about the shared laughter, celebrations, and endless memories, the restaurant bid goodbye to its beloved community.
Popular dishes at the restaurant include the lobster salad, escargots, chocolate soufflé, and crème brûlée. Customers have loved the mushroom bisque, foie gras, short ribs, and lobster salad.
When: October 19
View this post on Instagram
Changes in Chicago’s dining scene this year have pushed most of these restaurants towards closure. Marking the end of an era, these longtime favorites have exited the dining scene in Chicago.
