In May 2025, San Francisco witnessed the closure of several iconic restaurants, undergoing struggles within the local dining scene. Loyal patrons bid farewell to establishments that had significantly influenced the city’s culinary landscape.
Highlights
- Five diverse restaurants closed down in May 2025.
- The closures reflect economic hardships like rising rents, staffing issues, and owner retirements.
- The impacted eateries spanned multiple neighborhoods, from the Embarcadero to the Mission and Uptown Oakland.
May 2025 San Francisco Restaurant Closures
The May 2025 restaurant closures are a result of a mix of factors–increasing operating costs, chefs leaving, and retirements. These restaurants offered unique culinary styles and atmospheres to their neighborhoods, ranging from classic American to Palestinian cuisine.
Fog City (formerly Fog City Diner)
- Address: 1300 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- When: May 30, 2025
Established in 1985, Fog City operated for four decades before announcing its permanent closure. The restaurant posted on social media, “With a Heavy Heart I share some difficult news. Fog City has closed permanently with the last day of Service being May 30, 2025,” thanking loyal customers for 40 years of patronage. Closure of the esteemed restaurant was made public on social media, eliciting heartfelt responses from members of the community.
Osito
- Address: 2875 18th St, San Francisco, CA
- When: May 11, 2025
Osito, a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its live-fire cooking, closed on May 11, 2025. Owner and chef Seth Stowaway declared, “Even with the restaurant being busier than ever, it just doesn’t make financial sense.” Rising costs led to its being shut down, bringing its inventive communal dining concept to a close. The Michelin-starred spot was known for its inventive tasting menus and shared dining experience.
Lord Stanley
- Address: 2065 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- When: May 31, 2025
A celebrated California bistro, Lord Stanley announced its permanent shutdown effective May 31, 2025. Owners Carrie and Rupert Blease posted on Instagram, “We plan on our last few months being nothing short of a celebration.” The restaurant, cherished since 2015, was famous for its innovative French-inspired cuisine.
Beach’n
- Address: 4300 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122
- When: May 14, 2025
Beach’n SF, a vegan kitchen and coffee bar famous for Lady Falcon coffee and vegan crunchwraps, announced in mid-April 2025 that owner James “Bodi” Kelliher would retire. Located near Ocean Beach, the restaurant served vegan dishes and was praised for its comfort food and proximity to the coast. Its closure left loyal customers saddened by the loss of a much-loved community gem.
Teta Nahla
- Address: 2123 Franklin St., Oakland, CA 94612
- When: May 9, 2025
Teta Nahla, an Arab soul food restaurant from the team behind Shawarmaji, concluded its brief tenure in May 2025. The eatery served Palestinian-inspired dishes such as mansaf and batata harra. Chef Mohammad Abutaha explained the reason for the closure, saying, “spread thin between two restaurants,” promising regulars that the business will continue as a catering business.
While each closure tells its own story, together they underscore the fragility of even the most celebrated establishments in a rapidly evolving dining landscape.
