Landmark Townhouse Restaurant has said farewell to the Emeryville community. The beloved restaurant served its final meal on June 20, bringing an end to a run that spanned more than three decades. The full-service restaurant cited ongoing financial pressures and an inability to secure financing as factors behind the closure.
Beloved Townhouse Restaurant Bids Farewell After 36 Years
Located in a nearly 100-year-old building at 5862 Doyle Street in Emeryville, the Townhouse restaurant was a staple for the community. The building reportedly operated as a speakeasy during the 1920s before becoming Vernetti’s Town House in the 1930s.
In 1990, Chef Ellen Hope Rosenberg and French restaurateur Joseph Le Brun reopened the place as the Townhouse restaurant, according to an Evileeye report. Dan Seng’s restaurant group took over operations in 2020.
The Townhouse team shared the heartbreaking news of its closure with an Instagram post on June 18. The team wrote, “Dear Friends and Loyal Patrons, It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that we announce the closing of The Townhouse Restaurant.”
They added an emotional note and reflected on the restaurant’s 36 years of legacy in the Emeryville neighborhood. “Through celebrations, casual meals, live music, sports nights, and everyday moments that turned into lasting memories. We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support and patronage over all these years,” continued the statement.
The Townhouse was well-known for its welcoming atmosphere and California comfort food. The team behind the restaurant thanked the community for its support.
What Led to the Closure
According to the official announcement on Facebook, the restaurant team cited changing economic times and challenges in the restaurant industry as the reason for closure.
“As we mark the 100th anniversary of this historic 1926 building in 2026, we recognize that this closure may simply reflect the realities of changing times in the restaurant industry and our community,” said the team.
In the post, the restaurant team mentioned, “We are seeking a private lender willing to provide a $2 million loan to purchase the property.”
The Townhouse restaurant closed its doors permanently on June 20, 2026. The closure marks the end of a great legacy and a significant loss for the Emeryville dining community.
