Los Angeles’s restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds, starting in 2020 with the onset of the global pandemic and exacerbated by theHollywood labor strikes in 2023, which led to an industry-wide slowdown that continued into 2026. From the lingering
effects of the Hollywood strikes to rising costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many factors continue to strain restaurant owners operating on razor-thin margins. Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact of the 2025 fires, including slow business and devastating property loss, as well as the ongoing effects of ICE enforcement. Here are notable restaurant closures fromAugust 2026. For more closure news, read ourpast closure coverage.
Juliet — Culver City’s Parisian brasserie and California chic restaurant from the Norah (R.I.P.) and Margot team closed in September. Juliet operated breakfast, lunch, and dinner in 2023.
Ojai Pub — On September 28, Ojai Pub closed its doors after seven years of brewing craft beer and sausages prepared on-site, including vegan options, salads, fish and chips, and bowls. Though it’s been shuttered for over a month, the owner posted on Instagram that the popular restaurant might return.
Shiku — Shiku, the modern Korean restaurant from Baroo’s Kwang Uh and Mina Park, closed on September 30. The Grand Central Market stand was initially slated to debut in April 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic until January 2021. Shiku served a casual, mostly takeaway stand featuring creative banchan, Korean fried chicken and kimchi pork belly.
Bread Lounge — The popular Arts District bakery and cafe debuted 14 years ago. On its website, the business states that Bread Lounge has new owners as of October 1: Couplet Coffee, which has five locations throughout the Southland. Though the cafe is no longer, Bread Lounge will continue to operate as a wholesaler to restaurants, businesses, and markets.
Messhall Kitchen — MessHall spent 14 years operating in a historic Los Feliz building with one of the city’s most extensive patios and served a raw seafood bar, burgers, and cocktails. The building started in 1929 as Willard’s Chicken Inn, became the Brown Derby in 1940, then Louise’s Trattoria with the Derby nightclub in 1992. Messhall’s final day was October 17.
Bagel & Slice — Bagel & Slice’s final day of service was October 18. The bagel and pizza shop opened in 2022. The owners made a point to pay above-market wages only blocks away from Occidental College in Highland Park. Bagel & Slice’s Instagram post included the following message: “While this chapter is closing, this doesn’t mean our story is over; we’re feeling a different ending.”
Sycamore Kitchen — Karen and Quinn Hatfield’s Fairfax cafe closed in mid-October. For 15 years, Sycamore Kitchen served breakfast and lunch throughout the daytime hours. Many employees spent over a decade at the Fairfax restaurant, and the Hatfields have a GoFundMe to raise funds on their behalf.
Tar & Roses — Santa Monica’s beloved neighborhood spot Tar & Roses closed October 24. Santa Monica native and chef Andrew Kirschner is a Joe’s and Table 8 alum who opened Tar & Roses in 2012. Kirschner told the Los Angeles Times that many factors contributed to his decision to close, including the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the Palisades Fire, rising costs, and ongoing crime.
Sora Craft Kitchen — Chef Okay Inak announced on Instagram that he was closing his three-year-old restaurant on October 25. Inak became known for creating a menu with family recipes and modern twists on Turkish cuisine. He cited issues related to building maintenance and hopes to reopen in a new location.
Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts — After the lease expired, Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts closed on Thursday, October 29. In 2017, Actor Danny Trejo, alongside his business partners Ash Shah and Jeff Georgino, debuted their doughnut and coffee stand in a bright pink facade on the corner of Highland Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. The Instagram post hints that there could be more for Trejo’s brand. See the full post below.
The Victorian — Santa Monica’s the Victorian announced it will close permanently on October 31. Located on Main Street near Ocean Park Boulevard, the 20-year-old venue, restaurant, and nightclub will be converted into a members-only club with a pool, spa, fitness center, and cafe, reports the Los Angeles Times. The report also states that the Sunday farmers’ market will still be held in the parking lot.
