This is Eater’s guide to all the New York City restaurants, bars, and cafes that closed in August 2026. This list will be updated weekly (see: July, June, May, April, March, February, January), serving as a round-up of the dining and drinking places that have
shuttered around the city. If a restaurant or bar has closed in your neighborhood, let us know at ny@eater.com.
August 14
Spotlight
Financial District: The decimation of old-school greasy spoons across NYC continues; this time, Pearl Diner — a minuscule anomaly amongst the massive skyscrapers and fast-casual chains in its downtown neighborhood. The affordable diner, around since 1962, was known for its under-$10 pancake stacks, waffles, steak and eggs, burgers, complimentary coffee refills, and newer items like French toast. As one of the last remaining standalone diner structures in Manhattan, the Pearl stood the test of time during everything from the 1993 World Trade Center bombings to 9/11 less than a half-mile away. Native New Yorker Alex Pritsos, who took over the Pearl in 2009, told Downtown Alliance last year that the COVID years were “very difficult.” Proposed hotel projects also put its corner up in question in the last decade.
NYC’s demise of historic diners over the past year includes the Palace Restaurant, Hector’s, and Star in 18th, the latter two of which, like the Pearl, were also prefab buildings with no structures built above them. That leaves Square Diner (Tribeca) and Empire Diner (Chelsea) as the last relics of their kind in NYC. The diner’s steel structure on its namesake Pearl Street could technically be up and moved elsewhere — but where’s the room? 212 Pearl Street, at Fletcher Street
And the rest…
Multiple locations: It seems as though NYC fast-casual wonder Taïm hasclosed, per Reddit. There’s a seizure notice posted at its Midtown location on West 56th Street, stating that “this property has been seized for nonpayment of taxes, and is now in the possession of the state of New York.”Nation’s Restaurant News reports that Taïm’s parent company, Craveworthy Brands, owes around $632,000 in business taxes. — Nadia Chaudhury
Upper East Side: Le Petit Parisien, the NYC mini-chain known for its pastries and crusty baguettes stuffed with duck rillettes that imports flour from France, closed this neighborhood digs after just four years on Sunday, August 9, per East Side Feed. This particular locale was an all-day affair, transitioning from coffee and sandwiches into a full-service restaurant at night billed as the Supper Club. The 11-year-old East Village original, as well as its locale in Lenox Hill, remain open, notes What’s Now New York. 355 East 78th Street, between First and Second avenues
Upper East Side: San Matteo Pizza & Espresso Bar shut down in Yorkville after over a decade of business. A new northern Italian restaurant dubbed Doria is slated to open in the same space from the owners of Sant Ambroeus and Felice, per Patch. San Matteo still runs a pizzeria and cucina about eight blocks south on the same Second Avenue strip. 1716 Second Avenue, at East 89th Street
Upper East Side: Sushi Ren, a decade-old staple for lunch specials, happy hour, and on-demand rolls that got the neighborhood through the pandemic, closed in early August due to a lost lease — but it’s allegedly looking to reopen a few blocks away. Along with its raw fish, crowd-pleasers included teriyaki chicken or salmon, miso soup, and gyoza. 1584 Second Avenue, at East 82nd Street
August 7
Spotlight
Lenox Hill: Bayon, a pioneer in NYC’s Cambodian food scene, shut down on Monday, August 3, leaving a lasting legacy. Chef Minh Truong and his wife Mandy originally opened Angkor Cambodian Bistro in the same space in 2015, becoming one of the only full-blown Cambodian restaurants in New York before having to close at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
The landlord got the Truongs to eventually return in 2024 with the debut of Bayon, which quickly drew notice from the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand designation in its first two years of service. Inspectors especially appreciated the fried chive dumplings doused with ginger-soy sauce and nyoam, thick rice noodles riled up with red curry sauce and ground fish.
But after 45 years in the business, which previously included running a Thai restaurant in Chelsea for decades, Bayon’s chef has decided to retire and close up shop — directing followers to support the city’s growing collection of Cambodian restaurants that include Artara Coffee, Bong, Cambodian Now, and Lula Mae. 408 E. 64th Street, between First and York avenues
And the rest…
Hudson Square: After a four-year run, North Bar is done as we know it as of late July, but the tightly knit team looks forward to entering an “exciting new chapter,” per a statement on social media, saying the goal is to reopen in the same space this fall with a different name and “refreshed vision.” North Bar’s catch-all menu featured deviled eggs, zucchini fritters, fish tacos, and weekend-only oysters, plus Negronis for two and seasonals like a sake-and-sherry Matcharena. The cocktail bar’s partners have invested industry ties to the neighborhood, between years spent working at the likes of next-door Estancia 460 and Lure Fishbar in Soho, not to mention local photographer and designer friends who helped assemble North Bar in the first place. 458 Greenwich Street, near Desbrosses Street
Lower East Side: Kind Regards, the indie rock venue Cake Shop-turned-cocktail lounge, shut down on Saturday, August 1, with each lasting about a decade apiece. Cake Shop co-founder Nick Bodor flipped his bi-level grunge bar into the hopefully more “profitable” Kind Regards in 2017, per DNA Info. The switcheroo called for a polished pink-and-leafy look and citrusy cocktails that cost $15 at the time (and $17 today). Kind Regards closed with an unheard-of daily deal from 4 to 8 p.m., when East Coast oysters were just a buck. The space has been listed for lease. 152 Ludlow Street, near Stanton Street
Prospect Heights: After announcing cryptic plans in late May to initially go offline until September, it turns out that Chuko Ramen has actually closed for good at its current location after 15 years. “Follow us for updates on what’s next,” per an updated statement this week. Brooklyn’s breakout ramen shop that catered to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike was also known for its okonomiyaki-style tots, steamed buns, and half-priced weekday sake. 565 Vanderbilt Avenue, at Pacific Street
