In mid-March, restaurants across the city were required to close their dining rooms in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. The shutdown has been disastrous for the industry, with millions of jobs lost across the country and, unfortunately, restaurants that won’t make it to the other side of this pandemic.
Eater Houston is keeping track of restaurant closures across the city, and will update this list as more shutters happen.
- Dolce Vita — Open since 2006, this longstanding Montrose pizzeria will close its doors for good on May 24 after its building was sold to a new group of investors.
- Pappas — The Houston-based family of restaurants announced it was permanently closing five locations throughout Houston, including Yia Yia Mary’s, Pappa’s Seafood Houston on Aldine-Bender and I-45, Pappa’s Seafood Kitchen at Richmond and Kirby, Pappa’s Shrimp Shack on I-45 and Woodridge, and Little Pappa’s Seafood House on Shepherd and West Alabama.
- Starbucks — Made infamous by comedian Lewis Black, the Starbucks location “at the end of the universe” closed its doors in early May, possibly due to a rent hike.
- Dak & Bop — The Museum District outpost of Korean fried chicken favorite Dak & Bop announced its closure on May 15. Fortunately, Dak & Bop’s brand new location in Timbergrove will remain open.
- Treebeards — This popular Market Square spot announced its impending closure on May 18. Open for 40-plus years at 315 Travis Street, Treebeards faced a “huge increase in rent” if it wanted to renew its lease at the location. A new outpost, at Bunker Hill and I-10 in Memorial, is set to open in July.
- BeanPunk Coffee — According to Community Impact, both the Conroe and Montgomery locations of this coffee shop have closed.
- Bernie’s Burger Bus — All locations closed on May 31. Bernie’s Burger Bus led Houston’s food truck trend a decade ago before pivoting to a brick and mortar concept, eventually opening four locations throughout Houston.
- The Chicken and Rice Guys — This Boston-based pop-up in the Heights called it quits on May 12.
- Momentum Coffee — According to Spring Happenings, this Spring coffee shop closed on April 5.
- Tropicales — Closed permanently in March.
- Taqueria La Famosa — The Pearland outpost of this taco spot will close on May 30. The League City restaurant will remain open.
- The Tasting Room — Will close permanently on May 30 after a dispute with its landlord over rent, according to the Houston Chronicle.
- Frank’s Backyard — Closed in April.
- Meccha Matcha — The only Houston outpost of this dessert shop announced its closure on May 3 via Instagram.
- Brio — The Woodlands’s location of this casual Italian eatery is closed.
- Suzy Q’s — Via an Instagram post, this snow cone stand in The Woodlands announced its permanent closure, citing “personal and family reasons.”
- Pie Town — According to Community Impact, this sweet shop in The Woodlands closed on April 11.
- Chatime — This Bellaire Food Street boba tea shop shuttered quietly.
- Sweet Tomatoes — Along with all of its outposts across the country, the Houston locations of this salad bar chain closed permanently due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Crisp — The Underground Hall location of this salad restaurant closed in May.
- Atlas Diner — This spot inside Bravery Chef Hall has been replaced with Hawker Alley, which now houses four distinct pop-up eateries.
- Ragin’ Cajun — The Westchase location of this seafood spot closed its doors on May 17 after being open for 20 years. The original location on Richmond Avenue will remain open.
- Indika — The acclaimed Montrose Indian restaurant shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic, and will not reopen.
- Barry’s Pizza — After slinging pies for 37 years in Houston, Barry’s announced that it would bow out for good on May 26. The restaurant had been closed since March 28.
- Poitin — According to CultureMap, Poitin has quietly closed its doors.
- Penny Quarter — Closed “indefinitely” due to COVID-19.
- Patrenella’s — The longstanding Italian restaurant closed its doors after 28 years in early June.
- Cajun Town Cafe — Closed permanently on May 15.
- Kaneyama Japanese Restaurant — The outpost at 9527 Westheimer closed in May.
- Chicken Station — Closed in May.
- Ahh! Coffee — Closed in late May.
- Komchop — West Belfort location closed, Westheimer location remains open.
- Americas — The River Oaks restaurant closed in mid-March, per CultureMap, and will not reopen.
- Azuma on the Lake — This Sugar Land restaurant announced that it would close its doors after 10 years on June 23.