The closing of a favorite bar or restaurant can often feel like the death of a friend and in the age of COVID-19, the loss has been overwhelming, however, the rise of the virtual restaurant is driving a brand new genre of restaurant owner.
Nearly every establishment in Los Angeles was forced to shut down temporarily during the pandemic lockdown, but even with the help of to-go orders and outdoor dining, many will not be reopening.
Check out the continually growing list of restaurants and bars in the L.A. area that have sadly had made their last call.
101 Noodle
The Arcadia favorite famously served up classic Chinese dishes, including signature hand-stretched-noodle soup.
1025 S Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Amacita
The closing of Culver City’s favorite Tex-Mex joint will have us longing for their Super Nacho Happy Hour for a long time to come.
9552 Washington Blvd., Culver City, ama-cita.com, @ama_cita,
Auburn
The upscale prix-fixe spot in Hollywood was Chef Eric Bost’s (République, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse) debut restaurant.
6703 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, auburnla.com, @Auburn.LA
Bäco Mercat
The downtown Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant opened in 2011 as Historic Core’s first big restaurant.
408 S. Main St., Los Angeles, bacomercat.com, @bacomercat
Bad Son Tacos
Bad Son Tacos brought fresh authentic Mexican food to a small corner of Little Tokyo for almost two years.
333 S. Alameda St #100e, Los Angeles, Badsontacos.com, @badsontacos
Balconi Coffee Company
The “multi-roaster” coffee bar had been brewing drinks using the Siphon Method since 1997.
11301 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, balconicoffee.com, @balconicoffee
The Bazaar by José Andrés
It’s hard to imagine the SLS Beverly Hills hotel without its stylish signature restaurant, known for its sophisticated cuisine, artful service and playful theatrics. The South Beach and Las Vegas locations remain open.
465 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, thebazaar.com, @bazaarbyjose
Bibo Ergo Sum
With the motto, “I drink, therefore I am,” Bibo was one of L.A.’s most innovative and stylish cocktail bars. Back in June, owner Tait Forman hosted a to-go farewell party in Robertson Plaza attended by over 100 masked mourners.
116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, biboergosumla.com, @biboergosumla
The Bistro Garden At Coldwater
Opened in 1990 by the Niklas and Pappas families, The Bistro Garden was famous for its French continental cuisine and charming garden environment.
12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, @thebistrogarden
Bon Temps
The Arts District restaurant from Chef Lincoln Carson was a reimagined modern French brasserie with industrial roots that emphasized sustainably focused, small production wines. It opened in June 2019.
712 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, bontempsla.com, @bontemps.la
Broken Spanish
To say our hearts were broken to hear Chef/Owner Ray Garcia’s Broken Spanish was closing would be an understatement.
1050 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, brokenspanish.com, @brokenspanishla
Coronados Mexican Restaurant & Bar
A hidden gem in DTLA, this casual family-run Mexican cafe was beloved for its tacos, burritos and house-made margaritas.
212 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, coronadosdtla.com,
Cuties
Although the East Hollywood LGBTQ-owned and operated espresso bar has closed its doors, Cuties has remained a supportive virtual community space.
710 N. Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, hicuties.com, @cutiesla
Din Tai Fung
The beloved dumpling house is still open in its Glendale, Century City, Costa Mesa, Torrance and La Jolla locations.
1108 S Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, dintaifungusa.com, @dintaifungusa
Dong Il Jang
The Korean staple had been serving up table-cooked ribeye on 8th Street for nearly 40 years.
3455 W 8th St., Los Angeles
Donut Farm
The hip Silverlake spot was Los Angeles’ first vegan coffee bar, complete with 100% organic ingredient vegan donuts and cakes.
2609 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, vegandonut.farm, @donutfarmla
Du-pars – Pasadena
The long-running diner chain has closed its location at The Shops On Lake Avenue, but it’s original Famer’s Market location, which opened in 1938, remains open.
214 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, dupars.net/Store, @duparsfm
Farfalla Vinoteca e Birreria
Vinoteca Farfalla and its sister restaurant Tropicalia opened in 2016 in Los Feliz reflecting owner John Borghetti’s extensive knowledge of European wines paired with Italian dishes created by his partner and executive chef, Sante Coccia. Although John is of Italian heritage, he was born and raised in Brazil. Tropicalia was an homage to his love of Brazilian cuisine. The two eventually merged to create Farfalla Vinoteca e Birreria.
1968 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, vinotecafarfalla.com, @farfallavinoteca
Federal Bar – Long Beach
The Long Beach location may be lost but luckily for Federal fans, the outpost in the historic NoHo 1920’s bank building is still open.
102 Pine Ave., Long Beach, thefederalbar.com, @thefederallb
Fig & Olive
Home to the Weho power lunches and elegant date night dinners, Fig & Olive’s Melrose location has shut its doors, while its Newport Beach location remains operational.
8490 Melrose Pl., Los Angeles, figandolive.com, @figandolive
Flaming Saddles
The flame at this uber-popular western-themed gay bar in Weho has officially been snuffed out.
8811 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, flamingsaddles.com, @flamingsaddleswh
Four ‘N 20
Four ‘N 20 was an old-fashioned eatery with locations in Valley Village and Sherman Oaks with all-day breakfast, classic comfort food and many house-baked pies and cakes for 40 years.
4723 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood and 5530 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, @fourn20pies
Granville – Glendale
After 12 years in business, the Granville Glendale, located at the Americana Brand shopping complex, has permanently closed its doors after 12 wonderful years. The Pasadena, Burbank, Studio City and WeHo locations remain open.
807 Americana Way, Glendale, granvillecafe.com, @granville
Ippudo – Santa Monica
The NYC-based Japanese ramen chain closed its West Side outpost but it’s West Hollywood remains open.
1403 2nd St., Santa Monica, ippudo-us.com, @ippudous
Jazz Cat Cafe
Not a jazz club like its name implied. The Shabu-shabu, Japanese eatery and bar closed its location in San Gabriel but its Arcadia location remains open.
121 E Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
Jun Won
One of the most cherished Korean restaurants, Jun Won closed back in July. It had only recently reopened in a new location along Western Avenue in 2016. Previously Jun Won had occupied a space along 8th Street for over twenty years.
414 S. Western Ave. Ste B., Los Angeles
Kismet
The falafel joint was once a staple at Grand Central Market in DTLA.
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, kismetla.com, @kismetlosangeles
Kogi Taqueria
Kogi’s unique Korean meets Mexican concept closed its Palms brick and motor doors back in June but its Taqueria Truck is serving up the same-ish menu with items like Kimchi Quesadilla and Spicy Port Tacos.
3434 Overland Ave., kogibbq.com/taqueria, @kogibbq
Krimsey’s
The world’s first cajun vegan restaurant may have closed but you can still snatch up its virtual signature cookbook on their website.
12900 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, krimseys.com, @krimseys
La Dijonaise Café
After 20 years of serving the city of Culver City at the Helms Bakery and an additional two years at the Hayden Tract, French bistro La Dijonaise Café has said au revoir to its loyal and faithful diners.
8703 Washington Blvd., Culver City, ladijonaise.com, @ladijonaisecafe
Lincoln
Brunch in Pasadena will never be the same without the Lincoln. Four words: Apple Cinnamon French Toast.
1992 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, lincolnpasadena.com, @lincolnpasadena
Little Bar
Little Bar was known as “Miracle Mile’s favorite neighborhood bar with great service, killer jukebox and a friendly local crowd.”
757 S. LA Brea Ave., Los Angeles, littlebarlounge.com,
Lucques
After almost 21 years, the iconic refined carriage house restaurant has closed. Where will L.A.’s posh celebrities dine now?
8474 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, lucques.com,
Ma’am Sir
One of the most devastating losses due to COVID, this modern-Filipino restaurant/bar had one of the best beverage programs in the city thanks to bar director Ramsey Musk.
4330 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, maamsirla.com, @maamsirla
MNT
A casual by cool izakaya-ish Japanese restaurant by the beach, MNT’s sushi, ramen, small plates and sake will certainly be missed. But don’t cry too hard. In a continued effort to evolve, a pop-up concept called Valle, a Mexican restaurant just opened inside the MTN space. Chef Juan Hernandez of Gjelina and Chef Pedro Aquino from MTN are collaborating to create a menu with roots in Oaxaca, specifically designed for to-go and delivery.
1305 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, mtnvenice.com, vallevenice.com, @valle.venice
Monte 52
Located in La Tropicana Market in Highland Park, the tiny lunch-only joint has closed after seven and a half years.
5200 Monte Vista St., Los Angeles, monte052.com, @monte52latropicana
Pacific Dining Car
Pacific Dining Car is a two-location, family-run for four generations, the steakhouse was founded in 1921 by Fred and Grace Cook in the backyard of a friend’s house in Los Angeles. While its original railway train location has plans to reopen, the Santa Monica location, which opened in 1990, has closed permanently.
2700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, pacificdiningcar.com/santa-monica, @PacificDiningCar
Patina
The elite French restaurant was located at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the LA Philharmonic,
141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, patinagroup.com/restaurants, @patinadtla
The Pikey
It’s a bloody shame this U.K.-style gastropub on Sunset had to close.
7617 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, thepikeyla.com, @thepikeyla
Plan Check – Downtown
Although the downtown location of Plan Check has closed, fans of the spot’s burgers and beers can still hit up teh West LA outpost.
1111 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, plancheck.com, @plancheck
Plum Tree Inn
An ic staple in the Chinatown community for the past 40 years, the closing of the Sichuan specialty restaurant was one of the hardest to swallow during the coronavirus pandemic.
913 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, plumtreeinn.com
Rage
The iconic LGBTG+ nightclub has closed after 37 years in Weho after the owners were unable to negotiate a lease renewal with the landlord.
8911 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, ragenightclub.com, @therageweho
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse – Beverly Hills
The steakhouse chain still has open locations in Marina Del Rey,
224 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, ruthschris.com, @ruthschris
The Satellite
Up-and-coming indie bands will have to play elsewhere as this iconic live music venue on the Eastside has gone dark. Rumor has it the venue has plays to reinvent itself as a restaurant so stay tuned.
1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles,
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