A look back at the most notable restaurant closures of 2025

At the end of each year, we look back over the past 12 months and take in all the restaurant news. Once again we had more openings than closures in 2025, but the impact of those who decided to shutter will likely be felt long after the doors locked for the last time.

From comfortably worn bars to magical settings that served as a backdrop for big life moments, these places impacted our cities in their own ways. Here are just a few of the closures that caught us off guard, but please join us in the comments and share which ones you’ll miss the most.

Now let’s raise a glass and say thanks for all the care, comfort and deliciousness they’ve given us through the years.

Closed Nov. 22

When Lina Goh and John Ng opened Minneapolis’ first izakaya, they had to do a lot of level-setting on this style of casual Japanese bar dining. There wasn’t much competition for karaage back in the day. The couple had big plans for warm hospitality and cold Japanese beer, and in the kitchen Ng was able to dive deep into his dish obsession: ramen.

The two would also take it upon themselves to bring great ramen to the Twin Cities, inviting famous chefs to town for several sold-out ramen-centered street festivals that did as much to raise our collective knowledge about the dish as it did to spread the word that Minneapolis has a really cool culinary scene.

Even through the challenges of the pandemic and years of road construction on Washington Avenue that blocked their patio and visibility, the two were tireless advocates for the culinary community while maintaining the neighborhood feel of their restaurant.

Yeah, but nothing will beat that steamy bowl of something special that came out of his kitchen — and we’re grateful for it.

Closed Sept. 15

There are dive bars affectionately known for affordable drinks and a sense of camaraderie, and then there’s Palmer’s. The legendary watering hole served generations of musicians, artists, blue-collar folks and all the colorful characters that make Minneapolis the coolest of the Twin Cities. It’s a business that had us reaching for one more frosty beer for so long that it’s hard to believe those doors won’t open again. After an unfathomable 119 years, Palmer’s last call was an epic night of music, memories and more than a few poured out for the road.

Closed (approximately) Sept. 5

It was a long, slow death, but this was the year that all bakeries bearing the Wuollet name closed. For generations, families counted on them for princess tortes, doughnuts, fresh bread, special cakes and more. Although anecdotal tales of declining quality came ahead of the eventual shutterings, Main Street bakeries make communities sweeter. And for plenty of folks, that place was Wuollet.

Tim Niver opened Saint Dinette at the beginning of a high-riding time of change in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood. As he grappled with the decision to close and that chapter of his life, he pulled back the curtain on the process so often hidden from the public. He spoke openly on his podcast “Niver Niver Land” and with reporters, displaying the nuance and vulnerability that goes into this kind of life-altering decision. Ultimately, the doors did close, but not before his employees had the chance to say goodbye and line up their next ventures. It was a 10-year era (and lease), but those fried bologna sandwiches and late nights bolstered by warm hospitality won’t be forgotten.

Closed Jan. 20

From the outside, Revival seemed like a fried chicken empire. Experienced restaurateurs Nick Rancone and chef Thomas Boemer had racked up awards with their fine-dining eatery Corner Table before turning to fried chicken and barbecue a decade ago. The duo had just announced plans for tavern pizzas and beef sandwiches at the St. Paul location, which in retrospect might have been a warning sign.

Employees were notified by email and the announcement came to us hours later on a Monday morning: The St. Paul, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis restaurant locations were all closed effective immediately. What followed was a lot of discourse on what it means when a restaurant closes. Armchair restaurateurs mused on who was really to blame, and businesses added fried chicken to their menus to fill a void.

But as Boemer told the Star Tribune, “Sadly, restaurants are not a forever thing.” Revival landed in town with crunchy simple comfort food that undoubtedly raised the bar for fried chicken. It’s too bad the story ended, but it was quite the ride while it lasted.

February: Blondette, Paulie’s, Mr. Paul’s Po’Boys and Jams (now Carnival Bar), Bank Restaurant, the Dock.

March: Saint Dinette, Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken, Hamburguesas El Gordo (West St. Paul), Iron Door Pub, Brazin Public House.

April: Guacaya Bistreaux, Pinoli, Wuollet Bakery (Robbinsdale), the Sonder Shaker, Cafe Cerés (all locations), Dairy Queen (Roseville), Vellee Deli.

May: Dan Kelly’s Pub, Indigenous Food Lab Market, Terzo, Lagniappe/Du Nord Cocktail Room, U Garden Restaurant and Event Center, North Loop Galley, 801 Fish (reopened as 801 Nicollet), Apostle Supper Club, Chip’s Clubhouse, Groundswell (currently rebuilding after fire damage).

June: Edward’s Dessert Kitchen, Dashfire/Elusive Botanical Bar, Big River Pizza, Nonna Rosa’s Ristorante, Abang Yoli (Mpls.).

August: StepChld (reopened as Kizzo), Rojo Mexican Grill (reopened as Chi-Chi’s), Matriarch, the Lynhall No. 3945, Corner Bar & Comedy Corner Underground.

September: Young Joni, Palmer’s Bar, Café & Bar Lurcat, Edina Grill, Momo Sushi (rebuilding after fire), Celio, Market Bar-B-Que.

October: Chilango (rebranding to Lakeview Kitchen & Bar in 2026), Cocina del Barrio, Brother Justus Whiskey Co., Osteria I Nonni, Mill Valley Market at Trailhead, LW’s Bierstube.

November: Mesa Pizza, Pizza Karma (Maple Grove), D’Amico & Sons Gaviidae, Keys Cafe at the Foshay.