Houston Restaurants Update: The 11 Establishments That Closed in September 2025 Highlighting Industry Changes and Local Impact

Ostia closed in September after a five-year run in Montrose.

Alex Montoya

Local restaurants continue to experience one of the toughest years in recent memory. In September, there were at least 11 food establishments that closed in Houston.

Owners shared heartfelt messages with customers, many echoing the same sentiment: this year has brought mounting challengesand fewer people are dining out.

Even national chains aren’t immune — Starbucks is closing multiple Houston area locations.

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Here are the closures we tracked in September.

CLOSINGS: 6 Houston restaurants that closed in August, including Riel and two barbecue joints

If you work in the restaurant industry and want to provide insight about the hardships you’re experiencing, email [email protected].

BB’s Tex-Orleans(Garden Oaks)

BB’s Tex-Orleans closed its Garden Oaks location in September.

Courtesy BB’s Tex-Orleans

This local mini-chain of Cajun restaurants with a Texas twist closed its Garden Oaks location. The nearest BB’s to it is on White Oak in the Heights. There are 11 BB’s in the Houston area and one in San Antonio.

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Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

Bosscat closed its River Oaks location in September.

Michael Wyke/Contributor

Bosscat closed its River Oaks location on Sept. 28. It was the second outpost of the Southern-inspired restaurant, which started in Newport Beach, Calif., and came to Houston in 2017. Owner  John “JT” Reed told CultureMap revenue had seen a steady decline over the past two years. He also pointed to people dining out less. A Bosscat location in The Woodlands is still open.

Bell

The taste of Cascabel features eight street tacos with its top selling vegan meats.

Sonia Garcia/Houston Chronicle

After extending its closing date from August to September, this vegan Mexican restaurant in Spring Branch is officially gone. It had been open five years in a bungalow, serving meatless proteins in a way that recreated traditional Mexican food like birria tacos, barbacoa and flautas. In a heartfelt Instagram postthe owner said their lease had come to an end and they decided to close since its been an especially tough year on the restaurant industry.

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The Cookshack

This is hot chicken that kicks it up with its own Texas-style rendition, meaning it has “a little more brown sugar, less paprika and a little bit of this and that,” according to CEO Mark Rogers.

The Cookshack

The Washington Avenue location of the Cookshack is now closed. A location of the hot chicken spot remains open in Spring.

Corelli’s Italian Cafe

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Corelli’s Italian Cafe, 3229 Highway 6 South, closed in September.

Craig H. Hartley/Special to the Chronicle

This longtime Italian staple closed in Sugar Land in mid-September after 28 years. Owner Don Guggenheim, husband of “Enchilada Queen” Sylvia Casares, pointed to inflation, labor issues, changing consumer habits and new parking issues it was facing for the closure. “While Corelli’s doors may have closed, the memories we built together will always live on,” he stated.

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Dak & Bop

Sriracha Tony wings are shown at Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. The Korean fried chicken restaurant is owned by Jason Cho.

Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

One of the first Korean fried chicken spots in Houston closed Sept. 24. Dak & Bop opened in 2014, at the height of the Korean fried chicken craze. It changed locations twicelast landing at its original spot in the Museum District. Owner Jason Cho told the Chronicle he closed for the same reasons that restaurants have been closing all over Houston: high costs and fewer diners.

Manditos

Carne asada with shrimp from Mandito’s, a new Tex-Mex restaurant from the owners of Armandos in River Oaks, opening in early 2023 at 5101 Bellaire in Bellaire.

Kirsten Gilliam

This Tex-Mex spot, which is the younger brother to Armandos in River Oaks, abruptly closed its Bellaire location in early September. They transferred their lease in Bellaire to their friends of another Tex-Mex restaurant, Candentewhich will open in the coming months. Manditos is still open in Round Top, where it started, as well as in Katy. A representative with Palacios Murphy, the restaurant group behind Manditos, Armandos and Lulu’s, said the group is heavily engaged in the expansion of its luxury boutique hotel Hotel Lulu in Round Top as it recently doubled in size.

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Ostia

Pizza bianco with garlic, wild mushrooms and taleggio cheese at Ostia, which closed in September 2025.

Michael Anthony

Ostia’s last day of service was Sept. 13. This Italian-inspired Montrose restaurant from chef Travis McShane opened five years ago. It went through a recent menu revamp that had it more focused on its pizzas. “It was only after much time spent weighing the current climate and strains on our industry, along with some personal reflections, that I have come to this difficult decision,” McShane wrote on Instagram. He added that he’s stepping away from cooking for now and will focus on his growing family and other projects.

Sunight Tea Studio

This Southern California transplant closed its milk and fruit tea shop that touted organic ingredients and boba on Aug. 31 in Asiatown, months after it closed its short-lived Sugar Land outpost.

Tay Do

Longtime Vietnamese restaurant Tay Do served its last meal Sept. 21 because its owners retired. On Facebook, customers gave their farewells to the restaurant, with many saying they grew up dining there.

Umami Grill & Sushi

Umami in Magnolia abruptly closed as noticed by customers with a “For Lease” sign on the door. A notice was posted on the door saying it was locked by the landlord for delinquent payments of rent.

What specific economic factors, beyond ingredient costs and rent increases, contributed to the closure of restaurants like The Gilded Spoon?

September 2025 proved to be a challenging month for Houston’s vibrant restaurant scene, with eleven establishments shuttering their doors. this article, published on archyde.com, details these closures, analyzes the contributing factors – from rising operational costs to shifting consumer preferences – and explores the broader impact on the local economy and culinary landscape. We’ll cover everything from fine dining to casual eateries, providing insights for both diners and industry professionals.

september Restaurant Closures: A Detailed List

Here’s a breakdown of the restaurants that closed in Houston during September 2025:

1. The Gilded Spoon (Montrose): Upscale American cuisine. Cited increasing rent and ingredient costs.
2. Spice Route (Midtown): Modern Indian fusion. Struggled with staffing shortages and changing neighborhood demographics.
3. Burger Bliss (Heights): Popular gourmet burger joint. Faced increased competition from fast-casual chains.
4. Mama Rosa’s Italian Kitchen (Katy): Family-owned Italian restaurant. Retirement of the owners was the primary reason.
5. Sushi Zen (Galleria): Long-standing sushi restaurant. Declining foot traffic due to Galleria construction.
6. The Daily Grind (Downtown): Breakfast and lunch cafe. Impacted by the continued prevalence of remote work.
7. Tex-mex fiesta (East End): Customary Tex-mex eatery. Unable to adapt to evolving customer tastes.
8. Vegan Vibes (Montrose): Plant-based restaurant.High ingredient costs and limited customer base.
9. Brew & Bites (Washington Ave): Gastropub. Competition from newer, trendier bars.
10. coastal Catch (Clear Lake): Seafood restaurant. Supply chain issues and rising seafood prices.
11. Sweet Surrender Bakery (River Oaks): Boutique bakery.Owner pursuing other buisness ventures.

key Industry Trends Contributing to Closures

Several overarching trends contributed to these restaurant closures, reflecting broader challenges within the hospitality industry. Understanding these trends is crucial for both restaurant owners and consumers.

* Inflation and Rising Costs: The cost of goods, particularly food and beverages, substantially increased throughout 2025. This squeezed profit margins,making it difficult for manny restaurants to remain viable. Specifically, beef prices rose 18% and produce costs increased by 12% according to the Houston Restaurant Association.

* Labor Shortages: Finding and retaining qualified staff remained a major hurdle. Increased wages and benefits were necessary to attract employees, further impacting profitability. The hospitality sector in Houston experienced a 15% vacancy rate in September.

* Shifting Consumer Behavior: Post-pandemic, dining habits have changed. More people are opting for takeout,delivery,and home cooking,reducing dine-in traffic. Delivery app commissions also cut into restaurant profits.

* Increased Competition: Houston’s restaurant scene is incredibly competitive. New restaurants are constantly opening, making it harder for established businesses to maintain their market share.

* Supply Chain Disruptions: Ongoing supply chain issues continued to impact ingredient availability and prices, particularly for seafood and specialty items.

Local Economic Impact: Beyond the Empty Tables

The closure of these restaurants isn’t just about lost dining options; it has a ripple effect on the local economy.

* Job Losses: Each closure resulted in job losses for cooks, servers, bartenders, and other staff.

* Reduced Tax Revenue: Fewer businesses mean less sales tax revenue for the city.

* Impact on Suppliers: Restaurants are significant customers for local food suppliers, distributors, and other businesses. their closure impacts these supporting industries.

* Neighborhood character: Restaurants often contribute to the unique character of a neighborhood. Their absence can diminish the vibrancy of a community.

Case Study: The Gilded Spoon – A Victim of Rising Costs

The gilded Spoon, a Montrose staple known for its refined American cuisine, serves as a prime example of the challenges facing upscale restaurants. Owner, Amelia Hayes, stated that a 30% increase in rent combined with a 25% rise in ingredient costs – particularly prime cuts of meat and imported cheeses – made it impossible to maintain profitability. Despite a loyal customer base, the restaurant couldn’t absorb these escalating expenses.This highlights the vulnerability of restaurants with higher operating costs in the current economic climate.

Navigating the Changing Restaurant Landscape: Tips for Owners

For restaurant owners looking to navigate these challenging times, here are some practical tips:

* Menu Optimization: