3 days ago
The Saddest Restaurant Closures to Know in Los Angeles, May 2025
Los Angeles's restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds, starting in 2020 with the onset of a global pandemic and exacerbating with the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023 , which led to an industry-wide slowdown that's continued into 2025. From the lingering impacts of the Hollywood strikes to adverse weather and increased costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many variables continue to batter restaurant owners who operate on razor-thin margins. Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact from the 2025 fires , including slow business and devastating property loss. Here are notable restaurant closures for May. For more closure news, visit our 2024 round-up .
Papa Cristo's— After 77 years on the corner of Pico and Normandie, legendary Los Angeles Greek restaurant and market Papa Cristo's closed permanently on May 4. LAist reports that owner Chrys Chrys pointed to rising rent costs as the ultimate reason for the closure. Sam Chrys, Chrys's father, first opened C & K Importing Company in 1948 to bring food and wine over from Greece to offer to the Los Angeles community, which later became Papa Cristo's. Over the years, Papa Cristo's became an essential part of Los Angeles's restaurant scene, feeding generations of those looking for a taste of the Aegean.
Gigi's— Upscale Hollywood French restaurant Gigi's closed on May 10 after nearly five years. The restaurant opened in November 2020 in Hollywood's Sycamore Avenue corridor alongside Tartine and Sightglass Coffee. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant was only able to offer outdoor dining at first, but later opened its 60-seat dining room. The menu channeled bistro classics infused with California sensibilities, with dishes like endive salad, steak tartare, escargot, and braised short rib.
Guido's— Guido's, a longstanding Sawtelle red sauce Italian restaurant, is closing on May 31 after 46 years. Open since 1979, the restaurant is well known for its old-school charm, tuxedoed servers, and red leather booths. The restaurant specializes in Italian classics, serving sizable portions of Italian classics like eggplant Parmigiana, spaghetti Bolognese, and chicken picatta.
Mars— Hollywood cocktail bar Mars, which was located behind Mother Wolf, closed in April 2025. The bar first opened in January 2024 with a $5,000 per year membership that came with a personal spirits locker, priority seating, and invitations to special events. The bar has been replaced with La Ola, a new Roman-inspired cocktail lounge from acclaimed chef Evan Funke and Giancarlo Pagani, the managing partner of Mother Wolf Group.
Checo's Seafood 106 Underground— Inglewood seafood restaurant Checo's Seafood 106 Underground closed on May 1 after a year open. Operated by chef Sergio 'Checo' Peñuelas, who is known as the 'Snook Whisperer,' Checo's served camaron tacos, aguachiles, and pescado zarandeado. Peñuelas first rose to prominence when the late Jonathan Gold wrote highly of his cooking in an LA Weekly review of Coni'Seafood in 2011.
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