"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 2026. From the lingering effects of the Hollywood strikes to rising costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many factors continue to strain restaurant owners operating on razor-thin margins."
"Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact of the 2025 fires, including slow business and devastating property loss, as well as the ongoing effects of ICE enforcement. Here are notable restaurant closures for the beginning of 2026. Blue Plate Oysterette - Santa Monica's Blue Plate Oysterette shuttered on January 4 after 16 years on Ocean Avenue. A statement from the restaurant attributed the closure in part to rising business costs and declining tourism in the area."
Los Angeles restaurants face prolonged financial strain that began with the 2020 pandemic and worsened after the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, leading to an industry-wide slowdown through 2026. Rising costs for labor, rent, and ingredients squeeze operators with thin margins. The 2025 fires caused slow business and property losses, while ICE enforcement added operational challenges. Early 2026 closures include Santa Monica's Blue Plate Oysterette after 16 years, Fairfax's Noree Thai closing suddenly while sister Luv2eat remains open, Hollywood's Horses closing indefinitely amid substantial state tax liens, Monty's Good Burger shutting two locations, and Sal's Gumbo Shack closing its Bixby Knolls site.
Read at Eater LA
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]