2025 has become a year of quiet goodbyes for New York’s dining history. As rising costs, changing habits, lease pressures, and shifting neighborhood dynamics tighten the squeeze on independent restaurants, some of the city’s—and the state’s—most enduring names have bowed out. Here are five of the most significant long-running closures (starting with the one that had been around more than a century):
Ferdinando’s Focacceria (Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens)
After 121 years, this Sicilian institution in Carroll Gardens closed in early 2025. Its simple, authentic Sicilian fare—panelle, rice balls, and focaccia sandwiches—had made it a New York staple. Owner Frank Buffa, aware of his advancing age and health challenges, cited his inability to sustain the daily demands any longer. Beyond the food, Ferdinando’s was a living link to immigrant New York and generations of continuity.
Pouring one out for its simplicity – a handful of well-chosen dishes, limited drink choices, and no delivery!
Elephant & Castle (West Village, Manhattan)
Operating since the early 1973, Elephant & Castle was more than a restaurant—it was a tradition. Famed for its brunch, crepes, and easygoing atmosphere, it served both locals and visitors for more than fifty years before closing on August 17, 2025. Despite iconic status, it fell victim to economic pressures: rising rent, labor costs, and shrinking margins even for famous names.
Note that this restaurant is different than the chain, although you can still find its sister location in Dublin.
Mitchell’s Soul Food (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
For over 40 years, Mitchell’s Soul Food had been a pillar in its community. Known for hearty portions, friendly service, and a sense of home in its dishes, it served comfort classics like fried chicken, collards, cornbread, and peach cobbler. The owners quietly closed its doors on June 29, 2025. Among factors: rising costs, changing neighborhood patterns, and operational challenges — especially in maintaining business with fewer regulars able to reach it easily due to closing down some streets to cars (harder for the older Mitchell’s crowd to get there after church). But also possibly retirement for its owner.
Hector’s Cafe & Diner (Meatpacking District, Manhattan)
A fixture since 1949, Hector’s was a tiny diner with outsized presence. Featured in Taxi Driver, it served butchers, night-shift workers, tourists, and anyone seeking a late breakfast or a slice of old-New York authenticity. Its closure on July 18, 2025 ended 76 years of continuous service. The owner cited declining revenue after the pandemic, shifting demographics, and the exit of the butcher trade—once the heartbeat of the area.
La Parma (Williston Park, Long Island)
Moving a bit outside the City, La Parma was a local haunt in Nassau County for 41 years. A family-owned Italian restaurant beloved in its neighborhood, its closing in July 2025 was attributed to the owners’ decision to retire and sell the property. It leaves a void of both flavor and community gathering in its town.
But its sister locations in Huntington and Oceanside are still around.
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