Los Angeles is about to lose one of its most iconic dining institutions. A restaurant that has served generations of Angelenos for more than a century is preparing to close its doors, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the city’s culinary history.
End of an era
One of Los Angeles’ most historic restaurants is preparing to close its doors after more than a century. Cole’s French Dip, widely considered the oldest restaurant operating in Los Angeles, first announced plans in 2025 to permanently shut down after 117 years in business.
Located in downtown Los Angeles’ Pacific Electric Building, Cole’s has long been known for its vintage saloon atmosphere and its claim to have invented the iconic French dip sandwich, a roast beef sandwich served with au jus for dipping.
Closure originally planned for August 2025
The restaurant’s owners first revealed in July 2025 that Cole’s would close on August 3, 2025, citing a combination of financial and operational challenges facing independent restaurants in the city.
Owner Cedd Moses said the decision came after years of mounting pressures, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising labor and food costs, and broader economic disruptions such as the 2023 Hollywood writers and actors strikes.
The announcement shocked many Angelenos. Since opening in 1908, the restaurant has become a cultural landmark, drawing generations of diners as well as artists, writers, and Hollywood figures.
Public support delayed the closure
Following the announcement, crowds quickly flocked to the downtown restaurant, eager to experience the historic venue one last time. The surge of customers temporarily extended the restaurant’s lifespan as owners reconsidered the immediate closure.
What began as an August shutdown was pushed back several times, first extending into September and later further into the fall as business increased and potential buyers expressed interest in the property.
According to reporting from Eater LA, the restaurant’s closure has since stretched far beyond the original timeline, with the owners ultimately planning to end their tenure in 2026 while exploring new ownership that could preserve the iconic restaurant.
End of an era for a Los Angeles icon
Even with the extensions, the closure marks a major moment for Los Angeles’ dining scene. Cole’s survived Prohibition, economic downturns, and massive changes to the city’s downtown landscape over more than a century.
For many locals, the eventual shuttering of the historic restaurant represents the loss of not just a place to eat, but a piece of Los Angeles culinary history. (A similar loss occurred with the closure of a California restaurant with roots in the 1800s at the end of 2025.)
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