It was a tumultuous year for San Antonio restaurants, bars and taprooms. Alamo City foodies said goodbye to local treasures that fed us for decades and also to new concepts just starting make an impact on the local scene.

While it would be impossible to list every local dining and drinking establishment that closed its doors this year, these 30 certainly made headlines. They also illustrate the broad array of businesses that succumbed to high prices, changing trends and cutthroat competition.

Here’s hoping that through strong support of homegrown businesses we can make the 2025 list much shorter. 

Credit: Instagram / acadianacafe
Capparelli’s on Thousand Oaks 2923 Thousand Oaks Drive The owners of Capparelli’s on Thousand Oaks confirmed the closure news with a notice posted on the front door in July. “With great heartbreak and sorrow [we regret] to inform our customers/family that we will be closing our doors….We hope to open our doors again, should circumstances allow.” The chain’s flagship at 2524 N. Main Ave. is still open and operating. Credit: Screen Capture: Google Maps
Up Scale 1024 S. Alamo St. Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality announced plans in March to close down in fine dining concept in Southtown in favor of a pivot. “Times have changed, and so has our feelings for what the neighborhood might want or need. Unfortunately, that includes our boutique fine dining dreams in King William,” the hospitality group shared on the Up Scale Instagram page. The group reimagined the space as a new, expanded Little Em’s Oyster Bar. The group’s newest concept, Beau’s Tiny Diner, will take over the original Little Em’s space in Spring 2025 Credit: Instagram / upscalesouthtown
Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
606 Embassy Oaks, #500
Following the departure of co-founder Marcus Baskerville in June, Weathered Souls Brewing Co. announced in September it was closing after eight years in business. “Over the years, we’ve weathered the storms & despite the challenges the brewery world has faced, we managed to do things we’re incredibly proud of,” the then-owners said via social media. Credit: Facebook / Weathered Souls Brewing Co.
Rio Rio Cantina 421 E. Commerce St. After 34 years of service, Rio Rio Cantina’s owners decided not to renew their lease in January. “It’s a wonderful building, and the owners are great. It’s been an incredible run,” Patrick Jennings, controller for the San Antonio-based Paesano’s restaurant group, which owned Rio Rio, told the Current. “Hats off to the thousands of people who have worked there over the years and the millions who have eaten there.” Credit: Screen Capture: Google Maps
Wurst Behavior 358 E. Craig Place A German-Asian fusion spinoff from the Curry Boys BBQ visionaries, Wurst Behavior’s neo-Tokyo inspired beer garden shut down in February after a year of serving up passion fruit sake slushes, rotating wing specials and anime-inspired pop-ups and free food giveaways. “We wanted to take time to say ‘thank you’ to everyone that has been a part of this and that we are sorry we could not make it work,” Wurst Behavior co-founder Sean Wen shared on the eatery’s Instagram page. “We are still so proud of our Asian-inspired oasis on the Strip!” Credit: Brandon Rodriguez
Credit: Instagram / secondpitchbeercompany
Fratello’s Restaurant and Deli
2503 Broadway
After 10 years, the family-owned and operated Italian eatery shut down its brick-and-mortar on Broadway. Sharing the news via a press release, the Fratello’s owners wrote, “We are confident we succeeded in doing what we set out to accomplish while also being a pillar in our community. Unfortunately, age is catching up to all of us who help lead the restaurant, and with that in mind, we made the difficult decision to close.” The brand has since found new life as a food truck at 2202 Broadway, aptly named Fratellos-To-Go. Credit: Facebook / Fratello's Deli & Market
Man Overboard Brewing Co. 1203 Camden St. Following its three-year anniversary, the veteran-owned brewery announced via Instagram page that its last day of service will be Sunday, December 22. “Before we go, we want to celebrate YOU,” the post declared, thanking Man Overboard’s loyal customers and employees. The brewery will be running specials on merchandise, beer and seltzer until its final day of service. Credit: Instagram / manoverboardbrewingco
Vice Versa Coffee 123 Heiman St. Following two years as the sole coffee shop in St. Paul Square, Vice Versa shut down permanently in late March. Owner Vinny Guerro said unexpected expenses spelled its demise. “This all goes back to our AC messing up last summer, as a small business stuff like that can really do damage,” he noted, adding that the monthly rent was $8,000. “[You] best believe everything I had I put into this place.” The space still remains vacant as of press time. Credit: Photo courtesy of Vice Coffee
Arrosta 1803 Broadway, Suite 101 Shortly after swapping menu concepts with its sister restaurant Allora, Italian concept Arrosta quietly closed its doors for good in July. It had a two-year run in the Oxbow building near the Pearl. Credit: Ryann Ford for Arrosta
Allora
1803 Broadway, Suite 101
Brannon Swindle, director of hospitality for San Antonio’s Maverick Restaurant Group, confirmed to the Current that Allora closed permanently at the Pearl in September. However, he teased the possibility of a comeback by the high-end Italian concept at a new, yet-to-be-confirmed location. Credit: Allysse Shank-Rivas
Greenhouse Coffee 223 E. Hildebrand Ave., Suite 101 The coffee shop with an assortment of gluten-free pastries from the masterminds at Mixtli couldn’t withstand high rent costs, chef Diego Galicia told the Current. However, the team would like to bring back the concept at a different location. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 11203 West Ave. After more than 20 years of service and plenty of accolades, Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant owner William “Goro” Pitchford explained in a late August social media post that he was closing his beloved eatery. “I want to really thank everyone that has supported us for all the years, but it has come time to not say goodbye but see y’all soon again… . This year just took a toll on me mentally and physically.” Credit: Google Maps / Street View
Ay Caramba Taco Cantina 1915 Broadway, #111 The Jalisco-inspired cantina shared news of its closure in a March social media post, just six months after opening. “Due to unforeseen circumstances and a change in ownership, we will be closing down today for maintenance and remodeling until further notice,” the post read. The location has since reopened as Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails. Credit: Instagram / aycaramba.sa
The Rustic 17619 La Cantera Pkwy, #204 Citing ongoing construction as a primary instigator, a closure notice posted on the door of The Rustic in May shared strategic plans to eventually relocate. However, the ownership group has provided no new details since then. The live music venue featured a wide assortment of cocktails and classic American cuisine for shoppers at The Rim since fall of 2017. Credit: Photo by s.a.foodie via Instagram / therusticsa
Augie’s Alamo City BBQ Steakhouse 909 Broadway Owner Augie Cortez cited ongoing construction as a factor in his restaurant’s February closure. “We have invested so much into serving our community and are heartbroken by not being able to continue our legacy at this location, but at this point we have no other choice.” Cortez and his team also confirmed they would be consolidating operations at Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse at 3709 N. St. Mary’s St. Credit: Screen shot: Google Street View
Billie Jean 20711 Wilderness Oak, #113 Shuttered this fall after less than a year operation, the ‘80s themed bar and grill featured arcade games, plenty of space to dance, and casual bites and cocktails. Google now lists retro-themed hangout as “permanently closed.” Credit: Facebook / Billie Jean
Ace of Steaks 20626 Stone Oak Parkway, #103 The first restaurant to close in 2024 at this specific corner of Stone Oak, Ace of Steaks featured a Las Vegas-style bonanza of gold-encrusted entrees, bottle service and cuts of meat running $1,000. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Ace of Steaks
The White Rabbit Restaurant 20626 Stone Oak Parkway, #103 The White Rabbit Restaurant took over the Ace of Steaks’ vacated space, aiming for an Alice in Wonderland-esque ambience. While the restaurant quietly shut down shortly after opening, its sister poker room concept remains in operation. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Bier Garten Riverwalk 126 Losoya St. After serving up brews and authentic German fare on the River Walk since 2013, Bier Garten Riverwalk revealed in a January Facebook post that it was closing for good to make way for the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum Project. However, Mad Dogs Restaurant Group CEO Terry Corless shared in an official statement that he hoped to find another spot for the Bier Garten to take root. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Jim’s on Broadway 4108 Broadway A “CLOSED,” sign on the entrance of the 53-year-old Jim’s location on the Broadway corridor bore an addendum: “Goodbye, farewell, until we meet again.” Following the abrupt March closure of the Alamo Heights-area Jim’s, the space is being transformed into the first San Antonio location for Houston-based comfort food chain Adair Kitchen. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Hands Down Bar
1012 S. Presa St.
The owners of this art-focused Southtown bar announced a return to its pop-up roots in June via social media. “We’ve loved being a part of your lives and making memories these past few years in our little corner abode,” they said. Credit: Instagram / @HandsDownBar
Botika
303 Pearl Pkwy, #111
Executive chef Geronimo Lopez closed his Asian-fusion dining bastion at the Pearl on Aug. 4. “For the past eight years, we’ve created wonderful memories and built a fantastic community together,” he noted in a statement. “Although this chapter is ending, I eagerly look forward to the new adventures ahead and will always treasure the amazing journey we had here.” He’s since jumped over to running culinary operations at the Pearl’s Hotel Emma. Credit: Nina Rangel
Europa Restaurant and Bar 8811 Fredericksburg Road The Pan-European eatery revealed plans to close in October, just shy of its five-year anniversary. Featuring a culinary tour of varied European cuisine, from German schnitzel to Macedonian kofte, Europa had been a local favorite near the Medical Center and even won Best New Restaurant in the Current’s 2020 Best of San Antonio issue. Credit: Facebook / Europa Restaurant and Bar
Blue Box 312 Pearl Parkway Teasing that on social media that it “may or may not be back,” the owners of this Pearl cocktail spot revealed its closure in August after 12 years of service. Credit: Instagram / blueboxbar
El Ojo 3000 N. St. Mary’s St. A St. Mary’s Strip staple since 2018, El Ojo was among the first casualties in this year’s onslaught of closures. It’s reopening in December as a dance club called Wav Room. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Jim’s on Hildebrand 351 W. Hildebrand Ave. The longtime Jim’s Restaurants location at Hildebrand Avenue and San Pedro Avenue closed this summer, becoming the second of the local diner chain’s properties to cease operation in 2024. Although located at a high-traffic intersection, it remains up for lease. Credit: Screen Capture / Google Maps
A Way to the Heart 5251 McCullough Ave. Chef-owners David Escamilla and Diego González let diners know on the restaurant’s social media channels that Dec. 21 would be its last day of service. Noting that the decision wasn’t “made lightly” and that they “cherished” every moment with customers, the pair added that ongoing financial hardships and personal matters offered no other choice. Credit: Screen Capture / Google Maps
Lala’s Gorditas 1600 Roosevelt Ave. Owner Steven Pizzini revealed in December that he’s shutting his South Side Tex-Mex staple so he can enjoy retirement. Christmas Eve will be the last day of service. “I hope I’ve done my ancestors proud by upholding our family’s traditions and introducing new generations to the magic of the genuine, artisanal Tex-Mex that can only be found in San Antonio,” he said in a statement. Credit: Instagram / lalasgorditas