Low sales, retirement, lingering effects of COVID-19, and scandal are reasons these local restaurants’ stories have ended. Others are a mystery.

Losing a familiar local eatery can be sad whether in the community for generations or quickly opened and closed. 

In 2022, many Detroit area restaurants closed their doors. Here are 25 that have said goodbye to us in 2023. Luckily, a few are only temporary. 

Norma G’s 14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit Sadly, this eastside Caribbean spot announced in September that it was closing after five years, wiht no reason given for the closure. The restaurant’s chef Lester Gouvia says he isn’t done cooking though, and to stay up to date on events and pop-ups on Norma G’s Facebook page. Whether you liked the Trini tacos, jerk chicken, or another dish, there may be hope for you to still get the food you loved again. Credit: Facebook, Norma G's
Star Bakery 26031 Coolidge Hwy., Oak Park After generations of providing the community with Jewish goods such as challah and Mandel bread, this old-school bakery shut its doors in July, stating the decision was made due to rising costs and leftover hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Courtesy photo
Smith & Co. 644 Selden St., Detroit The New-American brew pub officially closed on June 4 and has now become Vigilante Kitchen, a fusion restaurant focusing on addiction support. Credit: Steve Neavling
Lost River 15421 Mack Ave., Detroit In March, this tropical tiki bar on Detroit’s eastside announced that it was temporarily closing, hosting its final weekend on June 16-18. In late November, film-focused wine bar The Fourth Wall opened in its former space. Lost River is hosting some pop-ups with the new business and in search of a new, smaller space of their own, so fans of the tiki bar hopefully won’t have to miss it much longer. Credit: Facebook, Lost River
Angelo’s Restaurant 1100 Catherine St., Ann Arbor After 57 years in business, this Ann Arbor breakfast spot was sold to the University of Michigan and will host its final day on Dec. 23. Credit: Layla McMurtrie
Jolly Pumpkin in Royal Oak 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak At the end of October, Royal Oak’s Jolly Pumpkin announced that the location would be closing after five years. The spot has now been rebranded as Bandit Tavern & Hideaway. Jolly Pumpkin still runs six locations across the state. Credit: Courtesy of Bandit Tavern & Hideaway
Rose’s Fine Food and Wine 10551 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit This spot was first for sale in September 2022, but then the owner changed her mind and decided to stay open. In April, the Eastside diner’s time actually came to an end after nine years in business. Credit: Jacob Lewkow
Lile’s Sandwich Shop 13800 Michigan Ave., Dearborn As Harry Lile retired, so did his sandwich shop. On June 30, many devoted customers took to Facebook to commemorate their last day eating a Lile’s sandwich. Credit: Facebook, Lile's Sandwich Shop
Orchid Thai 115 Monroe St., Detroit With owner Ally Lee ready to retire, this downtown restaurant had its last day on Feb. 28 following 18 years of serving the community. Credit: Courtesy of Ally Lee
Cross Street Coffee 317 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti While this long-time Ypsi coffee shop is technically still open, the new owners changed the name and the ambiance of the place, which many locals aren’t too happy about. What was once Cross Street Coffee is now Northern Grind. Smoothies and some other new options were added to the updated menu, but the vibes are definitely different. Credit: Facebook
Saucy Brew Works 2671 John R St., Detroit Launching a line of cannabis products in Michigan was not enough to keep this Cleveland-based brewery’s Detroit location afloat. Making its way to the area in 2021, Saucy Brew Works closed its Detroit location on June 1. Credit: Courtesy of Saucy Brew Works
Founders Brewing Co. 456 Charlotte St., Detroit This Detroit taproom said in May that their close was due to low sales. The announcement was abruptly made after a racial discrimination complaint (which was not the first for the brewery). Credit: Founder's/Facebook
Louisiana Creole Gumbo 2051 Gratiot Ave., Detroit This little spot in Eastern Market was in business since 1970, and just shut its doors in November. Don’t worry though, the restaurant will be open again in the spring of 2024 with a larger sit-down location just down the road. The new space will have a liquor license and two outdoor patios. Credit: Kelley O'Neill
Otus Supply 345 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale On Feb. 27, this New American eatery and music venue took to Instagram to announce: “Effective immediately we will be closing our doors to our wonderful establishment.” It had faced mounting money problems in recent years. Credit: Instagram, @otus_supply
Bikes & Coffee 1521 Putnam St., Detroit “The pandemic, rising rent, and the cost of everything else isn’t the death of us but it does put us in a tight spot, one we can’t afford right now,” said an Instagram post from this Woodbridge cafe on May 7. Sadly, Bikes and Coffee closed its doors a week later. Credit: Instagram, @bikes.and.coffee
Saffron de Twah 7636 Gratiot Ave., Detroit Shortly after chef Omar Anani competed on Food Network’s “Chopped” in July, he announced that his Moroccan restaurant would be temporarily closing for six months. Fortunately, that should mean that it will reopen in early 2024. Credit: Randiah Camille Green
PizzaPlex 4458 Vernor Hwy., Detroit This Southwest Detroit Neapolitan-style pizzeria closed on February 27, celebrating its seven years with a final party. Credit: Facebook, PizzaPlex
Archies Restaurant 30471 Plymouth Rd., Livonia After 42 years of business, this Livonia restaurant closed on June 10, giving all sales from the final service to the restaurant’s employees and posting a thank you on Facebook to everyone who stuck with them through the end. Credit: Facebook, Archies Restaurant
Starbucks in Midtown 3760 Woodward Ave., Detroit This Starbucks location at Woodward and Mack closed in February due to safety concerns including “theft and threats of physical violence,” the Detroit News reported. Luckily, there are many local coffee shops to support a short walk away. Credit: Shutterstock
Steve & Rocky’s 43150 Grand River Ave., Novi This Novi restaurant was sold in March by owner Steve Allen after 25 years in business. Now, Brentwood Grille resides in its place, owned by Steve & Rocky’s longtime general manager Bob Loomis. Credit: Facebook, Steve & Rocky’s
Avalon International Breads 422 W. Willis St., Detroit Due to increased rent, Avalon International Breads left their home base in January, where the Midtown staple had resided since the ’90s. The original bakery temporarily closed to move right around the corner to 411 W. Canfield. The new location is now open, along with Avalon’s two other locations in Detroit, as well as one in Royal Oak and one in Ann Arbor. Credit: Facebook, Avalon Bakery
Corden’s Candy Carousel 26300 Michigan Ave., Inkster After a long-run of 105 years, this family chocolate-making business closed its doors. Credit: Facebook, Corden Chocolates
Greek Island Eatery 306 S. Main St., Plymouth This family-favorite breakfast restaurant started off the year sadly, closing its doors on Jan. 16. Credit: Facebook, Greek Islands Eatery
26 Burger Kings A local franchise owner decided to shut down all 26 of his metro-Detroit Burger King locations in March, resulting in over 400 jobs lost. In April, Michigan cannabis brand Stiiizy offered to hire every employee who was laid off. Credit: Lee DeVito
Cravings Dessert Lounge 2643 Ellsworth Rd., Ypsilanti This authentic Arabic dessert spot closed earlier this year. A falafel store called Lazeez Eats with new ownership has now opened in the space. Credit: Facebook, Cravings Dessert Lounge

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...