This local bar served its last drink after eight years. In a Facebook comment, Barking Pig owner Kristen Powell says the halt in business was necessary to focus on a family matter. 

The owners of this Korean fried chicken spot have called it quits. Once rooted in the Museum District, with a brief stint in Timbergrove before returning to its original home, the restaurant announced on social media that the current economic climate made continued operations impossible.

After a decade of music, dancing, and Pride parties, this storied gayborhood bar took its final bow. A notice on the door revealed the landlord had ended the lease, citing permit and tax issues, leaving regulars mourning the loss of a community staple.

Ginger & Fork served its last dim sum dish in October. After careful consideration, the owners decided not to renew their lease for 2026.

Houston hockey fans lost a favorite gathering spot when the Maple Leaf Pub closed. Once a go-to for game nights and its late-night kitchen, the bar shuttered in July after the state seized the property for unpaid taxes.

Following two years in business, chef Sherman Yeung closed this ambitious Japanese restaurant, pointing to a combination of economic issues and uncertainty of Money Cat’s trajectory. Fans of Yeung can still find his creations at his sushi restaurant, Tobiuo, in Katy.

After a five-year run at this Italian restaurant, Travis McShane said ciao. The chef-owner similarly cited industrywide economic pressures and personal reflection for the closure, but hinted that exciting projects are in the works.

Some of the saddest closings of the year might not be coming as soon as we thought. After more than 40 years of showcasing Mexico’s seven regions, Picos owner Arnaldo Richards announced this past summer that he was closing his restaurant. While citing financial pressures and shifting dining habits, he extended the farewell for months, giving loyal diners ample time to say their goodbyes through the end of 2025. At press time, Picos is still open, with owners noting in a recent Instagram post that they're definitely headed into the new year and will keep diners "updated on what’s to come and to continue sharing the moments, meals, and traditions that make Picos special."

Ryan Lachaine’s neighborhood favorite closed in late summer after eight years of serving pierogi that paid homage to his Ukrainian heritage, as well as beloved butter burgers. Citing a brutal dining climate (as bad as he’s ever seen it, he says), the chef and his partners chose not to renew the lease—but all is not lost. Diners can now find Lachaine at State of Grace in River Oaks, where some Riel staples live on.

This Tex-Asian sandwich shop in the Heights served its final sando this summer. Its playful take on Japanese sandwiches made with Texas toast won plenty of fans, but the following wasn’t enough to keep the brick-and-mortar alive.