Lake Worth Beach’s food scene has always had a certain personality — a little quirky, a little unpredictable, and never afraid to do things differently. That’s exactly what made this year’s string of closures sting a bit more for regulars who considered these spots part of the neighborhood.
Along the stretch of Lake and Lucerne Avenues, three well-known names shut their doors in 2026: a dog-friendly brewery famous for its tiki hut and live music, a soup shop that regularly had lines stretching out the door, and a Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant loved for its rice pudding and tea.
Here’s a look at who’s gone — and why.
Mathews Brewing Co.
For years, Mathews Brewing Co. wasn’t just a place to grab a drink — it felt like a gathering spot for the whole community. Locals showed up for the award-winning beer, brought their dogs along, and stuck around for live music almost every night.
Founder and brewmaster Dave Mathews broke the news back in March that he was closing up shop. At 62, he said he wanted to be closer to family in the Tampa area. The brewery had actually expanded just a couple years earlier, adding Mathews Brewing Co. Scratch Kitchen right across the alley in late 2023. That spot closed along with the original.
2 Chef’s Souparee
Anyone who walked past 2 Chef’s Souparee in its final days back in April remembers the line. Customers didn’t want to miss their last chance at a bowl from the beloved soup spot, which had been serving Lake Worth Beach since 2007.
Owner Jane Mazzocchi didn’t sugarcoat how hard the goodbye was for her regulars, admitting plenty of customers weren’t happy to see it go. But with her lease ending and her 89th birthday approaching, she said it was simply time to step back. She had nothing but praise for the staff who helped keep the doors open all those years, calling out her kitchen crew and servers for sticking with her to the very end.
Sofra
Sofra brought a distinct Turkish spin to Mediterranean food, and its corner spot at Lake Avenue and South Dixie Highway made it a downtown fixture. Chef and owner Tenar Yontem closed the restaurant in May.
The restaurant had built a loyal following for dishes you don’t find everywhere — including a rice pudding and Turkish tea that longtime local food writers counted among their favorites in the area.
What It Means for Downtown Lake Worth Beach
Three closures in one year is a notable shift for a downtown corridor known for its tight-knit, loyal dining crowd. Whether new restaurants move into these spots — or longtime owners like Mathews and Mazzocchi are simply moving on to new chapters — Lake Worth Beach’s food scene will likely look a little different heading into 2027.