Palm Beach County’s dining scene has seen a wave of closures throughout 2026, leaving longtime regulars mourning familiar tables, dishes and faces behind the counter.
In Tequesta, chef Niven Patel’s coastal Mediterranean spot NiMo shut down after just two years, despite Patel’s national reputation and Michelin recognition elsewhere. Jupiter’s seafood-focused Hooked on Jupiter closed in July, reportedly due to rising rent, though the team hinted more may be coming later.
Palm Beach Gardens took several hits. The Pan-Asian favorite Asian Fin closed in March after years of loyal patronage, while Italian staple Prezzo shut its PGA Boulevard doors in June, soon to be replaced by a new concept already thriving in Coral Springs. Nearby, the two-decade-old Grande’s Bella Cucina also served its final meals this summer.
West Palm Beach saw some of the most emotional goodbyes. A 40-year-old Thai grocery, Oriental Food Market, closed abruptly after its landlord declined to renew the lease. Tropical BBQ Market shuttered as its owner shifted focus to a booming Delray Beach location. Meanwhile, downtown institutions Morton’s The Steakhouse and City Cellar — both fixtures for professionals and courthouse regulars for decades — also closed, along with beloved burger spot Grease Burger Bar after 17 years on Clematis Street.
In Royal Palm Beach, Maple Street Biscuit Company closed as part of a larger corporate sale. Lake Worth Beach lost Mathews Brewing Co., 2 Chef’s Souparee and Turkish eatery Sofra, while Lantana’s Ravish Off Ocean couldn’t survive brutal off-season heat without air conditioning.
Down south, Delray Beach’s Lefkes Estiatorio and Boca Raton’s last remaining Hooters and the acclaimed restaurant Stage also closed their doors this year.
From family-run kitchens to national chains, the closures reflect a tough year for local dining — driven by rising rents, lease troubles and shifting customer habits. For many residents, it’s not just about losing a restaurant, but losing a piece of the community.