From Michelin stars to James Beard Award winners to famous chefs, some restaurants could not survive the coronavirus pandemic
In 2020, the restaurant industry suffered even more than some others. Nationwide indoor-dining limits for months on end forced the industry, which already runs on small margins, to evolve.
The decision to close isn’t easy, but for struggling businesses, the long-term dine-in restrictions were devastating. No one was spared, no matter how famous or critically acclaimed.
Thomas Keller closed two restaurants, David Chang’s Momofuku group closed two, and José Andrés also closed two – one of which held two Michelin stars.
Some dining institutions were forced to close. The Gem Spa – an East Village staple in New York City – closed because of financial troubles caused by COVID.
Some restaurants closed before COVID even hit. The Spotted Pig closed not because of COVID but after Ken Friedman’s $240,000 sexual harassment settlement in January. Friedman was brought down in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
The Spotted Pig was the first pub to receive a Michelin star.
The restaurants that closed this year held a combined seven Michelin stars, a James Beard Award and decades of memories.
See which notable restaurants closed this year.
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