18 Seattle restaurants have closed since our last list

Before we chronicle the 18 latest Seattle restaurant closures, a little bit of good news for fans of the Wedgwood Broiler — after a fire, it’s back up and running in all its old-school glory. 

We’ve already reported the recent shutdown of the Elysian Brewing taproom and the associated production brewery in Georgetown. And in the category of turnovers, Rasai in Fremont has already become new Sangamam, Fiasco on Stone Way has been transformed by Heavy Restaurant Group into another Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, and the former Eve space in Fremont is now home to a branch of the Kayava ramen chain.

Now to the most recent goodbyes … and if the overall number seems high, note that this covers the two months since the last roundup at the end of September — and that we’ve seen 23 new restaurants debut in Seattle in that time, plus 26 more in Bellevue and beyond.

KŌBO PIZZA on Capitol Hill: After two-plus years, local “Top Chef” alum Shota Nakajima has closed his Detroit-adjacent-style pizza place lodged in the back of Redhook Brewlab, with the final day falling on Halloween. Nakajima called the partnership “incredible,” expressed happiness at getting “to make some seriously dope pizza,” and thanked all supporters of the endeavor in a news release, which indicated that Kōbo was a pop-up all along (though it hosted pop-ups itself, so what even is a pop-up, really?). Redhook is now running the kitchen, with a representative saying that “the Brewlab has moved over to more standard pub fare.” Nakajima’s nearby Taku remains open for fried chicken business.

ART OF THE TABLE in Fremont/Wallingford: With two final dinners on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 called “The Last Supper,” chef Dustin Ronspies ends the 17-year run of his deeply personal restaurant project. Art of the Table first earned accolades in the tiny Fremont spot now housing Kamonegi, then moved in 2017 to a nearby space accommodating more fans and, recently, a grab-and-go market for takeout and more. Ronspies called Art of the Table “a dream and a reality that could never have happened without the love and support” of all the diners over the years, with notice of the closure on Instagram met with an outpouring of appreciation and congratulations on the long run, including many well wishes from local chefs.

HO HO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT in the Chinatown International District: Open for nearly four decades, this CID stalwart for Cantonese comfort food was especially appreciated over the years for staying open nice and late. The original owners sold the place in 2016, according to Intentionalist, but Ho Ho continued on and got a remodel to boot. Now the end has come, with a Vanishing Seattle tribute conjuring memories (or the late-night lack thereof) for scores of fans. The space is set to become another restaurant called Ringo Curry.

TWO DOORS DOWN on East Madison Street: This little spot for burgers and beer said goodbye on Halloween with a night of “exuberant chaos” in celebration of its 10-year tenure. The owners were “by no means sad,” they noted on Facebook, instead saying, “We’ve been lucky,” expressing great appreciation to their neighbors, staff, landlord and regulars. “It’s been a great run,” they said.

MKT. near Green Lake: Opening in 2013 as the smallest-ever restaurant in the Ethan Stowell empire — and home at the beginning to chefs Joe Ritchie and Monica Dimas — this place earned critical praise and became a neighborhood favorite. (For what it’s worth, the name was meant to be pronounced “market,” with the three letters standing for “Meridian, the traditional name for the neighborhood; the historic Keystone Building it’s housed in; and Tangletown, as the area is now known,” according to an early news release.) New owners took over in November 2022, final service was Sept. 22 and a request for information about the closure went unanswered. Huge silver lining: The space will soon be the brick-and-mortar home of the cult-hit (and great value) pizza of My Friend Derek’s. 

BALLARD PIZZA COMPANY in Ballard, Frelard and South Lake Union: Speaking of Ethan Stowell Restaurants, the company has shut down these outlets of its pizza chain. But when three pizza doors close, one opens: While the original Ballard location is gone, a new, larger branch has already debuted in the former Bramling Cross space on Ballard Avenue.

QUEEN SHEBA on Capitol Hill: This spot in a house off Broadway had been a fixture for Ethiopian cuisine for 20-plus years, but recently was open only sporadically, so there was not much of a farewell. The property owner told Capitol Hill Seattle Blog that they plan to renovate and seek out a new restaurant tenant.

PIKE’S PIT in Pike Place Market: While the original Sodo outlet along with the West Seattle shop remain open, the Market’s branch of local barbecue chain Pecos Pit has closed, with the location in Yelm listed as temporarily closed as of this writing. The company responded to a request for more information only with an email indicating that its food trucks and catering operation are also temporarily closed.

CHOPSTICKS CUISINE in Wedgwood: This family-run place, famous in the neighborhood for its Mongolian tofu, opened in 2017 and had its last day at the end of October, with the owners expressing their deep gratitude for their valued customers on the website. “Thank you for being part of our journey,” they said.

WATSON’S COUNTER in Ballard: Open since 2019, this cafe and Korean American brunch spot known for its Fruity Pebbles French toast moved in 2023 and has now shuttered. Via Instagram, the owner expressed gratitude and said that “every dream comes to an end and it’s time for Watson’s Counter to ride off into the sunset.”

DARKALINO’S in Green Lake: This offshoot of the Italian restaurant/sneaker store by the same name in Pioneer Square was short-lived, open since this past June. The branch of Lil Woody’s that shared the space remains open, while ownership looks at options to fill the Darkalino’s side. 

65TH ST CAFE & RESTAURANT in Green Lake: After three years in business, this pizza place permanently closed Sept. 22 “due to economical hardship and inflation,” according to a note posted on the door, which also thanked customers, saying that “serving you has been nothing but an absolute pleasure!”