Eastlake Brewery Is Closing After Nine Years — And More Twin Cities Restaurant Closures

This is a curated, running list of recent restaurant and bar closings in and around the Twin Cities. Did we miss something? Reach out at minneapolis@eater.com.

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LAKE STREET — Eastlake Craft Brewery announced on Instagram that it’ll close on September 23, just shy of its nine-year anniversary. “Nine years, just like nine innings, comes to an end. We didn’t make the postseason,” the post reads. “COVID and the civil unrest outside our doors was a tough one-two punch for south Minneapolis. We bounced back a bit as things opened up, but not quite enough. In an unfortunately all too relatable circumstance, we can’t afford the rent.” Eastlake is a fixture of Lake Street’s Midtown Global Market. The market, which opened in 2006 as an incubator for entrepreneurs and chefs of color, saw a 75 percent drop in foot traffic in the first two years of the pandemic, as Sahan Journal reports, and has struggled with vendor turnover in recent years. But it had a big opening earlier this year: NATIF’s Indigenous Food Lab. Several events are planned for Eastlake’s final days.

NORTHEAST — Dangerous Man Brewing Co.’s taproom will close on October 21 — Yia Vang’s much anticipated Hmong restaurant, Vinai, is moving into the space next year. Owners Sarah Bonvallet and Rob Miller emphasized that this isn’t a curtain call for Dangerous Man, and hinted at an announcement coming in spring of 2024. In the meantime, they’ll keep making beer, which will be available at local liquor stores. Here’s the full story.

UPTOWN — Chef Ann Kim’s newest restaurant, Sooki & Mimi — which opened in 2021 with an heirloom corn-focused menu that fused Mexican and Korean influences — will close this October as it converts to a Korean American restaurant, Kim’s. Here’s what to know.

SELBY AVENUE — Modern Filipino restaurant Kalsada is saying farewell on September 15. Here’s why.

SEWARD — After 45 years of beers, curry, and stellar wings, Tracy’s Saloon is closing this September. “Tracy will be retiring and moving to the hellscape that is Del Boca Vista, Florida,” a Facebook announcement reads. Comments poured in to wish owner Sanjaya Wanduragala well. Keep an eye on Facebook for an official closing date.

POWDERHORN — Kim Bartmann’s Tiny Diner has closed for the winter, with plans to reopen in March of 2024. “Tiny Diner is struggling financially, and rather than risk permanent closure, we are resetting the table, doing some painting and fixing,” reads a press release.

HIGHLAND PARK — Agra Culture has closed its Highland Park spot in St. Paul; other locations at 50th and France, in Uptown, and within the Minneapolis Institute of Arts are still up and running.

August

TANGLETOWN — Chelas, the Vietnamese and Latin American tapas spot that opened in Tangletown last December, is closed. Owners Timothy Truong and Luom “Bronko” Do made a brief announcement on Instgram, citing “unforseen circumstances.” Here’s the rest of the story.

NORTHSIDE — Breaking Bread Cafe, run by North Minneapolis-based nonprofit Appetite for Change, closed its doors on August 25, after eight years as a vital community gathering space that served scratch-made soul food meals. A spokeperson for the nonprofit told North News that the cafe wasn’t given the chance to renew its lease — ZaRah Wellness will be expanding into the space. Check out North News for the full story.

TANGLETOWN — El Jefe has closed its Tangletown restaurant — but it has taken over the kitchen at the Uptown VFW. In the meantime, El Sazon Cocina & Tragos is moving into the space.

PROSPECT PARK — Two stalls moved out of Malcolm Yards food hall in August: Joey Meatballs is dedicating its attention to other projects, and Advellum Vegetable Eatery is pursuing a brick-and-mortar space. Bagu, a Japanese-influenced food stall, has moved into the former Joey Meatballs spaced with torched mussels and shoyu poke.

NORTHEAST — Escondido, the mezcal bar tucked into Centro’s Northeast location, closed in late August. A farewell post appeared on Instagram.

ROSEVILLE — Good Earth, one of the country’s first restaurant chains to focus on organic and “natural” foods, has closed its Roseville location after 40 years. The Edina Galleria location remains open.

NORTHEAST — Leslie Bock’s bar Psycho Suzi’s, known for its tiki-themed cocktails and wacky, extravagant antics, closed in August. Here’s the full story.

UPTOWN — The Lynhall’s Uptown location has ended its brunch service; the space is now used only for events and catering. Brunch and afternoon tea continues at the Edina location, however.

July

SAINT ANTHONY PARK — Foxy Falafel, a St. Paul favorite for fresh falafel, gyros, cauliflower steaks, and dolmas, closed its doors in July after a 13-year run. Owner Erica Strait announced the closing on Instagram. “It feels like just yesterday when I first opened at the farmers market, filled with dreams and aspirations,” she wrote. “This was not an easy decision but with the lease coming to an end I decided it was time for me to close. While I say goodbye to this chapter, I eagerly look forward to new beginnings and the possibility of future adventures. Thank you for making Foxy’s last 13 years truly unforgettable.”

FROGTOWN — Chef Hai Truong’s Ngon Bistro, which wove together French and Vietnamese influences on a menu that leaned heavily on local, seasonal ingredients, closed in July after a 16-year run. The Star Tribune has the full story of Truong’s influence on the Twin Cities dining scene.

UPTOWN — Uptown Collab, the bar-restaurant-mini-golf hybrid in Uptown’s Seven Points shopping center, has closed indefinitely as its owners “rethink the future.” Axios Twin Cities has the full story.

June

UNIVERSITY AVE — Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant, a beloved mainstay of St. Paul’s University Avenue, has announced that it’s closing this weekend — the last day of service will be Saturday, June 17. A brief closing announcement was posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page on Wednesday, and comments from customers poured in. “I used to come here as a child,” one commenter wrote. “My father had you all on speed dial for nights he didn’t want to cook. (A high compliment from an Oromo man). You all catered my HS Graduation party. I have brought many friends throughout the years and recommended you to many more. You will be missed. Thank you for all the memories.”

LOWERTOWN — Alary’s Bar has been a downtown St. Paul staple since 1949 — some know it as “St. Paul’s original sports bar.” The bar announced on Facebook this week that it’ll close on June 18, though it seems like the lights aren’t going entirely dark. “This isn’t goodbye forever, it’s goodbye for now,” the post reads. “New era coming soon, but let’s send off Alary’s in style.”

LOWRY HILL — Beloved butcher shop and deli Lowry Hill Meats announced in early June that it was closing its doors after seven years on Hennepin Avenue, as Mpls.St.Paul Magazine first reported. A post on Lowry Hill Meats’ Facebook page elaborated on the closure: “What we set out to do over seven years ago is no longer achievable for us here,” the post reads. “We will cherish the great relationships we have built with our customers, farmers, and makers over the years. Thank you all for your curiosity in our craft and years of support. Moving forward, be mindful of your meats, and support your local butchers and grocers who know their farmers and makers.” The last day of service will be June 30.

SEWARD — The Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis’s Seward neighborhood has been closed for more than a year, but it’s now officially on the market: the 4,144-square-foot building, the Birchwood Cafe name, the recipes, the kitchen equipment, everything. Racket has the rundown on the listing and the Birchwood’s legacy; Heavy Table previously ran an in-depth report on the complex factors that led to its closure in 2021.