After a brutal 2024 for the restaurant industry, we crossed our fingers for some relief come 2025. However, if January is any indication of how 2025 will go, we’re in for a rough ride. From 14-year-old donut spots to board game cafes, bubble tea shops, and Middle Eastern eateries, Dished reported on 18 restaurant closures. Here’s a roundup of restaurants that have closed or announced they will be closing soon.
Closed
On the day of its seventh anniversary, Aleph took to Instagram to announce that it would be closing its doors. “For seven incredible years, Aleph has been more than a restaurant. It’s been a place of connection, a celebration of flavours, and a shared journey with our community. Now, as we prepare to say goodbye, we invite you to join us in making these final two weeks unforgettable,” wrote Aleph. However, Aleph recently posted an update saying it will continue
delivery and pick-up “until it’s no longer possible.”
The Raving Gamer Bistro, located in Langley, has closed due to “economic uncertainty” and
SkyTrain construction . “In the face of ever-increasing cost of business, economic uncertainty, and impending 48 months of SkyTrain construction, we can no longer continue to operate as a great little Local community hub,” said The Raving Gamer on Instagram.
Ninja Bubble Tea took to
Instagram to share that it has closed its Glen Drive location in Coquitlam. “This isn’t just a store — it’s where it all began. This is the spot where we learned the ropes, found our rhythm, and grew alongside the incredible community that supported us every step of the way. The laughter, memories, and milestones we’ve shared here will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said the store.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we share this with you; we have made the difficult decision to close our Richmond location,” shared Pause n’ Sip. Pause n’ Sip opened in
November 2022 and was best known for its fresh fruit and bubble teas, as well as Yakult drinks and other specials. Located at 1086 W Broadway, this spot was best known for its meaty handhelds filled with pork, prosciutto, turkey, Montreal-style smoked meat, ham, roast beef, and more. The restaurant has not made an official announcement of the closure, but a new spot has already opened in its place called Saiko Sushi.
Many were excited when they heard Festal Cafe had reopened in
Squamish in January 2024 after it had closed its
Vancouver location . However, the cafe has now shared that it has
closed its most recent and only location just over a year later.
Just five months after initially opening, Vegas Donuts has closed its latest location with plans to move to Maple Ridge. Owner of Vegas Donuts, Mike McBean, confirmed to Dished that the shop will be moving its 1610 Robson Street location to 22361 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge, with a grand opening planned for later this January. However, McBean did not provide a reason for the move.
While the cafe has yet to make a formal announcement on its social media, the windows for the spot have been papered up, and it’s currently listed as “Temporarily Closed” on Google. Dished reached out to Hive Cafe for more information but has not heard back. Other recent closures in New Westminster include
Hub Restaurant (which has since turned into Big Way Hot Pot’s latest location) and
Fratelli Bakery .
Toronto-based new-wave Korean bistro
Horangee Sikdang , which opened its doors in July 2024, has closed just five months later. The restaurant has yet to make an announcement of the closure, but it is currently listed as Permanently Closed on Google. However, a new restaurant has already
moved into the space .
Grains Fish Noodle specializes in fish and grain noodle soups, which are made with pork and fish broth and special multigrain noodles. On December 15, Grains Fish Noodle closed its Kingsway location. This was its only Vancouver location, but it still has two outposts in Richmond and one in Burnaby.
Ju Restaurant, located at 782 Cambie Street, Vancouver, opened its doors on July 4, 2024. The space was previously occupied by
Black Rice Izakaya , which closed its doors after 10 years of operation. “I know it only lasted six months,” said general manager Young Shin, “but it also was enough time to learn that the concept and type of cuisine does not belong in the neighbourhood.”
Kulinarya Filipino Eatery, best known for its Kamayan-style dining, a Filipino meal eaten with your hands instead of plates and cutlery, announced it has closed its Coquitlam location. “We are deeply grateful to the Coquitlam community for embracing us, supporting us, and being a part of our journey. Your love and encouragement have been the heart of Kulinaryas,” continued the restaurant. But don’t worry; its Vancouver location at 1134 Commercial Drive will remain open.
Closing soon
Cartems shared the news on its
social channels and website with an emotional note thanking all its supporters for over a decade of delicious operations. Widely known as one of
the best donut makers in town , Cartems serves up tasty takes on classic flavours and carved out a space of its own with unique offerings like the London Fog, Honey Parmesan, and Smoked Maple Walnut donuts. The donut makers’ final day of operation will be February 14. Paragon Tea Room announced on Instagram that it will be closing its Cambie Village location, with plans to relocate in Vancouver. The tea room cited the reason for the closure is because the landlord is preparing to make way for a new development. “While we understand the nature of change, it’s hard to say goodbye to this space that has been home to so many great moments shared over tea,” said Paragon. Paragon will continue to operate its locations in YVR Airport and its
new location at 4328 No. 3 Road, Richmond, which opened in September 2024. Its final day at its Vancouver spot will be February 28.
Mochido confirmed to Dished that it will be closing both its Vancouver and Coquitlam locations. “It’s with a heavy heart that we’re announcing the closure of our Vancouver and Coquitlam locations at the end of January,” a representative from Mochido told Dished. Mochido got its start back in 2021 when it operated out of Vancouver’s Commissary Connect on Laurel Street, where folks could either walk in for treats or order for delivery. Since then, it opened an
open-kitchen concept in Coquitlam (which we referred to as “donut heaven”) and operated numerous
pop-ups throughout Metro Vancouver.
Punk Rock Pastries’s owner, Hollie Fraser, shared a video on Instagram with the news that the bakery will be closing up shop. “As you’ve probably been seeing, there’s been a lot of places shutting down this year. Unfortunately, this will be Punk Rock Pastries’ last year,” Fraser said.
Longstanding Kitsilano staple Aphrodite Organic Cafe will be closing for good on Sunday, February 2, 2025, after over 20 years of serving the community. “After many years of being a beloved destination in Kitsilano, the rising costs of doing business has simply become too much for us to continue,” said the cafe. “We want to take these last couple of weeks to honour and celebrate our amazing staff, our wonderful customers and our incredible products.”
Liberte Cafe and Restaurant took to Instagram to announce that it will close its doors in February 2025. “After many wonderful years of serving you, the landlord has decided to increase our rent exorbitantly, and we will not renew our lease due to the unfair rent increase,” said the restaurant. “Since our government has no limitations on excessive rent increases, we ask that our loyal community continue to support local long-standing family businesses as a way of community action and awareness of the injustices when landlords prioritize capital over community.”
