According to Eater’s August 2026 dining guide, several prominent New York City restaurants, bars, and cafes have closed across Manhattan and Brooklyn, including longtime neighborhood fixtures like Bayon in Lenox Hill and Chuko Ramen in Prospect Heights. These closures span independent cocktail lounges, casual dining spots, and celebrated spots recognized by the Michelin Guide, marking a wave of shifts in the city’s food and drink landscape.
Bayon Shuts Down in Lenox Hill After Chef Retires
Bayon, identified as a pioneer in New York City’s Cambodian food scene located at 408 E. 64th Street, shut down on Monday, August 3, according to Eater. Chef Minh Truong and his wife Mandy originally opened Angkor Cambodian Bistro in the exact same space in 2015. That initial venture operated as one of the only full-blown Cambodian restaurants in New York before closing at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
The landlord subsequently got the Truongs to return in 2024 with the debut of Bayon. The restaurant quickly drew notice from the Michelin Guide, securing a Bib Gourmand designation in its first two years of service. Inspectors specifically praised dishes like the fried chive dumplings doused with ginger-soy sauce and nyoam, which features thick rice noodles tossed in red curry sauce and ground fish.
After 45 years in the business—which included running a Thai restaurant in Chelsea for decades—Bayon’s chef decided to retire and close the shop. Chef Truong directed followers to support the city’s growing collection of Cambodian restaurants, which include Artara Coffee, Bong, Cambodian Now, and Lula Mae.
North Bar Closes in Hudson Square With Fall Reopening Plans
In Hudson Square, North Bar concluded a four-year run in late July at 458 Greenwich Street, near Desbrosses Street. According to a statement on social media cited by Eater, the tightly knit team looks forward to an exciting new chapter with a goal to reopen in the same space this fall under a different name and with a refreshed vision.
North Bar operated with a catch-all menu featuring deviled eggs, zucchini fritters, fish tacos, and weekend-only oysters. The beverage program included Negronis for two and seasonal drinks like a sake-and-sherry Matcharena. The cocktail bar’s partners brought deep industry ties to the neighborhood, stemming from years spent working at nearby spots like next-door Estancia 460 and Lure Fishbar in SoHo, alongside local photographer and designer friends who helped assemble North Bar initially.
Kind Regards Ends Decade-Long Run on the Lower East Side
On the Lower East Side, Kind Regards shut down on Saturday, August 1, ending a tenure at 152 Ludlow Street, near Stanton Street. The space previously operated as Cake Shop, an indie rock venue that lasted for about a decade before co-founder Nick Bodor flipped the bi-level grunge bar into Kind Regards in 2017, according to DNA Info reports noted by Eater.
The transformation introduced a polished pink-and-leafy aesthetic and citrusy cocktails priced at $15 at the time and $17 recently. Kind Regards closed out its run by offering a daily deal from 4 to 8 p.m., serving East Coast oysters for one dollar. The 152 Ludlow Street space has since been listed for lease.
Chuko Ramen Closes Permanently in Prospect Heights After 15 Years
In Prospect Heights, Chuko Ramen closed for good at its current location after 15 years in business, according to Eater. The establishment initially announced cryptic plans in late May to go offline until September, but an updated statement issued this week confirmed the permanent closure at 565 Vanderbilt Avenue, at Pacific Street.
Brooklyn’s breakout ramen shop catered to both vegetarians and meat-eaters, earning a following for its okonomiyaki-style tots, steamed buns, and half-priced weekday sake. The restaurant’s management directed patrons via an updated statement to follow them online for updates on what comes next.
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