Top Long Island restaurant closures in 2025

Oak Chalet, Bellmore

One of Long Island's oldest German restaurants, Oak Chalet in Bellmore, has been serving the hearty foods of southern Germany's Bavaria region since 1981. But owner Gisela Wedel said after the death of her husband, Dieter Reinking, the family plans to sell the business and close on Jan. 4. Wedel's extended family has been helping her run the restaurant since Reinking died in February. But lately, Wedel said, it's been very expensive to maintain the business and more difficult to find good staff. Many of Oak Chalet's employees have been working there for more than three decades, she said. And she's hoping the new owners of the business will find a way to keep them on. She also said the spot will probably not remain a German restaurant. The stone building is known for its Old World atmosphere and collection of Bavarian objects, like boot-shaped ceramic beer steins. The menu includes Wiener schnitzels, smoked pork chops, sauerbraten and red cabbage, bratwurst and more.

Caminito, Port Washington

Long Island's Argentine food scene has lost a little something: Caminito has closed in Port Washington. When it opened in 2023, Caminito seemed to be the only spot on Long Island that specialized in Argentine sandwiches. The chic cafe, owned by Korean Argentinian chef Sara Damian, lasted for about two years before closing Nov. 20. A classically trained chef who grew up in Buenos Aires, Damian served food that reflected her Korean Argentinian background in sandwiches like choripán (grilled chorizo) as well as empanadas stuffed with bulgogi beef and paired with kimchi mayo. When she started the business, most of her customers were locals. But eventually word got out in the Argentine community, and people started showing up from all parts of Long Island, including Manhasset, Great Neck and more, she said. Many Argentine customers would purchase frozen empanadas and bake them at home, which inspired her to open a new business selling frozen empanadas. She said that once she gets back into food service, she'll post on Caminito's Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Jade King, Roslyn Heights

Jade King of Roslyn Heights, one of Long Island’s oldest Chinese restaurants, has closed. The phone has been disconnected and multiple reports reference a note posted to the door: "Jade King is now closed. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our customers for your many years of support. Thank you, management." The restaurant, on Willis Avenue just south of the Northern State Parkway, opened in 1975. According to a 2007 Newsday story, then-owner Joe Kwok had operated Joy King in Brooklyn before taking over the corner spot. (It had previously been Slowboat to China.) The restaurant changed hands a few times since 2007; a current owner could not be reached. Jade King was a white-tableclothed, wonton-soup-egg-roll sort of place where you could still get egg foo young and chow mein, and wash them down with a mai tai. 

Momo's Sports Bar, Holbrook

A Suffolk County staple known for its dry rub wings is closed in December after more than 16 years in Holbrook. Momo's Sports Bar and Grill, owned by husband-and-wife team Rich and Tracey Comunale, is changing hands next month as the Comunales transfer their lease to a new owner who plans to change the eatery's name and concept. The couple's other venue, Momo's Too in Bayport, will remain open. Rich said the couple decided to close the original location because the numbers just aren't what they should be and they thought it was time to move on to a new project. 

The Cuban, Patchogue

The Cuban in Patchogue has closed after six years. The 154-seat restaurant on the ground floor of mixed-use complex New Village at Patchogue, 93 W. Main St., has been vacated. The Patchogue location, which served as a marquee of sorts welcoming guests into Patchogue Village, opened in 2019, Newsday previously reported. The sister restaurant of the same name in Garden City remains open. The eatery’s menu of Cuban and Latin-fusion fare included tableside guacamole, black bean and roasted corn salads, and ropa vieja, which is flank steak with tomatoes, peppers, onions and green olives with white rice and black beans. There also were costumed dancers and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.