Recent Long Island restaurant closures in 2026

The Corner Bar, Sag Harbor

It’s rare when the essence of the owner is embedded in his business, but that’s the case with The Corner Bar in Sag Harbor, which has changed ownership after 48 years. Jim Smyth opened The Corner Bar in February 1978, running it until his death in 2017 at 66. The business was put into a trust for his widow, Margaret Smyth, and remained open until Feb. 8, when the eatery closed after an emotional goodbye bash. Margaret said economic hardship wasn’t the reason for the sale, it was just time to retire. New owners John and Kelly Piccinnini, who also own The Clam Bar and Sett Coffee in Amagansett, vow to keep what the community loves about the landmark eatery, including its name, but will update the menu.

Hunan Tapas, Great Neck

One of Long Island's newest Chinese restaurants has closed after only about six months in business. Hunan Tapas opened in Great Neck in July, and quickly became a critics' pick as one of the only places to get spicy Hunan dishes like sour pickled intestines and smashed chilies with century egg. It was included in Newsday's list of Top Chinese restaurants of 2025, among other standout spots serving Sichuan, Northern Chinese and dim sum. The Great Neck restaurant is an outpost of owner Chi Zhang's original Hunan Tapas, based in Long Island City, Queens. The recipes are inspired by Zhang's mother, who is from the Southern Chinese province known for its fresh and spicy stir fries. But Zhang was trying to meld those flavors with Chinese American fare, creating a large menu with both Cantonese and Hunan staples, often unmarked.

Locale Gastro Bar & Pizzette, Patchogue

Locale Gastro Bar & Pizzette has served its last meals after a nearly decade-long run along Patchogue’s restaurant row. The Italian American restaurant opened in 2017 in the New Village mixed use complex owned by Tritec, which confirmed the restaurant's closing. Locale had an industrial chic look with exposed pipes and bricks. Its menu included a meat and cheese board, small pizzas and Nonna Rosa's meatballs, among classics such as chicken parm, Milanese and piccata.

Eckart's Luncheonette, Westhampton Beach

Eckart's Luncheonette, a Westhampton Beach landmark run for 115 years by four generations of the same family, has been sold and has ceased operations under family ownership. Eckart's, at 162 Mill Rd., closed on Feb. 17, but the former owners assured patrons that they are leaving the luncheonette "in good hands." Founded in 1911 by Jacob Eckart, the eatery first operated as a barroom called the Outside Inn. According to a history posted by Eckart's, the bar was transformed into Eckart's Soda Shoppe during Prohibition, and, in 1949, Warren (Red) Eckart took over the operation from his father, running it with his wife, Shirley, as they raised six children, turning the soda shop into Eckart's Luncheonette, which served all-day breakfast.

Vincent's Restaurant & Pizzeria, Albertson

A landmark Albertson eatery, Vincent’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, has closed after a decades-long run on Willis Avenue. A recorded message on the shop's phone line cites the "expiration of our lease." The owner could not be reached for comment. The pizzeria, at 1004 Willis Ave., has been around since at least 1978. Cliff Sondock, a director of leasing at Spiegel Associates, landlords of the Albertson Shopping Center, said the space is available. Vincent's was an old-school pizzeria serving classic Sicilian pizza as well as specialty pies like chicken alla vodka pie and barbecue chicken pizza. There were hero sandwiches such as chicken cutlet Milanese and grilled chicken with broccoli rabe besides specialty pastas and seafood entrees.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Hicksville

If you’re craving Buffalo wings in Hicksville to snack on during next week's Super Bowl, there will be one less option to consider: The Buffalo Wild Wings location in the former Broadway Commons mall served its last chicken wing on Feb. 2. Founded in 1982 as a popular spot to watch sports, throw back some beers and eat wings, Buffalo Wild Wings is known for its vast selections of sauces including honey BBQ, Parmesan garlic, mango habanero, Thai curry and Caribbean jerk. In 2025, Newsday reported that the restaurant chain had opened its first quick-service location in Nassau County, part of the brand's new strategy of opening smaller, takeout-focused locations across the country. Those locations are in Bellmore, Shirley and Patchogue.

Zorba the Greek, Port Jefferson Station

The owners of Zorba the Greek, a longtime Port Jefferson Station staple, have closed the restaurant after a 46-year run. The family-owned restaurant will continue to serve its authentic Greek dishes at its Zorba the Greek Express in nearby Selden. Zorba the Greek was founded by Peter Englezos, then in his early 20s, on Jan. 10, 1980. But just weeks ago, on Dec. 31, the Englezos family announced via Instagram the restaurant was closing its doors at its long-standing location in Jefferson Plaza due to a construction project by Staller Associates. The owners plan to transform the shopping center into a mixed-use complex that will include business and apartment space.

Tommy Tacos, Syosset

New year, new beginnings: Just six months after Tommy Tacos opened at 98 Jackson Ave. in Syosset, the restaurant has closed, and is pivoting to open a takeout-centric spot in Sayville later this month. "It was very fast and unexpected," said Tommy Tacos chef-owner, Tom Stein. The Syosset shop, which had become more full-service, less fast-casual, "wasn’t on the market, nor were we looking to close," Stein said. "We just got an offer on the restaurant unexpectedly that we couldn’t refuse. That’s the only reason." That offer came from SmartWich, the Hicksville shop owned by chef Michael Guerrieri that churns out killer artisanal sandwiches, like mozzarella, sweet peppers, tomato and arugula; homemade pickled sardines with pickled onions and tomatoes, cilantro and olive oil; and octopus with diced red and green peppers and onions.

Red Apple Diner, Lynbrook

The Red Apple Diner had only occupied 401 Sunrise Hwy. since 2022, but it was the successor to the Lynbrook Diner, which began operation in 1929 and closed in 2019. Now, a sign on the door reads "closed for renovations," but a bigger sign on one of the windows announces that the property is available. Nick Mavromihalis had operated the Lynbrook Diner since 1985, except for a few months after a January 2014 fire when it was closed. Its successor, Red Apple, was owned by Vasillios Kefaalas, according to Estiator, "The National Magazine of the Greek American Food Industry," and other sources.

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 sold the business and closed 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.