The Cleveland Restaurants That Closed in 2023

The Nauti Mermiad

1378 W. 6th St., Cleveland

The Nauti Mermaid, a casual seafood restaurant and bar in the Warehouse District, closed in January . Michael Graham opened the fun-spirited eatery in 2004 and it had been a popular neighborhood haunt ever since. Current owner Jeff Hassan took over in 2010 and has served the bar's following well despite some very challenging years. All that ended this year, when the challenges proved insurmountable.

Yum Yum’s

512 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Yum Yum's, a popular presence at the 5th Street Arcades for more than a decade, closed in January. Located in a petite storefront at the entrance to the arcade, Yum Yum's was a convenient spot for a morning coffee, bakery items like donuts, bagels and croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and a lunch (and early dinner) menu of sandwiches and gyros. The arcade, like many downtown businesses, is still struggling with lower foot traffic since the start of the pandemic.

Domo Yakitori and Sushi

3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights

Domo Yakitori and Sushi, which opened in 2020 at the Van Aken District, closed in January. The shop enjoyed a roomy corner space inside the Market Hall, setting itself apart from most of the stalls thanks to its own compact dining area. Soon, that space will become home to Ninja City, which has earned plenty of name recognition since opening eight years ago in University Circle. Approximately five years ago, the Asian-influenced bar and pub relocated to Gordon Square (6706 Detroit Ave.), where it has been happily ensconced ever since. Last summer, the owners added satellite shops at Tower City and the Global Center for Health Innovation.

Manja Bar

13373 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Manja, a Madison Village mainstay for just shy of 25 years, closed in February. The come-as-you-are corner bar was a haven since original owner Chris Andrews opened it in 1998. Almost single-handedly, Andrews turned that stretch of Lakewood into a destination, opening spots like Chris' Warped Records, Chain Link Addiction and the too-cool-for-school Capsule restaurant. Current owner John McNeil told Scene that the building was sold to his neighbor, the antiques and oddities shop Cleveland Curiosities, who plan to expand into the bar's space.

Guthrie’s

3465 Steelyard Commons., Cleveland

After 12 years of dishing up chicken fingers at Steelyard Commons, the only Northeast Ohio location of Guthrie's closed for good in March. Founded in 1965 and pivoting to chicken fingers in 1982, the Alabama-based chain with dozens of locations throughout the south expanded as far north as Cleveland and as far south as Florida. Northeast Ohioans, of course, still have plenty of chicken finger options, what with the unrelenting arrival of Raising Cane's outposts throughout the region and, in our humble opinion, the best local option: Crispy Chick.

The Spotted Owl

710 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland

The Spotted Owl, which opened in Tremont in 2014, closed its doors in May. Owner Will Hollingsworth partnered with Erich Lasher to revive La Cave Du Vin, the pioneering Coventry Road bar that closed in 2018 after 23 years, in the space. The new/old bar is part of Hollingsworth’s expanding Buildings and Food hospitality group. Its Akron location of Spotted Owl also closed and is being turned into the second location of Good Company. And there's more on the way, including plans for another new/old bar: The restaurant group recently purchased the former Lolita space in Tremont and will eventually reopen the Spotted Owl on the second floor there with a restaurant going into the first floor space.

Platform Beer Co.

4125 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

Platform Beer Co., started in Cleveland in 2014 and acquired by Anheuser-Busch in 2019 from co-founders Paul Benner and Justin Carson, closed its Lorain Ave. taproom, its sour facility and taproom at Phunkenship, and ceased local production this past March. Platform last year laid off dozens in its Cleveland production facility as well as some in sales, the most recent evidence of turbulence at one of the city's most notable breweries. After a mass staff walkout at its Columbus taproom in 2021, Platform never reopened that location, and it's Cincinnati outpost closed recently as well.

Karl’s Inn of the Barristers

1264 West 3rd St.., Cleveland

Karl Abounader had been a beloved fixture downtown for more than 45 years, longer when you tack on time spent working at legendary spots like Swingo's Keg & Quarter. His enduring eatery Karl's Inn of the Barristers began life in its final spot in the Warehouse District in 1991. It closed after St. Patrick's Day this year at the ripe-old age of 32. "The building was shut down and they're forcing me out," Abounader told Scene. "We're the last place standing."

Campbell’s Sweet Factory Store Front

2084 W. 25th St.., Cleveland

Campbell’s Sweets abruptly shuttered its flagship store in Ohio City in May. The storefront opened in 2011 as a production space for the popular West Side Market stand, but quickly evolved into a beloved tourist attraction. Customers can continue shopping for products like popcorn, chocolate, cotton candy, and candy apples at the West Side Market and at b.a.Sweetie (6770 Brookpark Rd.) where they shifted production. Campbell's popcorn products are also sold at Giant Eagle, Target, Dave's Markets, Lucky's Markets and others.

Bomba

2101 Richmond Rd., Beachwood

Andy Himmel made the tough decision to shutter the Bomba Tacos & Barlocation at La Place in Beachwood in May. The restaurant opened in 2018, joining stores in Rocky River and Fairlawn. Those locations closed later in 2023, leaving just two Bomba restaurants in Pennsylvania. Himmel, the company's founder, also closed Paladar in Woodmere this year.