Staff Reporter
The Los Angeles dining industry, once celebrated as one of the most dynamic in the country, is now navigating some of its toughest years. After the global pandemic in 2020 reshaped dining habits, the city’s restaurants faced another blow with the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, which created an economic slowdown that persists well into 2025.
Industry insiders say the challenges have only deepened this year. “The costs of labor, rent, and ingredients are at record highs,” noted one restaurateur who requested anonymity. “Margins were already thin, but now it feels almost impossible.”
Alongside rising operational costs, devastating 2025 wildfires have left several neighborhoods struggling to recover, impacting customer turnout and destroying some properties altogether. ICE enforcement continues to affect staffing, further destabilizing an already fragile sector. These combined pressures have resulted in another wave of Los Angeles restaurant closures this summer.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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Pandemic, strikes, and wildfires compound financial struggles for LA restaurants
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Hollywood strikes of 2023 created lasting economic challenges
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2025 wildfires and ICE enforcement continue to impact staffing and operations
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Notable closures: Rosaline, Amour, Union, Goldburger Chinatown
Rosaline — A West Hollywood Icon Ends an Era
After eight successful years, Rosaline, the modern Peruvian destination in West Hollywood, will close its doors this month. The restaurant, opened by acclaimed chef Ricardo Zarate in June 2017, became known for its ceviches, large-format meat dishes, and vibrant seafood offerings.
“We built something special here,” Zarate shared in a previous interview, reflecting on Rosaline’s journey. “It’s bittersweet, but the challenges have been overwhelming.”
Located in the former Comme Ca space, Rosaline was a favorite among locals and visitors alike, blending traditional Peruvian flavors with modern California influences. Its closure signals the end of an era for LA’s global dining scene.
Amour — A Short-Lived Dream in West Hollywood
Amour, an upscale French restaurant with Japanese influences, will close at the end of August after less than two years in business. Opened in December 2023, Amour promised a unique culinary experience, led by chefs Dany Chavez-Bello, known for his work at Spain’s El Bullí and New York City’s Bouley, and Hendrix Vega as chef de cuisine.
“This was a passion project,” a staff member remarked. “But timing and costs were against us.”
Amour’s closing underscores the difficulty of sustaining fine dining concepts in a city where economic uncertainty lingers.
Union — Community-Driven Concept Shuts Suddenly
In the Zaferia neighborhood, Union, located inside Compound, a nonprofit cultural space with an art gallery, closed abruptly this month. The restaurant, which debuted in February 2024, featured a Filipino-inspired menu curated by chef Eugene Santiago. Signature dishes like bao bun fried chicken and steak with golden raisin chile crisp drew a loyal following.
“We wanted to create something that reflected both art and food culture,” said Santiago earlier this year. “It’s heartbreaking to see it end so soon.”
Union’s unexpected closure illustrates the unpredictable nature of the current dining climate.
Goldburger Chinatown — Smash Burgers Exit the Neighborhood
On August 3, the Goldburger Chinatown location shuttered its doors. The restaurant, which opened at the end of 2024 in the former Burgerlords space, was part of a popular local chain founded by Allen Yelent. Fans of Goldburger’s signature smash burgers can still visit locations in Los Feliz, Highland Park, and the latest outpost in Granada Hills.
“Chinatown just wasn’t sustainable for us,” said Yelent in a brief statement. “We’re grateful to the community for their support.”
A Larger Trend for Los Angeles Restaurants
Experts say these closures are part of a broader trend. “What we’re seeing is an industry trying to adapt but facing multiple crises at once,” explained a Los Angeles food analyst. “Pandemic recovery never fully materialized before the strikes, and now fires and enforcement actions have created a perfect storm.”
While some restaurants are pivoting to delivery-only models or pop-ups, many established names are struggling to stay afloat. For diners and chefs alike, the future of Los Angeles dining remains uncertain.
The wave of Los Angeles restaurant closures in 2025 reflects the cumulative impact of years of economic and social challenges. From the pandemic’s aftershocks to the Hollywood strikes, from soaring operational costs to the devastation of recent wildfires and continued ICE enforcement, the city’s dining landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. While some establishments are finding new ways to adapt, many iconic names are closing their doors, signaling an uncertain future for one of the nation’s most celebrated food destinations.
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