It’s been a tough year for Tampa Bay’s restaurant scene, especially following the aftermath of the pandemic. Some major local institutions decided to close in 2022, citing everything from mental and physical fatigue, supply chain issues and just general burnout.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, here are a few of the more notable bar and restaurant closures so far in 2022. 

Chatterbox 405 Patricia Ave., Dunedin After almost 50 years of dishing out homestyle meals and stacked breakfast plates, a Dunedin favorite has closed its doors. Chatterbox Family Restaurant, attached to the Dunedin Lanes bowling alley, served its very last customers on Dec. 12. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Chatterbox’s third generation owner Billy Drulias closed the family eatery to retire early. Drulias told TBT that he’s considering going back to school, as not finishing college was one of his biggest regrets in life. Photo via Google Maps
Avid Brewing 1745 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg If you’re looking for all-you-can-drink beers to celebrate the new year, Avid Brewing’s closing party has you covered. Avid is closing its doors at the end of this year. The brewery is hosting a Grand Closing New Year’s Eve Bash to celebrate the end of an era, beginning Dec. 31st at 1 p.m. Since the storefront is shutting its doors, $20 all-you-can-drink beer will be on sale during the event, so you can help the store drain its taps. Avid Brewing began as a storefront for home brewing supplies over 10 years ago, and opened its taproom in 2018. Photo via Avid Brewing/Facebook
Buffalo Wild Wings 1625 E 7th Ave., Ybor City After 10 years of business, the Ybor City Buffalo Wild Wings has officially shuttered, and will eventually be replaced with a new bar. Buffalo Wild Wings originally signed a 10 year lease for the space, and at the time, the location was the largest restaurant of the whole chain. No comment has been made on why the company did not renew the lease. Photo via Buffalo Wild Wings/Google Credit: Photo via Google Street
Two Graces 6001 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Two Graces, a restaurant known for its delectable outdoor garden, quietly shut their doors earlier this year. It is unclear when exactly the restaurant closed, as it made no announcement, but the building’s new owners will open a new Red Mesa Mercado at the address. Photo via Two Graces/Google
Doormét 681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Last November, the “gourmet delivery” restaurant Doormét closed its second location. Owner Jim Huss detailed the restaurant’s closure to each customer on its email list, explaining the different reasons why Doormét closed just two years after its debut. “We have had consistent issues in St. Pete, everything from finding help, to growing the business, to increased food costs, to increased labor costs, high rents, and a general difficulty in reaching residences and getting orders from homes at night,” the farewell email reads. “Ultimately, these issues caused family issues and were a serious detriment to our quality of life.” Its flagship Tampa location has been up-and-running for more than a decade, but as Huss said in the email to his customers, they were “sure that we would replicate Tampa’s success. However that did not come to fruition.” Photo via Google Maps
Wilson’s Sports Lounge After 50 years of cheap drinks, sticky floors and local comradery, Wilson’s had its last call in June earlier this year. The teal-colored, St. Pete dive bar—which appeared in the 2012 hit movie, “Magic Mike”—was a favorite spot for buddies looking to grab a cold one, watch the game and swap stories. People loved Wilson’s because its community—regulars welcomed newcomers, the bartenders were entertaining and everyone could be themselves. Photo via SK West Credit: Photo by SK West
Punky’s Bar and Grill 3063 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg After seven years of business, Punky’s final day was Wednesday, Aug. 3. The LGBTQ+ hub’s ownership are said to have assisted their employees in finding new jobs, and it is currently unclear what will become of the building moving forward. Photo via Punky’s Bar and Grill/Facebook Credit: Punky's Bar and Grill / Facebook
Faedo Family Bakery 5150 N Florida Ave, Tampa Faedo Family Bakery has closed its doors, opening up room for La Segunda to expand. La Segunda has baked in Ybor City for over a century, and is now expanding with this, a fourth location in Tampa Bay. It is still unsure when this new location will be opening, but the La Segunda in Seminole Heights is fully open. Photo by Kyla Fields Credit: Kyla Fields
Tony’s Ybor Restaurant 2001 N 22nd St., Tampa After 93 years of dishing out hearty Italian dishes, Tony’s Ybor Restaurant has made the decision to close. Larry Scaglione, the most current owner, shares that he intends to continue the Tony’s legacy by opening a catering business, which he is calling Tony’s Ybor Catering, so the Tony’s legacy lives on! Photo via Tony’s Ybor Restaurant/Google
Backfin Blue Cafe 2913 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport After 25 years in business, one of Gulfport’s staple seafood restaurants shut down earlier this year after having been drastically affected by the pandemic. Backfin Blue Cafe faced with supply shortages, which affected prices and hours of operation, leading to the decision to close permanently. However, according to his daughter Carly Russell, owner Harold Russell plans to open up a food truck or catering business in the future. Photo via Backfin Blue Cafe/Facebook
Sunday Delicatessen 1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City The era of popular sandwich shop Sunday Delicatessen has come to a close. Owners Dave and Gina Sunday decided to call it quits after they took their first vacation in seven years. They reached out to a local broker and decided to sell. The future of the building is still up in the air, but it looks like 7th+Grove next door at least took over the address in Google listings. Photo via Photo by Shanna Gillette
Smokin’ J’s BBQ 5145 Gulfport Blvd. S, St. Petersburg The popular Texas-style barbecue joint closed on July 24 after owner John Riesebeck took some advice from his doctor who said that it was time to retire. The restaurant was known for its giant four-pound $49 sandwich, which guests could win for free if they were able to eat it in under an hour. ILovetheBurg shared that a new barbecue spot may be taking its place. Photo via Smokin’ J’s BBQ/Facebook
Independent Bar St. Pete 1049 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Independent Bar closed on Oct. 2 after six years of business in the Edge District. The establishment was sold to a partnership including Ryan Griffin, who is involved in Trophy Fish and The Mandarin Hide, two successful St. Petersburg concepts. Photo via Independent Bar/Facebook
The Loft 1909 N 15th St., Ybor City Ybor City bar The Loft—a recent victim of the show “Bar Rescue”—closed down earlier this year and was replaced by SpookEasy Lounge, a kava bar with spooky and mysterious themes. SpookEasy originally opened over a year ago, and is now back in Ybor, sharing kava, kratom, and gothic vibes. Photo via The Loft/Facebook
Ybor City Vegan Deli 1903 N 19th St., Ybor City Ybor City’s Vegan Deli is closing at the end of this month. The local chain’s Brandon, Orlando and Sarasota locations have already closed, and the Dunedin location is up for sale, as well. The owners have announced that “there’s a very slim chance” that a Wesley Chapel location may open eventually. Photo via Ybor City Vegan Deli/Facebook
Sea Critters Cafe 2007 Pass a Grille Way, St. Pete Beach The longtime seafood restaurant changed ownership to make room for a new eatery, Red White & Booze, which maintains the ocean-themed bar-and-grill style dining while putting some new touches on the menu. Photo via Sea Critters Cafe/Website
Dharma Southern Kitchen 1910 N Ola Ave. Suite 113, Tampa Armature Works’ vegan spot closed in early August, and their Orlando location is temporarily closed as well. The Armature Works location will soon be replaced by a DalMoros Fresh Pasta, which is a pasta-centric fast-casual concept. The opening date has not yet been released. Photo via Dharma Southern Kitchen/Facebook
The Poor Porker 801 E Main St., Lakeland The Poor Porker closed its doors on July 4, and is being replaced with Unfiltered Lakeland, a new concept featuring restaurantures, artists and businesses. Its sister locations in Bartow and Punta Gorda are currently up and running, featuring a variety of different vendors and providing a good idea of what to expect from this upcoming opening. Photo via The Poor Porker/Google
MacDinton’s St. Pete 242 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg The St. Pete’s MacDinton’s location abruptly shut down earlier this year. A new country bar, “Welcome to the Farm” is moving in. Photo via MacDinton’s St. Pete/Googlentr
El Gallo De Oro Restaurante 4007 Fiesta Plaza, Tampa After 35 years, the popular Cuban spot El Gallo De Oro Restaurante closed on March 18. Owners are considering reopening in areas such as Jacksonville or Crystal River. Photo via El Gallo De Oro Restaurante/Facebook
Kingsford Fire Grille 204 Westshore Plaza, Tampa The charcoal themed restaurant closed its doors after less than a year of business. This restaurant was branded with Kingsford charcoal company through an exclusive deal. The Westshore Plaza space didn’t sit empty for long, and will soon house celebrity celebrity chef Fabio Viviani’s latest concept Amendment XXI. Photo via Kingsford Fire Grille/Google
Ground Foods Cafe 6428 N Florida Ave, Tampa This vegan and organic Italian restaurant closed last February when owners said they had to spend more time with their family. The cafe has been replaced by Courtney’s Custom Catering, a local woman-owned catering company serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Photo via Ground Foods Cafe/Google
Gaia Donut 6617 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa Tampa’s vegan donut shop Gaia Donut closed after owner Sarah Hunt said needs to focus on her family and mental health. She shared that she does intend to work with food in the future, and would like to become an allergy safe recipe consultant. Photo via Gaia Donut/Google
New Leaf Cafe 11813 N Armenia Ave., Tampa A plant-based staple of North Tampa closed in November, but its popular vegan sammies will see the light of day again soon. After dishing out plant-based eats to the greater Carrollwood area for the past seven years, New Leaf Cafe’s last day open was Nov. 6. Although the vegan cafe is closing its doors, it will still offer popular breakfast items at the soon-to-open Voodu Vegan Bistro, a fellow North Tampa plant-based restaurant. Voodu Vegan Bistro used to share a space with New Leaf Cafe, but is getting ready to open its own storefront elsewhere in Tampa, although a grand opening date isn’t yet set in stone. Photo via Google Maps