All the Philly Restaurants That Closed in February

From bankruptcies to evictions or retirements, this page is where Eater Philly keeps track of every notable restaurant closure in the city for 2020, along with some bar, bakery, and cafe shutters too. Seen any papered-over windows or abandoned patios in your neighborhood? Tell us about it. Feeling nostalgic about last year’s restaurant closings? Those are here.

M Restaurant, known for its courtyard dining at the Morris House Hotel just off Washington Square, is no longer a restaurant, but it will continue to host private events.

Hours at Govinda’s had been erratic since its move from the corner of Broad and South next door to 1408 South Street, so there was some confusion in Philly’s vegan community over whether the restaurant was now officially closed. It is.

The Wynnewood location of Pittsburgh-based Mexican chain Mad Mex is done serving giant burritos and giant-er margaritas.

The Rittenhouse location of New York-based poke purveyor the PokeSpot is shuttered.

Brothers Andrew Erace and Adam Erace (co-author of the Palizzi Social Club and Laurel cookbooks) closed both locations of their Green Aisle Grocery stores, which stocked local, organic, and gourmet products on East Passyunk Avenue and Grays Ferry Avenue.

January 27

Koukouzeli, the Greek restaurant in the Italian Market, closed after a little more than a year. Cristina Martinez of South Philly Barbacoa fame is taking over the space for a new Mexican eatery.

Nearby, doughnut shop Golden Donut at the corner of Ninth and Christian in the Italian Market has shut off its fryer.

Sweet Freedom, the gluten-free, vegan bakery that doesn’t use dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, or refined sugar, closed its 15th and South location. The Sweet Freedom in Bryn Mawr is open.

In other bakery news, Swiss Haus, the century-old bakery that underwent a few changes in ownership and closings/reopenings/relocations, is now closed for real according to the Inquirer.

Yang Ming, the long-running upscale Chinese restaurant on the Main Line, is ending its 29-year run on February 2, the Inquirer reports.

In Ardmore, the Suburban Square location of retro diner Ruby’s, known for its burgers and shakes, has shut its doors.

Also on the Main Line: brunch spot Cafe Lift in Narberth is closed. The original Cafe Lift in Callowhill is unaffected.

Center City sports bar Tavern on Broad, located below ground in the Bellevue building, which is currently being renovated, is permanently closed, Philly Chit Chat reports.

South Philly lost a sports bar, too: South Philly Bar & Grill next to Pat’s and Geno’s is closed.

Helm Rittenhouse, the Center City offshoot of Kensington BYOB Helm, lasted a year and a half, Inquirer.com reports. It had replaced Aldine.

Palma’s Cucina, the rebrand of 23-year-old Mama Palma’s, didn’t last too long on Fitler Square.

On the Delaware River waterfront, fine-dining restaurant La Veranda has stopped serving linguini and clams and veal parm. If You have a gift card, you can contact the owner for a refund or use it at one of his area diners.

The Broad and Walnut location of fancy steakhouse chain Morton’s is shuttered, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.

Sandler’s on 9th is no longer serving American classics in the Franklin building, Inquirer.com reports.

Peter McAndrews closed the Girard Avenue location of his sandwich shop Paesano’s to relocate it to 1429 Marlborough Street in Fishtown, the former home of Poe’s Sandwich Joint, the Inquirer reports. McAndrews also shuttered his Italian Market BYOB Monsu last year. (Looking for Poe’s? It’s now teamed up with the new Human Robot Brewing at 1710 N. Fifth Street.)

Helm [official photo]