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Life // Food & Dining

These Seattle bars, restaurants closed permanently due to COVID-19

by Callie Craighead, SeattlePI

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

It's no secret that Seattle's once thriving food scene has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ordered to cease in-person dining in March, many restaurants made the pivot to takeout food, while others found innovative ways to keep the doors open, creating cocktail and meal kits to go. But not every institution has survived the economic lull brought on by the shutdown, lack of tourism in the city and population of workers telecommuting.

And with a fall surge of the virus and new restrictions on indoor dining, the city's struggling restaurant industry may see more closures before the end of the virus.

Here, we say goodbye to some of the city's beloved restaurants that have permanently closed due to the pandemic, and remember all the happy times spent together over their drinks and dishes.

*Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order

A&A Cafe Organic Tamaleria and Cider House
It was one of the newest openings we were excited for back in February: Everett's A&A Cafe Organic Tamaleria finally expanding to Capitol Hill for all manners of handmade tamales paired with local ciders. But unfortunately, the small, family-run restaurant was forced to shutter after less than a year due to the pandemic.
Teresa Fogard / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

It was one of the newest openings we were excited for back in February: Everett's A&A Cafe Organic Tamaleria finally expanding to Capitol Hill for all manners of handmade tamales paired with local ciders.

But unfortunately, the small, family-run restaurant was forced to shutter after less than a year due to the pandemic.

Adana
Formerly known as Naka, this upscale Capitol Hill spot that featured an impressive selection of Japanese sake and whiskey closed in May, sending shock waves through Seattle's fine-dining scene. Known for lavish, 5 course meals that mixed Japanese comfort food with Pacific Northwest ingredients, eating at Adana was not just a meal, but an experience. "So many goddamn good memories here." wrote chef Shota Nakajima in a goodbye post. "I want to thank every single person who came through those doors to let me cook and serve you."
Adana via Yelp

Formerly known as Naka, this upscale Capitol Hill spot that featured an impressive selection of Japanese sake and whiskey closed in May, sending shock waves through Seattle's fine-dining scene.

Known for lavish, 5 course meals that mixed Japanese comfort food with Pacific Northwest ingredients, eating at Adana was not just a meal, but an experience.

"So many goddamn good memories here." wrote chef Shota Nakajima in a goodbye post. "I want to thank every single person who came through those doors to let me cook and serve you."

Ada's Discovery Cafe
The experimental storefront that mixed an AT&T retail space with a cafe made the decision to permanently close in July. Luckily, Ada's Technical Books and Cafe is still going strong on 15th Avenue with limited in-person browsing and takeaway food and drinks available.
Annie Y. via Yelp

The experimental storefront that mixed an AT&T retail space with a cafe made the decision to permanently close in July.

Luckily, Ada's Technical Books and Cafe is still going strong on 15th Avenue with limited in-person browsing and takeaway food and drinks available.

Alfi's Food and Deli
The small bodega on Minor Avenue might not have seemed like much, but this Denny Triangle spot had survived 22 years in the fast-changing neighborhood. Many construction workers stopped by Alfi's for a quick and affordable lunch. The owners closed the store and deli permanently on Dec. 13 after their lease renewal was denied. According to Vanishing Seattle, the space is set to become a 7-11.
Jon L. via Yelp

The small bodega on Minor Avenue might not have seemed like much, but this Denny Triangle spot had survived 22 years in the fast-changing neighborhood. Many construction workers stopped by Alfi's for a quick and affordable lunch.

The owners closed the store and deli permanently on Dec. 13 after their lease renewal was denied.

According to Vanishing Seattle, the space is set to become a 7-11.

Amandine Bakeshop
Seattle University students and Capitol Hill residents alike are losing another coffee spot as the cozy Chophouse Row bakery announced its closure at the end of September. Read more here.
Serena L/Yelp

Seattle University students and Capitol Hill residents alike are losing another coffee spot as the cozy Chophouse Row bakery announced its closure at the end of September.

Read more here.