The D.C. Restaurant Closings to Know, September 2024

This is a curated list of D.C. area’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published once a week. See a closing we missed? Drop us a line.

September 16

GEORGETOWN—Jaco Juice & Taco Bar, Wisconsin Avenue’s color-soaked destination for morning-to-midday burritos, tacos, rice bowls, quesadillas, acai bowls, and smoothies, shut down its sole D.C. location. Its website lists a remaining pair of Pennsylvania outposts. 1614 Wisconsin Avenue NW

September 12

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

DOWNTOWN—Bar Spero, chef Johnny Spero’s stunning, 120-seat tribute to Spain’s Basque country, announced its sudden closure after just two years of business in D.C.’s sleek Capitol Crossing complex. “It became really financially unstable to keep doors open,” Spero told Eater. “We tried to pump everything we had into it to keep things moving but at a certain point I had to call it.” A plentiful raw bar selection joined a fire-fed menu featuring everything from elegant Spanish turbot to meaty pork from the Shenandoah Valley. Spero is also behind Georgetown’s Michelin-starred tasting room Reverie, which is where his full focus will now shift to. 250 Massachusetts Avenue NW

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS—Fledgling Mexican restaurant Cinco Soles (temporarily) shut down after a short run. The website marks the establishment as closed until at least October 7, though a comeback plan is unclear. Salvadoran chef-owner Mauricio Arias turned his former Italian eatery Ossobuco into Cinco Soles in spring 2023, tapping a Maiz 64 alum to execute the Mexican cuisine pivot with a menu full of vibrant ceviches, al pastor tacos, mahi mahi tostadas, churros, bright salads, and spicy margaritas. Executive chef Leonel Amador Osorto took over in early 2024. Arias is also behind Rinconcito Café and Tortino in Shaw. 3418 11th Street NW

September 10

WHARF—D.C. sweets shop District Doughnut pulled the plug on its glass-enclosed digs along the Southwest Waterfront, at least for now. A sign on the door says the 6-year-old location “is taking a break” and directs customers to the Barracks Row original. Its Georgetown store closed for good in early 2024. 5 Market Square SW

District Doughnut/Facebook

CLARENDON—New York-style diner UnCommon Luncheonette appears to have closed, reports ArlNow. The all-day restaurant debuted in spring 2022 and just revived dinner service this summer. Calls to UnCommon went unanswered. 1028 N. Garfield Street, Arlington, Virginia

September 9

CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS—Makers Union, the fast-growing American tavern from Thompson Restaurants, closed its upper Northwest location after just six months of business. The team made use of an inherited brick oven from previous tenant Matchbox, and a 21-seat bar showcased lots of local brews and spirits. A vibrant interior full of pink pinstripe accents and hanging greenery was joined by a large outdoor patio. The Reston, Virginia-born brand maintains outposts at the Wharf and National Landing. 3701 Newark Street NW

September 4

NAVY YARD—Plantish, an all-day wellness cafe specializing in juices, smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, salads, (vegan) smash burgers, and more next to the Bullpen, suddenly closed after just six months. In addition to freshly brewed coffee, the plant-filled eatery served cortados, macchiatos, cappuccinos, matcha lattes, and other customizable caffeinated drinks. 1 M Street SE

PARK VIEW—NuVegan Cafe, the vegan soul food chain specializing in soy substitutes for fried chicken, crab, and chicken fried steak platters and sandwiches, closed its Georgia Avenue NW address. NuVegan maintains two university-area outposts in Fairfax, Virginia and College Park, Maryland; its Shaw cafe recently closed as well. 2928 Georgia Avenue NW