So long, farewell: A look back at 10 restaurants that closed in Louisville in 2023
As 2023 comes to an end, let's look back at some restaurants that ended their reigns in the Louisville area.
Over the last 12 months, we said goodbye to many well-known eateries that have been around for a few to 30 years. The farewell food stories began in January, with news of Angio's Italian Restaurant closing after more than two decades in business. And just last month, Manhattan Grill and Funmi Cafe served customers for the final time.
Read on for details about 10 of the top restaurant closures of 2023.
Angio's Italian Restaurant
1915 Blankenbaker Pkwy. Closed January 2023
This longtime Louisville Italian restaurant closed its doors in January after more than 25 years in operation.
"This the most difficult post I’ve had to make and it’s being done with the heaviest of hearts and tear-filled eyes. Angio’s is closed permanently," owner Michael Schmitt wrote in a Facebook post in January. "Due to the rising cost of labor and product, we’ve determined that it’s no longer sustainable. We want to thank everyone for their support over the past 25+ years in Hikes Point, Buechel, J-town and the entire city of Louisville. Our customers have been the absolute best and it’s what’s kept us going for the better part of two and a half decades."
The restaurant, which made all of its dishes from scratch and specialized in pizza, was originally dubbed Angio's Pizza and operated in Buechel. In January 2020, the restaurant relocated to Blankenbaker Parkway, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Come Back Inn
909 Swan St. Closed October 2023
Come Back Inn, a popular restaurant in Germantown, closed its doors in October after more than two decades of serving people in Louisville, according to a Facebook post.
"Guys, we hate to do this, but tonight will be the last night of dinner service for the Come Back Inn," the post stated. "You all gave us so many great years. We appreciate each and everyone one of you all."
Come Back Inn was known as an Italian American pub that served dishes like antipasto wontons, gyros salad, and even spinach ricotta pizza. The restaurant won several awards through the years, including Leo Weekly's Reader's Choice Award for best Italian restaurant.
The restaurant was purchased in 2012 by Cathy Zachari, who had previously worked there as a server for 10 years and in the kitchen for three years, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Funmi Cafe
3028 Bardstown Road. Closed November 2023
Funmi's Cafe, a Nigerian restaurant that opened in 2009 on Bardstown Road, closed its doors in November after 13 years in business.
"We are retiring from the restaurant industry and as a result, Funmi's Cafe is closed," stated the post on Funmi Cafe's Facebook page, which has nearly 9,000 followers. "We may be saying farewell to Funmi's Cafe, but the immeasurable support from each and every one of you over the past 13 years has been remarkable."
The popular restaurant, founded by Yomi and Funmi Aderinokun, served authentic West African fare in the Gardiner Lane Shopping Center, 3028 Bardstown Road. It originally opened at 1043 Bardstown Road, the Courier Journal previously reported.
"While this marks the end of our restaurant, we're forever grateful for the friends we made, all the beautiful memories shared, and the amazing love we experienced," the post continued. "From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the amazing journey you shared with us."
Hill Street Fish Fry
111 E. Hill St. Closed in May 2023
After more than 31 years, Hill Street Fish & Seafood, 111 Hill St., closed in early May.
A sign on the restaurant's door that month read, "We are closed. Thank you for 31 wonderful years of serving all of you."
According to a menu posted in 2020, the restaurant's specialty was the "Super Whitefish Sandwich," plus two smaller whitefish sandwiches and a catfish sandwich. Popular lunch combinations included a fried fish sandwich with fries and a drink, a nine-piece fish plank basket with hush puppies and fries and a catfish tender basket with hush puppies and fries. Dinners included fish plates, fish and clam plates and shrimp dinners. Most menu items were priced under $11, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Jake & Elwood's
2330 Frankfort Ave. Closed in June 2023
Jake and Elwood's, a spot for Chicago-style cuisine, closed in mid-June. The restaurant served deep dish pizzas, sandwiches, pasta, and more reminiscent of Italian and Chicago recipes, according to its website.
John Thurlow, owner of Jake and Elwood's, announced the closure on the restaurant's Facebook page but no reason was given, the Courier Journal previously reported.
"It has been a real joy getting to know all of you and being a member of the Clifton and greater Louisville community," the post read. "Thanks for all the memories."
Located at 2330 Frankfort Ave., Jake and Elwood's marketed itself as a sports bar known as "Louisville's Home of Chicago Bears" and previously hosted live music and special events. The restaurant originally opened in March 2020, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Manhattan Grill
429 W Muhammad Ali Blvd. Closed in November 2023
Manhattan Grill, a downtown Louisville staple, closed its doors after 26 years. Jennifer Salome said in a Facebook post that her father, who owned the restaurant, was retiring.
"It's a chapter that needs to happen so my Dad can fully enjoy his life that he worked so hard for," the post stated.
Manhattan Grill opened in 1997 and served sandwiches, burgers and salads.
Napa River Grill
1211 Herr Lane. Closed September 2023
Napa, the latest iteration of the Louisville restaurant which first opened in 1999, closed in September. It operated for more than 20 years as Napa River Grill in Dupont Circle. It relocated to 1211 Herr Lane in Westport Village in 2008.
In mid-September, Napa announced via social media its last day of service would act as a day-long fundraiser for the nonprofit Love City Inc., the Courier Journal previously reported.
Jared Matthews, a restaurateur who bought Napa in June, decided to remodel and rebrand the space as Osteria Italian Seafood.
New Wave Burritos
3311 Preston Highway. Closed August 2023
New Wave Burritos announced its imminent closure in August.
Owners Matt Filip, Nate Sturdevant and the New Wave Burritos crew wrote in a post on social media that the decision to close the restaurant at 3311 Preston Highway was made with a heavy heart.
"It was not a decision taken lightly, or made in haste, but at the end of the day, it seemed like the only option," the statement read.
According to the post, when the New Wave team began making burritos nearly nine years ago, it wasn't sure what would come of it. The team expected it to be a side gig before it transformed into a full-blown restaurant after two years in service.
"To say it's been a wild ride would be a remarkable understatement, and if the walls inside 3311 Preston Highway could talk, they would have plenty to say," the statement read.
Wild Ginger
1700 Bardstown Road. Closed in May 2023
Wild Ginger Sushi Bistro, an Asian fusion restaurant in Deer Park, permanently closed in May and will be replaced by Kiwami Ramen, which is expected to open sometime this winter.
Duy Tran, Kiwami's managing partner, said Wild Ginger closed in May 2023 after the restaurant's owner retired.
Trantold the Courier Journal via email he decided on the Bardstown Road location because he and his brother, Duc Tran, wanted the ramen restaurant to be situated in the heart of Louisville, making it a centralized spot easily accessible for everyone in the city. The location will allow him and his team to "share (their) authentic Japanese ramen experience with the entire community," he said.
Wiltshire on Market
636 E. Market St. Closed July 2023
Wiltshire on Market in NuLu closed in July after 14 years of business.
Owner Susan Hershberg announced on the restaurant's Facebook page she "decided to pass the torch on to the next generation of restauranteurs."
"It was a distinct honor to share a final meal there this past Sunday with some of our original team members who remain near and dear," Hershberg said. "To be serenaded by the talented Carly Johnson and Craig Wagner was the perfect ending."
The restaurant, 636 E. Market St., served a different menu biweekly with modern farm-to-table dishes, its website says. It also had outdoor seating available and jazz performances on Sundays.
Hershberg also owns Wiltshire at the Speed, Wiltshire Bakery & Café Highlands, and Wiltshire Bakery & Café Downtown. Wiltshire also has a catering service, which has been serving customers since 1989.
MeeshMeesh Mediterranean, run by chef Noam Bilitzer, opened in the space in August.
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 10 restaurants that closed in 2023 in Louisville: Come Back Inn, Napa
