It’s never good seeing a local restaurant serve its last meal, especially given the extraordinary effort it takes to open one at all.
Here are several South Florida eateries that shuttered over winter 2026.
Mickey’s Downtown Bistro, 4331 N. Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Stevie Nicks, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel were on frequent rotation at this 4-year-old restaurant and vivacious dueling-piano lounge named after chef-founder Mickey Josephs. The Italian-leaning steakhouse also featured dishes such as pork chop Milanese and gnocchi bolognese. CLOSED: Feb. 12, Josephs confirmed via text message, never reopening after the state ordered the restaurant-bar shut for nine violations.
Mr. Beefy’s Subs & Seafood, 8040 Wiles Road, Coral Springs. This eatery slinging Chicago-style street food, from hot dogs to Italian beefs to wings, shuttered after six years. The sandwicherie changed hands three times over its lifespan, most recently in 2024 when owner Monica Pierre took over and added seafood plates. CLOSED: Late February, per Pierre, who confirms she moved out of South Florida.
Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel
Fort Lauderdale’s Howl at the Moon permanently closed on Feb. 28 off Las Olas Boulevard. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Howl at the Moon, 270 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Another dueling-piano spot, Howl at the Moon served up wings, flatbreads and spirits and took song requests backed by a seven-piece house band. But it lasted about a year off Las Olas Boulevard before shuttering. CLOSED: Feb. 28, per landlord Mike Weymouth, president of The Las Olas Co., who says retro-dance lounge Good Night John Boy will replace it.
Ravish Off Ocean, 210 E. Ocean Ave, Lantana. After three years, Alexandra Dupuis has closed Ravish partially because she was unable to reach terms on a new long-term lease for the property. The other reason: She has a newer restaurant, Pomona, in downtown Lake Worth Beach. “We’re not saying goodbye to our community,” Dupuis says. “We’re simply continuing the journey a few miles north.” As for Ravish, she tells the South Florida Sun Sentinel: “This community embraced us from the very beginning. We are incredibly grateful for every guest who walked through our doors, every regular who became family, and every staff member who helped bring Ravish to life.” Closed: March 14, per Dupuis.
Hooters of South Florida
Hooters of Boca Raton closed on Sunday, Feb. 22. But management says they are actively looking for a new location. (Hooters of South Florida/Courtesy)
Hooters of Boca Raton, 2240 NW 19 Street, Suite 1101-A. After 16 years, this location closed “due to expiration of the lease,” according to a news statement. If you add up previous Boca Raton locations, Hooters has been in the city for 27 years. “Myself and the staff at Hooters of Boca Raton are truly grateful for all the support our guests, friends and the entire Boca Raton community has shown us all these years,” said Chris Torelli, managing partner of Hooters of Boca Raton. The news statement said they are actively looking for a new Boca Raton location. CLOSED: Feb. 22, per a “last weekend” celebration event.
The Jerk Machine, 317 SW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. The Jamaican cuisine fast-casual eatery, which has been around for about 37 years, might not be gone for good. Owners Desmond and Catherine Malcolm say they are looking for a new location in Fort Lauderdale. In an email to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, they said: “We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers, friends and our dynamic, experienced staff. As we scout for a new home, we are busy regrouping, reigniting and reimagining Jerk Machine 2026 and beyond. To the community that has shared so much kindness with us: Thank you. In Jamaica we say, ‘We gonna wheel and come again!’ ” The space is now Rose Jerk House. CLOSED: January, per the Malcolms.