DiningPublished: Jan. 02, 2026, 5:30 a.m.
Fine Fare in Dongan Hills closed after less than a year serving the East Shore. Check out other markets and food businesses that shuttered in 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s restaurant landscape continues to evolve, with several establishments closing in 2025 while new concepts emerge to fill the void. Below is a list of restaurants that have shuttered this year. Traditionally, many wait until after the holiday season to close, so the list may grow as we take inventory in the New Year. It’s all part of the ebb and flow of the food scene, though so far, closures are fewer than last year.
The year ended with 1,116 licensed food businesses, up from 1,093 last year. This year saw an overall gain of 23 licensed restaurants, compared to 73 in 2023.
Buddy’s Cafe & Play Space at 262 Arden Ave., Rossville: For months it was an empty South Shore storefront, once home to Moe’s Southwest Grill. Yet finally in May 2024 a new restaurant that doubled as a kids fun space opened in the Village Greens Shopping Center. Its final play day was Dec. 31.Classic Pizza at 3201 Richmond Road, Richmond: Now sporting a fresh new look under new ownership, Pizza Mia carries forward the legacy of Classic Pizza with its signature Pizza Rustica and creative pies. The Rocchio family’s beloved shop served Richmond for 36 years, and the new team is keeping the tradition alive with a modern twist.Crepes and Waffles at 2655 Richmond Ave., Staten Island Mall: Operation closed before the busy holiday season; one of the few food spots in this corner of the Mall near JCPenney.Family Fruit at 2270 Hylan Blvd., Grant City: Once a significant East Shore market, the operation shut down over the summer. Farington’s Cafe at 1949 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head: International restaurant tucked away in the corner of a strip mall is going to be a Thai place. Farington’s final day was in November. Fine Fare at 1689 Richmond Road, Dongan Hills: Neighborhood supermarket offering fresh produce, deli, pantry staples and international inventory closed before Thanksgiving. Fresh Twist at 10 New Dorp Lane, New Dorp: Now replaced by a cafe; former owner relocated to 436 Main St., Metuchen, N.J., and can be reached at 732-318‑6281.Lander Market at 1430 Richmond Ave. #1, Bulls Head: Longtime neighborhood spot known for its small market setup and specialty items.Metropolis Steakhouse at 100–102 Lincoln Ave., Grant City: Building now listed for sale at $1.6 million; past tenants include The Corner House, Corner House BBQ, Chef Jan Kitchen, a Japanese restaurant, DiFara Pizzeria, DiFara & Juicy Lucia combo, Lucia Trattoria, and, most recently, Metropolis Steakhouse.Mighty Crab at 2655 Richmond Ave., Staten Island Mall: Vast seafood selection may not have been sustainable in a quieter section of the mall near Applebee’s, away from the main artery of food and traffic flow.Popeye’s at 2323 Forest Ave., Mariners Harbor: Closed by the sheriff in early July; the spot has since reopened as another Popeyes under new ownership.Phil-Am Kusina at 556 Tompkins Ave., Rosebank: A rare sit-down Filipino eatery; its market and catering operations continue across the street at Phil-Am Foods.Sagara Food City at 98 Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville: One of the borough’s few Michelin-acclaimed restaurants; closed but slated for new ownership in the future.Sazón at 286 Richmond Valley Road, Richmond Valley: Former home to 286 South and, prior to that, a never-opened Daddy’Os BBQ; its formal Spanish concept lasted only about two months.Sonic at 148 Page Ave., Richmond Valley: The first New York City Sonic, unique for its drive-thru format, closed over the summer.Starbucks at 2655 Richmond Ave., Staten Island Mall: A shocker after roughly 20 years at this location, closed in early December of 2025 as part of a nationwide downsizing effort.Z-One Diner at 1821 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head: Loyalists loved its upscale diner vibe, and some enjoyed the lounge during its stint as a late-night format.
Native Staten Islander Pamela Silvestri is the Advance/SILive.com food editor. A Bryn Mawr College grad, Pamela’s background is rooted in the restaurant industry. She sold her Michelin/Zagat-rated American… more