Los Angeles is about to lose one of its most iconic dining institutions. A restaurant that has served generations of Angelenos for more than a century is preparing to close its doors, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the city’s culinary history.
End of an era
One of Los Angeles’ most historic restaurants is preparing to close its doors after more than a century. Cole’s French Dip, widely considered the oldest restaurant operating in Los Angeles, first announced plans in 2025 to permanently shut down after 117 years in business.
Located in downtown Los Angeles’ Pacific Electric Building, Cole’s has long been known for its vintage saloon atmosphere and its claim to have invented the iconic French dip sandwich, a roast beef sandwich served with au jus for dipping.
Closure originally planned for August 2025
The restaurant’s owners first revealed in July 2025 that Cole’s would close on August 3, 2025, citing a combination of financial and operational challenges facing independent restaurants in the city.
Owner Cedd Moses said the decision came after years of mounting pressures, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising labor and food costs, and broader economic disruptions such as the 2023 Hollywood writers and actors strikes…