SANTA MONICA, CA — Tar & Roses, one of Santa Monica's most celebrated restaurants, will close permanently later this month after nearly 15 years, with chef-owner Andrew Kirschner citing rising operating costs, declining business and mounting challenges in the city's downtown district.
The restaurant at 602 Santa Monica Blvd., known for its wood-fired cooking and internationally inspired menu, announced that its final dinner service will take place Saturday, Oct. 24, ending a run that began in January 2012.
In a farewell message shared on the restaurant's Instagram account, Tar & Roses reflected on the meals, celebrations and friendships that had made it a neighborhood gathering place, thanking employees past and present and the customers who supported it over the years.
"We are incredibly proud of what we created, but even more grateful for all of the people who became part of our story along the way," the restaurant wrote.
The message invited longtime patrons to return during its remaining days to share another meal, raise a glass and say goodbye in person.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kirschner said the decision followed a prolonged decline in business alongside increasing rent, labor and insurance expenses.
He also cited the lingering effects of the January 2025 Palisades fires, which he said contributed to reduced customer traffic, as well as problems involving homelessness, property damage and harassment near the restaurant.
Kirschner described incidents requiring additional cleaning around the entrance and outdoor dining area, while the restaurant's windows had also been smashed in recent weeks. Rather than pointing to one particular incident, he characterized the closure as the cumulative effect of difficulties that had been building for some time.
The announcement comes amid broader concerns about Santa Monica's economic recovery. A recent RAND Corporation study found that the city's economy had struggled relative to several neighboring communities, including Beverly Hills, Culver City and West Hollywood, with declining retail activity and visitor numbers contributing to its difficulties.
Although those findings provide context for the challenges facing Santa Monica businesses, they do not independently establish the reasons behind Tar & Roses' closure.
A Santa Monica native who previously worked at Joe's in Venice, Table 8 in West Hollywood and Wilshire in Santa Monica, Kirschner opened Tar & Roses on Jan. 24, 2012, introducing a menu built around a wood-burning oven, seasonal ingredients and globally influenced dishes.
Patch covered the restaurant's original opening, when Kirschner, a former contestant on Food Network's "The Next Iron Chef," was preparing to launch his first independent venture.
The restaurant became known for dishes including oxtail dumplings, whole fried snapper and wood-roasted vegetables, developing a loyal following among residents and visitors. Its history included a significant setback in June 2015, when a fire in the oven's flue forced the restaurant to close for more than six months. It reopened in January 2016 following extensive repairs.
Kirschner also opened the nearby Santa Monica Yacht Club restaurant in 2015, although that venture closed approximately two years later. For customers hoping to visit one last time, Tar & Roses continues to serve dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with reservations available through its official website.
Kirschner has not announced another restaurant venture, telling the Times that he is considering doing something different in a new location. The restaurant's final dinner service is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24.
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