Six South Mississippi restaurants we lost in 2025

In 2025, a number of well-loved restaurants across South Mississippi closed their doors. Collectively, these closures reflect the region's increasingly competitive dining market, challenges with location and operational costs, and owners' personal hardships.

Flamingo Landing, noted for its waterfront views and vibrant atmosphere, couldn't sustain its operations despite its strategic location in Gulfport. Meanwhile, Tiki Bar and Grill in Gautier, a longstanding establishment, also ended its journey, hosting one final happy hour and karaoke night to bid farewell to patrons. Rena's Deli and Crazy Sisters Catfish Cabin, both family-run eateries, each made the difficult decision to close due to the fast-paced turnover of new restaurants and high food prices. As a final blow, Chef Scott's Asian Cuisine faced closure as its owner dealt with serious health challenges, prompting the sale of the restaurant to cover medical expenses.

No image found

Flamingo Landing on Bernard Bayou in Gulfport has closed two years after it opened with waterfront dining and live music. By Mary Perez

NO. 1: WATERFRONT VIEWS, FOOD AND TUNES WEREN’T ENOUGH TO KEEP THIS MS COAST PLACE OPEN

Location is everything in real estate and the restaurant business, but sometimes it isn’t enough. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

No image found

Tiki Bar and Grill has space for a romantic dinner, family meals and weekend entertainment. The new Gautier restaurant is open at the Mary Walker Marina. By Courtesy of Tiki Bar & Grill

NO. 2: ANOTHER WATERFRONT RESTAURANT SUDDENLY CLOSES IN SOUTH MS. HERE’S THE LATEST

Last Friday, a catfish basket was advertised as the special of the day. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Downtown Bistro in Gulfport is closed and is up for sale. By Jackson Ranger

NO. 3: DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR DUCK BITES AND CIGAR FLIGHTS CLOSES IN SOUTH MS

It opened on New Year’s Eve 2021 at the height of COVID-19 and now Downtown Bistro in Gulfport is closed and for sale. | Published October 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Rena Simmons holds a proclamation from Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich saluting her for operating Rena’s Deli in Biloxi for more than three decades. It’s one of two family restaurants that just closed this month. By Courtesy City of Biloxi

NO. 4: TWO FAMILY RESTAURANTS WITH GOOD FOOD AND SOUTHERN CHARM CLOSE IN SOUTH MS

Two family-run, Southern eateries closed this month after years of feeding po’boys and catfish to generations of hungry diners. | Published November 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Dinner served at Chef Scott’s Asian Cuisine Sushi and Hibachi in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. By Scott Watkins

NO. 5: ACCLAIMED COAST CHEF PREPARING TO CLOSE HIS RESTAURANT AGAIN. HERE’S WHY

A Coast chef who cared for his teenage son while he fought cancer and overcame issues with a business partner now is facing a health scare himself. | Published December 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.