Losing a treasured longtime restaurant is never easy. Here, we say goodbye to seven eateries that recently shut down in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Matchbox, 1860 Sawgrass Mills Circle, No. 5100, Sunrise: Known for its brick-oven pizzas, elevated bistro entrees and craft cocktails, this casual dining restaurant — which opened in 2017 at Sawgrass Mills mall — was part of the Thompson Hospitality collection of restaurants (which includes YOT Bar & Kitchen, Wiseguy Pizza and South Bar & Kitchen). “After many years serving the Sunrise community, we’ve made the decision to close our Matchbox Sawgrass Mills location,” chief operating officer Alex Berentzen said via email. “We’re grateful to our guests, team members, and the local community for their support over the years.” CLOSED: July 1, per public relations firm.

Grease Burger, Beer and Whiskey Bar, 213 Clematis St., West Palm Beach: A brick-lined gastropub retreat with meat hooks hanging from the ceiling (a nod to New York’s Meatpacking District), this hamburger haven announced its “last call” after 20 years through social media. The downtown stop from Big Time Restaurant Group (whose City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill at CityPlace also shut in May) served items such as Garbage Can Nachos and 10-ounce prime burgers (the Brinkman with deep-fried bacon was a must-order), plus a dizzying rotation of craft ales and lagers. CLOSED: July 17, according to  a Facebook video.

Grande’s Bella Cucina, 4580 Donald Ross Road, No. 119, Palm Beach Gardens: This longtime Italian taverna in the upscale Shops of Donald Ross Village was known for Black Angus meatballs, pies and Italian classics from veal chops to tiramisu. Owners Graziella and Giuseppe Luppino opened their SoFlo restaurant in February 2007 after operating the original location in New York, according to its website, which is now deactivated. CLOSED: July 2, said Graziella Luppino via email.

ROK, 4954 N. University Drive, Lauderhill: This all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue bastion serving prime cuts on tabletop grills has shut its flagship after 15 years in the University Shoppes plaza, co-owner Eugenie Kwon told the Sun Sentinel. “We are truly grateful for the trust, loyalty and friendships in the past 15 years of business at our first location,” Kwon posted in the Sun Sentinel’s foodie Facebook page, “Let’s Eat South Florida Facebook.” Kwon, who ran ROK with her chef husband Michael Kwon, confirmed their Boynton Beach location remains open. CLOSED: June 18, according to Eugenie Kwon.

El Vez (at the W Fort Lauderdale), 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale: Restaurateur Stephen Starr’s baja-style Mexican sit-down inside the W has quietly shuttered after eight years on the doorstep of the Atlantic Ocean, luxury hotel spokesperson Stella Fisher told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. An offshoot of Starr’s El Vez original in Philadelphia (which remains in business), the restaurant paired salty ocean breezes with salt-rimmed margaritas, plus snapper chicharrónes, frito pie burritos and crispy mahi-mahi tacos. This fall, the 12,000-square-foot space is expected to become Motek by the Sea, the newest location by the rising Israeli-Mediterranean chain from Miami. CLOSED: June 22, per Fisher.

Livia Bar & Grill, 500 N. Andrews Ave., No. 106, Fort Lauderdale: Billed as a “trendy modern-Italian eatery,” Livia opened in 2023 within the Motif mixed-use apartment building on the western edge of the busy-buzzy Flagler Village neighborhood. It was owned by Licata Hospitality, which also operates Hugh’s Catering. “Livia Bar & Grill’s closure was a strategic business decision tied to the sale and transition of the restaurant space to a new operator,” said Steve Nothnagel, director of operations, by email. “We are proud of what we created at Livia and are deeply grateful to our hardworking team, loyal guests, and the Flagler Village community for their support. The restaurant built a strong following, hosted many memorable events, and became a truly special place for our family and staff.” CLOSED: June 28, according to Nothnagel.

Vienna Wine Bar, 9100 W. State Road 84, Davie: Tucked away within the Ridge Plaza shopping center, this restaurant has changed hands twice. It most recently was taken over by John Daly, who is working with chef/co-owner Carlos Estevez to reimagine the space for a fall opening. “It’s going to be a real American-themed steakhouse,” Daly told the Sun Sentinel. “This year, we celebrate America 250. It’s a nice celebration of America. And we think that the steak dinner is a celebration that people get together around a table, they celebrate either a promotion at work, maybe getting good grades or something good that happens in life. So we kind of want to bring the two concepts together and make a very unique restaurant where people feel like they’re part of something.” CLOSED: July 9, per Daly.