Celebrity Restaurant Fails: 10 Spots That Didn’t Last
1. Nyla – Britney Spears
Location: New York City
When Britney opened Nyla in the heart of Manhattan, her fans flocked, expecting the pop icon’s magic to translate to the restaurant world. Nyla offered a Southern-meets-Cajun menu, which seemed exciting—until diners started reporting either underwhelming or inconsistent dishes.
Behind the scenes, management turnover and financial troubles only added to the chaos. In less than a year, Nyla closed, proving Britney was better at pop hits than pop-up kitchens.
2. Beso – Eva Longoria
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Beso launched with Eva Longoria’s name front and center, promising high-end Latin-inspired dining with a nightlife vibe. It drew in buzz and curious diners early on, especially given its glamorous setting on the Vegas strip.
Unfortunately, the prices were steep even by Vegas standards, and the menu didn’t have enough star dishes to keep people coming back. After a few tumultuous years and a chapter 11 bankruptcy, Beso closed, leaving Eva fans reminiscing more about her acting than her short stint in the food scene.
3. Larios on the Beach – Gloria Estefan
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Gloria Estefan’s Larios on the Beach initially seemed like a no-brainer—an authentic Cuban restaurant on Miami’s famous Ocean Drive. However, despite the ideal location and Gloria’s passion for her Cuban roots, the restaurant struggled to maintain quality and buzz.
Locals found the prices steep, especially in a city already packed with great Cuban food. While the music star’s heart was in the right place, the food just couldn’t hit the high notes, leading Larios to close its doors eventually.
4. Southern Hospitality – Justin Timberlake
Location: New York City
Justin Timberlake’s Southern Hospitality aimed to bring Memphis BBQ to the Big Apple. For a time, the place drew big crowds and promised authentic Southern comfort. But as the excitement faded, so did the restaurant’s quality.
Food critics noted the lackluster barbecue and pricey menu, which turned off tourists and locals alike. Southern Hospitality ultimately couldn’t keep up with New York’s demanding food scene, and Timberlake’s BBQ dreams turned cold.
5. Jing Fong – Quentin Tarantino
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Quentin Tarantino’s brief ownership of Jing Fong, a Chinese eatery in L.A., felt like a movie plot twist. Known for his passion for Asian culture, Tarantino took over the restaurant with high hopes but soon ran into trouble.
The restaurant’s style and menu didn’t match the director’s quirky image, and there was confusion about its concept. The venture quickly fizzled, proving that not every blockbuster director is cut out for the restaurant biz. Tarantino eventually returned to what he does best—films—not fried rice.
6. Dolce – Ashton Kutcher
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Ashton Kutcher’s Italian restaurant, Dolce, debuted as a swanky, retro-inspired eatery meant to cater to Hollywood’s elite. The early 2000s buzz was real, with celebs flocking to Dolce’s velvet booths and dimly lit interiors.
However, the Italian food didn’t impress critics or diners long-term, and Dolce’s trendy allure quickly wore off. With the rise of more authentic Italian options in LA, Dolce struggled to stay relevant. After a few years, Kutcher quietly closed the place, proving that not all Tinseltown ventures can be “Punk’d” into success.
7. Madame Chiang’s – Jackie Chan
Location: Honolulu, HI
Jackie Chan took on a bold venture with Madame Chiang’s, a high-end fusion restaurant in Honolulu meant to reflect his Chinese heritage. The concept was exciting but struggled to find a consistent audience among both locals and tourists.
The high prices and fusion menu didn’t match Hawaii’s laid-back food scene, and diners looking for traditional island fare found Madame Chiang’s offerings too experimental. After a few years of struggling, Jackie called it quits, leaving fans to wonder if he should have stuck with action films rather than adventurous menus.
8. Luigi’s Pizza – Macaulay Culkin
Location: New York City
Macaulay Culkin’s Luigi’s Pizza was a quirky attempt to enter NYC’s crowded pizza scene. Known for his nostalgia-inducing “Home Alone” fame, Culkin tried to tap into his fan base with Luigi’s. But while the name drew some curiosity, the pizza itself didn’t stack up to New York’s many beloved pizzerias.
As a result, Luigi’s never quite found its footing, and Culkin left the pizza business as quietly as he’d entered it, retreating to the world of indie films and comedy, where his true fan base awaited.
9. Hog Pit – Michael Jordan
Location: Chicago, IL
Michael Jordan may have ruled the basketball court, but his BBQ venture, Hog Pit, didn’t earn him many points in Chicago’s competitive food scene. Known for its heavy, hearty barbecue, Hog Pit tried to cater to fans of Jordan’s sports legacy with comfort food that felt nostalgic but didn’t impress in flavor.
Critics noted that the BBQ lacked authenticity, and fans were left feeling like this wasn’t Jordan’s best play. After struggling to fill seats, Hog Pit closed, reminding us that Jordan’s slam dunks are best kept to the court.
10. The Fashion Café – Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington
Location: New York City
What do you get when you combine supermodels and a restaurant? The Fashion Café—a strange mix of haute couture and mediocre food. Run by Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington, the concept was chic but shallow.
Diners could sip drinks named after designers and admire model memorabilia, but the food was as forgettable as last season’s runway. Despite its glam appearance, the café closed after just a few years, proving that beautiful faces can’t save bland food.
Celebrity restaurants can be hit-or-miss; sometimes, no amount of star power can save a menu that doesn’t deliver. Let these restaurant fails serve as a reminder that even Hollywood’s elite can have a taste of humble pie!
