Portland Restaurant Bistecca Will Close in October 2026
The Slabtown eatery will serve its final meal on October 17, 2026, after failing to find a buyer.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Dining Out
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Gabriel Pascuzzi will close his Portland restaurant, Bistecca, on October 17, 2026. The chef and former Top Chef contestant is encouraging guests to visit during the final three weeks of operation.
Why it matters
The closure follows failed negotiations to sell the business and reflects broader challenges for local dining, including rising costs from tariffs on imported Italian goods and declining customer traffic from suburban areas.
Located at 2145 N.W. Raleigh St. in Portland, the restaurant operates in a space that previously housed Mama Bird for five years before its 2025 conversion.
The players
Gabriel Pascuzzi
He is the chef and owner of Bistecca who previously competed on the reality television show Top Chef.
The details
Owner Gabriel Pascuzzi confirmed the shutdown after efforts to sell the restaurant to another group were unsuccessful. He is currently using social media to invite patrons for a final visit before the mid-October shuttering.
Timeline
Early 2025: Gabriel Pascuzzi converted Mama Bird into Bistecca.
October 17, 2026: Bistecca will serve its final meal and close.
Culture Shift
This closure highlights the fragility of local dining establishments amidst a broader shift where inflationary pressures and supply chain costs are outpacing regional consumer demand. The move follows a period of rapid industry turnover, signaling a potential cooling in the Portland culinary scene as operators contend with higher overhead.
Customers hoping to dine at Bistecca one last time should plan their visits before the October 17, 2026, closure date. This change will soon remove a dining option from the Slabtown neighborhood, altering the local food landscape for area residents.
The takeaway
Independent restaurant owners often face severe pressure when regional traffic patterns shift and supply costs increase simultaneously. Patrons who wish to support local businesses are encouraged to check for final service dates when a closure is publicly announced.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of local eateries, visit the Dining Out section.
More information
Visit the Bistecca restaurant website to view the final menu or book a reservation before the closing date.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
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