After nearly 10 years serving whimsical plant-based tapas in Manhattan’s East Village, Ladybird will close its doors at the end of 2026.
The beloved vegan restaurant announced the news on Instagram today, revealing that parent company Overthrow Hospitality has decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease as it shifts its focus toward expanding another of its concepts, Soda Club.
“To everyone who has made Ladybird part of their story,” the restaurant wrote, “after nearly 10 unforgettable years, we have made the difficult decision not to renew our lease. Ladybird will close its doors at the end of 2026.”
Opened in 2016 by restaurateur Ravi DeRossi as Overthrow Hospitality’s vegetable-forward tapas bar, Ladybird quickly became one of New York City’s defining vegan destinations. The restaurant became known for its enchanted interior as well as a menu of inventive shareable plates, wine-based cocktails, and elevated vegetable-focused cuisine.
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Over the years, the restaurant served more than 1 million meals, helping introduce plant-based food to a broad audience. In a 2024 interview with VegNews, DeRossi said roughly 80 percent of Ladybird’s guests were omnivores—a reflection of his broader mission to make vegan dining approachable through exceptional food and hospitality.
“When we opened Ladybird, we set out to create something playful, welcoming, and a little unexpected,” the restaurant shared in today’s announcement. “What followed was more than we ever imagined.”
The post reflects on the countless first dates, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and everyday dinners that unfolded inside the restaurant over the past decade, thanking guests for making Ladybird part of their lives.
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Why is New York’s Ladybird closing?
Rather than citing financial hardship, Overthrow Hospitality said the closure is part of a strategic shift. “As Overthrow enters its next chapter, we are becoming more intentional about where we focus our time, energy, and resources,” the company explained. Its immediate priority is expanding Soda Club beyond New York, with a Denver location slated to open this fall.
Fortunately, diners still have time for one last visit.
Ladybird will remain open through the end of the year, giving longtime regulars—and first-time guests—a final opportunity to experience signature dishes and wine-based cocktails before one of New York City’s most influential vegan restaurants serves its last meal.
A shifting era for vegan dining
Ladybird joins a growing list of longtime vegan restaurants reaching pivotal crossroads. In recent months, operators across the country have announced closures, relocations, and reinventions as the economics of independent restaurants continue to evolve. While each business has its own circumstances, many have cited some combination of rising costs, shifting consumer behavior, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
The trend has touched nearly every major vegan dining market. Earlier this year, Bay Area institution Millennium announced it would close after more than 30 years before revealing plans to reopen in a smaller, more sustainable format. Chicago, meanwhile, has seen several prominent vegan restaurants shutter in recent months, reflecting broader challenges facing even well-established plant-based businesses.
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