B-Natural Kitchen in New Haven to Close After 20 Years

Owners cite difficult decision to shutter popular downtown restaurant

Feb. 16, 2026 at 6:31pm

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The owners of B-Natural Kitchen, a New Haven restaurant that offered 'fast-casual comfort food' like salads, bowls, smoothies, juices and espresso, have announced plans to close the establishment after 20 years of operation in the city's downtown.

Why it matters

B-Natural Kitchen was a long-standing fixture in New Haven's dining scene, known for its focus on healthy, farm-to-table fare. Its closure marks the end of an era for the city's local food movement and highlights the challenges small, independent restaurants face in maintaining a presence in rapidly changing urban environments.

The details

Nebyat and Gabi Shewaye, the owners of B-Natural Kitchen, said it was a difficult decision to close the 260 College Street restaurant after two decades of operating eateries in downtown New Haven. The business is currently listed as 'temporarily closed' on Google.

  • B-Natural Kitchen opened in 2006.
  • The restaurant is closing in February 2026.

The players

Nebyat Shewaye

Co-owner of B-Natural Kitchen.

Gabi Shewaye

Co-owner of B-Natural Kitchen.

Yale University Properties

The property management company that worked with B-Natural Kitchen over the years.

Elm Campus Partners

The real estate development firm that worked with B-Natural Kitchen over the years.

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What they’re saying

“Greater New Haven has been our home. We raised our three children here, employed local residents, and worked to offer accessible, health-forward, farm-to-table food to the community. We are proud of what we created and grateful for the relationships that came with it.”

— Nebyat and Gabi Shewaye, Owners, B-Natural Kitchen

The takeaway

The closure of B-Natural Kitchen after two decades in business highlights the challenges that small, independent restaurants face in maintaining a presence in rapidly evolving urban environments like downtown New Haven. The restaurant's focus on healthy, locally-sourced fare made it a beloved institution, but ultimately it could not withstand the changing tides of the city's dining landscape.