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Historic Cooper Young restaurant Tsunami to close after 28 years
Owner cites rising costs and declining business as reasons for shuttering the award-winning eatery.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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Tsunami, a longtime fixture in Memphis' Cooper Young neighborhood, will be closing its doors in February 2026 after 28 years in business. Owner and executive chef Ben Smith announced the closure in a Facebook video, citing the past six years of extreme challenges in the restaurant industry marked by rising costs and a gradual decline in business. Tsunami opened in 1998 and was named Best New Restaurant that year, going on to win several other awards over the decades.
Why it matters
The closure of Tsunami, a beloved and acclaimed restaurant in the heart of the Cooper Young district, is a significant loss for the Memphis community. The neighborhood has seen several other businesses shut down in recent months, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the area's small business ecosystem.
The details
In his Facebook announcement, Ben Smith stated that 'while there were a thousand small reasons behind this decision, the overriding reason was just that I simply can't afford to do this anymore.' Tsunami first opened in 1998 and was named Best New Restaurant that year. Over nearly three decades, the restaurant has won numerous awards, including Smith being named 'Restaurateur of the Year' by the Memphis Restaurant Association in 2010. Tsunami's last day of operation will be Saturday, February 21, 2026.
- Tsunami opened in the summer of 1998.
- Tsunami will close on February 21, 2026.
The players
Ben Smith
The owner and executive chef of Tsunami restaurant in Memphis.
Tsunami
A longtime fixture in Memphis' Cooper Young neighborhood, Tsunami was an award-winning restaurant that opened in 1998 and is now closing after 28 years in business.
What they’re saying
“While there were a thousand small reasons behind this decision, the overriding reason was just that I simply can't afford to do this anymore.”
— Ben Smith, Owner and Executive Chef (Facebook)
What’s next
The restaurant will serve its final meals on Saturday, February 21, 2026, marking the end of an era for the Cooper Young community.
The takeaway
The closure of Tsunami after nearly three decades highlights the ongoing challenges facing the restaurant industry, even for long-standing and acclaimed establishments. This loss will be felt deeply by the Memphis community, underscoring the need to support local businesses and find ways to sustain vibrant neighborhood commercial districts.
