Ireland’s Oldest Lebanese Restaurant Closes After 40 Years

The Cedar Tree, Ireland’s first and oldest Lebanese restaurant, will close permanently on Monday evening after four decades of operation on St Andrew’s Street in Dublin, The Irish Times reported. The family-run business, which opened in June 1986, cited mounting pressures from rising rent and the broader cost of living crisis for the closure.

Rising rent forces closure after four decades

Restaurant manager Sereen Sarhan told The Irish Times that the family fought to keep the doors open despite financial strain. Between Covid and higher rents and other things, everything just stacked up, Sarhan said. We did our best, we really did.

Sarhan noted that the family had hoped to serve regulars through the Christmas season before closing, but economic conditions forced an earlier shutdown. The restaurant has invited the community to visit for a final service on Monday evening.

Staff and owners react to the end of an era

The decision to shutter the south city center staple has deeply affected the owners and long-serving employees. I grew up here and our staff have been here for at least 10 years and some have been here for 35 years, Sarhan said. Everyone is broken-hearted but our hand has been forced and it wasn’t really our choice.

In a social media post, the restaurant’s owners described the decision to call time on the operation after 40 years as very heartbreaking. They thanked customers, staff, and the community for being part of one big family since 1986.

Customers share memories of a Dublin landmark

Regular patrons expressed shock and sadness on social media following the announcement. Diners called the establishment their home away from home and praised the warm personal memories built at the St Andrew’s Street location.

Writing in The Irish Times in 2019, restaurant critic Catherine Cleary highlighted the rarity of the venue in the city center. Cleary noted that the restaurant maintained a long tradition of providing reasonably priced Middle Eastern cooking in a setting where little changed over the decades.

Final orders on Monday evening

The Cedar Tree will take its final orders on Monday evening before closing its doors after the bank holiday weekend. Diners wishing to visit for a last hurrah can attend the St Andrew’s Street location in Dublin before service concludes.