The closure of Buca di Beppo at 1921 Calle Barcelona in Carlsbad marks the end of a more than two decade run for the Italian-American restaurant, leaving only its Mira Mesa and recently reopened Gaslamp Quarter locations operational in San Diego County. The Carlsbad closure comes just weeks after the Gaslamp reopening, which had signaled a potential revival for the brand in the region.
The Downtown San Diego location, which replaced a long-vacant space previously occupied by Du-par’s Diner, aimed to capitalize on increased pedestrian traffic and expand Buca’s in-house virtual restaurant business. However, the decision to close the Carlsbad site suggests that the chain’s recovery efforts are still a work in progress, with a focus on consolidating operations in more financially viable locations.
Buca di Beppo, known for its family-style Italian dining, had been a fixture at The Forum Carlsbad for many years, offering a festive atmosphere with kitschy decor and large portions of dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna, and spaghetti with giant meatballs. The restaurant’s closure follows a turbulent period for the chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2024 after struggling with rising food and labor costs, declining customer traffic, and liquidity issues.
As part of its restructuring, Buca di Beppo closed 20 underperforming locations nationwide, reducing its footprint from 64 units in 2023 to 44 by mid-2024. The chain was sold to Main Street Capital Corporation for $27 million, a move that allowed it to keep some locations open, including the new Gaslamp Quarter spot that debuted last month at 440 J Street in downtown San Diego.
The Forum Carlsbad, a bustling open-air shopping center known for its mix of retail and dining options, now faces a vacancy in a prime 3,000-square-foot space that once housed Buca di Beppo’s lively dining rooms, including its signature themed sections like the Pope Room. Local food enthusiasts have taken to social media to speculate about what might replace the restaurant, with rumors swirling that Din Tai Fung, the globally renowned Taiwanese chain famous for its soup dumplings, could be a contender.
Din Tai Fung has been expanding its U.S. presence, with a location already in San Diego’s Westfield UTC mall since 2017, which has consistently drawn crowds for its xiao long bao and other dim sum specialties. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding Din Tai Fung’s interest in the Carlsbad space, and the rumor remains speculative.
The potential arrival of Din Tai Fung would align with North County’s growing appetite for diverse, high-quality dining options, especially in a family-friendly area like The Forum, which is near attractions such as the LEGOLAND California Resort. However, some locals express skepticism about the rumor, noting that Din Tai Fung typically opts for larger metropolitan hubs or high-traffic malls for its expansions, and The Forum’s more suburban setting might not fit its usual strategy. Other possibilities for the space could include local concepts or chains looking to tap into Carlsbad’s affluent demographic.
Buca di Beppo’s exit from Carlsbad reflects broader challenges in the restaurant industry, a trend also seen in San Diego with closures like Rubio’s Coastal Grill, which shuttered 48 California locations in 2024. For now, North County residents can still visit Buca di Beppo in Mira Mesa at 10749 Westview Pkwy, where the chain continues to serve its signature family-style Italian fare.
For more information about Buca di Beppo, visit dineatbuca.com.
Originally published on March 29, 2025.