Several Taïm storefronts remained dark this weekend, with 'for lease' signs visible at their Nolita and Upper West Side locations. The original West Village outpost, once a regular stop for late-night diners, has also closed. Attempts to contact the company by phone and email went unanswered as of Sunday morning.
Taïm opened its first shop on Waverly Place nearly two decades ago, serving falafel, sabich, and salads. The brand expanded to multiple neighborhoods, with a focus on fast-casual dining and vegetarian options. Its pita sandwiches became a weekday lunch staple for office workers and students.
This summer, several regulars noted shortened hours and missing menu items. By mid-August, most locations had papered-over windows. Delivery apps list Taïm as 'temporarily unavailable.' One former employee outside the Tribeca shop on Saturday said staff received notice earlier this month to collect their belongings.
The chain had faced increased competition from newcomers in the Mediterranean fast-casual space. Recent rent hikes in Manhattan and Brooklyn reportedly strained operations. As of this week, there has been no official statement from Taïm’s management regarding the closures.
The disappearance of Taïm marks the latest chapter in the ongoing turnover among New York’s quick-service restaurants. The fate of remaining locations, if any, remains unclear. Local landlords say the search for new tenants is underway.