(Photo by Jake Williams)
La Bahía Grill, the downtown Champaign restaurant centered around food from Western Mexico, will close at the end of June.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we share this news: after four wonderful years in the heart of Champaign, we’ve made the difficult decision to close La Bahía Grill — at least for now,” the restaurant announced on social media earlier this month.
The restaurant’s last day of food service will be June 29.
With an extensive menu including breakfast, lunch and dinner options, La Bahía Grill provided the Champaign community with a variety of ways to indulge in “authentic Mexican delights.”
(Photo by Jake Williams)
Magaly Avila opened the restaurant in late 2021 just as the downtown Champaign restaurant scene was beginning to recover from the lockdowns and closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Avila told the Champaign Center Partnership they were drawn to the location because of foot traffic and access to nightlife. Avila said opening La Bahía was “my partner, Leonel Carmona’s, dream.”
“We settled on Mexican-style seafood, because we love it so much,” Avila said. “We got this place, and just started making it our own.”
Now, the restaurant on West Church Street will be up for rent again for the first time in nearly four years.
“If you, or someone you know, is looking for a restaurant space filled with character, warmth and a rich history, please reach out — this place truly holds a piece of our hearts,” the post announcing the closure said.
Despite departing the original location, the announcement said “we hope we’ll be able to serve you again soon in a new space filled with love, flavor and friendship.”
(Photo by Jake Williams)
“This is not goodbye forever,” the post said. “It is the end of a beautiful chapter.”
Until the closure on June 29, La Bahía will remain open for its regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“To our loyal friends and neighbors — your kindness, generosity and support kept us going,” the post read. “We carry those stories with us, and we’re proud to have been a thread in the rich fabric of this community.”
Felicity Abbott is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the assistant arts & entertainment editor at The Daily Illini.
Jake Williams contributed to this story.