Double Zero, Matthew Kenney’s East Village Vegan Pizzeria, Permanently Closes

# What closed and why Double Zero, the East Village vegan pizzeria and wine bar founded by chef Matthew Kenney, closed permanently in early September 2026. A sign on the door, reported by local outlets, said the business was no longer financially sustainable. The cited factors were rising food and operating costs, the realities of the lease, and an overall slowdown in demand for vegan dining.

# What Double Zero offered Double Zero operated for 12 years as a niche concept that combined wood-fired personal pizzas with a plant-based ingredient focus and a wine program emphasizing sustainable labels. Menu highlights included pies topped with items like shiitake bacon and nut-based cheeses such as cashew mozzarella. Service concentrated on individual-sized wood-fired pies and a compact wine selection to pair with the vegan toppings.

# The closure in context

# What this means for the neighborhood and diners For East Village regulars seeking vegan pizza and a casual wine bar atmosphere, Double Zero's closure removes a long-running option that combined a plant-based focus with a wood-fired pizza format. The stated reasons—higher ingredient and operating expenses, lease pressures, and reduced demand—mirror reasons other recent closures have cited across New York.

# Practical takeaways for restaurant operators and diners

• Rising input costs and lease terms remain primary vulnerabilities for niche restaurants, even those with established names.

• For diners, closures of specialized spots like Double Zero narrow choices for specific formats (vegan, wood-fired personal pizzas) and may shift that demand to other neighborhoods or delivery/retail channels.

# Next steps and unanswered questions Eater's report does not indicate whether Double Zero's team plans to relocate, pivot to a retail product, or reopen elsewhere. It also does not provide specifics about the lease or the location's next tenant. Local outlets flagged the door signage and cited the reasons listed by the restaurant.

# Bottom line Double Zero's closure is an example of a long-running, recognized vegan concept that could not withstand current cost pressures and changing demand. The restaurant was notable for pairing plant-based pizza with a wine list, but those strengths did not overcome financial strains tied to operations and real estate.