With new restaurants popping up, Watford has no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat.
While diners may be spoilt for choice with the wide variety available, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some closed eateries that people still think about.
Zizzi
Zizzi was one of several Italian restaurants that closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
It emailed customers in October announcing its time in Watford had come to an end.
The email said: "The last few months have been particularly tough for many of us, including the hospitality industry.
"We've had to make some incredibly difficult decisions & we're sorry to say that there are no plans to reopen Zizzi Watford."
Nostalgic feelings for the Steakhouse, in St Albans Road may have been dampened by the revelation, in 2015, that its former owner had been found guilty of selling horse and venison meats as exotic zebra and wildebeest dishes.
The site is now operated by pizza takeaway Valley Pizza.
Zinco, on The Parade, closed in June after the company, Zinco Restaurant Ltd, which owns the branch was dissolved.
Readers reacted with sadness to the news at the time.
Kirsty Ssom said she was "heartbroken".
She added: "The friendliest restaurant in town and the best place to eat with children.
Another Italian outlet, Fratelli, opened up at the former Zinco site in April, 2021.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia was yet another restaurant to be lost during the coronavirus pandemic.
Casual Dining Group, which owns Bella Italia, entered administration in July 2020, saying the move was in the best interest of stakeholders during the “extreme operating environment” it is having to trade through.
The list of closures included 35 Bella Italia stores, one of which was in Watford town centre.
Pizza Hut's signs came down in December last year and the restaurant has disappeared from the American chain's website.
The branch at the Dome Roundabout won't be left lying empty however, Canadian fast-food chain Tim Hortons has confirmed it will be moving in this year.
Another soon to be replaced site is Bosleys.
The pub and restaurant closed its doors in March, leaving readers “sad” and “shocked that the “very busy” business would close.
Popular Latin bar Barrio is set to take over the site this year.
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