Zoe’s Diner, a longtime staple of Harvard Square dining beloved for its retro aesthetics, bottomless coffee, and all-day breakfast offerings, permanently closed last week.
Zoe’s, which first opened more than 20 years ago, was popular with both students and Cambridge residents alike for the price and variety of its food options. Its menu boasted a blend of American diner food, such as pancakes and milkshakes, with Greek food such as spanakopita, kebabs, and baked lamb.
Denise A. Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, speculated that a difficult labor market following the pandemic could have contributed to the closure.
“Many of our eateries have had trouble getting staff post-pandemic,” she said in an interview Wednesday. “Labor shifted, and it’s not an easy thing to do.”
Jillson added that increased breakfast options closer to the heart of Harvard Square may have squeezed out Zoe’s, which is located farther down Massachusetts Avenue than some competitors. Harvard Square has seen an influx of breakfast-serving coffee shops and restaurants in recent years, including Tatte, Bluestone Lane, and, most recently, Friendly Toast.
