Garlic Grotto Restaurant to Close Its Doors on January 31

Following the flight of investment cornerstones Hyatt Regency Saipan and Asiana Airlines and closure of Saipan Tribune last year, Garlic Grotto Restaurant is shutting down at month’s end.

In a post at its entrance and on social media addressed “to our valued customers,” the restaurant, named after one of the best dive spots in the world, announced its impending closure on Jan. 31, 2025.

“Effective Jan. 31, 2025 we will sadly be closing our doors. We are incredibly grateful for your support throughout the years. We treasure the shared experiences with you and appreciate your patronage greatly. Once again, thank you for contributing to the memories we've made here at Garlic Grotto Restaurant. It has been an honor serving you,” read the post from the management of Grotto Garlic Restaurant.

Acting assistant manager and waitress Regine Valencia said there are a lot of factors why the restaurant is closing, first and foremost is the slow economy.

She said her most memorable time at Grotto Garlic Restaurant was Super Typhoon Soudelor when they were the only restaurant that served cold drinks with ice and food not in Styrofoam packages.

Valencia said customers’ reaction after they announced their closure were a mix of sadness and nostalgia, with some saying they will surely miss their unique dishes and the calm and relaxing place that Grotto Garlic Restaurant has been known for.

Like Valencia, chef Cora Dean, who has been with the restaurant for 12 years, said they’re closing primarily because of the poor economy.

She said it’s good whenever they have a lot of tourists—may it be Japanese or Korean—but the past few years after COVID-19, guests, especially tourists, have waned.

“It’s hard and it hurts but I have no choice. My best memory of working here is when customers ask for me so they can introduce me to their party and when they actually applaud me for the dishes I cooked for them,” she said in Filipino.

Dean said she will also miss the camaraderie she shared with Valencia. Ditto for the latter who said they’ve been together through thick or thin the past 11 years.

Valencia’s parting words were: “If ever we're going to reopen again, I hope I will see you guys again if ever. We're going to post online if ever we’re planning to reopen. But I want you guys to stay safe and explore more dishes out there. Maybe you'll find some more places that you like,” she said.

Grotto Garlic Restaurant was established in 1995 by a Japanese diving instructor who fell in love with the island’s scenic dive spots, particularly the Marpi dive spot that the restaurant is named after.

The restaurant, which is located near TSL Plaza and La Mesa, is known for its mouth-watering garlic steak made from Certified Angus Beef ribeye. Its other claim to fame is its fried chicken with sweet chili sauce and various fusion pizzas.