END OF AN ERA
San Antonio's Ocho at Hotel Havana quietly closes after 15 years
Ocho at Hotel Havana is now closed for renovations.
After 15 years on the River Walk, Ocho is now closed at downtown's Hotel Havana. The San Antonio restaurant, once a fixture of travel magazines and lifestyle blogs, stepped out of the spotlight with a final brunch service on June 29.
Executive Chef Jesse Kuykendall broke the news via social media, saying that the space would soon undergo renovations. It's unclear whether Ocho will reopen as the original concept or if Bunkhouse Hotels will reintroduce the restaurant under another name.
"We truly appreciate all the love and support over the years," he wrote. "We didn't make a big announcement because we wanted a peaceful, intentional closing. This space has been our home for six years; we've grown here, shared countless memories, and built something special. We're proud of our team and excited for what's ahead, not just for us but also for the beautiful renovations planned for this property."
Grocer Edward Franz Melcher originally built Hotel Havana in 1914 as a temporary home for his visiting vendors. The Mediterranean Revival building had a long, if sometimes sordid, history before Bunkhouse reopened the property as one of San Antonio's first true boutique hotels.
Housed in a glass conservatory candy-coated in turquoise, Ocho restaurant quickly charmed the national press. The restaurant was featured by everyone from Condé Nast Traveler to Architectural Digest — all besotted by the velvet banquettes, grand chandeliers, and Thonet-style bentwood cafe chairs.
The debut Mexican-Caribbean menu received less notice. But the arrival of Kuykendall in 2019 changed the restaurant's culinary fate. He introduced a menu that fused the traditions of Latin-American cooking with Mexican influences learned from his mother in Laredo and the late Susana Trilling in Oaxaca.
Kuykendall, known widely as "Chef Kirk," was quickly catapulted into stardom. He traveled the world as one of San Antonio's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy chef ambassadors and became a frequent competitor on Food Network shows. He won Chopped in 2020, followed by Supermarket Stakeout in 2024.
Via a direct message, Kuykendall says Bunkhouse management has yet to share details on the renovation plans. CultureMap will continue following this story as more information is made public.
