Vulture and Dreamboat to Close in University Heights After Less Than a Year of Operations
Two plant-based sister restaurants under the University Heights sign are ending service
Vulture, a reservation-oriented vegan restaurant and cocktail bar, and Dreamboat, its small-format vegan diner and coffee concept, will permanently close in San Diego’s University Heights neighborhood on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Both businesses operate from the same two-story property at 4608–4610 Park Boulevard, a highly visible corner beneath the neighborhood’s landmark sign.
The operators cited high opening and operating costs, as well as broader economic conditions, in announcing the shutdown. The closure brings to an end a dual-concept project that opened in 2025 after a multi-year redevelopment of the building.
Timeline: an ambitious opening followed by a rapid wind-down
February 22, 2024: Plans for the two vegan concepts were publicly detailed, including a fine-dining restaurant (Vulture) paired with a compact diner (Dreamboat) fronting the space.
May 2025: Dreamboat began operations as a micro-diner emphasizing breakfast items, coffee, and takeout, later shifting toward desserts and late-night offerings.
June 2025: Vulture opened with an upscale dining format and a full bar.
November 5, 2025: The 4,460-square-foot property at 4608–4610 Park Boulevard was listed on the commercial real estate market, marketed as a fully renovated, turnkey restaurant building with two stories, two kitchens, and limited on-site parking.
February 8, 2026: Final day of service for both concepts.
What the closure means for the Park Boulevard site
The building was positioned as a two-in-one destination: Dreamboat served as the street-facing entry point and daytime counter-service operation, while Vulture occupied the larger footprint and operated primarily in the evening. The real estate listing emphasized the site’s high-end build-out and suitability for restaurant or café use, suggesting the space could be repurposed without major construction.
Ownership and concept details
The project was led by restaurateur Kory Stetina in partnership with Arsalun Tafazoli. The concepts were developed independently of Tafazoli’s broader hospitality group operations. Early reporting on the project described Vulture as a modern take on continental-style fine dining executed through a fully plant-based menu, while Dreamboat was framed as a casual companion designed for morning-through-night service in a small seating footprint.
Both restaurants are expected to operate through their announced closing date, February 8, 2026.
For University Heights, the closures mark the near-term end of a prominent, design-forward restaurant build-out at one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable intersections, with the future tenant or operator of the space not yet publicly confirmed.