Looking To Open A Restaurant? Mona Lisa Cafe Is Now For Rent

The struggling Mona Lisa Bakery & Cafe has finally closed its doors.

The Italian restaurant (located at 1476 86th Street), which served pizza and desserts, was sold to new owner Tony Safonte on January 1, and he is looking to rent it out for $40 per square foot – or a little over $200,000 a year.

Mona Lisa Cafe has long been a neighborhood staple – often recommended by tour guides as a cannoli stop for visitors of Dyker Heights’ famous Christmas Lights. But two years ago, the restaurant changed owners, and customers say the service and food quality have never been the same.

“The last owner didn’t know anything about the restaurant business,” Safonte told us. “He was more concerned with his wholesale baked goods, so he moved on.”

The ornate 9,564-square-foot storefront was built in 1931. The space includes a main floor that is 5,500 square feet, as well as a 4,064-foot basement, and the kitchen and dining room are fully equipped.

“If you had to put this place this place together today, with all the equipment and the improvements, you would need $3 million,” said Safonte. “The place is ready to go. All the person would have to do is come in and pay rent.”

Several tipsters noticed “For Rent” signs on the eatery on Monday, and posted photos to social media.

Safonte says he has received phone calls from several interested parties, and hopes to have an offer by the end of the month.