Small restaurants across mainland China have taken a beating as budget-conscious consumers refrain from dining out because of prevailing pessimism about their income amid a shaky economy. Some establishments are already at a make-or-break point after posting losses for several straight months. “My family used to live on the restaurant, which generated strong cash flow for us,” said Zhang Hongbin, owner of a canteen serving noodles and dumplings on Lancun Road in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area. “But...