‘It’s been fun’: After less than a year, this Cuban restaurant in Miami Lakes is closed

In 2023, when he opened La Cumbancha, the Cuban-inspired bar and restaurant in Miami Lakes, restaurant partner Julio Cabrera called the spot a “complete experience that engages all senses.”

Now, the experience is over. La Cumbancha is closing, less than a year after it opened at 6743 Main St.

The news was announced on social media by Andy Cabrera, son of Julio Cabrera, who was a partner in La Cumbancha but is best known for bringing Cuban cantinero-style bartending to Little Havana restaurant and lounge Café La Trova. The cocktail program at La Cumbancha was a collaboration between the Cabreras and Café La Trova bartender Loiver Hernandez.

Andy Cabrera was brief and to the point, offering no explanations for the abrupt closing: “And so with this post, the story of La Cumbancha comes to a finish. It’s been fun everyone, thank you for all the support and good memories.”

Despite the ongoing success of Café La Trova, which was named the best bar in a restaurant in the U.S. at the Spirited Awards in 2023 and regularly appears on the list of World’s Best Bars, La Cumbancha never truly took off in Miami Lakes.

The 4,000-square-foot space, which had room for up to 200 diners, included live music every night, as well as outdoor areas and a private dining room. Created by chef Carlos Hildalgo, the menu highlighted Cuban-inspired dishes flavored with Italian, Spanish and French influences.

“Great concept, wrong location,” one supporter commented on Instagram.

This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 1:15 PM.