Vice City Pizza is closing in South Miami. Here’s what we know

When he converted his South Miami restaurant Bar Bella into a new location for his popular pizza joint last summer, Jorgie Ramos knew he’d made the right decision. Already a beloved staple in West Kendall, Vice City drew a steady stream of customers, something that had been lacking in one of Miami’s worst summers for the restaurant industry.

Now, after less than a year, Ramos is closing the South Miami Vice City Pizza at 5829 SW 73rd St. after selling his lease to an out-of-town hospitality group from Belgium. The last day of operation is Sunday, Feb. 1.

The move comes after a long shutdown at Ramos’ other property, Cebada Rooftop in Coral Gables, which was closed from September 2025 until January of 2026 due to a malfunctioning elevator.

Ramos, who co-owns Vice City with chef Carlos Estarita, said the decision was difficult but was made in the middle of the elevator drama when the future for Cebada was uncertain.

“It’s a sad thing,” he admits with a hint of regret. “It was one of the hardest choices I have had to make in my life. But they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse at a time life was crazy for us. I was trying to make sure we had enough cash in the bank, and stress levels were at an all-time high. I spent weeks without sleeping. I have gray hair in my eyebrows now.”

Ramos hates to disappoint the South Miami customers and staff but even harder was telling the South Miami government that he was leaving.

“It’s hard to even tell you how special this city is,” he says.

And he won’t rule out a return to the neighborhood, which he says is his favorite in Miami-Dade.

“We’re going to concentrate on the Rooftop and Vice City in West Kendall, take a step back and regroup,” he says. “But we definitely want to come back to this neighborhood. We did great here, and we love the city.”