‘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.

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