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Beloved Miami Cuban Café Las Palmas Closes Permanently After 45 Years

Owners cite unsustainable costs alongside a post‑pandemic drop in customers.

Overview

  • The owners announced the permanent shutdown on social media, setting Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 as the final day of service.
  • Interviews reported by the Miami Herald attribute the decision to steep rent increases, higher food prices and a sustained decline in downtown foot traffic tied to remote work.
  • The café opened in 1980 at 209 SE First Street with 33 seats, growing into a staple for classic Cuban fare.
  • The Magalhães family has run Las Palmas since 2016 while organizing charity efforts for homeless residents and sick children and hosting comedy and karaoke nights.
  • Owner Carla Ferrari Magalhães noted record sales in the three weeks before closing, which she said came too late, as regulars expressed sadness over losing a daily gathering place.