Coral Gables diner returns after 12-month closure

Diners in Coral Gables can now eat at Havana Harry's again. The restaurant reopened on Thursday after spending more than a year closed for renovations. This return ends a long absence for a spot that has served the neighborhood for over three decades.

The closure lasted roughly 12 months. During that time, the team at 4612 S. Le Jeune Road completed a full physical overhaul of the dining space. The goal was to modernize the look of the room while preserving the identity of the kitchen. Patrons walking in today see a different visual environment than they did a year ago.

Felix Palencia, who led the communication around the reopening, emphasized that the changes are cosmetic. He stated that the cooking methods and menu items remain exactly as they were before the renovation. "We brought back our flavors. We brought back our generous portions, and our recipes are the same," Palencia said. He added that the restaurant's status in Miami rests on its adherence to specific Cuban culinary traditions.

The menu highlights two specific protein dishes. The first is vaca frita, which involves slow-cooked meat that is shredded and then sautéed with onions and Cuban mojo. The second is ham milanesa, a breaded steak topped with ham, cheese, and milanesa sauce. Both are served in large quantities. The beverage and dessert lists also feature traditional items, including mojitos and a dessert called the Nutella Overdose. This sweet combines vanilla ice cream, Nutella, a piece of brownie, chocolate crumble, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream.

Customers who visited immediately after the reopening noted the contrast between the new interior and the familiar food. One diner said they were surprised by the scale of the physical update upon entry. "I thought, 'Wow, they've redone the whole place; it looks beautiful,'" the customer said. They added that the taste of the food remained consistent with previous visits.

Palencia described the current state of the venue as visually improved. "We have a very good-looking restaurant right now, and now we're back!" he said. He invited the public to visit, positioning the location as a central hub for Cuban cuisine in the heart of Coral Gables. The restaurant operates from its existing address on S. Le Jeune Road.