October was a rough one for Miami’s dining scene — the kind of month that reminds us just how fragile even the most beloved restaurants can be. In the span of a few short weeks, the city lost three very different but equally meaningful restaurants and shops: a family-favorite ice cream shop that had been serving sweet memories for two decades, a bold newcomer that made North Miami feel like home again, and a Coral Gables rooftop that had just started to soar before being grounded by an old problem.
Each closure tells a different Miami story. South Miami families said goodbye to 20 years of post-pizza scoops and fudge-topped memories. In North Miami, a new spot with creative spark burned bright but briefly, offering Afro-Caribbean flavors and coffeehouse vibes. And in Coral Gables, a rooftop’s elevator woes finally caught up to it, forcing it to close just weeks after a triumphant relaunch. Below, we bid farewell to these three beloved spots.
Cebada Rooftop
Just weeks after celebrating its grand reopening, Cebada Rooftop in Coral Gables has once again closed its doors — this time, not by choice but by necessity. Owner Jorgie Ramos says the restaurant’s long-troubled elevator finally forced a reckoning after nearly five years of breakdowns, near misses, and nightly apologies to guests. “It’s heartbreaking,” Ramos tells New Times. “We’ve been trying for years to get it fixed. No one knows what’s going on with it. It’s gotten to the point where every night we’re apologizing, and it’s still not working properly.”
The elevator issue, which dates back to Cebada’s opening, has been both a safety concern and a logistical nightmare. Staff often carried heavy supplies up three flights of stairs, while guests had to make the same climb just to enjoy dinner or drinks. Ramos says the decision to close came down to safety and fairness — both for his team and his customers. “People spend their hard-earned money for a nice night out,” he says. “They shouldn’t have to hike to their table.”…