One of Miami’s many attractions is its cuisine, so the closure of one of its most iconic restaurants has saddened the community. The emblematic Las Palmas restaurant, considered a cornerstone of Downtown Miami’s culture, served for 45 years as a meeting place for many local residents. As the Miami Herald points out, “there are only 33 seats, but that doesn’t deter the regulars,” which certainly underscores the importance and significance of the restaurant, which is closing its doors after being a fixture in the city since 1980.
“This was a home away from home, where people came to have a coffee or a good, nice, and inexpensive home-cooked lunch” – Mario Magalhaes
Las Palmas was a meeting place for Cuban flavors and a gathering spot for longtime residents, tourists, visitors, and people of all nationalities. Located at 209 SE First St., Las Palmas operated until November 14th, offering a simple and affordable menu that attracted a loyal clientele for many years. “This was a home away from home, where people came to have a coffee or a good, nice, and inexpensive home-cooked lunch,” recalled its owner, Mario Magalhaes, according to local media.
The restaurant is closing its doors, as confirmed by the Miami Herald, due to significant increases in the prices of essential supplies, along with changes in trade policies and new tariffs, which raised the establishment’s operating costs. Although the restaurant has had different owners over the years, it was currently operating under the management of the Magalhaes family, who purchased it in 2016. The family, originally from Brazil, instilled the restaurant’s positive energy in the neighborhood. For nearly five decades, Las Palmas was the setting for comedy nights, karaoke, and community events, transforming the venue into a popular meeting place.
Mario Ferrari Magalhaes remembers his father taking him there
In fact, regarding the restaurant changing hands several times, Mario Ferrari Magalhaes remembers his father taking him there long before he had any idea he’d one day own it. Mario Magalhaes also recounts that “the comedy nights we had with my friends were unique. We had over 80 comedians from Miami here, in an open-air space, and then the karaoke would continue until four in the morning.” But like many businesses, the Magalhaes family’s has also had its share of difficulties, always tied to the economy. “With prices so high, it’s really tough. Eggs reached their highest point three months ago: a carton of 15 dozen went up to $132,” the owner explained, according to local media.
The closure comes after a 2025 filled with economic challenges, uncertainty, and financial difficulties they couldn’t overcome. Inflation and soaring prices made it impossible for the family to sustain the business. Adding to this, sales in the restaurant’s final months weren’t as strong as they had hoped, leaving the family unable to pay the bills and ultimately forcing the closure. “When we finally bought the restaurant, it was a well-oiled machine, running smoothly and making good money. My dad thought my mom and I could work here, and we would be fine after he passed away,” says Magalhaes, reminiscing about the past.
The fact is, like many things in life, the story of Las Palmas ends only to give way to another. As they say, when one door closes, another opens. So, even though the restaurant has closed, it has left thousands of memories etched in the minds of many people, and that’s something that can’t be erased. “We’ve overcome many ups and downs thanks to you. Without you, we wouldn’t have come this far. Because of you, we’ve been able to do so many things: feed the homeless, raise funds for victims of natural disasters, help children with terminal illnesses… so many good causes,” the family said on the restaurant’s last day in Downtown.