CORAL GABLES, FL – Havana Harry’s, a prominent Cuban-American restaurant located at 4612 S. Le Jeune Rd. in Coral Gables, was temporarily ordered closed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) on Monday, June 16, 2025. The regulatory action followed a complaint-based inspection that identified significant health violations, specifically related to pest activity.
According to the official DBPR inspection report, state inspectors observed live roaches in multiple areas within the restaurant’s kitchen. The detailed findings noted the presence of these pests near electrical outlets, on cook lines, and in preparation areas. Such observations typically trigger immediate regulatory action due to the potential risks to public health and safety.
Regulatory Action and Inspection Findings
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating businesses, including restaurants, to ensure they meet health and safety standards. A complaint-based inspection means that the state’s visit was prompted by a report from a member of the public or another concerned party, rather than a routine inspection.
The report’s specific mention of live roaches across various critical zones of the kitchen – areas where food is prepared, cooked, and stored, as well as near essential infrastructure like electrical outlets – indicates a pervasive issue that regulators deemed serious enough to warrant an emergency closure order.
When a restaurant is ordered shut, it is legally prohibited from operating until all identified violations are corrected and verified by a follow-up inspection conducted by the state. The DBPR’s mandate is to ensure that establishments pose no immediate health hazard to patrons.
Restaurant’s Status and Required Corrections
Havana Harry’s is required by the state order to address and rectify all violations cited in the inspection report before it can legally resume full operations. The process typically involves pest control measures, deep cleaning, and implementing preventative strategies to ensure the issue does not recur.
A staff member at Havana Harry’s confirmed to reporters that the restaurant was open for lunch on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. However, as of that same date, public records available from the DBPR had not yet confirmed whether the state had conducted a re-inspection or officially cleared the establishment to reopen. This discrepancy raises questions about the precise timing of compliance and official authorization.
The original headline accompanying initial reports of the closure mentioned the restaurant closed for \”repairs,\” a characterization that differs from the official reason provided by the DBPR report, which cites specific health code violations related to pests.
Background of Havana Harry’s
Founded in 1995, Havana Harry’s has long been a popular fixture in the Coral Gables and wider Miami-Dade County dining scene. It is well-recognized for its extensive menu featuring traditional Cuban and Cuban-American cuisine, known for generous portions and classic dishes.
Adding to its notable status, Havana Harry’s was mentioned in the prestigious 2024 Michelin Guide. The guide highlighted the restaurant as one of Miami’s \”Best Cuban Restaurants,\” an acknowledgment that speaks to its culinary reputation and popularity among locals and visitors alike. The temporary closure of an establishment with such recognition underscores the strict enforcement of health regulations, regardless of a restaurant’s profile or accolades.
Impact and Way Forward
The temporary closure disrupts operations for the restaurant, its staff, and patrons. For a business that has operated for nearly three decades and recently received a significant culinary mention, addressing such violations promptly is critical to restoring public confidence and resuming normal service.
The focus now shifts to the restaurant’s efforts to correct the violations and the subsequent re-inspection by the DBPR. Only upon receiving official clearance from the state regulatory body can Havana Harry’s definitively and legally reopen its doors to the public for unrestricted service.
The situation at Havana Harry’s serves as a reminder of the importance of regular health inspections and the state’s role in upholding standards to protect diners, even for establishments with long histories and celebrated reputations within the community.
