Havana Harry's brings back generous Cuban portions

Havana Harry’s has reopened its dining room at 4612 S. Le Jeune Road in Coral Gables, ending a closure that lasted more than 12 months. The restaurant, which has operated in the Miami area for over three decades, completed renovations that altered the interior design while preserving its original menu.

Owner Felix Palencia stated that the kitchen operations remain identical to the pre-renovation era. He confirmed that the restaurant maintained its traditional recipes and portion sizes. “We brought back our flavors. We brought back our generous portions, and our recipes are the same,” Palencia said.

The menu retains its signature items, including vaca frita and ham milanesa. Vaca frita consists of slow-cooked meat that is shredded and sautéed with onions and Cuban mojo. The ham milanesa is a breaded steak topped with ham, cheese, and milanesa sauce. Palencia identified vaca frita as the establishment’s primary dish.

The beverage and dessert sections also reflect the restaurant’s long-standing standards. The menu features mojitos and a dessert called the Nutella Overdose. This item combines vanilla ice cream mixed with Nutella and a piece of brownie, topped with ice cream, chocolate crumble, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream.

Patrons visiting the restaurant immediately noted the physical changes to the space. One customer who arrived for dinner described the new interior as beautiful upon entering. That diner stated the food tasted the same as it did before the closure, adding that it was “great, like it’s always been.”

Palencia emphasized the restaurant’s position as a provider of Cuban cuisine in the heart of Coral Gables. He described the venue as a location for “the best Cuban food in Miami.” The reopening marks the return of a long-standing local institution after its year-long absence.

The renovation work concluded, and the restaurant is currently serving customers. The physical update contrasts with the unchanged culinary approach, a distinction Palencia highlighted in his comments about the return of the establishment to the neighborhood.