Coral Gables Restaurant Forced to Close Due to Unsafe Elevators

Just weeks after celebrating its reopening, Cebada Rooftop in Coral Gables has temporarily closed due to years of unresolved elevator malfunction issues that have made it unsafe and unreliable for both guests and staff.

Owner Jorgie Ramos tells New Times the problem has persisted since the restaurant opened nearly five years ago. Despite repeated service calls and promises of repairs, the elevator continues to malfunction, often leaving customers stranded.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Ramos says. “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 video below clearly depicts the major issue — the crash landing sound the elevator makes could be from a scene straight out of the film Final Destination.

A Safety Concern That Became Impossible to Ignore

Ramos says the decision to close was ultimately made for safety reasons. After years of near misses and constant breakdowns, it no longer felt right to keep operating and risk someone getting hurt.

The nightly malfunctions also took a toll on staff and guests. Employees carried supplies up several flights of stairs, and customers were often asked to make the same climb to reach their tables. Ramos says the situation became increasingly unsustainable for everyone involved.

“It’s not fair to ask people to walk up three flights of stairs for dinner,” he tells New Times. “People spend their hard-earned money to have a nice night out, and they shouldn’t have to go through that. We’ve asked too much of our customers over the past five years.”

Not Placing Blame

Ramos says he does not believe the building’s landlord or management acted maliciously. He described them as well-intentioned but unable to find a lasting fix. “It’s a building problem,” he says.

He added that the constant frustration created a difficult atmosphere for both sides. “It’s very dramatic,” Ramos says. “You’re asking a lot of people to go through that and be happy. It’s not the easiest of situations for either party.”

Hoping for Repairs and a Return

Ramos says he’s hopeful that the elevator problems can finally be resolved so Cebada can reopen. He still wants to return to the space if a long-term fix is made and says the goal is to relaunch properly once it’s safe to do so. He’s already thinking ahead to a celebratory reopening event once the doors can open again.

The closure comes just weeks after Cebada’s September relaunch, which marked the restaurant’s five-year anniversary. That refresh introduced a brighter rooftop with new greenery, misters, and a reworked layout meant to create a breezier setting above Giralda Avenue. Inside, Bar Bella was transformed into a martini and raw bar lounge serving oysters, caviar bumps, and champagne in a dimly lit room named for Ramos’ daughter, Annabella.

The updated menu showcased Spanish and Cuban-inspired dishes, from wood-fired paellas to Caja China whole-hog roasts, and brought back regular themed dinners that helped make Cebada a neighborhood favorite. After such a promising return, the sudden shutdown feels especially abrupt, but Ramos says safety has to come before everything else.

Cebada Rooftop and Bar Bella. 124 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables; 786-409-2287; cebadarooftop.com. Temporarily closed.