Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream photo
Audio By Carbonatix
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 photo
Cebada Rooftop
Will you step up to support New Times this year?
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
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.”
The closure stings all the more because it comes on the heels of a successful relaunch featuring a revamped rooftop, new Spanish-Cuban menu, and a reimagined Bar Bella martini and raw bar. For Ramos, the pause is painful but necessary. He remains hopeful repairs can be made and that Cebada will one day return — elevator fixed, spirits lifted, and hearts ready to celebrate again.
Four photo
Four
After less than a year in business, North Miami’s restaurant collective Four has closed its doors, marking another loss in what’s been a challenging year for the local restaurant industry. The cozy café-and-restaurant hybrid opened in November 2024 in the former Paradis Books & Bread space, blending the talents of chef Nu’Man Hall, baker Julian Gheiler, and the Blk Brw coffee collective. By day, Four served artisanal coffee and pastries; by night, it transformed into an intimate dining spot featuring Hall’s Afro-Caribbean dishes and a curated wine list.
Despite its short run, Four became a neighborhood favorite, known for its sense of community and creativity as much as for its food. Locals came not just to eat but to connect — it was a gathering place where chefs experimented freely and guests felt part of something personal. Although its closure reflects the financial pressures facing Miami’s independent restaurants, its legacy of heart, inclusivity, and flavor endures.
The space at 12831 W. Dixie Hwy. won’t stay quiet for long: it’s set to reopen this November as Sidewalk Bottleshop, the popular Fort Lauderdale wine shop and hangout expanding into North Miami.
Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream photo
Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream (South Miami Location)
After 20 years of serving Miami families with delicious, house-made ice cream sundaes and creamy fudge, beloved ice cream parlor Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream closed its original location in South Miami on Saturday, October 4. This was truly devastating to the community, as the picturesque, vintage-inspired parlor had been a landmark for 20 years for creamy ice cream sundaes, cones, scoops, and rich fudge. “Oh no, we’re really going to miss that location!” said a customer. “It holds so many special memories — it was a part of my children’s childhood tradition to grab pizza and then head over for your amazing ice cream. So many good times there. We’re sad to see it go, but so happy you’re continuing elsewhere. Truly the best ice cream ever!”
In response to the outcry, Wall’s responded to customers with the following statement: “We’re so sad too! We are working as hard and as quickly as possible to find a new location nearby, so we can continue to be part of this great community. We love all of our customers and are so grateful for being part of so many memories! Luckily, we have our store on Sunset where you can continue enjoying the same delicious, old-fashioned ice cream! But as soon as we have a new spot, we will let everyone know! Thank you so much for the love!”
Folks can still grab delicious Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream at their new Sunset location at 9521 Sunset Dr.
