Madrid is preparing to bid farewell to one of its most iconic Cuban restaurants. Zara, a family-run establishment founded in 1964 by a couple who emigrated from Havana, will close its doors permanently on Saturday, October 17, 2026, after the lunchtime service. With its departure, 62 years of creole dishes, daiquiris, and gatherings in the Chueca neighborhood come to an end.
The current owners, Inés, daughter of the founders, and her husband Jorge, have decided to retire and not transfer the business, as they explained to journalist Pedro Zuazua Gil in an original report published by El País on October 2. The last service will take place at Barbieri 8, the current address of the restaurant, which moved there in 2014 from its original location on Infantas Street.
A story that began in Old Havana
The family origin of Zara traces back to Cuba. According to the history published by the restaurant itself, the grandparents of Inés Llanos Braña, Asturian immigrants, founded the bakery and confectionery El León de Oro in Old Havana. Inés was born on the island, where she met José Alberto Martínez Alonso, Pepe, an Asturian who worked as a traveling salesman.
They met at the Asturian Center in Havana and got married in 1958. After the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, the couple left Cuba with a young daughter, hoping to return someday. In 1964, along with Santiago, Inés's brother, and his wife Mariuca, they took over a small café and fry shop at Infantas 5, Madrid.
The establishment was already named Zara, derived from an abbreviation of Zaragoza, the hometown of its previous owner. Over the years, the Cuban dishes that the family prepared began to win over customers, and the café became a renowned Cuban-Spanish restaurant.
Old clothes, minced meat, and daiquiris: Zara's memories
The official menu features recipes such as shredded beef with white rice, ground beef with fried plantains, roasted chicken with congrí, yuca, fried green plantains, and black beans. Also included are desserts like guava with cheese, rice pudding, and flan.
The daiquiris made by Pepe became famous among his clientele. For decades, Zara was a meeting point for Cuban immigrants, artists, and locals in Madrid looking for home-cooked meals. One intriguing item on the menu is “Alaska's favorite”, a dish that combines half a portion of ropa vieja and another of picadillo with white rice, in tribute to the singer.
Beyond the cuisine, the family transformed the establishment into a recognizable space known for its personal service, checkered tablecloths, and the atmosphere of a dining room where many customers returned for years.
The family succession and the reasons for the closure
After 50 years in Infantas, Zara moved in 2014 to the nearby Barbieri street due to changes in the lease conditions of the original premises. The founders then retired, and their daughter Inés and son-in-law Jorge took over, along with other family members, including Cristina and Adriana.
Inés and Pepe died in 2021 due to covid-19, a loss that El País published a report with family testimonials. Their successors maintained the restaurant for the following years, but they have now decided to retire.
According to information provided by the family, factors such as retirement, changes in habits after the pandemic, and the absence of the founders have played a role. There is no evidence that Zara is closing due to bankruptcy or due to a recent rent increase. It has also not been announced that it will continue under new ownership: the family has decided not to transfer it.
The farewell coincides with a time when other businesses from the diaspora keep Cuban gastronomy alive in Spain. CiberCuba has reported, for instance, the story of entrepreneur Elder Alonso and his project Locco Pizza in Madrid. Zara represents another era: that of families who left Cuba decades ago and built gathering places in their host country.
Where is Zara and how to visit it before October 17th?
The current address is calle Barbieri 8, 28004 Madrid, in Chueca. The contact number is 91 532 20 74, and the establishment has an official reservation page. Their usual information indicates lunch from Tuesday to Saturday and dinner service, but it is advisable to call to confirm hours and available tables in the last few days.
Saturday, October 17 has been announced as a farewell only for the lunchtime service, not a final dinner. With that last lunch, Zara will close a journey that began with a family from Havana and ended up becoming part of Madrid's gastronomic and sentimental history.
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