From washing dishes in restaurants in New Jersey to managing a chain of seven Cuban food establishments: that is part of the journey of Alan López and his wife, Nairelys López, a couple of Cuban entrepreneurs who have just brought their business Rumba Cubana to South Florida, with the opening of their first restaurant in Palm Beach County.
The new establishment opened its doors on Friday at 3208 Forest Hill Boulevard in Palm Springs, according to .
It is the first location of the chain outside of New Jersey, where the couple built a family business that currently has six restaurants.
The story of Alan and Nairelys began long before their arrival in the United States. They both grew up in a small town in Cuba and were sweethearts during their teenage years.
Nairelys' mother had been Alan's teacher for several years, and their romantic relationship began when they were in high school.
Their paths diverged, but fate brought them back together in New Jersey, where both emigrated separately in 2001.
They reunited at a party, and years later, they would end up building together one of the most recognized chains of Cuban restaurants in the northern part of that state.
According to a report published by New Jersey Monthly, Alan began his career in the food industry by washing dishes, while Nairelys studied accounting at Kean University.
In 2004, they participated in the opening of Rumba Cafe, a small family café in Jersey City. The establishment was the starting point for a business that five years later made a significant leap: in 2009, they opened the first Rumba Cubana with full-service dining.
The beginnings were far from easy. Alan split his days between the café and the new establishment, while Nairelys handled opening the restaurant and managing a good portion of its operations until her husband arrived in the afternoon.
With a small team primarily made up of family members, the two took on whatever tasks were necessary to keep the business running smoothly.
“It was a lot of work, a lot of stress”, Nairelys recalled during her interview with the New Jersey magazine.
Over the years, the couple has managed to expand into Passaic, Hudson, and Bergen counties. Today they have six restaurants in New Jersey and are preparing for another opening in Teaneck, while the arrival in Palm Springs brings the total number of operating establishments in the chain to seven.
The López family also developed an unusual business strategy in the food industry: acquiring the properties where their restaurants operate instead of relying on lease agreements.
According to what they explained to New Jersey Monthly, this decision allows them to protect their businesses against the rising costs of commercial rents.
To establish themselves in Florida, the couple purchased the property in Palm Springs during the spring of 2025 and devoted over a year to its renovation, according to .
Before choosing Palm Springs, the entrepreneurs evaluated several locations in South Florida. They ultimately decided on this municipality due to its accessibility, available parking, and its proximity to various communities in Palm Beach County.
The owners explained to the newspaper that they were looking for a place with a large Cuban and Latino community, as well as cultural ties to their roots.
For them, opening in Florida represents more than just adding another establishment to the chain: it means bringing a piece of Cuban traditions to a region where those customs are still very much alive.
The culinary proposal of the new Rumba Cubana is based on traditional recipes. Its menu includes ropa vieja, vaca frita, lechón asado, bistec de palomilla, empanadas, ham croquettes, Cuban sandwiches, and imperial rice.
One of their main dishes is roasted suckling pig, marinated in sour orange for 24 hours. Imperial rice combines chicken, rice, ripe plantains, and mozzarella cheese, while the desserts include flan, tres leches, and churros made to order.
According to information published by The Palm Beach Post, almost all dishes cost less than 25 dollars, an offer aimed at both families and customers seeking Cuban food in an area where the presence of restaurants and businesses related to the Latino community continues to grow.
The drink menu is under the direction of Loiver Hernández Crespo, who previously worked at the renowned Café La Trova in Miami.
In addition to the traditional mojito, made with rum, fresh lime, sugar, mint, soda, and Angostura bitters, the restaurant offers cocktails with special presentations.
Among them is La Flecha Old Fashioned, served in a bowl inspired by a traditional toy, and Son de la Loma, presented in a guitar-shaped structure that plays the well-known Cuban song.
Nairelys is personally involved in the design of the establishments, from selecting the furniture to the dinnerware and decorative elements.
Alan, for his part, oversees the food standards and the construction and renovation work of the new locations.
The new Rumba Cubana is located at 3208 Forest Hill Boulevard, Palm Springs, Florida. It is open from Sunday to Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays until 11:00 p.m.
Customers can reach out at 561-619-8992 or check the restaurant's official website for information about the menu and reservations.
The opening of Rumba Cubana adds to the expansion of other Cuban culinary businesses moving north into South Florida.
In early November, it was announced that Vicky Bakery, founded by Cuban exiles in Hialeah in 1972, is preparing to open a new location in Pompano Beach, in Broward County, through its franchise model.
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