A notice posted to the front door this week confirms that Havana Grill's longtime Clairemont restaurant at 5450 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard has ceased operations after years of serving the community.
"After many wonderful years serving this community, due to rising costs and economic conditions, together with the state of California's decision to replace our street parking with a bicycle lane, Havana Grill's Clairemont location is now permanently closed," the letter reads.
Signed by owners Sandra Cardet and Alex Guevara, the notice goes on to thank customers for their years of loyalty, friendship, and support, adding that it had been "our privilege to share our family's recipes and traditions" with the community. The family is encouraging guests to continue visiting its remaining Mission Valley location at Westfield Mission Valley.
The letter also highlights what diners can expect at the surviving restaurant, including the "same authentic Cuban cuisine," "same Cuban coffee and pastries," "full bar and handcrafted mojitos," and "the same warm hospitality," while noting the location offers abundant free parking just minutes away.
Havana Grill first opened in Clairemont in 2016, quickly earning a loyal following for its authentic Cuban comfort food based on family recipes passed down through generations. Founded by Cuban-born Sandra Cardet and her son Alex Guevara, the restaurant distinguished itself with traditional dishes including ropa vieja, lechón, picadillo, Cuban sandwiches, arroz con pollo, croquetas, yucca fries, and house-made desserts, all served in a warm, family-oriented atmosphere inspired by Havana rather than tourist interpretations of Cuban culture.
The concept proved so successful that the family expanded in 2023 with a second, significantly larger restaurant at Westfield Mission Valley. That location added a full bar, expanded bakery, artisan desserts, a Miami-inspired coffee window serving Cuban coffee and pastries, and a more polished indoor-outdoor dining experience while maintaining the same core menu that made the original restaurant popular.
Over the years, Havana Grill became one of San Diego's most acclaimed Cuban restaurants, earning praise from local and national food writers alike. Sandra Cardet frequently spoke about building the restaurant around authenticity and hospitality, while Guevara credited the business with bringing the family even closer together after launching what began as an ambitious mother-and-son project.
The closure also comes amid continuing debate surrounding San Diego's growing network of protected bicycle lanes and their impact on nearby businesses. While transportation advocates argue the projects improve safety and encourage alternative transportation, some merchants have contended that the removal of curbside parking has made it more difficult for customers to access neighborhood businesses. In Havana Grill's case, ownership explicitly identified the replacement of street parking with a bicycle lane as one of several factors contributing to the decision to close the Clairemont location.
The announcement arrives during an especially difficult period for San Diego's independent restaurant industry, with numerous longtime establishments citing inflation, labor costs, insurance increases, higher rents, and shifting consumer spending habits as reasons for recent closures.
Although the Clairemont restaurant has closed permanently, Havana Grill will continue operating its Mission Valley location, where the owners say customers can continue enjoying the same recipes, hospitality, and Cuban dining experience that helped establish the restaurant as one of San Diego's favorite neighborhood eateries.
Havana Grill's remaining location is at 1652 Camino Del Rio North, Suite FSU19, inside Westfield Mission Valley. For more information, visit havanagrillrestaurants.com.
Originally published on July 3, 2026.
