La Cubana closing its Ossington location after 13 years
The pioneering Cuban restaurant is shutting down its most visible spot this month, citing inflation, food costs, and rising taxes.
La Cubana, a Toronto staple on Ossington Avenue since 2013, will close its doors for the last time on June 28. The restaurant's co-owners and siblings Pablo and Corinna Mozo announced the closure Monday via Instagram, citing unsustainable operating costs.
"After struggling through the pandemic, subsequent inflation, high food costs, tax, insurance and energy increases, many weather events, and other factors, it has simply become unsustainable," Pablo Mozo wrote.
The Ossington location was the more visible of what was once two La Cubana spots (the original Roncesvalles location closed late last year and was taken over by Proper). The building itself has deeper roots—it spent six years as Delux before becoming La Cubana, giving the address nearly 20 years of continuous restaurant life.
For Corinna, the chef and creator of the menu, and Pablo, the closure marks the end of a significant chapter. The two expressed particular sadness for their staff, whom Pablo called "the most wonderful people" and credited for sticking through the pandemic and beyond. "I really want to say a heartfelt thank you for everything," he wrote.
The good news: La Cubana still operates a location at The Well, which appears to be staying put. Pablo also hinted at future projects in the Instagram post, suggesting the siblings aren't leaving the Toronto food scene entirely. Still, the Ossington closure marks the loss of one of the neighbourhood's longest-running independent restaurants.
The final day of service is June 28 at 92 Ossington Ave.