Last Bahama Breeze in Broward closes earlier than expected. Company shares why
The last standing Bahama Breeze in Broward County has met its end sooner than anticipated.
The Caribbean-themed restaurant in Pembroke Pines — located at 11000 Pines Blvd. — shut its doors for good, the company confirmed to the Pembroke Pines News on March 20.
A March 19 Instagram post by events account The Broward Scene shows a large banner on the restaurant’s front deck, reading “This location is permanently closed,” and redirecting customers to its nearest open Bahama Breeze, located in Miami at 12395 SW 88th St.
Parent company Darden Restaurants announced the closure of the Pembroke Pines locale and 14 other sites — as well as the conversion of 14 Bahama Breezes into sister brands within the next 18 months — in a Feb. 3 statement, adding that those shutting down “are expected to continue operating through April 5, 2026.”
The Broward restaurant’s premature closure is owed to Darden’s placement of employees in new roles across the brand’s portfolio, which the company committed to doing to support team members affected by the shutdown.
“We were able to place the majority of team members from the Pembroke Pines location, so we were unable to continue operating the restaurant because we could no longer staff it at the required levels,” Darden spokesperson Rich Jeffers told the Pembroke Pines News.
Operations at Pines’ Bahama Breeze officially ceased on March 2, Jeffers added.
Broward County regulars took the news hard, with The Broward Scene’s March 19 post racking up nearly 3,000 likes within 24 hours and hundreds of comments sharing what the Caribbean restaurant meant to locals.
“During the PANDEMIC this patio was the first dining place to open, it was a liberating meal to feel human again and communicate across a table with friends and community, a great moment,” wrote Michelle Llovet.
“Place I took my eventual wife on our first date, May 31, 2002,” commented Steve B.
“Soo sad. I have soo many great memories there,” wrote Kimberley Ellington. “Will hold a special place in my heart.”
Many were hearbroken to learn they had run out of time to get in one last visit.
Bahama Breeze — which houses 15 of its 28 restaurants in Florida — first opened in 1996 on International Drive in Orlando.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Last Bahama Breeze in Broward closes earlier than expected. Company shares why."
