Pablo's Mexican Restaurant Expands to Downtown Lansing
The Eastside restaurant will open a second location in the former La Cocina Cubana space at 123 S. Washington Square.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Pablo's Mexican Restaurant announced on its Facebook page on November 4 that it will open a second location in Downtown Lansing. The new restaurant will occupy the space previously used by La Cocina Cubana, which closed on October 28.
Why it matters
La Cocina Cubana closed after failing to renegotiate a new lease following a year of month-to-month rent. The new Pablo's location brings a Mexican restaurant concept to the Downtown Lansing space and expands the local dining options for residents.
La Cocina Cubana ran for one year on a month-to-month rent arrangement before its October 28 closure. Pablo's flagship at 2010 E. Michigan Avenue will be joined by the Downtown location at 123 S. Washington Square, with no opening timeline announced.
The players
Pablo's Mexican Restaurant
A Lansing restaurant operating a flagship location on the city's Eastside that is now expanding into Downtown Lansing.
La Cocina Cubana
A Downtown Lansing Cuban restaurant that closed after failing to renegotiate its lease, leaving its space to Pablo's.
The details
Pablo's posted the announcement on its official Facebook page, stating the new restaurant will take over the former La Cocina Cubana space. La Cocina Cubana's sister restaurant, Cuban Cuisine, remains open at 219 E Grand River Avenue in Downtown East Lansing.
Timeline
Wednesday, October 28: La Cocina Cubana closed its doors.
November 4: Pablo's announced its second location on Facebook.
Market Landscape
The closure of La Cocina Cubana after a year on month-to-month rent shows how unsecured leases can end a restaurant's tenure in a single space. Pablo's move into the same building reflects operators filling vacancies left by short-term tenancies in Lansing's Downtown.
Lansing diners who frequent Downtown will gain a Pablo's option once the new location opens. Those who liked La Cocina Cubana will need to visit its sister restaurant, Cuban Cuisine, at 219 E Grand River Avenue in East Lansing.
The takeaway
Short-term leases can leave restaurant spaces vulnerable to turnover, so diners may see frequent changes in Downtown Lansing dining options.
Further reading
Explore more restaurant openings and closures in the Openings & Closings section for Lansing.
