CalaMillor Expands Three-Generation Bakery Empire to Miami

Alberto Garcia Perez opened CalaMillor in South Miami in 2023, establishing a 8,000-square-foot facility that functions as a bakery, restaurant, market, and wine bar. The venue sits on the corner of SW 57th Avenue and Bird Road and holds 168 seats. This expansion marks the first overseas location for a family business that began in Madrid in the 1970s.

The company’s origins trace to the bakery founded by Perez’s grandparents, Natalio and Concepcion. They named the shop after the Mallorcan seaside town where Natalio trained. Natalio’s son-in-law, Jose, later scaled the operation to five bakeries across Madrid. The family gained recognition for ensaimadas, a brioche-style pastry with Maltese roots. Perez began working in the family bakeries at age 12 and spent the next five decades refining the brand before bringing it to the United States.

To transition the bakery into a full-service restaurant, Perez recruited Javier Dominguez as head chef. Dominguez previously held positions at two Michelin-starred establishments in Madrid: Albora and A’Barra. He now serves as corporate executive chef and business partner. His role involves overseeing the culinary direction while maintaining the brand’s traditional standards.

The menu combines classic Spanish dishes with local adaptations. Diners can order gambones rojos al ajillo, huevos rotos with Iberian ham, and Galician-style octopus. Heavier options include cachopo Asturiano with blue cheese sauce and grilled salmon with Spanish ratatouille. The bakery case features ensaimadas served plain or with fillings, along with croissants and palmiers. Dominguez stated that the kitchen prepares everything in-house using high-quality ingredients. He noted that while the menu honors Spanish roots, it includes Miami-specific items like a smash burger and guava pastries.

The operation supports a diverse revenue model through dine-in, takeout, and retail sales. The market sells Spanish olive oils, and the wine bar offers Spanish vintages by the bottle or glass. The cocktail list features Spanish gin and tonics and an 1888 Espresso Martini. Weekly specials include a 50 percent discount on paellas on Mondays and live music on Thursday evenings. Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Upcoming events include the Wine & Jamon Fest on November 12, priced at $95 per person. The ticket covers six wine tastings, passed tapas, and a live carving of Iberian Cinco Jotas jamon. The restaurant will also offer Thanksgiving takeout packages and holiday gift baskets. Orders for Roscones de Reyes will open in early December. The venue remains open for daily service, catering, and online orders at 4000 SW 57 Ave.

Perez described the location as a space for guests to feel connected to Spanish family traditions. He said the goal was to transport visitors to an environment rooted in food and gathering. The restaurant operates under the direction of Perez and Dominguez, with a focus on maintaining the authenticity of the original Madrid recipes while serving a diverse local population.