Discover 9 Beautiful New Restaurants in Miami
From Amazónico's bold arrival in the U.S. to The Shelborne By Proper's new restaurant, Pauline
As art and design appreciators and aficionados descend into Miami for the kickoff to Art Week, it’s important to know where to go to fuel up after wafting through the crowds of Art Basel and Design Miami. In celebration of the anticipated events ahead, Galerie has rounded up some of the best new restaurants to land in the cultural hub, where sleek design complements the sumptuous fare on the menu.
1. Claudie
Boasting an art-filled dining room in the city’s hip neighborhood of Brickell, Riviera Dining Group’s latest restaurant concept, Claudie, brings design-forward flair to French-Mediterranean cuisine. Designed by boutique interior design studio Ov & Co. alongside designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, mixed materials of wicker, clay, and stone bring an unpretentious yet sophisticated ambiance to the space. In addition to the main dining room, which features blush tinted walls adorned with artworks and a mural by artist Victoria Krylov, the restaurant’s rooftop terrace holds a sparkling jewelry-inspired fountain which brings alfresco dining to new heights.
The menu, spearheaded by chef Michael Michaelidis, offers dishes which bring the culture of Côte d’Azur to diners in Miami. To complement the extensive wine and cocktail menu, light appetizers such as table-side gazpacho are prepared for more robust dishes, including elevated steak frites (Entrecôte-Frites), an impressive seafood tower (Crustacés), and a wide variety of pastas.
2. Amazónico
Bringing even more bold expression to The Magic City, Amazónico’s Latin America cuisine and flair has officially opened its doors in the U.S. Inspired by the bustling atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, the restaurant’s founders, Sandro Silva and Marta Seco, brought in hypnotic interiors filled with jungle-themed patterns, stained glass adornments, and intricate ceiling design throughout the first floor dining room, second floor sushi counter and bar lounge, and third floor rooftop bar to make this new Brickell hotspot a truly immersive experience.
Silva conceived the menu to spotlight the sweeping variety Latin American cuisine has to offer. In addition to the restaurant’s famed duck breast and steak offerings, the newly opened Miami addition features exclusive seafood offerings, including Alaskan king crab with nikkei dressing, black tiger prawns in a coconut bisque, and yellowfin bass with spicy broth.
3. Le Specialità
Marking the latest dining destination to arrive in Miami’s Design District, celebrated Milanese trattoria Le Specialità has made its official debut in the U.S. courtesy of Spicy Hospitality Group. For the anticipated opening, famed firm Rockwell Group partnered with craftsmanship giant Artemest to fill the space with eclectic furnishings in an effort to channel a retro atmosphere while still staying true to Italian elegance. Other design highlights from top to bottom include the green lava stone bar equipped with leather stools and Milanese terrazzo flooring. The bespoke design is complemented by the blue-chip collection of artwork on display, where curator Andre Sakhai carefully selected pieces from notable names, including Rashid Johnson, Richard Prince, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others, to join vintage Italian photography alongside pieces from his own personal collection.
Channeling the true experience of Italian dining, the menu offers an elevated approach to time loved staples such as piccantissimi pizza served with pesto and pine nuts as well as secondi offerings including dover sole meunière, veal milanese, and branzino. To complement the feast, an extensive wine menu featuring over 260 options guarantees a perfect toast to the evening.
4. AVA MediterrAegean Coconut Grove
Yet another draw to the upscale neighborhood of Coconut Grove has arrived with the opening of AVA MediterrAegean. Featuring a design which perfectly blends indoor-outdoor dining, designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán brought in a subdued color palette and mix of natural materials, including woven rattan, handcrafted ceramics, and bespoke natural fibers to convey a Grecian feel to each space. In the dining room, commissioned artworks including a three-dimensional tapestry and silk works complement the scene-stealing marble bar. On the open-air terrace, natural vegetation paired with bespoke wall designs brings coastal flair to this sanctuary-inspired space.
Working together to craft a menu as inspired as the interiors, Riviera Dining Group’s chef Michael Michaelidis and executive chef Frédéric Aumeunier bring a contemporary take on Grecian cuisine filled with citrus and herbs through dishes including lamb moussaka and Chilean seabass kakavia, all served with staples such as pine nuts, roasted halloumi, and more.
5. Pauline
Finding home in Miami’s luxury hotel The Shelborne By Proper, new restaurant Pauline delivers Latin and Caribbean-influenced coastal fair alongside sophisticated design. Conceived by design studio ADC Tuneu, porthole windows, bespoke stone material, and a natural, subtle color palette serve as a calming backdrop for the ocean-inspired menu.
Highlighting the true beauty of the sea, Culinary Director Abram Bissell has crafted dishes perfect for a light bite or those looking for a heartier meal. To start the meal, options including caviar tostadas and Jonah crab claws, and conch ceviche serve as the perfect start to signature entrees such as lobster and mussel sancocho, turbot encendido, and beef loin “con pan.”
6. Nino Gordo
Landing in the hip neighborhood of Wynwood, bright and bold dining destination Nino Gordo makes its mark as one of Miami’s most rebellious restaurants. The design, conceived by the restaurant’s chef and co-creator Pedro Peña in collaboration with Eduardo Suarez through Tres Tristes Tigres Studio, creates an immersive dining experience courtesy of the daring red color palette, large-scale mural by Argentine artist Ever Siempre, and one-of-a-kind design details such as Chinese lanterns adorning the ceilings and fish tank inlets on the walls.
Complementing the design, an Argentinian-Japanese fusion menu offers dishes that are just as vibrant as the space itself. Befitting of either lunch or dinner, more casual options like the restaurant’s famed katsu sando with shokupan bread, beef, tonkatsu, and Japanese mayo join new additions to the menu, including duck made Peking-style with cucumber, daikon, carrot, bok Choy, hoisin, and crepe as well as cauliflower karaage with grapes, cashews, and fresh herbs.
7. Yamashiro Miami
Bringing alfresco dining to a whole new level, rooftop restaurant Yamashiro Miami stands as Boulevard Hospitality Group and Gale Hotel’s latest dining destination, offering guests and locals elevated Japanese fare in an oasis-like setting. Bringing in classic elements reminiscent of Japan, ADC Tuneu highlighted the outdoor area by bringing in details such as bonsai trees and koi ponds while pairing them with subdued furnishings made of reclaimed wood.
The menu, led in collaboration by chef Charbel Hayek and executive chef Gustavo Montes, offers a spin on Japanese cuisine through dishes that go beyond classic sushi rolls. Guests can expect meat-forward dish JFC (Japanese Fried Chicken) tossed in spicy gochujang buffalo sauce, wagyu tomahawk served with bone marrow teriyaki and house pickles, as well as seafood-forward items like Alaskan king crab with yuzu hollandaise and Chilean seabass roasted in mandarin dashi with shiso flower.
8. Maple & Ash
Miami’s latest steakhouse, Maple & Ash, has opened its doors courtesy of Maple Hospitality Group. Channeling a contemporary and high-end take on the classic restaurant concept, design firm Studio K spearheaded the interiors to bring a timeless yet contemporary take throughout the space. In addition to the statement “Upside Palm” chandeliers littering the ceiling, the multiple rooms, including bar lounge, dining room, and the salon, all bring a distinct feel through decorative wall coverings and carefully selected lighting.
Spearheading the restaurant, chef Danny Grant has conceived a menu which stays true to the classic steakhouse while incorporating unique menu additions. Guests can expect signature rib eye, New York strip, and filet cuts served alongside appetizers like king crab salad and lobster dumplings. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the restaurant also offers a unique tasting menu which features a collection of fire-roasted shellfish, boutique farm steaks, freshly caught seafood, and seasonal delicacies.
9. Pari Pari
A subtle yet high-end addition to Miami, Pari Pari stands as a hand roll bar offering the finest ingredients in a sleek setting. Designed by Rudy Guénaire, an expansive window gives a peek inside the intimate space, where light encompasses the long bar and counter seats adorned in fabric inspired by the ocean. Inspired by the subtle elegance of Japanese design, the combination of drapery and wood elements allow guests to feel transported during their meal.
Similar to the space itself, Pari Pari’s menu stays true to simplicity and perfection. Led by Michelin-starred chef Yasu Tanaka, the small but mighty menu offers expertly crafted hand rolls where guests can order them separately or in packages of three, four, or five each filled with the likes of salmon, tuna, wagyu, and more.