MIAGuide
Miami’s New Restaurant Openings
photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc
If you tried to keep track of every new restaurant and bar in Miami, your head might spin. So just read this list instead. These are the openings that seem like they have the most potential. Although, keep in mind, we make no promises about the places we haven't visited yet. Go forth and be a pioneer—or just keep up with our Hit List to see which new restaurants we checked out and loved.
February
photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc
Drinking Pig previously operated as a pop-up from a house in North Miami. Now, the delicious barbecue spot has a brick and mortar in Downtown and they’re already on our Hit List.
The long-awaited reopening of Kyu is finally here. The Asian restaurant has renovated its space and is located in the same Wynwood location as before. Their menu has new things along with Kyu classics like roasted cauliflower, crispy rice, and beef short rib.
photo credit: Cleveland Jennings
This outstanding pop-up is on the move again. QP Tapas has moved into a new space at the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden with an updated menu that includes new large plates like smoked chicken and berkshire pork tonkatsu.
Navi Coffee is a coffee shop that’s opened in Coconut Grove. Along with coffee and tea, they also sell flower arrangements in case the jolt of caffeine makes you remember it's your mom's birthday.
The reliably good Wynwood taco spot opened its second location on Calle Ocho. You can expect the same solid carne asada tacos and California-style burritos at their Little Havana location.
This Iberian restaurant took over Navé's location next to Ariete in Coconut Grove (though the two spots are not related). Sereia’s menu is mostly seafood, with dishes like marinated scallops, prawns, and salted cod.
Another big name New York spot lands in Miami with RedFarm—a Chinese restaurant with peking duck, pastrami egg rolls, hot and sour soup, and more on the menu. This place is operating from the former Mr. Moe's space, which is sure to trigger some strange flashbacks for many Miamians.
The team behind Jholano’s Deli opened an Italian restaurant in Dadeland. It serves flatbread with cured meats, lasagna cooked on a skillet, couscous made with nutmeg, and more.
The Guatemalan fried chicken chain just opened its second location. You can find the same chicken drumsticks, nuggets, and sandwiches at their new Flagami location.
photo credit: Taquerias El Mexicano
The Little Havana Mexican restaurant returns after a two-year shutdown. Once known for being one of the oldest restaurants in Little Havana, Taquerias El Mexicano still serves tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, and more.
Abbalé is a Middle Eastern restaurant that’s opened a second location. Their new Aventura spot has a lunch prix fixe deal for $38 with choices like falafel, lamb kefta, and baklava.
NFTs are a thing of the present for this casual Cuban restaurant located near Miami International Airport. Designed after an NFT monkey (Remember those?), Bored Cuban’s menu has things like vaca frita flatbreads and Cuban sandwiches. Maybe there is still a way to profit from NFTs after all.
Originally from New York, Maman is a cafe known for its pastries, breakfast bowls, quiches, and chocolate chip cookies. Their Miami location is in Wynwood.
We can all agree Miami has a lot of Peruvian restaurants. And although 5 Esquinas has dishes one can find in almost every Peruvian spot—ceviches, tiraditos, pollo a la brasa—they also host classes in case you’ve always wanted to learn how to make ceviche or a pisco sour.
This Calle Ocho restaurant is Dos Croquetas' third location in Miami. The casual spot focuses on all things croquetas with fillings like buffalo chicken, spinach coconut curry, and a “305” croqueta with sweet plantains.
Meet Meat Moot (how fun is that to say). This Turkish barbecue restaurant is in Brickell and focuses on smoked meats like lamb shank, beef brisket, and beef ribs.
January
Yet another New York restaurant has traversed the Atlantic and made its way to South Beach. Kissaki is a Japanese restaurant with a menu heavy on sushi. They have a $94 omakase, as well as a la carte sushi and even a kids menu.
photo credit: TASTY PLANET
Choong Man Chicken North Miami Beach
CM (a.k.a. Choong Man) Chicken is a franchise that’s now opened its doors in North Miami Beach. So now you don’t have to drive to Davie for this Korean fried chicken, which comes in six different flavors like garlic soy and curry tikkudak.
La Verídica is a Peruvian barbecue spot in Hialeah. The first of its kind in the neighborhood, their menu has Peruvian beer, beef-stuffed yuca balls, and anticuchos.
Mini golf just became an adults-only thing in Wynwood. Puttery has locations all over the country and offers mini golf with cocktails and shareable dishes like charcuterie.
Pisco y Nazca is a chain that’s opened a third location in Coral Gables. The Peruvian restaurant does brunch, lunch, dinner and has a separate menu for takeout too.
This Italian-Argentinian restaurant (which also has a bit of a Mediterranean influence) has a menu with dishes like wagyu tomahawk, truffle tagliatelle, and margherita pizza. They're located in Aventura.
Sriracha House is a fast-casual spot that opened its third location in Miami. Their South Miami location has new dishes like chilled thai noodle salad, as well as some vegan and vegetarian options.
It’s a month of threes. Manjay is another restaurant that’s opened a third location in South Florida. Now open in Doral, Manjay serves Caribbean dishes like conch fritters and jerk chicken sandwiches.
Gluten-free and vegan options are available at Blue Lavender Cafe & Market in South Beach. The menu’s brunch and lunch options include yuca hash browns with eggs, carrot pancakes, and mushroom burgers.
Originally from Mykonos, this Mediterranean restaurant has opened in South Beach. They have dishes like keftedakia, grilled octopus, and moussaka. There's outdoor seating too.
Alegría is a Colombian restaurant from a group with several locations in Colombia, and Alegría is their first North American location. The Doral spot serves sancocho, mondongo, and ceviche de chicharrón.
December
photo credit: Cleveland Jennings
Upper East Side’s loss is South Beach’s gain. This Italian sandwich spot moved from a walk-up window on 79th street to a brick and mortar on Ocean Drive. We’ve been to the previous location and will be making the drive to the beach for that n’duja panini.
This tasting menu-only restaurant in Little Havana is open Thursday through Sunday (for now). For $85, you get a seven-course dinner that rotates weekly—dishes like smoked chicken with onion jus, shellfish sabayon, and a crudo with apricot and palo cortado sherry.
At this Upper Buena Vista restaurant, you can order from an a la carte Mediterranean and Argentinean menu or a five-course tasting menu for $140. Dishes include empanadas, rib eye milanesa, grilled octopus, and prawns in risotto. They're open for lunch and dinner.
Delilah is a restaurant and lounge from LA. There’s also live music, a no photo or video policy, and reservations are filling up fast.
Major Food Group opened its eighth—we’re starting to lose count—restaurant in Miami. This one is located inside a historic chateau in Brickell and serves Mexican food. There’s also a members-only lounge on the second floor.
Abbalé’s location in Aventura is bigger than the original in South of Fifth—with an open kitchen, chef’s counter, and bar. The menu is Israeli/Mediterranean and includes dishes like roasted halloumi, ahi tuna tartare, and kosher ribeye.
Oise, a collaboration between the folks behind Mr. Omakase and MaryGold’s, is a Japanese/Italian (itameshi) concept inside Oasis Wynwood. The menu includes an itameshi pizza, chicken parm katsu sandwich, udon carbonara, and more.
Zuri is another Wynwood newcomer. The Moroccan and Mediterranean restaurant has family-style dishes like chicken and preserved lemon tagine, mackerel escabeche, and tarte tatin. You can make reservations here.
Moteks are popping up all over Miami these days (and we’re not mad about it). The latest one is inside Brickell City Centre. Expect the same great mezze and arayes burger you’d get at any of their other spots.
The same folks behind Wabi Sabi, Hiyakawa, and Midorie opened Ogawa, an 11 seat omakase in Little River. Products are sourced and flown daily from Toyosu Market in Japan, and the meal costs $350 per person.
Yes, this Argentinian restaurant in Miami Beach is named after a fútbol chant. The menu is heavy on meat but also has other dishes like grilled vegetables, empanadas, a mini fugazzeta, and fernet and coke served in a glass replica of the World Cup.
Even though it’s in Fort Lauderdale, this opening should be on your radar. MAASS comes from a DC restaurant group. The wood-fired menu pulls from Japanese and European cuisines and also features tableside cocktails. You can see the current menu here.