Just when you thought Miami would maybe slow down — it didn’t. The end of 2023 into 2024 brought more new dining destinations than we expected with no plans of slowing down into the New Year with restaurant openings on the horizon. From h.wood Group’s burgeoning supper club Delilah Miami opening in Brickell to perhaps the most authentic Omakase dining experience at Ogawa, the culinary scene is abuzz with the arrival of some of the hautest new Miami restaurants that promise to redefine luxury dining and entertainment in the Magic City.
Delilah Miami
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Delilah Miami
Delilah Miami, the latest addition to the h.wood Group’s illustrious Delilah restaurant concept, has officially unveiled its doors in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, marking the first East Coast opening in the group’s extensive portfolio (adding to its Los Angeles and Las Vegas locations). This modern-day supper club brings a touch of Jazz Age decadence, glamour, and sophistication to Miami, poised to redefine the luxury dining-and-entertainment concept. Designed to transport patrons to a bygone era with a contemporary twist, Delilah Miami boasts a palette of light pink, teal, and gold, blending the iconic style of its Los Angeles and Las Vegas counterparts with classic Miami influences. The venue features intricate ceiling soffits, Turkish burl wood accents, grand stairwell entrances, and opulent marble and stone finishes. A custom stage adds a unique touch, serving as the focal point for nightly live entertainment, bottle service, and signature cocktails. Led by Executive Chef Daniel Roy, the menu offers technique-driven dishes infused with Latin-inspired flavors and ingredients, paying homage to Miami’s cultural heritage. Located on the waterfront with its own boat slips, Delilah Miami caters to discerning clientele and offers an immersive experience in a city renowned for its culinary and nightlife scene.
Chateau ZZ’s
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chateau ZZ’s
Major Food Group — the group that truly cannot be stopped — has unveiled its latest culinary gem in Miami with the introduction of Chateau ZZ’s, located in a historic chateau in the city. The opulent establishment offers a Mexican restaurant as part of MFG’s foray into new culinary territory, marked by dishes like Michelada Oysters, Coconut Snapper Ceviche, and Colossal Stone Crab Claws. It also boasts an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal, a standout margarita section, and a wide array of cocktails crafted by MFG’s Head of Bars Nathan McCarley-O’Neill. The restaurant’s beverage program includes over 1,000 tequilas and mezcals, along with an exceptional wine list that pairs beautifully with Mexican flavors. Chateau ZZ’s is housed in a historically protected building, the Petit Douy, constructed in 1931, capturing the essence of old-world sophistication. Above the dining room, the venue offers a members-only area featuring a covered terrace and an old-world lounge, adding to the exclusivity of the experience. This venture signifies MFG’s dedication to bringing unparalleled luxury and culinary excellence to Miami’s dining landscape.
Mamo
Photo Credit: &LANA
Since its inception in 2015 in SoHo, Mamo has shone as a beacon of Italian culinary excellence. Inspired by fond memories of his Italian grandfather and his upbringing on the French Riviera, Mikaël ‘Mamo’ Mammoliti, known as Mike, along with partners Chef Salvatore Marcello and Steven Fruman, set out to create a modern twist on Italian nostalgia, introducing Mamo to the world. Since its opening in July, Mamo has been consistent every evening in its outstanding cuisine and vibe. Mammoliti’s deep connection to Miami, influenced by his grandmother’s presence in the city, echoes the lifestyle of his hometown on the French Riviera. The restaurant’s interior exudes nostalgia, adorned with original movie posters collected over the years, adding a touch of classic Hollywood glamour to the ambiance. Mamo aims to captivate the taste buds and hearts of Miami’s discerning diners, offering an enchanting experience reminiscent of the golden age of elegance, where elegance and manners were the norm, and hospitality was deeply cherished.
Ogawa
Photo Credit: Michael Pisarri
Alvaro Perez Miranda, renowned for his successful Miami restaurants like Hiyakawa, Wabi Sabi Miami, and Midorie, adds another gem to his culinary portfolio with the introduction of Ogawa in Miami’s Little River neighborhood, garnering the attention of some of Miami’s most notable celebs. Ogawa, an intimate 11-seater establishment, offers an authentic Japanese Omakase experience rooted in the principles of Kappo cuisine. Master sushi chef Masayuki Komatsu, who leads the omakase counter, ensures an intimate and personalized dining experience. Diners can choose their preferred number of courses and fish preferences, allowing the chef to tailor each meal accordingly. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, fresh seafood from Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, and specialties from the Ibaraki prefecture, Ogawa promises a multi-sensory journey. The restaurant’s cozy ambiance, complemented by a thoughtfully curated beverage program, invites guests to savor an exquisite blend of flavors and Japanese culture.
Casadonna
Casadonna, a legendary collaboration between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, opened its doors in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, offering a stunning waterfront dining experience alongside Biscayne Bay. Spanning 20,000 square feet across indoor, outdoor, and bar seating, Casadonna boasts an ambiance rich in sophistication and a menu rooted in coastal Italian cuisine. With a capacity for up to 366 patrons, the restaurant offers breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach’s iconic skyline. The menu features an array of fresh local and imported-from-Italy ingredients, presenting signature dishes like Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, Bistecca Fiorentina, and a selection of handmade pastas. Casadonna’s design, led by Ken Fulk in collaboration with Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, takes diners on a journey through distinct chambers, from the Courtyard Bar with a retractable roof to the Ocean Bar offering intimate lounges and al fresco dining with panoramic bay views. David Grutman, Founder of Groot Hospitality, and Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality, ensured that Casadonna would set a new standard in Miami dining, combining their strengths to create an unforgettable experience in the city’s culinary scene.
CATCH
Photo Credit: Rendering courtesy of CATCH
Not quite opened yet, but highly anticipated, CATCH — the renowned seafood and sushi hotspot frequented by celebrities — is preparing to unveil its expansive two-level Miami Beach location in the spring of 2024. Led by CATCH Hospitality Group’s visionaries, Tilman J. Fertitta, Mark Birnbaum, and Eugene Remm, this impressive 23,000 square-foot dining destination, meticulously designed by Rockwell Group, pays homage to the vibrant ambiance of the South of Fifth area with a striking new aesthetic. The menu will showcase a delightful fusion of seafood, sushi, and steak, presenting opulent, locally-inspired dishes alongside beloved CATCH classics like the Catch Roll, Truffle Sashimi, and Japanese Wagyu cooked on a hot rock. Situated in Miami Beach’s premier waterfront hub, the restaurant guarantees an exceptional dining experience, offering both indoor seating and an open-air terrace while also accommodating private events.
Bouchon
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bouchon
Bouchon, the celebrated French bistro under the culinary mastery of chef and dear friend of Haute Living, Thomas Keller, opened in Coral Gables in early September, adding to his culinary presence in Miami alongside the Surf Club Restaurant in Surfside. Chef Thomas Keller, known for his Michelin three-star restaurants like the French Laundry and Per Se, as well as the one-starred Surf Club Restaurant, collaborates with chef de Cuisine Thomas Castellon, formerly of the Surf Club Restaurant and TAK Room, NYC, to craft a menu showcasing classic French fare, including bibb lettuce salad, steak frites, roast chicken, and a diverse raw bar selection. Nestled within the historic La Palma building, dating back to 1924 and meticulously developed by Jose Ortega and Marc Schwarzberg of Maven Real Estate, this restaurant venue stands as a recognized historic gem, originally the Cla-Reina Hotel, and now a mixed-use space on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rao’s
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rao’s Restaurant Group
Another buzzworthy moment this fall in Miami, Rao’s Restaurant Group introduced its Southern Neapolitan Italian cuisine and familial warmth to Miami located within the St. Moritz Tower at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Rao’s, a culinary institution with a history dating back 127 years to Harlem, New York, promises to elevate Miami’s burgeoning food scene. As one of the oldest family-owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Rao’s Restaurant Group remains devoted to preserving its original family recipes and cherished heritage. Co-owners Frank Pellegrino Jr. and Ron Straci have curated a menu that seamlessly blends generations of authenticity, love, freshness, and flavor within a setting steeped in Italian opulence. President & CEO of Loews Hotels & Co., Alex Tisch, expressed excitement about this collaboration, highlighting the synergy between Loews and Rao’s in delivering memorable, authentic experiences. Rao’s Miami will offer dinner service seven days a week, featuring a mix of traditional classics and contemporary dishes designed exclusively for this location, all served with Rao’s signature warmth and charm.
