12 March 5-11, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | PLAN YOUR WEDDINGS | CORPORATE EVENTS SOCIAL EVENTS Dream Event VIEW OUR EVENT SPACES WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM at 3201 RICKENBACKER CWY, KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149 | 305.361.3818 BE SOCIAL WITH US! /RUSTYPELICANMIAMI miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ SOUTH OF FIFTH OVERSEAS IMPORT In a city defined by global flavors and late- night spectacle, Miami is about to welcome another international (and Mediterranean) heavyweight. Gaia, a Greek-Mediterranean restaurant and lounge that built a loyal following in Dubai before expanding to Monaco, London, and Doha, is making its first-ever U.S. debut and has chosen Miami Beach as the home of its first U.S. location. The highly anticipated restaurant brings with it a reputation for polished Cycladic design, high-profile diners, and a distinctly theatrical seafood ritual known as the “Ice Market.” The move marks a significant milestone for Fundamental Hospitality, the group be- hind the restaurant, and signals continued confidence in Miami as a gateway for interna- tional restaurants entering the American market, such as Francesco Martucci hailling from Italy. Over the past few years, the city has evolved into a testing ground for globally rec- ognized restaurants, including Karyu from Japan. For Gaia’s founders, the energy from Mi- ami’s cultural diversity and design-conscious identity made it a natural city for its first state-side location. Since opening in Dubai in 2018, Gaia has become a magnet for global tastemakers and jet-set diners, building a reputation that blends polished aesthetics with Greek hos- pitality. Rather than scaling quickly, the brand has expanded deliberately, opening locations in cities like Monte Carlo, Doha, and London while maintaining a tightly cu- rated identity centered on “warmth, connec- tion, and atmosphere.” “Entering the U.S. market is a strategic milestone for us, and Miami is the right city to lead that chapter. It is global, design- driven, culturally rich, and unapologetically bold, values that sit at the core of Gaia, says Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman of Fundamental Hospitality. This opening represents our confidence in the brand, our belief in the market, and our commitment to building destinations that stand.” Gaia draws inspiration from Mediterra- nean living. The Miami outpost will carry the brand’s signature aesthetic, including white- washed walls, natural limestone textures, and greenery, reinterpreted through a coastal, Mi- ami-inspired lens. The result aims to feel transportive with- out veering into pastiche, an environment de- signed to evoke the Cyclades while remaining grounded in its beachfront setting. On the culinary front, guests can expect Greek “home cooking” with premium ingre- dients led by chef Izu Ani. But one of Gaia’s defining elements is its Ice Market, a sig- nature feature across all of its locations. The display show- cases a daily selec- tion of pristine seafood presented on ice, inviting guests to choose their fish be- fore it is prepared to their preference. The ritual has become a hallmark of the brand, transforming the act of ordering into an interactive centerpiece of the dining experience. In true Miami fashion, the restaurant will also introduce Nyx, Gaia’s after-dark lounge inspired by the Greek goddess of the night. Designed to extend the evening beyond din- ner, the space leans into mood-driven design and will serve craft cocktails, transitioning guests from a polished dining room into a moody, nightlife setting. With its March debut, Gaia joins Miami’s growing wave of international imports re- shaping Miami’s culinary landscape. Gaia. 801 S. Pointe Dr., Miami Beach; 786- 319-9409; gaia-restaurants.com. Opening March 2026. VICTORIA STANZIONE | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Gaia photo Dubai hotspot Gaia has opened its first U.S. location in South Beach with fresh seafood, a downstairs lounge, and a Mediterranean menu. IN TRUE MIAMI FASHION, THE RESTAURANT WILL ALSO INTRODUCE NYX, GAIA’S AFTER-DARK LOUNGE INSPIRED BY THE GREEK GODDESS OF THE NIGHT.
