15 June 11–17, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | ▼ MIAMI NOVEL CONCEPTS May is usually when Miami’s restaurant scene begins to exhale. Snowbirds head north, and the frantic pace of winter open- ings starts to slow as South Florida settles into summer. While May 2026 saw fewer de- buts, the restaurants that did open proved that quality matters far more than quantity. From glamorous Italian imports and neighborhood gems serving Argentine steaks to cult-favorite sandwich shops, this month’s openings gave Miami diners plenty to be ex- cited about. Whether you’re looking for your next date-night spot or a new happy hour restau- rant, these are the 11 new restaurants every- one in Miami is talking about right now. 1986 Steak House 1986 Steak House officially opened in Coco- nut Grove on Friday, May 1, taking over a prime spot in Mayfair Plaza directly across from Carbone Vino. The Argentine steak- house serves premium beef from Argentina, the U.S., and Japan cooked over live fire, alongside cocktails from Buenos Aires’ famed Tres Monos bar team. Created by res- taurateur Stefano Cremasco, the glamorous new restaurant blends classic parrilla tradi- tions with modern steakhouse energy, com- plete with a raw bar, caviar service, and a dramatic four-sided bar at the center of the space. 2911 Grand Ave., Ste. 111, Coconut Grove; 786-542-9845; 1986steakhouse.com. Allegro Ma Non Troppo Opened Thursday, May 21, this intimate new Brickell restaurant is channeling the warmth of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen with a cozy 38-seat dining room, a no-reservations policy, and a deliberately simple menu. The restaurant revolves around just four appetizers, three mains, two sides, and one dessert, including dishes like Wagyu Bolognese lasagna, chicken cotoletta alla Milanese, and whole branzino. With vintage décor, family heirlooms, and an emphasis on sharing, Allegro Ma Non Troppo aims to offer the kind of comforting hospitality that feels increasingly rare in Miami. 1000 S. Miami Ave., Miami; allegrobrickell.com. Buccan Clay Conley opened his Coral Gables out- post of Buccan on Friday, May 22, his first Miami restaurant since leaving Azul at the Mandarin Oriental in 2010. A seven-time James Beard Award nominee whose Palm Beach original earned recognition in the 2025 Florida Michelin Guide, Conley brings his wildly popular small-plates format to the South. Expect “Hamachi Tiradito,” “Short Rib Empanadas,” “Shawarma Marinated Lo- cal Swordfish,” and “Grilled Carrot Salad.” The space runs about 4,000 square feet with a covered patio, a chef’s counter overlooking the kitchen, and a 14-seat bar. 100 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; buccancoralgables.com. Buccan Sandwich Shop Buccan Sandwich Shop is definitely one of the newest Miami restaurants everyone’s talking about right now. It opened its long- awaited Miami location in Coral Gables on Saturday, May 9, bringing the Palm Beach fa- vorite to Miracle Mile. Known for its cult-fol- lowing sandwiches like the beef carpaccio baguette and “Beef Steak Bomb,” the gourmet lunch counter has become one of South Flori- da’s most buzzed-about sandwich destina- tions. The opening marks the first piece of chef Clay Conley’s larger Miami expansion, which will also bring Imoto to Coral Gables later this spring. 100 Miracle Mile, Coral Ga- bles; buccansandwichshop.com. Cho Funky Asian Bistro One of Miami Beach’s most exciting new openings, CHO Funky Asian Bistro has taken over the former Paya space with a bold menu inspired by Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnam- ese, and Indonesian cuisines. The restaurant comes from restaurateur Mohamed “Mo” Al- kassar, whose first solo venture features ev- erything from duck bao and scallop crudo to Korean fried chicken and crab curry. Beyond the food, CHO stands out for its vibrant de- sign by Cuban American artist MokiBaby, complete with crimson-lit bookshelves, hand-painted tables, and a pagoda-framed open kitchen visible from the street. 1209 17th St., Miami Beach; choasianbistro.com. Gigi Rigolatto Gigi Rigolatto opened at the Delano Miami Beach on Thursday, May 7, marking the brand’s first U.S. location and bringing a full Italian Riviera fantasy to South Beach. Taking over much of the hotel’s ground floor and pool area, the restaurant pairs yellow Siena marble, beach cabanas, and Bellinis with a menu of housemade pastas, grilled octopus, Wagyu beef, giant prawns, and its famous pis- tachio gelato. (It became so popular in Dubai that it’s now a signature at every Gigi world- wide.) The splashy restaurant already has outposts in Paris, Dubai, and Bodrum, but Miami’s version fully leans into the glamor- ous coastal Italian daydream.1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, at the Delano Miami Beach; 305-359-7580; delanohotels.com. Grand Public Kitchen + Bar One of Coconut Grove’s most ambitious new openings, Grand Public Kitchen + Bar has transformed a sprawling 7,400-square-foot space at CocoWalk into a lively all-day dining destination. Led by hospitality veterans Mat- thew Tsoumaris and Ryan Bassels and opened on Thursday, May 21, the restaurant serves modern American fare with Mediter- ranean and coastal influences, from tuna tat- aki and Mediterranean mezze to branzino and truffle mushroom flatbreads. The stylish indoor-outdoor restaurant also features daily happy hour, weekend brunch with $25 bot- tomless mimosas, and a cocktail program de- signed to keep the energy going long after dinner. 3015 Grand Ave., Ste. 201, Coconut Grove; 786-504-0721; enjoygrandpublic.com. Mimi Kakushi Mimi Kakushi opened on Friday, May 1, on the fourth floor of Delano Miami Beach, bringing a moody, Japanese-inspired concept rooted in 1920s Osaka jazz culture. The res- taurant leans heavily into theatrical luxury with dishes such as Wagyu and foie gras gyoza, caviar-topped tuna tartare, miso-black cod, and bone marrow paired with beef tar- tare. Cocktails are just as over-the-top, includ- ing the signature Nara Nara Martini served inside a block of ice at minus four degrees Fahrenheit, which the team says makes it one of the coldest martinis in the world. 1685 Col- lins Ave., Miami Beach, at the Delano Miami Beach; 305-359-7580; delanohotels.com. Naked Tomato Chef Eyal Shani, the culinary force behind global hits like Miznon, HaSalon, and Mi- chelin-starred Shmoné, made his Miami de- but on Thursday, May 14, with Naked Tomato at the Moxy South Beach. Inspired by the ca- sual roadside grills and gas stations of Israel, the restaurant centers on ingredient-driven dishes such as Israeli-style skewers, fire- roasted eggplant, fresh dips, and flame-kissed seafood, all served in a lively, communal set- ting. The concept embraces Shani’s signature philosophy of letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves, bringing one of the world’s most influential Israeli chefs to Mi- ami Beach. 921 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 561-806-3699; nakedtomatousa.com. Nude Miami One of Brickell’s most talked-about openings this summer, Nude Miami combines an or- ganic grocery store, café, and wellness destina- tion under one roof. Founded by three young entrepreneurs and opened on Monday, May 18, the concept focuses on clean ingredients and offers everything from cold-pressed juices and matcha to organic groceries, non-toxic wellness products, and Miami’s first organic, seed-oil-free hot bar. The 4,720-square-foot flagship aims to make healthy living more con- venient while introducing hard-to-find well- ness brands and chef-prepared foods to the neighborhood. 1100 Brickell Bay Dr, Ste. 107, Miami; nudemiami.com. Solei Beach Club Miami Beach welcomed a stylish new beach- side destination this summer with the open- ing of Solei Beach Club at the newly renovated Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel on Saturday, May 16. Inspired by the coastal charm of Spain and the Mediterranean, the oceanfront venue offers shareable seafood- driven dishes, handcrafted cocktails, luxury cabanas, and an open-air setting just steps from the sand. Led by executive chef Gastón Javier Sanchez, Solei brings everything from paella and tahini-crusted salmon to frozen cocktails and beach club vibes to the heart of South Beach. 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel; surfcomber. com. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR New area restaurants include Naked Tomato, Grand Public Kitchen + Bar, Buccan, 1986 Steak House, and Nude Miami. Photo by Max Flatow | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café
