Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill photo
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Miami’s restaurant scene has always lived on the edge, thrilling, unpredictable, and constantly reinventing itself, but 2025 tested the city in ways few could have imagined. The year began on a sobering note when Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill, a defining force in Midtown for 15 years, suddenly shuttered in January. One closure became two, then three, and by the time summer arrived, the landscape shifted from unsettling to unprecedented. New Times has tracked restaurant closures for years, but the summer of 2025 stands apart for the sheer volume and caliber of spots lost. This was not just the quiet fading of small, family-run eateries; it was also the collapse of acclaimed institutions, Michelin-recognized trailblazers, and rising stars under the weight of Miami’s brutal economy.
As the months unfolded, each announcement carried its own distinct heartbreak. Coral Gables lost Caffe Vialetto after 26 years of inventive fusion cooking and intimate celebrations. Little Havana mourned Doce Provisions, whose modern take on Cuban comfort food had just been spotlighted by Michelin. Even prized names with international pedigrees were not immune: La Mar by Gastón Acurio served its final ceviche on Brickell Key, and Ms. Cheezious closed the doors to its longtime MiMo home. Perhaps most shocking were the Michelin-recognized closures such as EntreNos, Maty’s, and Itamae AO, a trio that proved even stars, accolades, and devoted fanbases cannot protect a restaurant from rising rents, shrinking margins, or the ripple effects of a single departure.
By year’s end, one truth became undeniable: Miami’s dining scene is as fragile as it is vibrant. Seasonal slumps collided with escalating costs, bankruptcies rattled entire brands, and shifting consumer habits reshaped neighborhoods overnight. Ensenada, RedFarm, Planta Queen, and others opened with tremendous buzz only to fold months later, while longtime anchors like Sardinia and Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream faced endings no one expected. What Miami witnessed in 2025 was not just a wave of closures; it was a rewriting of the city’s culinary map, a reminder of how quickly beloved places can vanish, and a call to consider what resilience will need to look like as we move into a new chapter of dining in the Magic City.

Caffe Vialetto photo
Caffe Vialetto
Beloved Coral Gables staple Caffe Vialetto closed after 26 years, serving its final meal on Sunday, August 17. Known for inventive Italian-Latin-Caribbean dishes, such as pear and Gorgonzola ravioli and chili guava–drizzled shrimp tempura, the restaurant had built a loyal following over decades of celebrations and milestones. In a heartfelt farewell, the owners thanked guests for turning their humble eatery into a place filled with memories, gratitude, and community.
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Chica Miami photo
Chica
Chica, the vibrant Latin restaurant in the MiMo District, permanently closed this year after announcing in July that its six-year run at 5556 NE Fourth Ct had come to an end. Known for dishes like piloncillo asado negro arepas, sea bass a la plancha, and its Instagram-famous churro bouquet, the restaurant brought new life to the former Soyka space with its colorful décor and Latin American flavors. In a heartfelt farewell, the team thanked guests for six years of support, joy, and memories, marking the end of a lively chapter for 50 Eggs Hospitality Group and chef Lorena Garcia’s Miami presence.

Doce Provisions photo
Doce Provisions
Doce Provisions, the beloved Cuban comfort food spot in Little Havana, permanently closed in September 2025 after eight years of redefining Miami’s modern Cuban cuisine. The shuttering shocked diners, especially since the restaurant had just been highlighted in the Michelin Guide’s Best Cuban Restaurants in Miami list. Despite its accolades and loyal following, the space is now marked “permanently closed,” with chef Justin Sherrer shifting his focus to his new role at the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.

StarChefs photo
EntreNos
EntreNos, the Michelin-starred pop-up in Miami Shores, closed on July 1 after ending its run inside Tinta y Cafe. The restaurant evolved from a small collaboration into a critically acclaimed concept, earning both a Michelin One-Star and a Green Star for sustainability in 2024 and 2025. In their farewell, chefs Evan Burgess and Osmel Gonzalez explained that both businesses had grown beyond the shared space, expressing deep gratitude to their team, the community, and Tinta y Cafe for their support throughout the journey.

Ensenada photo
Ensenada
Ensenada, the coastal Mexican restaurant inside the Vagabond Hotel, officially closed on August 1 after less than eight months in business. The team first announced a temporary “summer hiatus” in July, but later confirmed in a candid Instagram post that the closure was permanent, thanking Miami for a short, salty, and unforgettable run. What opened with strong buzz and promise ultimately joined the growing list of restaurants unable to recover from seasonal slowdowns and shifting market pressures.

Screenshot via Instagram/@south_beach_forever
Finnegan’s Road
Finnegan’s Road, the beloved Lincoln Road sports bar and 2016 New Times Best Sports Bar winner, closed for good on Friday, March 28, after 25 years in business, a decision owner Jason DeCastro said came only after the worst-performing month in the bar’s history and a noticeable drop in foot traffic driven by the city’s increasingly strict spring break restrictions. Loyal regulars, staff, and South Beach locals mourned the loss, with longtime employees calling the bar their second home and residents taking to social media to lament the disappearance of yet another neighborhood fixture. Finnegan’s closure stands as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of sweeping city mandates and the mounting pressures facing local businesses.

Havana Harry’s photo
Havana Harry’s
Havana Harry’s, a Coral Gables institution for nearly 30 years, was forced to close indefinitely after the city ordered a shutdown following inspection issues. While the restaurant insists the closure was temporary and due to “renovations,” controversy lingers as it follows a summer shutdown for pest violations. The drama has left longtime customers confused, with some worried the closure may be more permanent than advertised. Despite the uncertainty, Havana Harry’s owners say they plan to reopen once upgrades and city requirements are resolved.

Photo by Michael Pisarri
Itamae AO
Itamae AO, chef Nando Chang’s acclaimed ten-seat omakase counter in Midtown, closed this year after serving its final dinner on August 2, just weeks after the shuttering of Maty’s, the restaurant run by his sister and the physical entryway to his space. The closure marked an unexpected end to Chang’s first solo venture, which had earned a Michelin star in April 2025 and quickly became one of Miami’s most coveted dining experiences. Though this chapter has closed, Chang has expressed hope to reopen Itamae AO in the future and continue the momentum of his milestone year.

Photo by World Red Eye
La Mar Miami by Gastón Acurio
La Mar by Gastón Acurio closed its beloved Brickell Key location on May 31 after 11 years, serving a final round of pisco sours and a heartfelt farewell before the Mandarin Oriental began its full rebuild. The waterfront restaurant, known for its Peruvian and Nikkei flavors and iconic sunset views, printed its last check just days before the hotel shut down. Chefs Gastón Acurio and Diego Oka have already confirmed that La Mar will return to Brickell in early 2026, promising an even more striking home for the next chapter of their celebrated cuisine.

Las Palmas Cafeteria photo
Las Palmas Cafeteria
The downtown Miami lunch counter known for its cafecitos and Cuban sandwiches closed on Friday, November 14, after 45 years in business. The small spot at 209 SE First St. was a neighborhood mainstay, feeding office workers, residents, and regulars who treated the counter as part of their daily routine. The owners announced the closing by thanking customers for decades of support. “After 45 years serving the downtown Miami community, nine under our tenure, the day has come where we must shut our doors for the final time,” the post read. “Without you, we could not have made it this far.

Le Zoo photo
Le Zoo
French restaurant Le Zoo closed in April after nearly a decade at Bal Harbour Shops, making way for China Grill’s return. Le Zoo, founded by Philadelphia-based mega-restaurateur Stephen Starr, opened in late 2015 in the space once occupied by French restaurant La Goulue. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors for its service, Parisian-inspired ambiance, and menu, which walked the line between old-school French comfort and Miami indulgence, according to New Times‘ former restaurant critic.

Lucky Cat photo
Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat in South of Fifth quietly went dark on August 11, just over a year after its high-profile debut. In a reflective Instagram post, the team described the pause as “a moment to breathe” and “a moment to reset,” hinting at a reimagined future but offering no reopening date. Whether this marks a temporary pit stop or the restaurant’s final chapter remains unclear, leaving fans wondering what comes next for the buzzy spot.

Photo by Isa Zapata
Maty’s
Maty’s, the acclaimed Peruvian restaurant in Midtown, closed on July 5 following chef Valerie Chang’s decision to step away from the project after an extraordinary but brief run. The James Beard Award winner announced her departure in June, sharing a heartfelt message about the restaurant’s deep personal significance and her gratitude to everyone who had supported her work. With Chang moving on and the team considering its next steps, Maty’s has entered an indefinite pause, leaving behind a powerful legacy in just two years.

Ms. Cheezious photo
Ms. Cheezious
Ms. Cheezious, the beloved grilled cheese spot that began as a Wynwood food truck, closed its MiMo location on June 12 after more than a decade, following the sale of the building it called home. The restaurant had become a neighborhood favorite for its playful melts, such as the “Frito Pie” and “BBQ Pulled Pork,” cementing its status as a Miami comfort food icon. While its MiMo chapter has ended, the team plans to reopen elsewhere and will continue feeding fans through catering, pickup, and delivery.

Osteria del Teatro photos
Osteria Del Teatro
Osteria del Teatro, the storied Italian institution that first opened in 1987, officially closed in July after nearly four decades of serving the Miami Beach community. The restaurant announced the news on July 15 with a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking generations of loyal patrons who had helped sustain it through the years. Despite once being saved by devoted fans, the North Bay Village location has now closed indefinitely, marking the end of a true Miami dining landmark.

Planta Queen photo
Planta Queen Coconut Grove
Planta Queen in Coconut Grove closed abruptly around August 1, ending service with little notice to employees and guests. The shutdown followed a May Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by parent company CHG US Holdings LLC, which had already led to the closures of Planta West Palm Beach and the South Beach location amid rising costs and reduced consumer spending. In the wake of the Grove restaurant’s closure, two former chefs have teamed up to launch their own vegan catering service, keeping a piece of Planta’s legacy alive.

RedFarm photo
RedFarm
RedFarm, the New York import famous for its playful dim sum and “Pac-Man Dumplings,” closed its Coconut Grove location on June 29, less than 18 months after opening. The restaurant thanked guests in a farewell Instagram post and hinted at the possibility of returning elsewhere in South Florida. Despite its buzzy debut and inventive menu, RedFarm struggled to attract consistent foot traffic in the Grove and ultimately couldn’t replicate the success of its original location in NYC.

Sardinia photo
Sardinia
Sardinia, the beloved Italian restaurant in Sunset Harbour, closed in June after 20 years of serving rustic Sardinian dishes and maintaining one of Miami Beach’s most respected wine lists. The restaurant served its final meal on Father’s Day, sharing a bittersweet farewell on social media that simply read, “It’s the end of an era.” While its longtime Purdy Avenue location has gone dark, the team hinted that a smaller outpost may continue operating inside the Blue and Green Diamond Residences.

Sereia photo
Sereia
Sereia, the modern Portuguese-inspired restaurant in Coconut Grove, closed on June 1 after just 14 months of service, announcing the news over Memorial Day weekend. Despite earning praise and a spot in the 2025 Michelin Guide, the restaurant struggled with its tucked-away location and Miami’s increasingly competitive dining landscape. Chef Miguel Massens hinted that his passion project, Antilia, may eventually take its place or open somewhere else.

Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill photo
Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill
Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill, the restaurant that helped define elevated dining in Midtown Miami, closed on January 31 of this year after 15 influential years. The news was announced on January 2 through a heartfelt Instagram post thanking Miami for the memories, the celebrations, and the loyal energy that shaped the restaurant into a neighborhood staple and destination spot. Its closure marks the end of an era for a place that introduced a new style of eclectic, vibrant dining to the city long before Midtown became the culinary hub it is today.

Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
Sushi Maki South Miami
Sushi Maki’s original South Miami flagship closed this year after 25 years, marking the end of the location where the now-iconic brand first took shape. Founded in 2000, the restaurant was Abe Ng’s bold effort to make sushi accessible in a Miami dining landscape once dominated by cafecito culture, ultimately growing into a major regional business. Although the decision was difficult, Ng said the closure reflects the realities of the industry, expressing gratitude for the neighborhood and optimism for Sushi Maki’s future chapters.

Villa Azur photo
Villa Azur
Villa Azur closed after 13 years in business, marking the end of its run as a South Beach staple for upscale Mediterranean dining and nightlife. The restaurant’s final day of service was Saturday, April 12. “After 13 unforgettable years of enchanting evenings, exquisite cuisine, and lasting memories, Villa Azur Miami Beach will be closing its doors,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram. “For over a decade, we have been privileged to be a part of your celebrations, gatherings, and special moments.

Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream photo
Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream (Original South Miami Location)
Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream closed its original South Miami location on October 4 after 20 years, marking the end of a beloved neighborhood tradition for generations of families. The vintage-style parlor was cherished for its sundaes, scoops, and fudge, and news of the closure sparked an outpouring of heartfelt memories from longtime customers. While the community mourns the loss of the iconic space, Wall’s has reassured fans that a new nearby location is in the works and that its Sunset Drive shop continues to serve the same classic, house-made ice cream.