This New Coral Gables Deli Is Already a Neighborhood Favorite

What We Ordered

We chose the “Wally,” which came wrapped neatly in their branded deli paper and accompanied by small containers of olive oil and vinegar to finish it ourselves. It was excellent. The sandwich is substantial and generously filled with oven-roasted turkey, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper.

The turkey is sliced thin and layered generously, the way a deli sandwich should be. For a $20 sandwich, you expect quality and balance. Here, it delivers. We split one between the two of us, and it was just right.

I had arrived with a freshly burned roof of my mouth from an unfortunate breakfast incident earlier that day, and worried the bread might be too tough to enjoy. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The sandwich was perfectly constructed and surprisingly gentle on my temporarily fragile palate.

Hospitality here is warm and easygoing. The team moved quickly behind the counter, preparing coffee orders, and although there was a slight mix-up with our drinks, they immediately offered to remake them. We declined since a line had started forming behind us, but the iced lattes were excellent, and the interaction said a lot about the spirit of the place.

Inside the Market: Tinned Fish, Pantry Finds, and Fresh Cookies

Step inside, and the space feels calm almost immediately. Everything is pristine but comfortable. The design is thoughtful without feeling overly styled. A soft palette of greens, wood tones, and cream runs throughout the room, tying together the small dining area, the deli counter, and the market shelves.

Along one wall, shelves hold a curated selection of pantry items: tinned fish, oils, condiments, specialty snacks, and other small finds that feel like natural extensions of the menu rather than retail afterthoughts. The market also offers household goods, adorable merch, and even wine. Mediterranean-style ceramic pots filled with dried flowers and olive branches add warmth throughout the room.

Order at the Counter, Browse the Market While Waiting

Across from the market shelves, the open deli counter gives a view of the kitchen where the team slices meats, assembles sandwiches, and bakes cookies. We had unfortunately arrived too late for the cookies that day, but we watched the team scoop fresh dough onto trays for the next batch. It was the kind of small moment that makes a place feel alive.

You order at the counter, find a seat, and the staff brings everything out to you. In addition to the sandwich and coffee, we browsed the market shelves and picked up a tin of sardines and a bag of pita chips to accompany our meal.

The selection of tinned fish alone is worth a look. But truly, the marketplace is so well curated that I could drop a small fortune buying everything I liked. Pro tip: their product selection makes great gifts for birthdays, housewarmings, or just because.

For those who followed the couple during the pandemic, the lasagna that first gained them a loyal following is also available here, sold frozen and ready to take home.

A Hidden Garden Patio Makes it Even Cozier

While there are a few small tables inside for those who prefer air conditioning, the back patio is the real hidden gem. It feels almost like a quiet garden tucked behind the building.

Green bistro chairs and small café tables surround a larger communal table, and the whole space feels relaxed and serene. It is not ornate or overdesigned, just peaceful. The kind of place where you could easily spend an hour with a sandwich and coffee or open a laptop and get some work done. Even the dog water bowl matches the patio’s soft green color palette.

Frankie & Wally’s opened only in mid-February and is currently operating four days a week, yet it already feels like a neighborhood fixture.

That sense likely comes from the story behind it. Owners, Franklin and Wally, met over a decade ago in New York at a bread-making class. Their shared love of cooking eventually brought them to Miami in 2020, and this deli and market is the result of that partnership.

Frankie & Wally’s describes its vision as bringing New York deli sensibilities to South Florida with a Miami twist. After visiting, it already feels like something more personal than that.

It is a small place built around good ingredients, thoughtful cooking, and a genuine love for sharing food with the community. Sometimes that means things sell out. But it also means what remains is made with care.

In a city that often rewards scale and spectacle, there is something refreshing about a place that simply focuses on doing what it knows best.

Frankie & Wally’s Gourmet Market & Deli. 216 Palermo Ave., Coral Gables; frankieandwallys.com.