Beloved Coconut Grove Restaurants Closing to Make Room for Condos

Two of Coconut Grove's most beloved neighborhood restaurants are being forced to either relocate or close entirely to make way for a massive mixed-use building that aims to transform the historic neighborhood.

Sapore di Mare, one of New Times' 10 Best Restaurants in Coconut Grove, and the Last Carrot, winner of New Times' Best Juice Bar 2025, representing both sides of the Grove's dining spectrum, must find new homes by November 2025. Their longtime home along Grand Avenue and Matilda Street will be demolished to make way for a multi-million-dollar, ultra-modern, mixed-use condominium with offices and shops.

The giant development, called Ziggurat, will be located on the intersection of Grand Avenue, Matilda Street, and Florida Avenue. On the ground floor, there will be commercial space for retail shops, restaurants, and "wellness-oriented concepts." Above, there will be "19 ultra-luxurious condominiums, ranging from 1,254 to over 5,000 square feet, with prices starting at $2.3 million," according to the Abaunza Group website. The residences, designed by Oppenheim Architecture and Collarte interiors, will feature premium amenities like "private elevators and chef-inspired Italian kitchens."

The development is already causing mixed reactions in a neighborhood that has undergone immense changes since 2020—and now, residents and visitors alike can expect even more changes. Thankfully, one of the restaurants has already found a new home nearby.

Sapore di Mare's (Short) Journey Across the Street

The Italian seafood restaurant, which translates to "taste of the sea," will relocate in the next six months to 3433 Main Hwy., taking over the space recently vacated by Like Mike Restaurant, right next to Fireman Derek's Bakeshop. Light construction is already underway at the new location, according to Coconut Grove Spotlight.

Sapore di Mare opened in 2014 and has built a loyal following among locals who come for dishes like lobster-filled ravioli, grilled octopus, and the signature cacio e pepe with black truffle. The menu at 3111 Grand Ave. reflects the restaurant's seafood focus with offerings ranging from carpaccio di branzino topped with Siberian caviar to tagliolini al sapore di mare loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari. Traditional Italian dishes include carbonara, bucatini al ragù, veal parmigiana, and classic antipasti like burrata e prosciutto di Parma.

The Last Carrot's Uncertain Future

The situation is more complicated for the Last Carrot, the Grove's oldest continuously operating restaurant. After 50 years of serving fresh veggie sandwiches and healthy bites to the community, the vegetarian spot must vacate its 3133 Grand Ave. location by November 1.

The restaurant was founded by University of Miami graduate Michael Compton in 1975, a bodybuilder who wanted to open a healthy lunch spot in his neighborhood, and he owned the restaurant until his death in 2001, when his daughters, Meadow and Erin Compton, took over operations. The Last Carrot has become a go-to spot for vegetarians and vegans, including nearby University of Miami students, serving popular items like hummus sandwiches, chicken salad pita, falafel pita, and freshly squeezed juices. The forced relocation has sparked an outcry from longtime customers and area residents who have been frequenting the spot since it opened.

Unlike Sapore di Mare, the Last Carrot hasn't secured its next location yet. The Comptons are considering two locations within the broader Coconut Grove area, the Spotlight reported. A spokesperson for the Allen Morris Company, one of Ziggurat's development partners, said the company is working with the Comptons to secure a temporary location with hopes of bringing them back to the new project once it's complete.

The Development Driving Change

The Ziggurat development will include 100,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space, a rooftop restaurant, and 18 "ultra-luxury residences" ranging in price from $2.3 million to $8 million. The project brings together Coral Gables-based Allen Morris Company, local commercial property owner Joseph Harrison III, and the Espinosa family, who own most of the property being developed.

The project is displacing six local spots owned by small business owners, including Grand 7th by Kwik Stop, the only convenience store in Coconut Grove, and the UPS Store, which has found a new location along the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road. According to Coconut Grove Spotlight, "While no plans have been announced for the venerable Coconut Grove Laundry & Cleaners, its owners, the Espinosa family, have purchased this vacant storefront at the corner of Frow Avenue and Douglas Road in West Grove."

The development will also displace T&K Nails, which has found a lease nearby along U.S. 1. and 27th Avenue. Manager Trina Le tells Coconut Grove Spotlight, "We have a lot of clients who walk on Grand who won’t see us anymore."

All tenants have until November 1 to clear out, and demolition is expected to begin late this year.