New Downtown Doral Mexican Spot Opens With Seafood, Cocktails

Another restaurant makes its way to Downtown Doral's ever-growing foodie scene: Barra Vieja is now open and serving authentic coastal Mexican seafood in the bustling neighborhood.

Helmed by chef Julian Medina, Barra Vieja joins Medina's lineup of different takes on Mexican cuisine, including Soledad, Toloache, Tacuba Mexican Cantina, La Chula Taqueria, El Fish Marisqueria, Coppelia, Amarena, and El Verano. All of his restaurants achieved success in New York, but Medina created Baja Vieja for his debut in Miami.

"After great success with our concepts in New York, we decided it was time to expand and introduce our coastal Mexican cuisine to a new audience," says Medina. "Inspired by the sun-kissed shores and vibrant flavors of Mexico's coastlines, Barra Vieja will be a haven where every dish pays homage to the sea's bounty and the rich tapestry of Mexican culinary heritage. We are excited to share our passion for fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and warm hospitality with the vibrant community of South Florida."

Oysters, Seafood, and More in Downtown Doral

The menu showcases Medina's signature style of dishes prepared for sharing as a way to encourage lively conversation at each table. Starter highlights include the daily oyster selections and aguachile verde de camaron, which is made with shrimp marinated in lime, cucumber, chile serrano, red onion, cilantro, and avocado.

As for the main dishes, choices include carnitas de pulpo tacos made with housemade tortillas; camarones sarandeados, a signature dish made with jumbo shrimp marinated in chiles and garlic mojo; arroz a la tumbada made with shrimp, octopus, yellowtail snapper with Mexican green rice and achiote salsa; carne asada; and pollo borracho.

Other menu highlights include sweets like the churro sundae and "Chocoflan."
At the bar, guests can try a variety of signature cocktails, including the "Chef Margarita" made with Casa Dragones Blanco, Casa Lotos Sotol, Aperol, tangerine purée, lime, and chiltepín and the "Sotokyo" made with Casa Lotos Sotol, Mexican Nami Sake, Cointreau, honeydew, yuzu, lemon, and a togarashi rim.

The dining room seats 160 guests, and its interior is decorated to match the coastal menu. Medina took inspiration from the Mexican beach Barra Vieja near the Acapulco region in Guerrero, Mexico, where he would spend weekends and holidays with family. The restaurant features outdoor and indoor seating, which also includes a 20-seat bar and an eight-seat ceviche bar.

For now, the restaurant is only open for dinner, which starts at 4 p.m., but in two weeks, guests can look forward to the lunch and happy hour launch.

Barra Vieja. 8450 NW 53rd St., Doral; barraviejamiami.com. Open only for dinner for the first two weeks. Open Sunday through Thursday from noon until 11 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from noon until midnight.