January 2021 Miami Restaurant Openings and Closings

A new year ushers in the promise of change and new beginnings. January 2021 was no exception.

February 1, 2021

Image: A special cocktail presentation at Salvaje.

A special cocktail presentation at Salvaje. Photo courtesy of Salvaje

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Though it may just be symbolic, a new year generally ushers in the promise of change and new beginnings. Despite the ongoing pandemic, January 2021 was no exception on the local food scene, as a number of notable restaurants opened in Miami.

New York City red-sauce sensation Carbone opened in Miami Beach, while a South Beach favorite, Red South Beach, got a new home.

Sadly, South Florida lost two iconic restaurants — at least for now. Mia-Kai, which temporarily closed in October, is now up for sale, although the family that has owned the Polynesian-themed venue is hoping to keep it alive. And News Cafe, a longtime Ocean Drive stalwart, closed in January. Although the restaurant is boarded up, the café's owners promise to reopen at some point.

In February, we can look forward to some special restaurants including Abba Telavivian Kitchen by Omer Horev and Samuel Gorenstein, and Chela's Beer Garden pop-up in Miami Lakes.

click to enlarge

Maü Miami in Midtown Miami has a Tulum vibe.

Photo by Julia Rose

Openings

8Street Brickell. 88 SW Eighth St., Miami; 305-433-0577; 8streetbrickell.com.
Azucar Ice Cream. 8845 SW 72nd Pl., Miami; 786-814-5596; azucaricecream.com.
Baia Beach Club. 1100 West Ave., Miami Beach; 305-514-1949; baiabeachclubmiami.com.
BoyChoy. 300 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-489-1000; boychoy.com
Cafe Oriental. 9800 SW 77th Ave., Miami; 786-294-3101; cafe-oriental.square.site.
Carrot Express. 8880 SW 72nd. Pl., Miami; eatcarrotexpress.com.
Carbone Miami. 49 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; carbonemiami.com.
Est. 33 Thai Craft Brewery and Kitchen. Brickell City Centre, 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-374-7535; est33.us.
Jeepney and Tita Baby’s at 1-800-Lucky. 143 NW 23rd St., Miami; 1800Lucky.com.
Ke-uh. 17875 Collins Ave. (in the Acqualina Resort), Sunny Isles Beach; 305-918-8000; acqualinaresort.com.
Mr. Omakase. 163 SE First St., Miami; mromakase.com.
Mr. & Mrs. Bun. 8975 SW 72nd Pl., Miami; mrandmrsbun.com.
Maü Miami. 3252 Midtown Blvd., Miami; 786-797-8164; mau.miami.
Ojo de Agua. 851 S. Miami Ave.; ojodeaguagroup.com.
Red South Beach. 801 South Pointe Dr. # Cu-1, Miami Beach, 305-534-3688; redsobe.com.
Salvaje. 101 NE 34th St.; Miami; miami.salvaje.world/cocina.
Sufrat. 10450 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 954-998-1049; sufratgrill.com.
Uchi. 252 NW 25th St., Miami; uchimiami.com.

click to enlarge

Thanks for the scantily clad good times, Mai-Kai

Photo courtesy of Mai-Kai

Closings

Mai-Kai
News Cafe

click to enlarge

Mauricio Lacayo (left), Julio Cabrera, and Daniel Gonzalez are opening Chela's Mexican Beer Garden in Miami Lakes.

Photo by Laine Doss

Coming Attractions

Abba Telavivian Kitchen - Coming to SoFi
Afishionado - Jeremy Ford to open seafood restaurant
Angelo Elia Pizza Bar - Opening at Aventura ParkSquare
The Baked Bear - Coming to Wynwood and Sawgrass Mills
Barbakoa - Eileen Andrade opening a restaurant at the Doral Yard
Benh Mi - Opening soon
Biscayne Bay Brewing - Opening a location, in downtown Miami
Bonci - Roman-style pizza to open at Cube Wynwood
Botanico Gin - Opening in CocoWalk
Brasamasa - Opening in downtown Miami
Ceiba - Mead coming to Miami
Champion Burger - New burger concept from the Coyo Taco people
Chela's Beer Garden - Opening in Miami Lakes
Cote - Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse to open in Miami
Delray Beach Market - Massive food hall opening soon
Dogfish Head - Opening up in former Concrete Beach space
Esmé Miami Beach - opening March 2021.
Esplanade at Aventura - New dining and shopping complex in Aventura with Jarana and more
Firestone Garage - Three concepts under one roof by Groot Hospitality
Gramps 2 - Opening soon
Gramps by the Sea - Opening 2021
Icebox Cafe - Opening in the Falls
Ironside Bakery - Fresh bread coming to Miami
Lan Halo Halo Snack Shack - Halo halo coming to Miami
Los Chinos - Opening in Brickell City Centre
Los Felix and Krus Kitchen - Both opening in Coconut Grove
The Loyal - New York brasserie coming to Miami
Luca Osteria - Giorgio Rapicavoli opening an Italian concept
Man vs. Fries - Virtual concept opening soon
Margot - Bar Lab opening a wine bar in downtown Miami (pop-up now open)
Marlins Park Beer Garden - The baseball stadium will get a beer garden
Moxy Hotel South Beach - Opening February
Off Site - Steve Santana (Taquiza) and Adam Darnell (Boxelder) opening a nanobrewery in Little Haiti
Osteria Morini - Opening at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar
Pura Vida - Opening in West Palm Beach
Sexy Fish - Opening in Brickell
Shoma Bazaar - Food hall opening in Doral
Sky Yard Rooftop + Bar - Opening at the Lincoln Eatery
South Beach Brewing Company - Opening soon
Sushi Garage - Opening in CocoWalk
Sweetgreen - Healthy chain opening Miami locations
Tobacco Road - Pop-up opening in Brickell
Trader Joe's - Sources say a location is opening in Coral Gables
Tropezon - Tapas bar opening in South Beach
True Food Kitchen - Health-driven restaurant and bar opening at the Falls
Whole Foods Market - Proposed megastore in Sunset Harbour and new Fort Lauderdale locations
Yeasty Brews - New brewery celebrating the fermentation process

Laine Doss is the former food editor of Miami New Times. She has been featured on Cooking Channel's Eat Street and Food Network's Great Food Truck Race. She won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature about what it's like to wait tables.

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