Le Zoo to Close After 10 Years at Bal Harbour Shops

Another one bites the baguette. Just weeks after Aba announced its sudden departure from Bal Harbour Shops, longtime staple Le Zoo will also shutter its doors, marking the end of a nearly decade-long run for the French brasserie that brought Parisian flair to one of Miami’s most exclusive shopping destinations.

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.

It was a place where a Chanel window-shopper could justify a glass (or three) of rosé and where lunch meetings stretched into late afternoon profiteroles with bananas tucked between the shells. But now, Le Zoo joins Aba on the growing list of concepts that have closed in 2025.
"On behalf of the Starr Restaurants family, we want to thank our Le Zoo guests for their loyalty over the last ten years," according to a statement provided by the team. "We have loved being a part of this wonderful community. Although this may be a goodbye for now for Le Zoo, we are looking forward to introducing a new Starr Restaurants concept at an exciting new location in the Bal Harbour Shops in late 2025. As our lease expires at the end of April, please join us over the next few weeks in celebrating Le Zoo and cherishing the amazing memories that were made here; à bientôt (See you soon)!"

What's Next: The Return of China Grill

The closure comes amid shifting tides at the open-air luxury mall. It’s also part of a larger game of restaurant musical chairs: The high-profile space won’t sit empty for long. Famed South Beach restaurant China Grill is set to return from the dead, taking over Le Zoo's prime first-floor real estate. The resurrection comes more than a decade after the iconic Asian concept closed on Fifth Street and more than two years after China Grill Management quietly inked the deal.

Starr still operates Makoto, which recently moved to a new-and-improved location on the third floor of Bal Harbour Shops. Beyond Makoto, Bal Harbour diners still have popular options like Hillstone and Carpaccio. But with two heavyweights exiting in the same season, one wonders if this is the beginning of a revamp for Bal Harbour Shops dining.

Au revoir, Le Zoo.

Le Zoo. 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour; 786-655-5600; lezoo.com