The coastal Mexican restaurant announced on Instagram, Tuesday, July 1, that it's taking a summer hiatus after less than a year in business. "As summer brings a natural slowdown to Miami, we're taking this time to step back, regroup, and reimagine," the post reads. "We'll see you after the season with updates and something new." Customers immediately jumped to the comments, with some writing, "Please don’t go too far away! We absolutely love Ensenada, the flavors, and the vibe!" and "Please come back soon! Miami needs more really good restaurants like Ensenada."
The restaurant, which opened inside the former Mr. Mandolin space in the Vagabond Hotel at 7301 Biscayne Blvd., promised to return with changes after the summer break.
Ensenada served ice cream flavors like guava, heirloom tomato, soursop, and lemon verbena, alongside specialties like a carajillo affogato and a concha ice cream sandwich
Ensenada photo
From Brooklyn With Love. Will It Return?
Ensenada arrived in Miami with serious credentials. The coastal Mexican hotspot was an expansion of the acclaimed Brooklyn original, which had earned a James Beard Award nomination and numerous awards. The Miami location marked a partnership between chef Luis Herrera, formerly of Cosme, co-owner Bryce David, and Miami's Mandolin Aegean Bistro team.The seafood-centric menu spanned from casual snacks to larger-format plates. The agua chiles section offered three styles: verde with cucumber and serrano, amarillo with ají amarillo and turmeric, and negro with habanero tatemado. For larger groups, "La Fiesta Cruda" offered a tasting feast of oysters, clams, mussels, and stone crab paired with various salsas.
What changes the team has planned for their return remains unclear. The Instagram post suggests they're using the downtime to "reimagine" the restaurant, but no specifics were provided about timing or what diners can expect when or if Ensenada reopens.
Main plates (para compartir) showcased items like pescado del día "al pibil" with recado rojo and black beans, and a skate wing tempura served with mole amarillo and XO salsa seca.
Ensenada photo
Part of a Growing Trend of Closures
Miami's dining scene is in the midst of a summer slowdown, with a growing number of restaurants going dark. Ensenada joins a list that includes longtime South Beach favorite Byblos, which announced a temporary closure earlier this week, and MiMo neighbor Ms. Cheezious, set to close after nearly a decade. Just last week, Torno Subito, Massimo Bottura’s rooftop Italian restaurant at Julia & Henry’s, said it would take a summer break. Other recent closures include Michelin-starred EntreNos in Miami Shores and Sereia in Coconut Grove.The closure comes as Miami's restaurant industry faces mounting pressures from rising rents, labor shortages, and the seasonal summer slowdown that traditionally hits the city's dining scene. Many operators have been forced to reassess their business models, with some choosing temporary closures over permanent shutdowns.
Whether Ensenada's hiatus will lead to a successful relaunch or become another casualty in Miami's dining scene remains to be seen.
Ensenada. 7301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 786-953-6668; ensenadamiami.com. Closed until further notice.
