Famed hotspot Papi Steak will temporarily close its doors on Tuesday, September 2, to begin a complete remodeling process. The restaurant from David Grutman's Groot Hospitality and partner David "Papi" Einhorn will reopen in November with a completely redesigned interior led by the Rockwell Group, the design firm behind Groot projects like Komodo at Fontainebleau Las Vegas and Gekkō in Miami.
The Dining Room is Going 'Tropical Luxe'
The new look builds on the brand's red-and-turquoise palette and adds what the team calls "glamorous tropical luxe." Guests will enter through a red-draped façade and a lacquered corridor lined with velvet walls and gold accents that leads to a reflective photo backdrop. Inside, deep red velvet banquettes, resin-topped tables, gold detailing, and a crystal chandelier anchor the dining room. A floral wallcovering by designer Candice Kaye will shimmer with metallic undertones throughout the space.A new private dining room doubles down on spectacle. Drapery, brass mirrors, crystal lighting, and a gold tropical ceiling treatment are meant to channel the feel of a tucked-away theater in Miami.
"Papi Steak has always been about bold design, big energy, and an exceptional dining experience," Grutman said in a statement. "This renovation is about pushing the concept even further, and creating something that feels fresh, immersive, and iconic all over again."
Not Another Permanent Goodbye
The closure comes amid a wave of temporary restaurant pauses across Miami. This year alone, high-profile spots from Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat in South Beach to Massimo Bottura's Torno Subito in downtown have paused operations during the city's brutal off-season. Just this week, Papi Steak's South Beach neighbor, Fluke Martini & Crudo Bar, announced it would close after just three months and not reopen until November 5.But Papi Steak's renovation differs from these seasonal breaks. The project has been in planning for months, and Grutman's team has been clear about the November reopening timeline. Unlike some closures that leave diners wondering if doors will ever reopen, this one comes with concrete plans and a firm date.
The team has teased a "thoughtfully reimagined" experience, which could extend to the menu when the new version debuts this fall. Papi Steak will close September 2 and reopen in November 2025.
Papi Steak. 736 First St., Miami Beach; 305-800-7274; papisteak.com. Closing September 2 and reopening in November 2025.
