Miami Restaurants That Opened and Closed October 2024

There was nothing spooky about Miami's restaurant scene in October. Matter of fact, it might have been the most influential month for restaurants we've seen in all of 2024.

The restaurant openings were so monumental that New Times food editor Nicole Lopez-Alvar was stunned after compiling this list. Not ten, or 15, but 20 restaurants opened across the Magic City and South Florida throughout October, and each opening made more of a splash than the previous one.

From the arguably most highly anticipated restaurant opening of the year, Sunny's Steakhouse in Little River, to the openings of Sparrow Italia in Wynwood, the modern Italian spot hailing from London with live music, and Mother Wolf in the Miami Design District, chef Evan Funke's highly acclaimed Italian restaurant with old world glamour, the city came alive with highly energetic, physically stunning, and overall captivating openings.

Other new major players on the scene to look out for are Japón, the new fine-dining Japanese restaurant that opened at the Setai Miami Beach with a sushi counter and 40 types of sake, as well as Cotoletta, a new Italian spot in Coconut Grove that serves only one main dish, cotoletta alla milanese, (also known as veal Milanese). Why open a restaurant centered around a single dish? It's simply that good (review coming soon).

Plus, in true October fashion, an iconic ice cream parlor came back from the dead after causing quite a fright: the Frieze surprised fans across the Magic City when it announced it has reopened under a new name, Ice Cream Factory.

Unfortunately, October didn't come without a visit from the Grim Reaper.

North Bay Village institution Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill closed its waterfront doors after 40 years of serving happy hour bites, "Rum Runners," and tasty chicken wings. New Times spoke to regulars the weekend it closed (get ready to shed a tear).

Below, without further ado, check out every restaurant that opened and closed in Miami and Fort Lauderdale this past October 2024.

Openings

Celia's: 2618 NW Fifth Ave., Miami; instagram.com/celiasmiami
Cotoletta: 3206 Grand Ave., Miami; Reservations via 786-409-7151
Daniel’s: 620 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-451-1200; danielssteak.com
H&H Bagels: 2200 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 561-465-3752; hhbagels.com
Habibi Miami: 452 NW North River Dr., Miami; 786-883-2800; habibimia.com
Harbour Club: 1766 Bay Rd., Miami Beach; 305-910-0415; harbourclubmia.com
Ice Cream Factory (Formerly "The Frieze"): 1626 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach, icecreamfactory.net
Japón: 2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, at the Setai Hotel; thesetaihotel.com
Just Salad Downtown Miami: 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 550a; justsalad.com
Margot Bar & Bistro: 1504 Bay Rd., Miami Beach; 786-254-7261; margotnaturalwinebar.com
Mona Lisa: 739 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-522-7782; monalisamiami.com
Mother Wolf: 3841 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-990-0022; motherwolfmiami.com
Old Lisbon Aventura: 2960 NE 199th St., Aventura; 305-974-5142; oldlisbonrestaurants.com
Salumeria 104 Weston: 1370 Weston Rd., Weston; 954-306-0037; salumeria104.com
Sesame Bakery: 2211 Sole Mia Square Ln., North Miami; sesamebakery.com
Skinny Louie at Kaseya Center: 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; kaseyacenter.com
Smash Bros: 2925 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; smashbros.co
Sparrow Italia: 255 NW 25th St.; 786-322-5998; sparrowitalia.com
Sunny's Steakhouse: 7357 NW Miami Ct., Miami; instagram.com/sunnysmia
The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: 20 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-372-7606; wharfftl.com

Closings

Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill: The iconic North Bay Village waterfront bar and grill that served longtime patrons and South Florida residents for nearly 40 years has closed down. The beloved institution in North Bay Village was known for its prime rib sandwich, special grilled wings, epic happy hour specials (including a "reverse happy hour" starting at 10 p.m.), and fish dip.

Ocean Drive TGI Fridays: The TGI Fridays in Miami Beach suddenly closed after decades on Ocean Drive, shocking employees and inciting nostalgia.

Lotus Garden Restaurant: A Coral Gables mainstay for Thai food, Lotus Garden Restaurant, has closed its doors after nearly 40 years in business, breaking customers' hearts. The family-run restaurant, which served Thai dishes like pad Thai, spring rolls, a variety of curry dishes, and Tom Ka Gai soup, closed on Sunday, September 29.

Coming Soon

Big Chicken Chicken-centric, fast-casual concept from former Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal
Boustan Montréal's largest shawarma chain will open its first U.S. spot in Miami with pitas, bowls, and salads
Burger Bob's The beloved diner that served Coral Gables for more than 50 years is officially reopening this fall
BurgerFi and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza dual concept coming to Miami Worldcenter
Buccan Palm Beach's popular modern American bistro will make its Miami debut in Coral Gables in 2025
Cava Plantation and Hialeah Gardens The popular Mediterranean chain is opening in South Florida
Chop Steakhouse & Bar The Canadian steakhouse will open in Coconut Grove at the former location of the Key Club
Earl's Kitchen & Bar Coming to Miami Worldcenter in 2024
Eataly Aventura Opening Spring 2025
Eataly West Palm Beach Opening Fall 2025
Fooq's The beloved downtown Miami spot that closed three years ago will reopen in Little River in early 2025
Foxhole Miami Beach bar Foxhole is reopening after its Instagram suddenly came to life with hidden clues
Gaby by Call Me Gaby The Miami Beach date night spot is opening a location inside of Aventura Mall
Ghee Indian Kitchen Downtown Dadeland Indian restaurant is opening a Wynwood location this fall
Hills Cafe An employee of the former Beverly Hills Café is bringing back the beloved restaurant
Insomnia Cookies The chain known for its late-night cookies and ice cream sandwiches is headed for Wynwood
Jon & Vinny's Pop-Up Popular LA Italian spot will open at the Rubell Museum for a residency
Juvia Miami staple with rooftop views coming to Miami Worldcenter in 2025
Mai-Kai Beloved Polynesian-themed tiki bar and restaurant is opening in November 2024
Maple & Ash The Chicago steakhouse opening at Miami Worldcenter in early 2025
Melting Pot The fondue chain is opening a second Miami location in 2025 in Coral Gables
Miami Dumpling Shop Contactless dumpling shop coming to Miami Worldcenter
Motek The Mediterranean restaurant is opening in South Beach where Prime Fish used to be in fall 2024
No Man's Land Fort Lauderdale bar and restaurant opening a Miami location
Pastis Palm Beach
Prince Street Pizza Opening in Miami Beach this fall 2024
Rosemary's West Village Italian spot known for pasta, garden, and farmhouse feel will open in Wynwood this fall
Serafina NYC-based Italian restaurant coming to Miami Worldcenter
Serendipity3 Miami Beach hot spot is coming back in 2024
Shiso New restaurant from Raheem Sealey and David Fuentes in partnership with Forward Hospitality Group
Shoma Bazaar Hialeah Doral food hall opening a second location
Solana is set to open in the summer of 2025 at the rooftop of the Standard Residences in Midtown
Sra. Martinez Michelle Bernstein is bringing back the beloved restaurant
Stalk & Spade Plant-based, fast-casual restaurant coming to South Florida
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café Third South Florida location coming to Miami Worldcenter
Sweetwaters New restaurant from Rusty Pelican owners headed for Huizenga Park in Fort Lauderdale
Thomas Keller The master chef is opening an as-yet-unnamed restaurant in Palm Beach