Know of any openings that aren't on our list? Email [email protected].
Bodega
19129 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura305-704-3670
bodegataqueria.com
Beloved South Beach-born Mexican restaurant Bodega is now open in Aventura — with a bit of a twist. While both Bodega’s original South Beach restaurant and its downtown Fort Lauderdale location offer a taqueria and speakeasy-style lounge in one, its newest location marks the flagship of a smaller, taqueria-only concept. Located in Aventura Square, the 1,500-square-foot eatery sports an industrial vibe brought home by exposed brick walls, outdoor picnic tables, and neon-hued barstools. Bodega loyalists need not fear: Favorites like the weekend brunch menu, the esquites in a cup, Florida grouper ceviche, classic tacos, and burritos haven’t gone anywhere. And, yes, happy hour is available with beer and frozen margaritas every day from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring items priced from $2 to $5. The best part? To make the experience as user-friendly as possible, Bodega became among the first fast-casual restaurants to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment, the brand has its own app to make ordering — and paying — even easier. In honor of the Aventura opening, first-time app users receive an automatic 30 percent off on their first order. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Lur
1601 Drexel Ave., Miami Beach (in Time Out Market)786-753-5388
timeout.com
One of the city's newest talents recently unveiled his new venue inside Time Out Market. Lur offers imaginative, Basque-inspired cuisine from Aitor Garate Berasaluze, a Spanish-born, Michelin-trained chef you might know from his time at Leku inside the Rubell Museum. Highlights from the tapas section of the à la carte menu include strawberry-tomato gazpacho, codfish buñuelos, and an Ibérico charcuterie platter. Heartier fare arrives in mains like grilled octopus with crushed potatoes, an Angus tenderloin steak sandwich, and arroz caldoso de bogavante: grilled lobster with creamy Calasparra rice. If you're feeling fancy, add 10 grams of Petrossian classic osetra caviar to any plate for $15. And if you're looking for an extra-special experience, the chef hosts an exclusive eight-course dinner every Friday at 7:30 p.m. The price starts at $65 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and the menu, which will change every week, will include two welcome bites, three appetizers, two main dishes, a dessert, and optional beverage pairings. Only 12 seats are available each Friday. To purchase tickets and reserve a spot, visit eventbrite.com. Open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Meet Dalia
640 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach786-206-3881
meetdaliamiami.com
Meet Dalia, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant from Miami-based Ink Entertainment (the group that brought us Byblos), is helmed by entrepreneurs Charles Khabouth, Danny Soberano, and Ricardo Tabet. Located on Ocean Drive, the newly remodeled art deco property will eventually house several concepts, with Meet Dalia the first of five Ink plans to bring to South Florida as part of its ongoing expansion. Still to come are the Italian-themed Meet Mia (a neighborhood spot for lunch, dinner, or a late-night amaro), set to open next month, followed by a raw bar later this year. At Meet Dalia, meanwhile, the menu offers an innovative take on Mediterranean cuisine, with dishes artfully composed by the group's executive corporate chef, Patrick Ochs. The idea: Marry the finest ingredients from around the world and present them in innovative ways. Offerings include classics with a signature spin — like fattoush with pomegranate vinaigrette, a slew of vegetarian/gluten-free options including as green tahini and buttermilk-dressed roasted cauliflower; a fresh, flaky branzino en croute; ground lamb dumplings; cuts of meat and fresh seafood; and a dessert menu featuring modern takes on classics — like coconut galaktoboureko and chocolate baklava. An open kitchen invites guests to watch the culinary action from their seats. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Union Kitchen & Bar
2309 N. Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors754-216-0143
unionkb.com
Newly opened Union Kitchen & Bar is a neighborhood eatery that fuses Peruvian flair and Italian comfort. At the helm of the Wilton Manors venue are co-owners and husband-and-wife team, chef Christie Tenaud and general manager and sommelier, Roberto Colombi. Prior to opening Union Kitchen & Bar, Tenaud served as the executive chef of the Blue at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, while Colombi was the restaurant's general manager. Today, the couple draws on its combined passion and experience to bring its take on multicultural dining to Broward County. An approachable dinner menu marries both their cultural backgrounds, a mix of modern American dishes and seasonal specials complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine and cocktail list. Menu highlights include crispy pork belly tacos with pickled onions and aji verde sauce; grilled octopus served atop a butter-bean purée with shaved red onion, pepper, and cilantro slaw; squid Ink linguine made with Key West shrimp, white wine and lemon zest; and Peruvian sea bass with quinoa risotto and tomato. The spacious restaurant offers a warm, inviting interior coupled with natural elements like plants, wooden tables and comfortable booths, and outdoor seating. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight.