Founded by Adel Bourkia, Byram Zaied, Gildas Mellot, and Alexandre Bastin, Mona Lisa aims to become a culinary and nightlife hot spot in Miami. Throughout the evening the restaurant serves fusion cuisine, focusing on the flavor and artistic presentation of its dishes, and then at night, the space transitions into a nightclub.
"Our vision for Mona Lisa is to create a space where culinary traditions from Asia and the Mediterranean meet, intertwining vibrant flavors with the warmth of shared culture," says Bourkia. "As the night deepens, we transform into a dynamic lounge, offering an immersive, sensory experience that blends global house rhythms with a unique gastronomic journey. It's more than a restaurant; it's an evolving space where art, culture, and music harmonize to celebrate diversity and connection."
Mona Lisa has a wildly colorful and bold dining room that turns into a nightclub at night.
Mona Lisa photo
Highlights on the menu include the sticky short rib, crisp lobster, and a "Caviar Bomba," which is a unique presentation dish that offers an interactive tableside caviar and tequila ritual. When ordered, a captain will serve caviar with a pearl spoon, followed by a tequila shot.
Libations include a wine list and a variety of signature cocktails, including the "Da Vinci Code," made with a house blend of three Japanese whiskeys. Mona Lisa also has an exclusive collection of rare Clase Azul bottles, as well as limited-edition tequilas aged in whiskey barrels, which are part of a batch so rare that a limited quantity exists worldwide.
And the art doesn't end with the menu.
The space was inspired by its namesake painting by Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa. The restaurant design features an artificial rock formation resembling the mountains painted in the background; the tables and bar countertops are made from Verde Alpi marble, an Italian stone from the region where da Vinci drew inspiration from the landscape; and the "crackle" on the floor are golden scratches that represent the little fractures in the masterpiece after more than 500 years.
Mona Lisa. 739 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; monalisamiami.com. Open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesdays and from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
