To wrap up the year, there are three new steakhouses that have recently opened as well as several new restaurants. And if you're participating in Miami Art Week, there are several great dining options in South Beach and the Miami Design District.
Renowned for the success of their acclaimed restaurants in Mérida, Mexico, Cienfuegos and 130° Steakhouse, partners Carlos Aguirre and Victor Ferraez of ViCa Hospitality Group are making their U.S. debut with Rò Steakhouse, 786-778-4158, 110 Alhambra Tower, Coral Gables. Recently opened at the iconic Alhambra Tower, Rò merges a traditional steakhouse with a modern-contemporary experience, bringing a fresh perspective to Miami’s culinary scene.
Rò’s striking interior combines contemporary architecture with natural elements — bronze, stone, and wood — creating a refined, cave-like atmosphere that feels intimate and inviting. Overhead, wooden roof panels curve like natural rock formations, with soft beams of light filtering through slats, casting a warm glow across the space.
(Courtesy of Ro)
Ro filet mignon
Rò redefines the traditional steakhouse through artisanal preparations over wood, stone, and flame, creating a multisensory dining experience. Under the direction of head chef Marcelo Palacios, formerly of renowned steakhouses including Prime 112, the menu features range from hot and cold starters to tacos and tostadas, alongside premium meats and seafood, such as the bone-in ribeye, tomahawk, and pistachio-crusted tuna. Signature offerings, like the truffle risotto and Beef Wellington, are also staple dishes. And don't miss Rò’s indulgent sides, including Scallion Mac & Cheese, Garlic Mushrooms, and Truffle Fries.
(Courtesy of the Wagyu House)
The Wagyu House table spread
The launch of The Wagyu House by Meat N’ Bone, 754 244-0041. 601 N. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach, marks an important milestone for Meat N’ Bone, as the butcher shop expands its footprint across South Florida with another distinctive dining concept.
This newest concept maintains the brand’s accessibility but delivers a more refined dining experience, offering some of the world’s most exclusive Wagyu and rare steak selections. You'll also find a boutique Meat N’ Bone retail shop, offering the opportunity to bring home the same rare, chef-grade proteins that are on the menu. This integration of fine dining and retail underscores Meat N’ Bone’s commitment to making these products available to food lovers both at home and while dining out.
The wait is over for the eagerly-anticipated return of a Miami culinary landmark, Hereford Grill, 305-974-7455, 782 NW 42nd Ave. (Le Jeune Road), Coral Gables. The restaurant features a global steakhouse menu, from authentic Sardinian renditions to Tuscan delights. Hereford Grill’s executive chef Alejandro Castro combines traditional techniques with high-quality ingredients, offering diners a culinary experience with a cozy ambience and five-star service. A winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Hereford Grill boasts a global wine list of more than 1,000 labels, with selections of red, white, rosé, prosecco, and sparkling wine.
There's a daily happy hour and also all-day Tuesdays with offers of two drinks for the price of one; an Un-wine Wednesday; Romantic Sounds of Thursday; and a Saturday Butcher’s Menu for two people for $205, featuring a starter of Caesar salad prepared tableside with baby gem lettuce; a main course of a 50 oz. certified Black Angus Tomahawk steak with sides, such as organic roasted carrots with garlic comfort, yogurt with toasted hazelnuts and mint gremolata; and a dessert of homemade Tres Leches Cake
NEW OPENINGS
The Betsy Hotel's beloved trattoria-style pizzeria, The Alley, tucked away in the breezeway of 14th Place behind The Betsy, 305-760-6903, 1433 Collins Ave., has officially reopened in Miami Beach. The reopening welcomes guests back with a new menu, highlighting 16-inch New York-style pizzas crafted from a new, airy, beautifully charred dough. The Alley’s return also brings artisanal salumi, fromaggi boards, Italian-inspired spritzes and cocktails, and house-made gelatos. Looking ahead, pizza-making classes will be introduced, giving guests the chance to shape, top, and taste their own creations.
Babette, 786-533-3523, 301 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables, is a culinary gem for those in the know in Coral Gables. Babette's menu combines Mediterranean soul with the precision of French technique, Spanish cuisine’s vibrancy, and an unexpected Japanese influence. The decor blends timeless European elegance with modern chic, with details from vintage-inspired furnishings evoking the charm of a cozy café on a quiet European street, yet with Miami’s joie de vivre.
Signature dishes include a sumptuous crab truffle flan; chawanmushi, a Japanese steamed egg custard; house-made cavatelli with tender lamb ragout, with mint and paprika; a crisp Berkshire pork cutlet paired with rosemary apple purée, green asparagus, and earthy porcini; and the magret de canard – silky slices of duck served with kabocha squash, roasted endive heart, and a luscious zucchini-spinach purée.
The Romeo Room, which opened just upstairs, is an intimate escape featuring velvet decor with Victorian tea room elegance, combined with the allure of a modern speakeasy. Enjoy crafted cocktails and curated bites in this intimate hideaway that is like a world apart.
DESIGN DISTRICT DINING
If you attend events during Miami Art Week, both the Design District and South have some great dining options, great for an event or anytime.
Don't miss this beautiful, tucked-away Design District restaurant: Le Jardinière, 305-402-9060 151 NE 41st St., Miami, for an intimate evening to celebrate the restaurant’s newest menu by Chef de Cuisine Zack Pham and the return of the popular Jardin Music Sessions.
Other Miami Design District restaurants include Le Specialità Miami, 786 550-6532, 40 NE 40th St., Miami, a Milanese institution since 1977, reimagined in the Miami Design District by Spicy Hospitality Group; Contessa Miami, from the Major Food Group, serving Northern Italian cuisine 305-990-111 NE 41st St. Miami; and COTE Miami, 305 434-4668, 3900 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, a Korean steakhouse.
Offering a diverse menu of nutritious food, the menu at Pura Vida harmonizes nutritious and indulgent offerings in a delicious way. There's a Pura Vida in the Miami Design District, 305-535-4142, 3818 NE 1st Ave.; there are also three in South Beach among other Miami locations. Pura Vida Miami's famed all-day breakfast offerings include a range of avocado toasts, and pasture-raised eggs each paired perfectly with a selection of artisanal coffee, matcha drinks, and teas; and lunches offer salads customizable with high-quality proteins of your choice.
SOUTH BEACH DINING
(Courtesy of Lincoln Road)
Lincoln Road During Miami Art Week
Located in the heart of Miami Beach, Lincoln Road is the go-to destination for art. Situated along or adjacent to Lincoln Road, among its standout restaurants are MILA, bringing a fusion of Mediterranean and Japanese flavors, offering a laid-back dining experience with stunning views. Oro serves Latin-inspired dishes with a modern twist. In search of a more casual bite? For a taste of Cuba, Havana 1957 offers an authentic and nostalgic experience with flavorful dishes and an inviting atmosphere. Oh! Mexico Restaurant & Tequileria celebrates the bold tastes of Mexico with an extensive tequila selection and festive energy. Osteria Da Fortunata, imported directly from Rome, offers homemade pasta and traditional Italian dishes, making it a fan favorite among those seeking true Italian cuisine.
(Courtesy of Lincoln Road)
Front corner of the Lincoln Theatre
(LT Steak and Seafood)
T-bone steak from LT Steak and Seafood
More restaurants await a little farther down in South Beach. LT Steak and Seafood, located within the iconic Betsy Hotel, 305-673-0044, 1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, is a casually elegant New American restaurant, fusing international flavors and culinary techniques from France, Asia and Latin America. Helmed by award-winning chef Laurent Tourondel, the restaurant's menu features hand-selected USDA Prime or certified black Angus steak, fresh-caught fish and enticing vegetarian options.
The restaurant’s outdoor terrace is one of the best spots for people-watching on Ocean Drive, while the airy dining room provides a front-row seat to nightly live jazz and Latin rhythms.
Nestled within the lobby of the Betsy Hotel and renowned for hosting the longest-running live music series on Miami Beach, The Piano Bar is an ideal retreat to unwind with specialty cocktails and light bites from the adjacent restaurant LT Steak and Seafood. The Piano Bar evokes an Old Havana vibe. Enjoy a lively happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m., accompanied by live musicians, $12 cocktails, half-off select bottles of wine, and discounted bites from LT Steak & Seafood.
Irene Moore is a Miami-based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.
(Irene Moore)
Irene Moore