As summer sizzles in the Magic City, a fresh wave of culinary talent is turning up the heat in all the right ways. From beachside escapes to design-rich dining rooms, Miami’s newest restaurants are reimagining what it means to eat out in style. Whether it’s house-baked pita in a sun-drenched courtyard, cocktails as art in Wynwood, or Southern Italian comfort served with coastal glamour, these openings prove that Miami’s food scene isn’t just thriving; it’s evolving.
This month’s lineup is a testament to the city’s diversity and creative spirit. While Chef José Andrés opens Aguasal in Mid-Beach, serving seafood with a Mediterranean flair, Cleo in South of Fifth offers Eastern Mediterranean mezze in a vibrant setting. What do they all have in common? Passionate chefs, immersive interiors, and menus that celebrate both place and palate. These are the spaces designed not just for dining, but for lingering, connecting, and experiencing Miami at its most flavorful.
Aguasal
Ideally located inside the brand new Andaz Miami Beach, Aguasal is José Andrés’s vibrant ode to coastal Mediterranean cuisine with a Miami Beach twist. From its airy dining room to the ocean views beyond, the design seamlessly embraces the sea, with arching entryways, natural stone floors, tropical greenery, and soft teal accents that evoke Majorca and Mykonos in the heart of Mid-Beach.
Under executive chef Antonio Soriano, the menu celebrates Florida’s bounty through time-honored Mediterranean techniques. Start with kumamoto oysters dressed in harissa mignonette, mussels saganaki bubbling with feta, or grilled leeks crowned in stracciatella and sumac. For mains, the octopus Santorini pairs perfectly with split peas and capers, while coastal fish dishes like fried red snapper with zhoug and cobia in lemon-butter sauce underscore Aguasal’s seafood-forward ethos.
The vibe is casual yet elegant: ideal for breakfast, dinner, or relaxed evenings on the outdoor terrace. Breakfast mornings bring bright montaditos, creamy feta toast with za’atar, and refreshing Valenciano juice that speak to a Mediterranean morning ritual. End your meal with saffron rice pudding or a molten chocolate cake, paired with yogurt cream and exotic spices, for elegant and indulgent closures to the sensory journey. Aguasal feels like a breezy coastal getaway, an everyday escape to sunlit shores and daily Mediterranean charm.
Aguasal is located at 4041 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140. For more information, visit their official website.
Cleo
Bringing the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean to South of Fifth, Cleo is the newest jewel in Miami Beach’s culinary crown. Tucked inside the historic Balfour Hotel, this warm and welcoming newcomer blends soulful, shareable cuisine with coastal glamour and sun-soaked sophistication.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Camila Olarte, an alum of The French Laundry, Los Fuegos, and The Surf Club, Cleo delivers a mezze-style menu that invites conversation and community. House-baked Jou Jou Pita arrives with vibrant miza dips like smoky moutabel and walnut muhammara, while crisp lamb “Spicy Cigars” and wagyu kebabs provide substance and spice. Seafood shines with dishes like grilled branzino, served simply to let the freshness speak. A standout breakfast menu, featuring Turkish eggs and Nutella French toast, draws locals early, while happy hour brings in the afternoon crowd with $10 cocktails and half-off wine.
The drinks are just as transportive: the Basbousa Ramos channels North African dessert into a saffron-kissed gin fizz, and the 3 Coasts Martini spans the Mediterranean with ingredients from France, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Whether you’re lounging by the poolside courtyard or nestled inside beneath white linen drapes and art deco accents, the atmosphere pulses with Mediterranean ease and understated luxury.
Cleo offers a timeless yet contemporary experience—one that lingers in the senses long after the last bite of baklava.
Cleo is located at 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Donatella
New to Miami Beach this July, Donatella is a love letter to Southern Italy—equal parts coastal retreat and culinary destination. Tucked inside the Donatella Boutique Hotel, the restaurant places Italian hospitality front and center, delivering a dining experience that blends classic Neapolitan soul with luxurious, modern flair.
Executive Chef Alessandro Morrone draws from his roots in Napoli, where food is a daily ritual and family recipes are sacred. At Donatella, every dish honors that heritage, with standout plates like polipo all’insalata, carpaccio di gambero rosso, rigatoni ’nduja, and skull island prawns. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and seasonal ingredients take center stage, prepared with restraint and reverence for tradition.
The design is as transporting as the food. Guests move through a lobby-bar hybrid that opens into an airy dining room accented with natural stone, golden flourishes, mirrored ceilings, and a hand-painted botanical mural. Open kitchen views add a sense of theatricality, while a tucked-away VIP lounge and 15-seat private room offer intimacy for special occasions.
Whether you’re checking in for a weekend escape or just popping in for a long, seafood-studded lunch, Donatella is a serene, style-forward spot that feels as much like the Amalfi Coast as it does Miami Beach. In a city where flash often overshadows flavor, Donatella offers both–elegance, warmth, and a table you’ll want to linger at.
Donatella is located at 640 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Presidente Bar
Presidente Bar has arrived in Wynwood, and with it, one of Latin America’s most celebrated cocktail experiences makes its U.S. debut. Hailing from Buenos Aires and ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars, Presidente is a masterclass in atmosphere, artistry, and alchemy. This isn’t just a cocktail bar, it’s a destination.
Inside, lush textures, gilded finishes, and sculptural lighting frame a bar that feels more like a stage. A sweeping mural by Argentine artist Martín Ron sets the tone: expressive, immersive, and impossible to forget. Each cocktail is a carefully composed story: equal parts flavor and performance. Try the Mezcalicus for a smoky, citrus-forward hit, or the sultry Daiquiriña infused with guajillo-chile de árbol syrup. The menu, led by cocktail icons Sir Christian Delpech and Seba García, is a deep dive into Latin America’s native spirits, rare sakes, and evocative blends.
The kitchen, helmed by Chef Kevin Acosta, keeps pace with elegant small plates like kale-spinach fritters, pulpo causa, and porcini ravioli in truffle sauce. At the raw bar, tuna ceviche and tiradito hamachi shine as light, bold companions to the drinks.
And then there’s La Biblioteca, a hidden cocktail sanctuary tucked behind velvet curtains. Think mirrored floors, vintage chandeliers, and double-height bookshelves hiding a rare bottle collection. It’s a world apart, and the kind of place you never want to leave.
Presidente Bar is located at 146 NW 28th Street, Miami, FL 33127. For more information, visit their official website.