Lincoln Road’s Nexxt Cafe Abruptly Shutters

Below is a round up of the latest closures around town. Looking for more uplifting news? Here’s the catalog of all the recent restaurant openings.

December 5

SOUTH BEACH — Another restaurant bites the dust on Lincoln Road, this time its longstanding eatery Nexxt Cafe. The restaurant, which had been on the popular outdoor walkable mall for 20 years, announced on Facebook earlier this week that it had “ceased operations.” Adding in its statement that it, “had become increasingly difficult for us to operate to the standards that we had set for ourselves.” It’s been well documented about the rising rents that have been the downfall of other well-known restaurants on Lincoln Road, including powerhouses like Sushi Samba, and one would surmise that Nexxt Cafe was another casualty of the sky-high rents in the area.

November 27

BRICKELL — Brickell City Centre’s splashy Italian food hall, La Centrale, is changing owners, according to The Miami Herald, when come December 14 it will transform into Luna Park, another Italian food hall. While the first floor casual eateries that offer pizza, deli fare, and charcuterie options will get a rebrand, the third floor wine bar and cooking school will be transformed into a restaurant by Italian chef Nino di Costanzo who’s restaurant Daní Maison in Italy boasts two Michelin stars. The second floor restaurants will also rebrand but remain serving similar cuisine with a steakhouse, seafood, and vegan sit down restaurants available. As one may remember, Brickell City Centre has not one but two Italian-themed food halls in the mall (something that makes many people scratch their heads) with Casa Tua Cucina located just around the corner from La Centrale.

October 17

CORAL GABLES — After a long list of high profile chefs coming and going, Ad Lib (2415 Ponce de Leon Boulevard) is closing after nine months in business tomorrow, October 18. Opening with a splash in February of this year, it was originally led by Jamie DeRosa and Hedy Goldsmith, who both departed a few months in. Later the 50 Eggs-owned restaurant tapped Norman Van Aken to take over for DeRosa, and shortly after brought on Joe Mizzoni to lead the kitchen. In a statement to Eater, the CEO of 50 Eggs, John Kunkel said, “We are evolving and after a brief closure, we’re looking forward to introducing a specialized venue for new restaurant development and private events within the space next year.”

October 10

MIAMI BEACH — It’s the end of an era for Sushisamba’s longstanding Lincoln Road location (600 Lincoln Road), according to The Miami Herald. The space, which has been housed on the popular outdoor mall since 2001, is closing its doors for good at the end of the year. Reason? A reoccurring answer in Miami: skyrocketing rents. The area has transformed since Sushisamba’s opening almost two decades ago, and with that comes higher-than-usual real estate prices making it hard for smaller, independent restaurants and stores to survive.

July 15

NORTH MIAMI BEACH — After 69 years in business — an eternity by Miami standards — Laurenzo’s Italian Market (16385 W. Dixie Highway) is closing for good on July 31, reports the Miami New Times. The market, which sold a variety of goods has been a staple in the community since 1951, but it’s owners have decided to retire stating in a note posted on the market’s door, “Although we are excited to begin this new chapter in our lives, we will miss being a part of yours. For 69 years, our market has thrived due to the loyalty and support of our wonderful customers. Thank you for your patronage and your friendship.”

May 30

MIMO — Longstanding MiMo eatery Soyka (5556 NE 4th Court) will serve up its final meal tomorrow, May 30. This departure from the Miami food scene isn’t exactly a surprise, as the eatery was purchased by the 50 Eggs Group in late 2018 with a ‘promise’ to remain open for several months before making way for a new restaurant — and that day has come. 50 Eggs will announce their new eatery in that space in the coming months, which will open later in the fall.

SOUTH BEACH — Cibo’s South Beach (200 South Pointe Drive) location has shuttered, according to the Miami New Times, serving its last meal on Sunday. The reason for the shutter? As with most things — especially pricey South Beach properties — it came down to a rent hike. Its CEO also cited the ongoing construction on South Beach as another issue and other regulations that the city enforced.

May 20

SOUTH MIAMI — After roughly two years in business No Name Chinese ( 7400 SW 57th Court) announced via Facebook over the weekend that it was closing for good on May 19, announcing with just hours noticed that it would be its last day in operation. The Miami Herald cites the shuffling of investors and the fact that the restaurant had simply “run its course,” as reasons for the shutter.

April 18

SOUTH BEACH — Eight years after its a debut inside the W South Beach — which is an eternity by Miami standards — Andrew Carmellini’s The Dutch (2201 Collins Avenue) will close its doors for good on April 30, according to The Miami Herald. However not all is lost, a new “rebranded” restaurant with executive chef Joshua Gripper, who has worked at the restaurant since the beginning, and the rest of The Dutch team will take its place.

April 3

BRICKELL— Tipsters alerted Eater Miami that Bazaar Mar (1300 S. Miami Avenue), José Andrés splashy seafood-centric eatery that opened a little more than two years ago, has closed up shop. In a statement to Eater reps for the hotel did confirm the closing saying, “Bazaar Mar has closed its doors however keep your eyes open for our new concept coming soon to SLS Brickell.” No information on what that new outpost might be.

However, reps for ThinkFoodGroup — Andres’ restaurant group — released their own statement on the situation saying, “We’re disappointed that the SLS Brickell decided to change concepts under the hotel’s new ownership after two very successful years of Bazaar Mar,” adding, “we’re excited to announce additional Bazaar locations in the coming months.”

But Andres hasn’t left Miami, the original Bazaar by José Andrés is still open inside the SLS South Beach and he also recently debuted new eateries inside Marlins Park. Stay tuned for more updates.

WYNWOOD — Relatively new watering hole Boombox (3456 N. Miami Avenue) has already closed, according to the Miami New Times. The bar, which opened in November 2018 next to its ‘sister’ restaurant Mason (which closed last month), shuttered to make way for a new bar called Sylvester. Sylvester will be “Miami-themed” serving up cocktails and coffee with CBD add-ons. It opens later this month.

March 7

WYNWOOD— Another closing has hit Wynwood this week, this time it’s Mason Eatery (3470 N Miami Avenue), the all-day diner restaurant from the team behind Beaker + Gray. It was reported that it closed earlier this week, after being open for less than a year. Its adjacent sister bar Boombox is still going strong and so is Beaker + Gray down the street.

March 6

WYNWOOD— One of Wynwood’s longtime eateries, Jimmy’z Kitchen (2700 N Miami Avenue, Suite 5), closed up its Wynwood location last week, according to the Miami New Times. The popular mofongo outpost had been in the bustling neighborhood since 2011, well before it became a desired area for new eateries. However those looking to dine on its popular Puerto Rican cuisine can still head to its South Beach location that is still up and running.

February 25

MIMO— Over the weekend, Paulie Gee’s Miami (8001 Biscayne Boulevard) announced via an Instagram post that it was closing its doors for good. Eater Miami spoke with the owner Jason Weisberg who said the closure was due to a few different variables including a tough location, issues with the labor market in South Florida, and the restaurant not performing financially the way he desired. But not all is lost, Weisberg told Eater Miami that this isn’t the last the Magic City has seen of his pizza. He currently is in plans to do some pop-ups around town of the restaurant’s popular Detroit style pizzas as early as April, even though a firm date and location hasn’t been set. Stay tuned for more details.

February 13

UPPER EAST SIDE— Just a few months after its debut, Vagabond Sushi (7301 Biscayne Blvd) has closed. According to the restaurant’s rep in a statement to Eater Miami, “After four months of operation, Amir Ben Zion and his partners did not feel the restaurant was finding its base. They listened to their friends and the neighborhood, and realized a change was needed and indeed, is now coming.” They go on to add the restaurant will re-open as something new soon, with details being revealed in the next few weeks. The pool bar, however, remains under vagabond hotel management, and continues to be open Tuesday through Sunday with DJ’s on weekends and private events.

February 10

CORAL GABLES— After 15 years in Coral Gables, Tarpon Bend (65 Miracle Mile) announced over the weekend that it is closing for good on February 9. On Facebook its owner Wayne Cameron Eldred wrote in a post that, “Today we will departing from our long standing location on Miracle Mile. It has been a true honor to serve each of you and your loved ones for so many wonderful years.” Eldred cited rising rents as the reason behind the closure, as he said him and the landlord couldn't figure out a rent rate that worked for both of them. But it might not completely be the end of the restaurant, which was known for its busy happy hours that gave two-for-one drinks in the form of redeemable poker chips, saying, “Save those happy hour chips! You never know when I may bring back of your favorite Hometown Restaurant, Bar & Grill.”

SOUTH BEACH— Temporary closings have turned into a permanent one at longstanding Haitian eatery, Tap Tap. According to The Miami Herald, the restaurant closed because owner Katherine Keane was facing “continuing health issues” and couldn’t operate the restaurant. Also, ongoing construction of the neighboring hotel left the restaurant without sewer lines and running water for an extended period of time. The 24-year-old colorful restaurant was one of the first Haitian eateries in South Florida and drew acclaim from locals and visitors alike.

DESIGN DISTRICT & AVENTURA — Just a year after its debut in South Florida, California based coffee outpost Blue Bottle Coffee is closing its two locations in Miami, in Aventura Mall (19501 Biscayne Blvd.) and the Miami Design District (800 NE First Avenue), according to the Miami New Times. The closures will take place at the end of March in order for the coffee company to put its focus on expanding its northeast and California markets.