Joey, an outpost of Canadian-based Joey Restaurants, has made its grand debut in Florida. Top Chef Canada winner Matthew Stowe leads the culinary team, with menu highlights ranging from roasted corn guacamole to signature steaks. The bar offers unique cocktails, including the Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita. Located in the Esplanade at Aventura, it boasts a two-level interior, art installations, a circular bar, and plenty of seating.

Adam Gersten, the brain behind Gramps Wynwood, has unveiled his latest venture, the New Schnitzel House, in Shorecrest, rekindling the spirit of the former Schnitzel Haus. The German-Miami fusion restaurant serves dishes like house-made pretzels with beer cheese and chicken schnitzel alongside innovative beverages by Sara Ypsilanti. The 2,200 square foot venue, designed by Paula Lemme, blends Miami glamour with German Bauhaus modernism, with two bar areas to boot.

Award-winning chef and MasterChef Israel winner Tom Aviv has debuted his first U.S. restaurant, Branja, inside Miami’s Upper Buena Vista complex. It features dishes reflective of Aviv’s Israeli background in an industrial, vintage setting. Diners will find unique takes on classics like Fishwarma, made with a spiced fish mix that emulates classic shawarma, and the Krouv (cabbage) which mimics a slow-cooked short rib. Make sure to snag a seat at the 12-seat Chef’s Table to get a slice of retro Miami — the table is made from the iconic bar that was originally from the Delano Hotel’s Florida Room and designed by Lenny Kravitz,

Chef and restaurateur Val Chang has opened her first solo project, Maty’s, in Midtown Miami, serving traditional Peruvian cuisine infused with bold flavors. Named after Chang’s grandmother, the restaurant’s opening menu features dishes such as black grouper ceviche with torrejitas de choclo, lamb seco stew with cilantro and squash, and wagyu oxtail saltado stir fry with habanero, cherry tomato, and red onion. With indoor and outdoor seating for up to 150 guests, Maty’s also offers an extensive cocktail selection to complement the cuisine. 

Iconic Parisian-style brasserie Pastis, which helped revitalize Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, is now open in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Brought to us by James Beard Award-winning duo Keith McNally and Stephen Starr, this chic Parisian-style restaurant boasts a celebrity following and a charming atmosphere reminiscent of its NYC original, including a new-to-Miami outdoor garden and courtyard. Dine on classic French dishes like onion soup and steak frites alongside a raw bar and an impressive French wine selection. Complete the meal with a creative Mediterranean-inspired cocktail.

After closing due to the pandemic, the iconic News Cafe has reopened in its original South Beach location under new management, Vida & Estilo Restaurant Group, and developer partner, Goldman Properties. The Mediterranean-American menu, created by chef Henry Hane, offers a fresh take on classic New Cafe dishes like Tony’s tomato soup and tuna melt and new offerings like pina colada pancakes and a red wine demi burger. The green awning and namesake newsstand still remain, while the interiors pay homage to the cafe’s ‘90s roots with portraits of icons like Versace and Goldman.

Julia & Henry’s, a massive, seven-story food hall with 26 vendors, is now open in Downtown Miami. Housed in a historic 1936 building. The space offers a wide range of culinary offerings from James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein’s fried chicken to Michelin-star Japanese dining. The space, named after Miami’s founders, also features a wine bar, craft beer market, speakeasy bar, a children’s play zone, and a soon-to-be-open rooftop terrace with city views.

Eleven-time James Beard-nominated restauranteur Sam Fox has debuted the Henry, an all-day American restaurant and bar, in Miami’s Brickell City Centre — marking the restaurant’s first Florida location. Under the helm of executive chef Orlando Arroyo, diners can expect a range of dishes from short-rib potstickers, pretzels with cheese sauce, spicy tuna rice, to lobster and truffle pasta. The massive space features seating for 260 amidst a stylish backdrop, with a buzzy, cocktail-rich bar and a ‘ventanita’ for early risers, serving coffee and pastries starting at 7 a.m. daily.

Acclaimed chef Shingo Akikuni, known for achieving a Michelin star at Wynwood’s Hiden, has launched his first restaurant, Shingo, in Coral Gables’ historic La Palma building. The 14-seat omakase restaurant serves an 18-course menu featuring traditional Japanese nigiri, seasonal sashimi, and Yakimono dishes, complemented by premium sake. The omakase is priced at $180 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, with optional wine and sake pairing for $95.

Grupo Bakan has launched its latest restaurant, KoKo by Bakan, in Coconut Grove. The menu focuses on pre-Hispanic Mexican elements: nixtamal for daily-made tortillas, a wood-fired grill, and rotisserie with more than 400 mezcals and tequilas for food pairings. The lush 6,000-square-foot space features traditional Mexican furniture, brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures, murals, and natural fabric light fixtures from various Mexican regions.

Breakwater Hospitality Group, known for spots like the Wharf and Carousel Club, has debuted its latest concept, Regatta Grove, at Coconut Grove’s Regatta Harbour. The venue, resembling a boat’s bow, includes four culinary outposts helmed by award-winng chefs offering a diverse menu from burgers to Australian cuisine. The sprawling nautical-themed venue, capable of hosting up to 1,000 people, boasts waterfront views, multiple decks, direct marina access, and even dockage for boating guests.