If June proved anything, it’s that Miami’s restaurant scene never slows down. Just when you thought you’d finally crossed a few spots off your must-try list, another dozen opened their doors. Yay! (Not so “yay” for our wallets.)
Unfortunately, we also saw some of Miami’s most iconic restaurants disappear. Coconut Grove said goodbye to Lokal after 15 years, a neighborhood institution that helped put Kush Hospitality on the map. Then came the closure of Mr Chow at the W South Beach. It ends a nearly two-decade run for one of Miami’s most iconic dining rooms. For anyone who grew up here, that’s the kind of restaurant you assumed would always be around.
Plenty of exciting openings!
Thankfully, June also delivered plenty of reasons to be excited. Katana finally opened its long-awaited Coral Way location after 33 years of making diners trek to North Miami Beach for floating sushi boats. Sunshine Coffee unveiled its colorful North Beach flagship, complete with blue matcha and soft serve, while Upside brought lobster nuggets, cocktails, and late-night dancing to Wynwood.
And then there’s the comeback everyone has an opinion about. More than a decade after closing on South Beach, China Grill is officially back, this time at Bal Harbour Shops. Whether you’re thrilled it’s returned or skeptical that anything can live up to the original, one thing is certain: people are talking. (And yes, my full review is coming later this week.)…