The Best Restaurant Openings in Miami - April 2026

At Slim’s in Bal Harbour Shops, Stephen Starr transforms the former Makoto space into a moody, old-school steakhouse with serious style. Designed by GACHOT, the room leans into Palm Beach glamour with checkerboard marble floors, plush leather banquettes, and art deco murals that feel equal parts nostalgic and cinematic. The menu plays it straight at first glance, with prime cuts, a raw bar, and martinis done properly, but then veers into indulgence with dishes like a Wagyu cheesesteak layered with truffle and foie gras. It’s polished, a little decadent, and unmistakably Starr, built for lingering dinners that turn into late nights.

Stormy Monday has taken over the OG Macchialina space and turned it into a casual but fun cocktail bar overseen by two industry hot shots: James MacInnes, most recently the bar manager at Shiso, and Seth Blumenthal, who led the kitchen at Le Jardinier when it earned its first MICHELIN star. The cocktail list is thoughtful without being fussy, with playful riffs like a Martinelli’s-based sling and a martini with housemade gardenia vermouth. Food stays in snack territory, from katsu sandos to foie gras soup dumplings and fish dip on milk bread toast points, making it ideal for a first date or an industry night. Go for the drinks and bites, but stay for the live music.

The long-awaited return of Fooq’s has finally happened. This time in Little River, it comes with a dramatically expanded footprint and a dining room designed to be seen. The Persian roots are still there, from kebabs to tahdig, but now share space with caviar-topped za’atar fries and major late-night energy. It’s less neighborhood staple, more full night out, complete with an upstairs lounge open until 3 a.m. Dress up and lean into the spectacle, it’s worth it.

The Mexican arrives from Dallas with serious design pedigree and a waterfront Brickell Key address that signals special occasion dining. Inside, it’s all sculptural ceilings, tequila galleries, and sweeping bay views, but the kitchen holds its own with polished takes on Northern Mexican classics. Dishes like lobster elote and tuna tomahawk balance tradition with Miami-ready flair. It’s big, bold, and raises the bar for upscale Mexican fare.

For a limited time, NYC favorite Wayan lands in Wynwood, bringing the French-Indonesian cooking of Cédric Vongerichten and Ochi Vongerichten to Miami. The menu leans shareable and seafood-forward, with dishes like shrimp satay, hiramasa ceviche with sambal, and lobster noodles layered with black pepper butter. Larger-format plates, from black cod with bilindango sauce and bok choy to crispy pork ribs glazed in soy and tamarind, keep the table moving. Save room for dessert, the pandan custard with passion fruit seeds is incredible.

After years of anticipation, Frankie & Wally’s finally has a permanent home in Coral Gables, where it’s both a deli and a curated market for pantry obsessives. The sandwiches are the main event, meticulously layered with paper-thin slices of meat and just the right amount of shredded lettuce, engineered for the perfect bite every time. It’s an ideal grab-and-go spot for lunch, but there’s a breezy patio out back if you want to sit and linger. Don’t skip the take-home lasagna situation. Consider this your new go-to for a very chic sandwich run, one that Miami desperately needed.