MIAMI, FL – October 28, 2025 – A culinary landmark with a century-long legacy is set to redefine luxury Japanese dining in the Magic City with the grand opening of Yamashiro Miami. Yamashiro, the iconic Los Angeles-based restaurant housed in a historic Hollywood Hills mansion, officially opens its first location outside of California tomorrow, October 29th, atop the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences.
This highly anticipated opening of Yamashiro Miami promises an immersive and luxurious experience, blending traditional Japanese flavors with contemporary global influences and a distinct Miami flair, positioning itself as a “new era” for dining in the vibrant downtown district. The new establishment spans nearly 9,000 square feet on the ninth floor, offering panoramic skyline views that echo the dramatic vistas of its Los Angeles predecessor. This expansion marks a significant moment for the renowned brand, bringing its storied past and innovative future to Miami’s dynamic culinary landscape. The Yamashiro Miami opening is poised to be a landmark event.
A Legacy of Elegance: From Hollywood Hills to Yamashiro Miami’s Skyline
The story of Yamashiro is deeply intertwined with the history of Los Angeles. Originally built in 1914 by German-born brothers Adolph and Eugene Bernheimer, the “Mountain Palace” was designed to replicate a historic Japanese provincial palace. This architectural marvel, crafted by hundreds of Japanese master craftsmen, became a cultural landmark, showcasing a vast collection of Asian art and treasures within its teak and cedar walls.
Over the decades, Yamashiro has transformed from a private estate into a private club for Hollywood’s elite, an apartment complex, and eventually, an iconic Japanese fusion restaurant and event venue. It has hosted generations of celebrities and tastemakers, becoming synonymous with cinematic sophistication and breathtaking views. Boulevard Hospitality Group, led by CEO Freddy Braidi, recognized Miami as the ideal city to carry this legacy forward. “Miami was the natural choice for Yamashiro’s first expansion,” Braidi stated. “Both cities celebrate culture, creativity and bold flavor. Just like Hollywood, Miami is a place where design, energy and global influences collide, and we saw an opportunity to bring Yamashiro’s century-long story to a city that mirrors its spirit”. The restaurant’s move to Miami is part of a growing trend of marquee hospitality brands expanding into the city, recognizing its status as a global culinary hub and one of the top Miami new restaurants.
Culinary Artistry and Spectacle at Yamashiro Miami
At the helm of Yamashiro Miami is partner and corporate chef Charbel Hayek, a “Top Chef Middle East and North Africa” winner, who, alongside Executive Chef Gustavo Montes leading the Miami kitchen, aims to create a bold and expansive interpretation of Japanese fusion cuisine. The menu is designed to take guests on a “culinary journey through the flavors of Japan, elevated with global technique and Miami flair”.
Diners can anticipate artfully plated sashimi and nigiri, robata-grilled mains, and modern interpretations of Japanese classics, with select nods to South Florida’s local ingredients and vibrant palate. Signature dishes are poised to include items like Ibérico pork marinated in black garlic mojo with calamansi emulsion, Japanese fried chicken tossed in a spicy gochujang Buffalo sauce, Alaskan king crab with yuzu hollandaise, and Chilean sea bass in mandarin dashi with shiso flower. The beverage program also promises excitement, featuring Japanese-inspired cocktails infused with tropical flavors and a theatrical martini cart service with liquid nitrogen and tableside presentation. This approach to dining, which emphasizes sensory experience and innovation, contributes to the “culinary spectacle Miami” aspect that Yamashiro aims to deliver.
An Immersive Japanese Sanctuary: The Yamashiro Miami Experience
The design of Yamashiro Miami thoughtfully mirrors the grandeur and tranquility of its Los Angeles counterpart while integrating elements that resonate with Miami’s energetic spirit. Occupying the ninth floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, the space is envisioned as an “indoor-outdoor wonderland”. Guests enter through an antique, hand-carved wooden door, leading to a lounge area with low seating and an illuminated floor-to-ceiling mural that evokes centuries of craftsmanship.
The main dining area flows through serene garden pathways, incorporating natural elements such as reclaimed wood, unpolished stones, bonsai trees, fountains, and koi ponds, creating an immersive, luxurious atmosphere. The central bar features a striking replica of Yamashiro Hollywood’s iconic temple, serving as both a visual anchor and a gathering place. With a retractable roof offering stunning city views, the restaurant is designed to provide a transporting dining experience that is both serene and spectacular, befitting its status as a premier Downtown Miami restaurant.
A New Chapter in Miami’s Trending Dining Scene with Yamashiro Miami
Yamashiro Miami arrives at a time when the city’s culinary landscape is experiencing a significant surge of innovation and international acclaim. Japanese cuisine, in particular, is a trending category, with numerous high-end sushi, omakase, and izakaya establishments gaining recognition. The opening of Yamashiro, a restaurant with over a century of history and a reputation for luxury Japanese dining and spectacle, adds a new pinnacle to this evolving scene.
Positioned within the bustling Downtown Miami area, the restaurant is set to become a major draw for both locals and tourists seeking an unparalleled dining experience. Its presence at the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, a property that has also seen recent development and dining additions, solidifies the area as a key culinary destination. Yamashiro’s arrival signifies not just a new restaurant opening, but the continuation of a Hollywood dining legacy reimagined for a new generation and a new city, ready to make its own history in Miami.
Yamashiro Miami is set to welcome its first guests on October 29, 2025, promising an unforgettable fusion of legacy, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of Miami.
