It was an interesting year to say the least for Island restaurant operators. The industry endured a challenging 2025, with Miami seeing a wave of closures this year.
Nationally, Business Insider reported in December that more than 4,100 stores and restaurants across the U.S. closed or are set to close in 2025, an increase from about 2,800 in 2023.
Miami saw local spots such as Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill, Villa Azur, Caffe Vialetto, Itamae AO, Havana Harry’s, La Mar and Le Zoo among those that shuttered their doors during the year, according to a report by Miami New Times.
Key Biscayne was not immune to closures. Sake Room was the first Island spot to close in the Galeria Shopping Center. Pita Pockets, the popular Lebanese spot in the Arcade, followed, driven in part by health problems suffered by longtime operator Federico Elkarout. Clásica Victoria, the upscale bakery and restaurant, was sold and changed names to a new concept in Bë Bakery.
A major challenge for many Island restaurants came in the form of the closure of the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami resort for seven months during renovations, and the sale, and eventual closure of the Silver Sands Resort after the sale to Terra and David Martin (see cover story).
This left the Island without two major resorts during the spring, summer and start of fall at a time when they could ill afford to lose potential traffic from tourists staying and dining on the island. Many restaurants depended on guests from those hotels to help during the typically slower months, leaving many looking for alternate ways to generate.
The Island’s operators once again showed their resilient nature by innovating, adding services and new products and focusing more on the local market.
Over at Milanezza, the lively spot in the CVS Shopping Center, creativity helped the husband-and-wife team of Gladys Arneri and Max Waxman thrive during the summer and fall months. A special lunch menu was launched, along with special events, like a Hollywood Glam Martini Night.
KeBo Spanish Restaurant, in the Key Colony Shopping Center, doubled down on the local market and used its extensive wine collection to launch monthly $99 wine-pairing dinners, featuring 5-course especially curated menus, paired with exclusive wines from renowned wineries like La Fleur de Vivaltus and Ribera Del Duero.
At Costa Med Bistro + Wine, owner and operator Antonio Braschi has invested and added a full liquor offering, with specially created drinks and classics, all with the quality and attention to details you have come to expect from the spot in the Square Shopping Center. Braschi also added some new menu items and expanded hours Thursday to Saturdays at Kazumi Modern Japanese, also in the Square.
Golden Hog co-owner and operator Jorge Gonzalez Capeillo added new offerings while investing in his operations, with a new point of sale system providing more efficient and accurate service to his customers. To close the year, Gonzalez Capeillo completed a renovation and expansion of the kitchen at the Harbor Plaza store. Over at The Donut Gallery, also owned and operated by Gonzalez Capeillo and his wife Mariana Tello Sucre, they are adding expanded evening hours to go along with a draft beer tap service and expanded menu.
As part of this look back and look ahead, we asked some of the Island’s dining scene operators for their thoughts.
Reina and David González, owners and operators of Boater’s Grill, The Cleat and Lighthouse Café inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, are looking forward to 2026.
Reina and David González.
“We will continue to enhance our restaurants to match the stunning surroundings of Bill Baggs State Park, highlighting the expansion presently under construction at Boaters Grill, as well as a new and refreshed look at Lighthouse Café,” Reina said. “Our goal is to improve our visitors’ experience through eco-friendly upgrades.”
Reina added that they want to continue nurturing the atmosphere at The Cleat, to capture the moment of every Island sunset.
“It was a challenging 2025 for us, not only due to the Ritz and Silver Sands closures, but we faced some adversities and limitations with our outdoor seating environment in the Center, one we are still trying to work through,” Braschi commented on his Costa Med establishment, which has tweaked and improved its menu and will focus on a new rull liquor offering for 2026. “We were forced to look at every corner of our operation to overcome challenges while continuing to offer the over-the-top service our customers have come to expect. While our operational challenges remain, we look to 2026 with hope and enthusiasm and a desire to continue working hard to serve our loyal customers.”
At Milanezza, co-owners Arneri and Waxman said optimism is high for 2026.
Team members at Milanezza.
“After a challenging 2025 marked by rising costs and slower tourism, we at Milanezza, we were no exception and had to adapt,” Ameri said. “The upcoming FIFA World Cup is expected to bring renewed energy and visitors to South Florida, creating opportunities for local businesses and restaurants like ours.
Arneri mentioned their investment in the future with an expanded pergola, updated dining space and remaining committed to their high-quality ingredients and homemade food, as well.
“Our hope for 2026 is a stronger year for Key Biscayne, one where local business thrive, tourism returns, and Milanezza continues to be a place where people feel at home,” she said.
The team at Vinya Wine & Market, the neighborhood gathering place in the Galleria Shopping Center. took time to look back with gratitude.
Vinya Wine & Market team members.
“We want to extend our warmest thanks for helping make Vinya Wine & Market the spot to be in Key Biscayne,” General Manager Daniel Alonso said. “Your continued support, your memorable celebrations and the joy you bring through our doors have truly shaped who we are. It has been our pleasure to share our wine selection, delicious bites, and unforgettable moments with you. We are incredibly proud to be part of this wonderful community and even more excited for what lies ahead.”
Chandra de Silva, who owns and operates La Scala Italian in the Arcade, took a more philosophical approach.
Chandra de Silva alongside Bill Durham holding a framed version of his Lighter Side column feature in the Islander.
“Yes, there were challenges facing our industry this year, but at La Scala, we work hard at ignoring the outside environment and choose to focus hard in offering an incredibly friendly experience to the customers who come in,” she said. “We believe that is the best way to continue to thrive. We want our customers, more than ever, to think of our kitchen as an extension of theirs.”
At Kebo, José Castellano was thankful and reflective. “I’m thankful for the chance to share my thoughts and hope that in 2026 we continue to enjoy the freedom to speak our minds and the liberties this country gives us every day. I’m grateful to God and to the health care professionals who keep us safe, and hope people in every profession keep growing, and trying to be better at what they do.
“For our community, no matter where we come from, my wish is that we find happiness in what we have and who we are.” Castellano hopes to continue offering quality products while “doing our best to keep prices fair.” As a message to the Island’s business community and those in his industry, he hopes his peers do not lose heart. “Let’s believe that better days are ahead and keep working together, united, for the good of our community. I wish everyone all the best in the year ahead.”
Nicolás Antonio Salvatore Barroso, manager at Toscana Mare, the fine dining Italian spot inside The Towers of Key Biscayne, had an uplifting message for his customers.
“From our hearts to our beloved Key Biscayne community, thank you for sharing another beautiful year with us,” he said. “This holiday season, we wish you peace, health, happiness and prosperity as we welcome 2026 as we look forward to creating many more memories together at Toscana Mare.”
Chef Joao “Juca” Oliveira and his wife Louissell Brito, who operate the popular Tutto Pizza and Pasta restaurant in the Galleria, also offered an uplifting message for Island residents.
“Our wish for 2026 is to continue serving the Key Biscayne community that we appreciate so much. We are grateful to our customers, many of whom are also our friends and neighbors, and we wish everyone a new year filled with blessings, and above all, peace and good health.”
Happy New Year and remember to continue supporting our local restaurants.