Mohamed Alkassar and Niven Patel of Feal Hospitality at Paya restaurant in Miami Beach, which opened in 2024 and is now closed.
Feal Hospitality
After less than two years in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood of Miami Beach, Paya has closed for good.
The restaurant at 1209 17th St. in Miami Beach opened in September 2024 and served its last dinner March 1. The restaurant closed March 2.
Created by chef Niven Patel and business partner Mohamed Alkassar of Feal Hospitality, Paya was conceived as a celebration of island cuisine, not only the Caribbean islands but those in southeast Asia and off Spain. The restaurant was also known for its seasonal block parties held outside on its patio.
Alkassar, who lives in Miami Beach, declined to talk specifics about the closing but said he will be taking over the space to introduce a new restaurant concept next month.
The dining room of Paya, which is now closed in Miami Beach.
“I saw an opportunity in pivoting to a concept that leans more into South Beach’s edge,” he explained. “I’d never close a restaurant in my backyard without opening something even better.” He plans to bring the block parties back, too.
Though Patel won’t be part of the new concept, he and Alkassar will continue to work together as Feal Hospitality, which will focus on Ghee Indian Kitchen. The Michelin Bib Gourmand Indian restaurant first opened in Downtown Dadeland in Kendall, then Feal opened another location in Wynwood late in 2024.
Last October, the first Ghee outside Florida debuted in Atlanta. The restaurant has been so successful in Georgia, Alkassar says, that they’re scouting for a second location there.
“We’re humbled by the support Ghee has found in Atlanta,” he said. “We plan to make Atlanta our second home.”
Connie Ogle loves wine, books and the Miami Heat. Please don’t make her eat a mango.