Popular Italian restaurant La Pecora Bianca has opened its first location outside of New York in Coral Gables at The Shops at Merrick Park.
Photo by Christian Gonzalez
One of New York City’s most stylish Italian restaurants has officially arrived in Coral Gables.
La Pecora Bianca, the popular Manhattan restaurant known for its housemade pastas, chic interiors, and lively atmosphere, opens its first location outside New York City today, November 2, at the Shops at Merrick Park.
The sprawling 300-seat restaurant brings a taste of Italy to Coral Gables with more than ten housemade pastas, an expansive outdoor terrace, and several dishes created exclusively for Miami.
La Pecora Bianca has a beautiful outdoor terrace within The Shops at Merrick Park.
Photo by Christian Gonzalez
A NYC staple in the heart of the Gables
Founded by restaurateur Mark Barak, La Pecora Bianca has built a following in New York for its ingredient-driven cooking. And, of course, its stylish yet approachable restaurants.
Its arrival in Coral Gables marks the start of a new chapter. It trades Manhattan’s bustling streets for palm trees, open-air dining, and South Florida sunshine.
“We’ve been very deliberate about where La Pecora Bianca goes next, and Coral Gables felt right,” says Barak. “There’s a real appreciation here for restaurants that are beautiful and energetic but also become part of people’s everyday lives.”
La Pecora Bianca’s very popular “Fusilli Gigante” pasta dish
From New York favorites to Miami exclusives
There are a few dishes created specifically for Miami, including a giant carbonara raviolo and a lobster spaghetti fra diavolo
Photo by Christian Gonzalez
Miami exclusives and Italian wines
Miami diners will also enjoy several dishes created specifically for the Coral Gables location, including a giant carbonara raviolo, lobster spaghetti fra diavolo, and a refreshing tomato-and-melon carpaccio.
The brand’s signature sage-green palette was softened into mintier tones to match the Florida aesthetic
An Italian piazza in the heart of Coral Gables
The setting is just as much a part of the experience as what’s on the plate. Designed in collaboration with Miami-based firm Urban Robot, the 300-seat restaurant draws inspiration from traditional Italian architecture while embracing South Florida’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The brand’s signature sage-green palette has been softened into mintier tones, complemented by touches of coral and sun-kissed yellow to fit better with the South Florida aesthetic. Handmade terracotta tiles, arched doorways, honeyed oak, marble, and brass create a warm, inviting interior.
Outside, a lush, palm-shaded garden evokes the feeling of an Italian neighborhood piazza, where the best afternoons are rarely rushed.
A wraparound bar with approximately 20 seats, private dining spaces, and an expansive outdoor terrace gives guests plenty of ways to settle in, whether for a quick aperitivo, a celebratory dinner, or a weekend brunch that turns into an afternoon affair.
Other New York favorites include the popular whipped ricotta
La Pecora Bianca, which translates to “the white sheep,” is a space designed to evolve throughout the day, from bright lunches to candlelit evenings, without losing that easygoing sense of hospitality.
For a city that already appreciates a long lunch, beautiful surroundings, and any excuse to gather around a table, La Pecora Bianca’s arrival feels like a natural fit. After all, la dolce vita isn’t necessarily about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s simply good pasta, a beautiful setting, and nowhere else you’d rather be.
La Pecora Bianca. 360 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, at The Shops at Merrick Park; lapecorabianca.com.