This landmark Asian restaurant is a Los Angeles icon. Now it’s opening in Miami

A Los Angeles landmark is opening its first spot outside the city in downtown Miami.

Yamashiro, one of the L.A.’s oldest continuously operating restaurants, opens Oct. 29 at the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences near Miami Worldcenter, offering Japanese cuisine and — like its California predecessor — noteworthy views. The hotel, which opened in November of 2024, is already home to the Italian spot Casa Gianna.

The original space was built as a mountain getaway in the Hollywood Hills, then turned into the exclusive 400 Club, a private dining spot for the movers and shakers of the film industry. It eventually evolved into Yamashiro, one of Los Angeles’ most iconic destinations, known for its Japanese architecture, views and the fusion of traditional flavors with a modern sensibility.

The two cities have a couple of things in common, according to Freddy Braidi, CEO of Boulevard Hospitality Group, who like myriad restaurateurs over the past couple of years, called Miami a “natural choice” for expansion.

“Both cities celebrate culture, creativity and bold flavor,” he said. “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 new Yamashiro, on the ninth floor of the hotel, is almost 9,000 square feet and leans into Japanese style, with reclaimed wood, stones, bonsai trees, fountains and koi ponds. Enter through a hand-carved wooden door, and you’ll travel through the lounge area that leads to the main dining room, which features more wood, greenery and garden paths.

The kitchen is led by partner/chef Charbel Hayek and executive chef Gustavo Montes and will feature sashimi and nigiri, grilled main dishes and other contemporary interpretations of Japanese classics, with occasional nods to South Florida flavors.

There’s Japanese fried chicken tossed in a spicy gochujang buffalo sauce and a katsu sando served on Japanese milk bread, as well as a wagyu Tomahawk; Maine lobster and Alaskan king crabs and Iberico pork in black garlic mojo and Chilean sea bass.

Hayek said he believes the menu “honors Yamashiro’s rich legacy while embracing the bold, fresh spirit of Miami.”

“Every dish is crafted to deliver balance, depth and artistry,” he said. “Our goal is to take guests on a culinary journey through the flavors of Japan, elevated with global technique and Miami flair.”

Highlights of Yamashiro’s cocktail program include drinks like Dragon Pearls (gin, lychee shrub, sparkling sake and lychee pearls); Fortune Teller (Japanese whiskey, honey, yuzu, sweet chili sauce and blue spirulina) and Beso Robado (clarified rum, nori, passion fruit and sugar cane syrup).

There’s also a Sakura Bloom Tea Ritual and a slightly different ritual involving martinis: A roving cart allows mixologists to make your cocktail at the table, serving them in frozen crystal glasses.

Yamashiro

Where: Gale Miami Hotel & Residences, 159 NE Sixth St., Miami; ninth floor

Opening: Oct. 29

Hours: 5 p.m.-close Wednesday-Sunday

Reservations and more information: yamashiromiami.com

This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 4:30 AM.