This Michelin Guide-recommended Mexican taqueria is closing on Miami Beach

After eight years of serving tacos in North Beach, Taquiza is taking its famous blue corn tortillas and closing up shop.

The restaurant, which was founded in 2014 and moved to 7450 Ocean Terrace in Miami Beach in 2018, was originally designed as a pop-up. But as the years progressed, its Mexican street fare menu connected with locals and tourists and its popularity grew.

The restaurant was eventually named a recommended restaurant in the Michelin Guide, which praised its blue corn tortillas and fillings like lengua and fried mahi as well as its charred jalapeño salsa.

Now, its home of The Broadmore Miami Beach hotel is facing redevelopment as part of the Ocean Terrace project, and Taquiza will close on Friday, July 31, as reconstruction begins.

Chef and partner Steve Santana, considered one of the first in Miami to nixtamalize, grind, press and griddle tortillas in-house, said the move was bittersweet, calling the North Beach location “an incredible home for us.”

“What began as a short-term pop-up became a neighborhood institution, and we’re deeply grateful to our guests, team members and community,” he said.

The good news is that Taquiza plans to eventually reopen in the Little River neighborhood at 8246 NE Second Ave. in the space currently occupied by its commissary kitchen and headquarters. The new restaurant is expected to introduce fast-casual counter service.

“While it’s difficult to say goodbye to this chapter, we’re excited to bring Taquiza’s next evolution to Little River,” Santana said.