What’s New in Greater Miami and Miami Beach
Greater Miami and Miami Beach kicks off 2026 with a new wave of notable openings, cultural milestones, and elevated culinary, hospitality and wellness programming across the destination.
Photos: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
“What’s unfolding across the destination over the next few months reflects a continued focus on premier hospitality and meaningful traveler experiences,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “Our goal is to offer visitors not just new reasons to return, but deeper ways to engage with Greater Miami and Miami Beach, whether that’s through dining, music, design, nature, or neighborhood discovery.”
Hotel Openings & Hospitality News
Greater Miami and Miami Beach continue to elevate the hospitality landscape through significant renovations and new amenities that enhance the guest experience. This winter, the iconic oceanfront Loews Miami Beach Hotel unveiled a $55 million redesign, introducing 790 transformed guest rooms and suites, along with two new culinary concepts, Bistro Collins and The Sushi Bar.
In Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, Balfour Miami Beach joined The Registry Collection, ushering the 82-room Art Deco landmark into a new chapter while preserving its historic character. Built in 1940, the hotel blends vintage design with modern comforts, offering an upscale retreat just steps from the beach.
In Aventura, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa debuted Turnberry Isle Racquet Club, introducing three pickleball courts and two padel courts, along with lessons, tournaments, and an on-site Racquet Shoppe, adding new ways for guests and members to stay active within the resort’s 300-acre setting.
Looking ahead, Delano Miami Beach will officially reopen on March 9, marking the return of one of South Beach’s most iconic hospitality landmarks. The reimagined property will feature 171 redesigned guest rooms, four dining and bar concepts (including the revival of the legendary Rose Bar), a wellness studio and an exclusive members club.
New Attractions & Experiences
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden celebrated the 15th anniversary of Splendor in the Garden in January, marking the milestone with its signature afternoon of fashion and philanthropy. Proceeds from the event continue to support the garden’s science and education programs.
Miami Beach’s yearlong design celebration continues with “100 Years of Art Deco: A World Celebration in Miami Beach,” an open-air exhibition at Galeria Ocean Drive on view through January 31. Featuring more than 100 images from around the world, the installation traces the global evolution of art deco while spotlighting Miami Beach’s signature tropical style.
In the Everglades, Everglades Alligator Farm will welcome two baby capybaras, Biscuits and Bagel, in 2026. Building on the popularity of its Capybara Encounter, launched in late 2025, the new arrivals will join resident capybaras Waffles, Pancake, and Mrs. Butterworth. The attraction also recently completed a full remodel of its on-site gift shop, enhancing guest flow and expanding its selection of Florida- and Everglades-inspired merchandise.
Midline Miami opened earlier this month at Arlo Wynwood, adding a major indoor live-music venue to the destination’s cultural landscape and expanding its year-round live performance offerings. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot space can accommodate up to 1,200 guests, with programming spanning genres from electronic to rock, R&B and more.
New Restaurant Openings & Culinary Milestones
The destination’s culinary momentum continues with new openings and notable milestones throughout the season. On January 17, Downtown Miami welcomed Kitchen + Kocktails, a Black-owned restaurant founded by hospitality entrepreneur Kevin Kelley. The Miami location marks the brand’s continued expansion into major markets, adding to the city’s growing roster of chef-driven concepts rooted in culture, community and bold flavor.
January also marks a major milestone for Ariete, the Michelin-starred Coconut Grove restaurant founded by chef-owner Michael Beltran, as it celebrates 10 years of redefining Cuban-American fine dining in Miami.
Throughout the season, dining and pop culture intersect as RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 features Athena Dion and Juicy Love Dion, longtime headliners at R House Wynwood, alongside South Florida queen Mia Starr. Their presence highlights R House’s nationally celebrated drag brunches, where shareable plates, flowing cocktails and high-energy performances have turned the venue into a launchpad for drag talent with national reach.
Nearby, THRōW Social® Miami® has transformed the former Oasis Wynwood space into a 35,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor playground, combining flavor-forward, approachable cuisine and mixologist-led cocktails with interactive oversized games, VIP cabanas, and live DJs and entertainment. The venue offers shareable handhelds, tropical-inspired flatbreads, and a weekend brunch featuring bottomless mimosas and Bellinis.
In Coconut Grove, Da Angelino Cucina Italiana expands with Al Bàcaro, a 30-seat Venetian-inspired tavern tucked just behind the CocoWalk restaurant. Inspired by Venice’s bàcari, the open-air spot serves focacce ripiene, cicchetti, salumi, and Italian wines by the glass or traditional gottino, creating a relaxed alfresco setting for casual sipping and sharing.
At Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Prime 54 introduces the Chef Counter, an intimate six-seat dining experience set within the restaurant’s lively open kitchen. Offered Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m., the experience features a specially curated multi-course menu prepared and presented live by the culinary team, with reservations available via OpenTable.
Hakkasan debuts an Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience showcasing Fontainebleau’s award-winning wine program. Available Fridays and Saturdays at 3, 4 and 5 p.m., the sommelier-led tasting features a curated flight selected from a collection of more than 1,000 sought-after wines, paired with Michelin-recognized cuisine for a refined, sensory-driven culinary experience.
Rounding out the season in March, Kung Fu Chicken brings its Asian-inspired flavors to Miami Beach, adding to its existing locations in Little Havana and Westchester. Created by Chef Yu Bi and the team behind 107 Taste and Cajun Boil, the fast-casual concept highlights lightly crisped, marinated chicken influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisines.
New in Cruising
PortMiami marked a major milestone in January with the groundbreaking of the future Cruise Terminal G, a $345 million investment developed in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group. Designed to achieve LEED certification and accommodate up to 7,000 passengers, the state-of-the-art terminal will support next-generation cruise ships, including Icon-class vessels, while enhancing efficiency, sustainability and the overall guest experience. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the new terminal reinforces Miami’s position as the Cruise Capital of the World.
Additionally, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened bookings for Norwegian Aura, the largest and most innovative ship in its fleet, set to debut in May 2027. Homeporting in Miami beginning June 2027, the next-generation vessel will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries and introduce Ocean Heights, NCL’s first open-air activities complex, alongside enhanced experiences at the brand’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
Transportation & Getting Around
Exploring Greater Miami and Miami Beach is easier than ever with Freebee, the free, app-based electric ride service operating across neighborhoods, including Miami Beach, Wynwood, Brickell and Coral Gables. Offering zero-emission rides and friendly local drivers who double as neighborhood ambassadors, Freebee provides visitors with a convenient, community-centric way to navigate the destination.
Complementing Freebee’s neighborhood connectivity, Miami Beach has introduced a free weekday water taxi service, Water Taxi Miami, linking Sunset Harbour with downtown Miami. The launch enhances mobility for visitors and event attendees navigating between Miami Beach and the mainland, offering a scenic and efficient transit option.
Upcoming Events in Greater Miami and Miami Beach
- Songs of Earth at Miami Beach Botanical Garden | January 23
- Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park | January 24
- Life Time Miami Marathon & Half in Downtown Miami | January 25
- Art & Design Fair at Pinecrest Gardens | January 24-25
- Family Fun Festival at Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science | January 31
- Miami E-Prix at Miami International Autodrome | January 31
- Discover Boating International Boat Show at Miami Beach Convention Center| February 11-15
- Miami Concours 2026 at Miami Design District | February 13-15
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival along McFarlane Road and South Bayshore Drive | February 14-16
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival at Various Locations | February 19-22
- Strawberry Festival at The Berry Farms | Through February 22
- Luminosa: A Journey Through Light at Jungle Island | Through March 7
- Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium | March 15-29
