Gaia Has Arrived in Miami, and it Feels Like Real Money

Not streamers, actual celebrities.

Image courtesy of Gaia

Live in Miami long enough, and you have that friend. The one who casually posts that it’s opening day in St. Tropez, with the same ease you might mention it’s the first day of cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm. You don’t know how they make their money. You definitely don’t want to know. But they seem to constantly be eating at places where dinner costs more than your mortgage.

And when that person tells you, “This is my favorite restaurant in London/Dubai/Place you can’t afford,” you take note.

Such is the case with Gaia, a luxe new import from a bunch of cities with F1 races and Chanel stores, that just opened in SoFi. It specializes in fresh seafood and gourmet Greek fare, with heavy sides of opulence and global sophistication. You can pick your fish from the fresh catch on ice in the front, and watch your food bake in a live-fire oven. But watching the people is really the most entertaining part.

So, it’s basically Milos.

Not neccesarily. The Milos vs. Gaia debate is the kind of conversation they’ll probably slip into the new season of White Lotus. Gaia leans a little heavier into traditional Greek food, so if you’re not into seafood there’s plenty here for you. The vibe is also a little more classic elegance than modern chic – more London than Dubai.

Image courtesty of Gaia

The scene: Feels like real money. You know how you go into trendy restaurants in Miami and you know everyone in there is paying with crypto or debtmaxxxing? Yeah, not this place. This place feels like everyone in there could buy the entire restaurant if they wanted to, in cash, then walk across the street and buy a penthouse at Murano. The wealthy Europeans who populate SoFi high rises pack Gaia, familiar with its works in Monaco, London, Dubai, Doha, etc. That said, it’s not stuffy, and if you can afford the check they’ll still treat you like royalty.

Image courtesy of Gaia

What to eat and drink: The seafood is the main event at Gaia, and if you haven’t already picked your entrée from the ice pack go for the smoked tuna carpaccio with truffle to start. The wood-oven prawns with rosemary and harissa and the chili-garlic scallops give you a sense of what the wood-fired oven can do. Though nothing shows off Gaia’s smoky prowess quite like the lamb cutlets, served over wood-fired pita that soaks up the juices. For sides, go with the baked veggies, though they may ruin you on any grilled vegetables. For dessert, opt for the blueberry pie, which is more like a round muffin, baked fresh and topped with ice cream.

The cocktail list is extensive and expensive, and though well-crafted your budget is better spent on Gaia’s impressive wine list. If you insist on a pre-dinner drink, the Santorini Spritz with Grey Goose vodka, lychee, hibiscus, rose, citrus, and sparkling wine is the move. It tastes like the kind of thing you’d be drinking while watching 40-something women with a lot of plastic surgery dance on tables.

Perfect for: Dropping a bunch of money on dinner. Miami is full of places that will cost you $200 a person. This one is actually worth it.

Don’t miss: A walk around the restaurant, at least once. Your odds of spotting a celebrity – a real one, not one with a Twitch handle – are pretty high.

Expect to pay: Around $200 a person. You saw that intro, right?

How’s the parking: There’s a $25 valet in the back, or you can try and find a spot in South Pointe Park.

@gaia_miami // 801 South Pointe Drive, SoFi