Miami sees countless new restaurant openings each year. Most are forgettable, with only a few true standouts. One category the city consistently struggles with is Japanese cuisine. I’m also generally not a fan of chain restaurants, but Yamashiro—originally from Los Angeles—felt like an exception worth exploring. When I visited, just seven weeks after opening, the place was absolutely packed.
Yamashiro is located in the new Gale Hotel at 159 NE 6th Street, near the rapidly developing Miami World Center. Not long ago, this area felt unsafe, marked by homelessness and neglect. Today, it’s almost unrecognizable, with new hotels and condo projects rising (what feels like) every month.
The Gale Hotel itself isn’t luxurious, and I’ve rarely seen a lobby so chaotic and crowded with guests checking in and lingering about. There was even a line to get on the elevator to the ninth floor. But once the doors open, everything changes. You step into an oasis.
The space is beautifully designed with Asian-inspired décor, bonsai trees, striking art, and some of the warmest, most welcoming hostesses I’ve encountered in Miami. After check-in, you’re escorted through carved wooden doors that lead to a stunning rooftop sanctuary.
Despite its size—about 9,000 square feet with seating for up to 230 guests—the restaurant never feels overwhelming. You pass through a lively lounge area where guests can order food and sit on low couches (not the most comfortable), but the real draw is the open-air dining space beyond.
The design is impressive: reclaimed wood, stone, garden paths, bridges, trellises, Shinto-style entrances, lush greenery, and sweeping views of Miami’s skyline. Seating varies from raised platforms to more intimate, semi-private areas. At the center is a DJ booth, with music starting nightly at 8 p.m., setting the mood alongside soft lighting, ocean breezes, and top-tier people-watching. You’ll inevitably find yourself thinking, Can that dress be any shorter? Can that diamond watch be any bigger?
If the weather turns, no problem—the retractable roof has you covered. There are also plans to add indoor seating by 2026.
The menu is labeled “Asian fusion,” although it leans heavily on Japanese cuisine with some modern Asian influences. It’s extensive, offering sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls, gyoza, skewers, and a wide range of seafood and meats, including crab, lobster, wagyu, and even tomahawk steaks.
One standout dish was the katsu sando: prime tenderloin on grilled milk bread, topped with gold leaf. It may not be wagyu, but it was tender, flavorful, and priced at $45—a far cry from the $300 version you’d find in Japan. The sushi was also surprisingly solid.
The cocktail program truly shines. Expect handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, sake, Japanese whiskies, and options for every mood—though prices are on the higher side. The drink names are half the fun. I enjoyed the Downtown Abby (vodka, guava, lavender, yuzu, prosecco), while other highlights include Dragon Pearls (gin, lychee, sparkling sake), Fortune Teller, Samurai’s Negroni, Matcha Martini, and a Japanese Dirty Martini. You can even order a margarita flight. One mocktail—the Yamashiro Creamsicle—also sounded fantastic.
Desserts were creative and tempting, but I opted for a tray of Mochi Doki, which hit the spot.
Yamashiro is the kind of place you visit with friends, linger over great drinks, enjoy the music, and soak in the atmosphere. A special shoutout to our server, Brittany, who was absolutely fabulous.
Yamashiro is open Tuesday through Sunday evenings. Parking is pricey at $35, so be sure to have the hostesses validate it—otherwise, it jumps to a ridiculous $75.
Happy dining,
Shanea
Happy New Year
01/01/2026
