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Ariete

#2 of 22 Restaurants in Miami

8.0Friend Score / 10

Chef Michael Beltran's Michelin-starred flagship sends Cuban soul through a French-technique lens: expect the pastrami-style wagyu short rib, tableside canard a la presse, and the cult foie gras. The tasting menu is where the kitchen shows off. Honest caveat: this is a $$$$ splurge with tight seating and reservations that vanish fast, so it's a plan-ahead special-occasion night, not a walk-in.

“The duck press is the city's best tableside show and something everyone should experience at least once.”
— The Infatuation

Key facts

Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday-Saturday: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday brunch (seasonal)
Monday: Closed
Price$$$$
Nearest transitCoconut Grove Metrorail station (~10-min drive/rideshare); walkable from central Grove parking and the CocoWalk area
Time needed2-3 hours for dinner; longer for the tasting menu
Best time to goEarly-week dinner (Tue/Wed) at 5:30pm opening for the calmest room and easiest reservation; weekend brunch for a lower-key visit
Last verifiedJuly 13, 2026

Friend Score

8.0/10
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Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is it and where do I park?
Ariete sits at 3540 Main Highway in the heart of Coconut Grove, near the village's shops and the CocoWalk area. The Grove is walkable, and there's public parking and garages nearby; valet and rideshare are the easiest options on busy weekend nights.
Is Ariete really Cuban food?
It's Cuban-American through a fine-dining, French-technique filter rather than a traditional Cuban restaurant. Beltran draws on his Cuban heritage and Miami roots, then plates it with contemporary American and classic French methods. Expect familiar flavors reimagined, not arroz con pollo and croquetas.
Does Ariete serve brunch?
Yes — Ariete does a weekend brunch in addition to its dinner service. Brunch is a more relaxed and often easier-to-book way to experience the kitchen and the lush, greenery-filled Coconut Grove space without committing to a full tasting-menu evening.
What should a first-timer order?
The tasting menu is the classic move here — it's where Beltran's creative combinations and sauce work shine. If you go a la carte, don't miss the pastrami-style wagyu short rib and the famous foie gras. The canard a la presse (pressed duck) is a showpiece prepared tableside and worth the occasion.
What's the vibe and dress code?
The room is intimate, dimly lit and full of greenery — romantic and polished without being stuffy. It suits date nights, anniversaries and celebrations. There's no strict formal dress code, but smart-casual to dressy fits the fine-dining setting better than shorts and flip-flops.
Do I need a reservation, and how far ahead should I book?
Yes, effectively. Ariete is a small, in-demand Michelin-starred room and prime weekend slots go quickly. Book online through OpenTable or the restaurant's site a few weeks out, especially for Friday or Saturday. Weeknights and the 5:30pm opening seating are your best shot at short-notice availability.
Is it good for dietary restrictions?
As a tasting-menu-driven fine-dining kitchen, Ariete can generally accommodate allergies and dietary needs with advance notice. Note them when you book and confirm when you arrive. It's a meat- and richness-forward menu, so vegetarians should call ahead to make sure the kitchen can build a satisfying alternative.
How expensive is it?
This is a $$$$ splurge. Expect a serious tab once you factor in the tasting menu or several a la carte plates, wine pairings, and add-ons like the foie or duck. It's genuinely high quality for the price tier, but budget for a special-occasion spend rather than a casual dinner out.

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