What's in and what's out in Miami in 2026
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Tua may be out, but Rosalia is in for 2026. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images (left); Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images (right)
It's the first full week of the year! To commemorate, we compiled a list of what's in and what's out in the 305 to help jumpstart 2026.
- As the kids say, "New Year, New Me!" or in this case, Miami.
What's Out:
Our favorite restaurants and bars: 2025 was brutal for Miami's restaurant and bar scene.
- Award-winning restaurants like Maty's and Itamae AO closed, as did longtime establishments like Harry's Pizzeria, Miami Beach's Sardinia Italian restaurant and Wall's Old Fashioned Ice Cream.
- Go-to spots, like Margot Wine Bar in downtown, Brick and Willy's Neighborhood Bar, both in Wynwood, and Four in North Miami, also closed.
- Then, through tears, we came to terms with the closure of one of the city's most iconic bars, Gramps (and we're still unwell).
Legacy politicians: The Carollo family's 16-year dynasty ended last month after political newcomer Rolando Escalona defeated former two-time Commissioner Frank Carollo for Miami's District 3 seat.
- Frank held the seat from 2009 to 2017, before his older brother, Joe Carollo, won it in 2017 and 2021. Joe unsuccessfully ran for mayor before being termed out last month.
- Meanwhile, the Suarez family is also out of office. Former Miami mayor Xavier Suarez ran unsuccessfully to replace his son, Francis Suarez, in November's election.
- Ex-commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla also ran unsuccessfully for mayor.
- Meanwhile, voters in November approved a referendum creating lifetime term limits for elected leaders.
Prominent Dolphins: Former general manager Chris Grier and the team parted ways in October, and in December, after failing to make the playoffs, the Fins benched QB Tua Tagovailoa.
- It's unclear what the Fins will do with Tagovailoa, given his sky-high guaranteed salary, and if head coach Mike McDaniel will survive another season. It's not looking great for either.
What's in
Pizzerias: For all the goodbyes in 2025, we at least got to welcome our fair share of new (and delicious) pizza spots.
- Marc's Artisanal Pizzeria, Bar Bucce and Fratesi's Pizza are all here to satisfy your 'za cravings this year.
Frozen yogurt, apparently: Three new shops opened this year — two in the fourth quarter of the year.
- Go Greek opened its first location outside of Florida in June in Miami Worldcenter, then opened a second in Coconut Grove last fall.
- Meli Frozen Yogurt opened in Miami Shores in November, while Myka, Madrid's Greek frozen yogurt brand, opened its first U.S. storefront in December.
New era of politics: Eileen Higgins became Miami's mayor last month, making her the first woman to be elected to lead the city and the first Democrat to win the post in nearly 30 years.
- Escalona, a restaurant manager and political newcomer, was also elected to the city commission.
Big acts in music: We're no strangers to good shows and concerts in Miami, but the city's lineup so far this year feels particularly notable, especially for the smaller venues.
- ZeyZey is appealing to its millennial crowd with acts like Modest Mouse (with a second show after the first sold out) and Aly & AJ in February and March, respectively.
- In February, Portugal. The Man is performing at The Miami Beach Bandshell, while Juvenile will be at The Fillmore Miami Beach.
- In June, Rosalia will perform two shows at the Kaseya Center.