Itamae AO

For those in Miami seeking a truly exceptional and innovative dining experience that transcends traditional boundaries, Itamae AO stands as a beacon of culinary artistry. This is not just another Japanese restaurant; it is a celebrated destination that specializes in Nikkei cuisine, a unique fusion of Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions. Located in the heart of Midtown Miami, Itamae AO, led by the acclaimed Chef Nando Chang, offers an elevated and surprising tasting menu that consistently impresses food enthusiasts and critics alike. It has earned prestigious accolades, including a coveted Michelin star and a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit "Miami Gem." The restaurant prides itself on delivering high-quality cooking without gimmicks, focusing on fresh ingredients, creative presentations, and a harmonious blend of bold flavors from both cultures. For locals looking for a refined yet approachable fine dining experience, Itamae AO promises a memorable journey through a unique culinary landscape that continues to put Miami on the global gastronomic map.

Itamae AO is gracefully situated at 3225 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137, USA. This address places it in Miami's vibrant Midtown neighborhood, an area known for its chic dining establishments, boutiques, and artistic flair. The location is strategically central, offering convenient access for locals from various parts of Miami. Itamae AO operates as a distinctive "restaurant within a restaurant," with its check-in located at its sister establishment, Maty's, at 3255 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137. This unique setup adds an element of exclusivity and discovery to the dining experience.

For those driving, Itamae AO offers excellent parking solutions, a welcome feature in busy Miami. Diners have two convenient options:

• Valet Parking: Valet services are available directly across the street from the restaurant, providing a hassle-free parking solution.
• Self-Parking Garage: A self-parking garage is conveniently located on NE 31st, offering another reliable option for those who prefer to park themselves.

The accessibility of its location, combined with thoughtful parking arrangements, ensures that visitors can focus on anticipating the culinary delights awaiting them inside Itamae AO, making the journey to this acclaimed spot as smooth as possible for Miami residents.

Itamae AO is dedicated to providing a distinct and refined dining experience, primarily centered around its unique culinary approach. Here’s a closer look at the services and dining formats offered:

• Multi-Course Chef Tasting Menu (Omakase): The core offering at Itamae AO is an exclusive multi-course chef tasting menu, often referred to as an omakase experience. This is a meticulously curated journey through Chef Nando Chang's Peruvian-Japanese (Nikkei) creations. The menu is seasonal and rotates regularly, ensuring a fresh and dynamic experience with each visit. Guests can expect a sophisticated progression of dishes, where "searing levels of acidity and spice figure prominently," often featuring Peruvian leche de tigre.
• Focus on Nikkei Cuisine: Itamae AO proudly showcases Nikkei cuisine, a masterful fusion of Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. This unique blend is evident in dishes that might include dry-aged fish, sashimi, nigiri, intermezzos, noodles, anticuchos (Peruvian-style skewers), aguadito (Peruvian chicken soup), and thoughtful desserts. The emphasis is on enhancing Japanese precision with the vibrant, bold tastes of Peru.
• Signature Dishes (Examples from Rotating Menu): While the menu changes seasonally, past examples of dishes that highlight their unique approach include:
  • Lobster with Gnocchi and Shrimp Broth: Described as "beyond incredible" and a "standout dish," showcasing rich flavors and textures.
  • Creamy Rice with Hokkaido Scallops and Parmesan: An example of creative combinations that possess "style and substance."
  • Scallop Nigiri with Apple Banana & Aji Charapita: A dish inspired by traditional Amazonian ceviche.
  • Dry-aged Grouper Sashimi with Aji Limo Leche de Tigre and Percebes (Gooseneck Barnacles): Demonstrating exquisite seafood preparation and bold Peruvian influences.
  • Squid Tiradito with House Kosho (fermented yuzu): Highlighting their house-made fermented ingredients for unique flavor profiles.
• Beverage Pairing Options: To complement the exquisite tasting menu, Itamae AO offers beverage pairings that include a carefully selected array of wines, sake, and sherry, designed to enhance the flavors of each course.
• Allergy Accommodations (Limited): While the tasting menu is highly curated, the restaurant does show some accommodation for specific dietary needs. One review specifically highlights the chef being "very accommodating with gluten and dairy allergy." However, their website also states that "Given the current menu format, we are not able to accommodate dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, and celiac diets as well as allergens or aversions to fish, shellfish, dairy, gluten, allium, nightshade, and citrus." For more extensive dietary needs, they recommend their sister restaurant, Maty's. It's crucial for guests with allergies to contact the restaurant directly well in advance to confirm if their specific needs can be met.
• Reservations Required: Due to its intimate setting (a 10-seat counter) and exclusive tasting menu, reservations are essential and can be secured via Resy up to 30 days in advance.

Itamae AO boasts several distinguished features and highlights that firmly establish it as a premier culinary destination in Miami:

• Michelin-Starred Excellence: Perhaps the most significant highlight, Itamae AO has been awarded a prestigious Michelin star. This recognition signifies "high quality cooking" and a restaurant that is "worth a stop," cementing its status as one of Miami's top dining establishments and a testament to Chef Nando Chang's culinary prowess.
• James Beard Award Winner: Chef Nando Chang recently won the coveted James Beard Award for "Best Chef: South" in 2025. This esteemed award further solidifies his reputation and the restaurant's commitment to culinary excellence and innovation, following in the footsteps of his sister, Valerie Chang, who won the same award a year prior.
• Elevated Nikkei Cuisine: The restaurant offers a refined and sophisticated take on Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cuisine. This fusion is executed with finesse, presenting "classic Peruvian-Japanese flavors" that are "reworked, reimagined, and refined" to deliver a bold and surprising culinary experience without relying on "gimmicks."
• Intimate Omakase Experience: Itamae AO features a unique 10-seat counter, providing an incredibly intimate and personalized omakase (chef's choice) tasting menu experience. This allows diners to fully engage with the culinary journey and often interact directly with Chef Chang and his team, enhancing the exclusivity of the meal.
• Chef Nando Chang's Vision: The restaurant is a direct reflection of Chef Nando Chang's talent and vision. Reviewers consistently praise his ability to create a "great menu that surprises in a good way," highlighting his skill in blending disparate culinary traditions into harmonious and memorable dishes. His focus on "simplicity, luxury, and creativity" is a guiding principle.
• Outstanding Dish Standouts: Specific dishes, like the "lobster with gnocchi and shrimp broth," have been lauded as "beyond incredible" and "the standout dish." This indicates exceptional highlights within their rotating tasting menu that leave a lasting impression on diners.
• Attentive and Impeccable Service: Reviewers consistently describe the service as "impeccable" and "attentive." This high level of hospitality ensures a seamless and enjoyable dining experience, complementing the sophisticated cuisine.
• Accommodating (with caveats) Dietary Needs: While primarily focused on a set tasting menu, the restaurant has shown appreciation for accommodating certain dietary needs, with a specific mention of being "very accommodating with gluten and dairy allergy." (Note: It's crucial to consult their official website for current allergy policies, as they are strict about their limitations).
• Thoughtful Ambiance and Soundtrack: Despite its elevated cuisine, the atmosphere is described as "not too pretentious." The inclusion of a "Great soundtrack playing too!" indicates attention to detail in creating a holistic and enjoyable dining environment.

Given Itamae AO's status as a Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-winning restaurant that primarily offers a multi-course chef's tasting menu, traditional "promotions" like discounted specials are not typically part of their business model. Their focus is on delivering a high-end, curated culinary experience.

However, discerning locals should be aware of the following "offers" or aspects that represent value in the context of a fine dining establishment:

• The Omakase Experience Itself: The multi-course chef's tasting menu is priced at $165 per person (not inclusive of tax and gratuity). While this is an investment, it represents the value of a meticulously crafted, evolving menu from an award-winning chef, using high-quality ingredients and showcasing a unique culinary fusion. For foodies, this is the "offer" – access to an exclusive and unforgettable dining journey.
• Beverage Pairing: Guests have the option of a beverage pairing for an additional $95. This curated selection of wines, sake, and sherry is designed to perfectly complement each course of the tasting menu, offering an enhanced sensory experience that adds significant value.
• Corkage Fee: For those who wish to bring their own special bottle, Itamae AO welcomes guests to bring wine or sake from their collection with a corkage fee of $50, limited to one bottle. This can be a valuable option for connoisseurs with specific preferences.
• Private Experiences: While details aren't publicly listed as "promotions," Itamae AO does offer "Private Experiences." These custom arrangements could be considered a special offering for groups looking for an exclusive and personalized event. Interested parties would need to contact the restaurant directly for details.
• Gift Cards: Itamae AO offers gift cards, which are a perfect way for locals to share this exceptional dining experience with friends, family, or colleagues. While not a discount, it's a valuable way to introduce others to the restaurant.

For the most current information regarding their tasting menu, beverage pairings, or any other unique offerings, it is always recommended to visit Itamae AO's official website or contact them directly.

For those in Miami eager to reserve their spot for an unforgettable culinary journey at Itamae AO, here’s how you can connect with them:

Address:
3225 NE 1st Ave,
Miami, FL 33137, USA

Please note: Check-in for Itamae AO reservations is located at its sister restaurant, Maty's, at 3255 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137.

Phone:
(786) 338-3525

Reservations:
Reservations are essential and can be made via Resy. It is advisable to book well in advance due to the limited seating.

This contact information provides direct avenues to plan your exquisite dining experience at Itamae AO.

For Miami locals with a discerning palate and an appreciation for cutting-edge culinary experiences, Itamae AO is not just suitable—it's an essential destination. Its prestigious accolades, including a Michelin star and Chef Nando Chang's James Beard Award for Best Chef: South, immediately signal that this is a restaurant operating at the pinnacle of its craft. For residents who understand and value high-quality cuisine, these recognitions offer concrete proof of the exceptional standards upheld here.

The restaurant's core offering, an intimate, multi-course omakase tasting menu, provides a unique opportunity to experience Nikkei cuisine—the sophisticated fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors—executed with precision and creativity. This isn't just about eating; it's about embarking on a culinary journey guided by a celebrated chef. For Miami's vibrant food scene, Itamae AO represents the innovative spirit that defines our city, offering flavors that are both familiar through their cultural roots and surprisingly new in their combination and presentation.

Furthermore, the location at 3225 NE 1st Ave in Midtown, with its convenient valet and self-parking options, makes accessing this elevated experience remarkably easy for locals. The intimate 10-seat counter fosters a personalized connection to the culinary process, allowing diners to witness the artistry firsthand and potentially interact with Chef Chang, a truly unique aspect that enriches the dining experience.

While the price point reflects a fine dining experience, the value lies in the impeccable service, the fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the sheer creativity of dishes like the "lobster with gnocchi and shrimp broth" that are consistently praised as "beyond incredible." For those who are comfortable with the investment, Itamae AO offers an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in "elevated cuisine yet not too pretentious." It’s a place where Miami locals can celebrate special occasions, entertain out-of-town guests, or simply treat themselves to a world-class meal that perfectly encapsulates the city's dynamic and sophisticated culinary landscape. In a city that prides itself on diversity and innovation, Itamae AO stands as a testament to Miami's growing stature as a global food destination, making it a proud and suitable choice for our local community.

Itamae AO

3225 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137, USA