Mimi Chinese Miami — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Bathed in a warm glow and deep, glossy red hues, MIMI Chinese opened in South Beach at the end of 2024, bringing a sizzling and sexy new high-end dining proposition to the neighborhood by way of Toronto.

MIMI Chinese Miami marks the fourth restaurant and first U.S. venture for Big Hug Hospitality, the group behind Toronto favorites MIMI Chinese, Sunny’s Chinese and Linny’s. Helmed by David Schwartz, Michelin Guide Toronto’s Young Chef Award recipient for 2023, and Executive Chef Braden Chong, the Miami Beach outpost builds on the brand’s thoughtful exploration of regional Chinese cuisine.

Entering the cave-like dining room, it’s clear this team has carefully honed an intimate, escapist atmosphere: arched ceilings, curved banquettes, plush velvet and dropped chandeliers all hug you in and make you feel somewhere far-flung and underground. Like the space itself, the menu is fairly compact and intentional, with each dish inspired by one of China’s diverse regions, helpfully labeled in italics. Of course, it’s all been designed for sharing. If you’re not in the mood to choose your own adventure, they also offer a chef’s tasting menu for $115 per person.

Aside from the food—which we’ll break down below—the hospitality is really a highlight at MIMI Chinese. The service staff are decked out in neat white aprons and black bowties, the chef makes the rounds checking up on tables, and our drinks never went empty. Speaking of drinks, the wine director selected some incredible pours for us, and we enjoyed a few of the Asian-inspired cocktails, too. I am truly still dreaming of the desserts, all made in-house by the chef.

The potent and smooth Five Spice Negroni helped set the tone for the night, bringing together gin, gentian amaro, Ming River baijiu, and allspice. This is the deliciously strong classic with a Chinese twist, thanks to the addition of a 20th-generation Sichuan grain spirit.

From the “Raw and Cooling” section of the menu, the Smacked Cucumber Salad gets its name from the act of smacking the cucumber with the side of a cleaver, a brilliant technique used across regions in China that allows for maximum absorption of sauce and flavor—in this case, wood ear mushroom, chrysanthemum, and Shanxi vinegar—by breaking down the cell walls of the cucumber.

We also ordered both dishes from the “Savory and Warming” section. The Guangdong-style Shrimp Toast, made with fried bread, red vinegar, and hot mustard mayo, is one of the best versions I’ve ever had. The Sichuan-inspired Crossed Arm Chicken Dumpling combines roasted sesame, special soy sauce, and red oil for a pleasant goosebump-inducing effect.

The main event for our table was the neverending Four Foot Belt Noodle, another dish inspired by China’s Sichuan region that lives up to its name. Topped with a sauce made from roasted black sesame paste, fried pink shrimp, and Sichuan chili oil, it’s all mixed with grass-fed beef from Martin’s Family Farm and cut tableside with scissors.

The light and spongy Steamed Cake or Ma Lai Goh made with a salted egg yolk custard and sweet rice cream will mentally transport you to the streets of Hong Kong—or at least New York’s Chinatown. Its perfect simplicity made it one of my favorite dishes of the night, but the beautifully marbled Black Sesame Cheesecake matching MIMI’s rich natural stone tables was a...

I finally had the chance to dine at the newly opened MiMi Chinese, and wow, what an experience! From the moment you walk in, you’re transported into a sultry, high-end dining room bathed in deep red tones. The lighting is dim and moody, creating an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere.

The host manager, Ashley, greeted us with a warm and bubbly welcome, taking the time to explain the restaurant’s unique concept as she guided us to our table. My friends and I couldn’t help but marvel at how polished and edgy the space looked, immediately pulling out our phones to capture the stunning decor.

Shortly after, one of the managers, Blake, stopped by to make us feel even more at home. He introduced us to our incredible server, Jeffery, and let me just say—request Jeffery when you book! He was patient, attentive, and highly knowledgeable about the menu, breaking down how the dishes represent various regions of China in such a creative way.

Now, the food! We started with the scallop crudo paired with a Chinese donut—a perfect fusion of Chinese flavors with a touch of Miami flair. The shrimp toast stole the show—absolutely buttery and bursting with savory goodness. I’d order it every time! The chicken dumplings were cooked to perfection, and the smacked cucumber salad was a refreshing complement to the other dishes.

The 4-ft-long noodle was both a visual and flavorful highlight, with just the right amount of spice. The fried rice was comfort food at its finest, and the General Tso’s chicken had us in silent appreciation—it was perfectly balanced with the heat of the chilis and cooling cucumbers. We also tried the off-menu stuffed chicken wings, which were a revelation. The truffle noodle special, recommended by Jeffery, was decadent and so worth it.

Desserts didn’t disappoint either. The coconut soft serve with mochi pieces and amber caramel sauce was heavenly—I could’ve easily finished it myself! The sesame cheesecake was enjoyable, though I would’ve loved a bit more texture, maybe from some caramelized sesame seeds. The steamed brown sugar custard cake with its unique fermented twang was warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

To top it all off, we had the pleasure of meeting Yasser, the bar manager, who recommended incredible drinks. My favorites were the Mangosteeni and the Golden Panda—both creative and refreshing. The tea ceremony at the end of the meal was such a thoughtful, elegant touch to round out the experience.

MiMi Chinese is a true gem for Miami! Thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable night....

From the outside, Mimi Chinese on Alton Road is completely unassuming. But step inside, and you’re transported into a Chinese Gatsby fantasy—think old-school NYC glam with subtle Chinese flair. Every detail feels elegant, but never pretentious.

We started with two cocktails—the Tea Ceremony, which is as stunning as it is refreshing with citrus and subtle sweetness, and the Mango Steeni, a mango-forward drink that’s light, bright, and equally beautiful. The chicken dumplings came next, sitting in a balanced mild spicy sauce with juicy filling and paper-thin wrappers. Their hot & sour soup was more like a rich tofu-vegetable stew—thick, flavorful, and soul-warming.

Among the appetizers, the standout was the shrimp toast. Lightly crispy, beautifully seasoned, and despite the caviar topping (which you can barely taste), it was addictive. For mains, the belt noodle reminded us of an Asian-Italian ragu fusion—deeply savory and comforting. The Hunan chili sea bass is fiery (an 8/10 if you eat the chilis, 4/10 if you don’t), but the fish is tender and juicy. Orange chicken was surprisingly elevated—crispy, flavorful, and not greasy. Even the bok choy, often a throwaway side, was thoughtfully seasoned and delightful with steamed rice.

For dessert, don’t miss the Ma Lai Go. It’s a steamed sponge cake with salted egg yolk and rice-based sauce—delicate, elegant, and the perfect way to end. The service? Flawless. One last tip: next time, we’re trying the drink served in a panda cup—it looked adorable.

Expect to spend around $100/person or more depending on how much you indulge. We’ll definitely be back.

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