Sparrow Italia, Miami — Restaurant in Miami

I visited this place over Memorial Day weekend. I had heard quite a bit about it, so I decided to take my wife for a refined night out. Let me start by saying that I have no issue affording restaurants of this caliber and have dined at high-end establishments all over the world. My expectations are always high—especially in the U.S., where discerning clientele typically demand a certain standard. So when I walk into a place like this, I expect it to meet that bar.

First things first—the setting was beautiful. The ambiance was carefully curated, and the soulful atmosphere really spoke to me. The crowd was stylish and elegant, and the location is, in my opinion, one of the most attractive areas of Downtown Miami.

As for the food, to be honest, I expected more. There’s very little that’s truly Italian about the cuisine—which I can say with confidence, being Italian myself. That said, I’m not one to dismiss creative departures from tradition. I appreciate bold, exotic fusions. But there’s a line: you can’t just throw five pounds of cheese into a Bolognese and call it Bolognese. I would much rather see a well-executed reinterpretation that respects local tastes than a so-called traditional dish that ends up being anything but. Still, overall, I found the food enjoyable enough.

Now to the downside—and it’s a significant one. When you’re paying premium prices, you expect exceptional service, especially in a country where tipping is not just customary but nearly obligatory. I arrived on time yet had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, which was already irritating. But the real disappointment came when I asked for a glass of wine while waiting. I didn’t tip—fair enough, since I was left standing around and there wasn’t much to reward. The waiter then rudely handed the receipt back to me and pointed out that service wasn’t included.

Let me share something from someone who comes from a country where, in high-end establishments, excellent service is considered a moral obligation regardless of tipping. Acting like the customer should feel privileged just to be there might work for a while—while the hype is high and people are willing to pay to be seen in a trendy place. But when that hype fades, what stays with people is how they were treated. And with service as poor and rude as this, I doubt the shine will last long. Or maybe it will—Miami is full of tourists happy to overpay for a mediocre experience.

I’ve been living in the U.S. for seven years and have never had an issue with tipping. I don’t necessarily agree with the culture, but I’ve always tipped when the service was at least decent. But if you’re going to expect a tip, then you better earn it—and that was definitely not the case here.

So, would I recommend this place? Yes—but with a caveat. It’s worth visiting for the vibe alone. But if you’re working with a limited budget and have to choose between this spot and another, go...

Dear Sir or Madam,

Although I generally tend to avoid such démarches, I wish to inform you of a particularly unpleasant experience I had during my most recent visit to your establishment, in order to alert you to unacceptable behavior displayed by one of your employees.

On May 30, 2025, at 8:15 p.m., I arrived at your restaurant, having reserved a table for two. This was my second visit, and the first for my partner. The evening had started pleasantly, with quality cuisine and decent service. However, at some point, the behavior of your manager, Mr. Caleb, completely spoiled the experience.

He approached our table with an evidently authoritative and arrogant attitude, brusquely and disrespectfully asking us to change seats. He insisted that we leave our table to go to the bar, even though there was still half a bottle of wine and half of our dish remaining, both of which we had ordered. At that moment, this sudden and condescending request deeply surprised me, especially since the bill was already on the table, our glasses had been removed, and the half-full bottle was relocated to the establishment’s bar.

I consider this conduct to be a complete lack of respect towards a customer, especially given the reputation of your establishment. Mr. Caleb’s arrogant and dismissive attitude is unacceptable in an environment that aims to be professional and welcoming. This behavior is all the more regrettable as it completely tarnishes the image of your establishment, despite the quality of your cuisine.

The atmosphere was perfect until Mr. Caleb, the floor manager, abruptly ordered us to leave our table in the middle of our meal. As a result, he was forced to refund approximately half of my bill, around $150, to compensate for the half-consumed bottle of wine and partially eaten dishes.

Caleb should not hold the position of manager, as losing a reputation and refunding half of a bill does not seem to bother him. It’s always easier when it’s other people’s money. He clearly lacks a proper business and hospitality mindset.

I kindly ask you to consider this feedback, in the hope that prompt measures will be taken to ensure respect and dignity for your clientele in the...

I've recently dined at Sparrow Italia twice, and it's a fantastic new addition to Miami’s dining scene. The décor is both modern and chic, yet comfortable—clearly, they invested in an impressive renovation. This is a place to see and be seen. During my first visit, I found myself seated between Ryan Seacrest on one side and Brett Ratner on the other.

What Sparrow Italia excels at is combining high-quality food with a lively ambiance. I dined with friends on both visits, allowing us to sample a variety of dishes. Standout items included the ribeye, spicy rigatoni, bone marrow pasta, meatball, and arancini - all of which were excellent. However, the cacio e pepe fell short, especially considering the price point. I also though the veal parm lacked flavor and could have been executed better.

Drinks and service were also highlights. We tried several cocktails, each beautifully crafted and flavorful. The staff was attentive and friendly. One issue arose, though: despite alerting them about a peanut allergy at the start of our meal, a fish dish with nuts was still served. Fortunately, we caught it and sent it back, but such an oversight is concerning for a restaurant of this caliber.

Both times I visited, I enjoyed the live music immensely. Between sets, a dynamic soundtrack of hip-hop, rock, and other great tracks filled the space. That said, the music volume was occasionally too loud, making conversation challenging—a sentiment echoed by other reviewers, so I imagine the restaurant might adjust it.

It’s worth noting the dining room layout, which has two sections: one near the band and another further back. Having experienced both, I recommend requesting a table near the band for a more engaging experience with the live music.

Inevitably, Sparrow will be compared to the recently opened Mother Wolf. Having dined there as well, I’d say Mother Wolf takes the edge (by a long shot) on food alone. But for those looking for a great vibe and lively scene, Sparrow Italia is the place to be.

All in all, I recommend Sparrow Italia and look forward...