Waterfront Italian restaurant set to debut in Coconut Grove

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Waterfront Italian restaurant set to debut in Coconut Grove
La Sponda
(Rendering credit: CMC Group)

Gioia Hospitality Group is unveiling La Sponda, an elevated Italian dining destination set to debut within CMC Group’s highly anticipated luxury boutique condominium, Vita at Grove Isle, now nearing completion in Miami’s Coconut Grove.

Anchored on the waterfront within the private island enclave of Grove Isle, La Sponda will be a fresh addition to the Coconut Grove dining scene serving refined cuisine, curated wines, and offering stunning bay views in a sophisticated setting.

La Sponda is a concept from Gioia Hospitality Group, the acclaimed team behind the former Fiola Miami, now home to Daniel’s Miami, as well as the Michelin Guide-recommended Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale.

Slated to open in 2026, La Sponda will feature a coastal Italian menu rooted in authenticity and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant will offer weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner nightly, bringing a new standard of culinary excellence to Coconut Grove.

“Decades ago, Grove Isle was once one of Miami’s most sought-after destinations – home to iconic restaurants that drew diners from across the city,” said Ugo Colombo, founder of CMC Group. “With La Sponda, we’re reviving that golden era at Vita while bringing back the island’s grandeur and reasserting its place as a waterfront hotspot where elevated food, design, and lifestyle come together.”

The name La Sponda, Italian for “The Shore,” is a nod to the restaurant’s waterfront setting and its connection to life along the Mediterranean coastline where food, family, and natural beauty converge.

The restaurant’s interiors are being designed by the internationally acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS), whose award-winning portfolio includes Soho Beach House Miami, The Beekman in New York, and Annabel’s in London. Drawing from the natural beauty of Grove Isle, the design blends layered textures, handcrafted materials, and vintage European charm to create an inviting yet elevated ambiance.

“La Sponda is inspired by the elegance and simplicity of coastal Italian dining where meals are a celebration of place, season, and connection,” said Thomas Angelo, founder and CEO of Gioia Hospitality Group. “Grove Isle offers a rare setting that allows us to deliver a waterfront restaurant experience that feels both luxurious and relaxed, rooted in tradition but elevated for today’s diner. We’re excited to bring our passion for hospitality to such a storied Miami location.”

Located just upstairs from the Vita at Grove Isle Club, La Sponda will complement the building’s robust amenity program. In addition to a private resident pool, bar, and spa, club members will enjoy access to light bites and casual fare at a separate poolside bar, while La Sponda is set to become the island’s culinary centerpiece.

Vita features just 65 ultra-luxurious residences, including a collection of twelve exclusive bi-level penthouses. Homes boast unobstructed panoramic bay views, exquisite detailing, and the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Floorplans include three-, four-, and four-plus-den-bedroom layouts, with penthouses measuring up to 6,600 square feet and offering private rooftop pools and summer kitchens. Prices start from approximately $8.4 million, with remaining penthouses starting from about $21.5 million.

Designed by global architecture and design firm CallisonRTKL and Italian designers Carlo and Paolo Colombo of A++ Architecture, Vita is composed of three elegantly curved buildings – Mare, Luce, and Sole – designed to showcase a single architectural structure mirroring the natural contours of the island. The building’s curved shape was intentionally crafted to maximize panoramic views of the sparkling Biscayne Bay from every residence.

Every residence features dedicated elevators with a private foyer, contemporary Italian-designed open-concept kitchens equipped with concealed, top-of-the-line appliances, and elegant bathrooms showcasing custom Italian cabinetry, European designer fixtures, hand-selected book-matched marble, and masterfully crafted Italian stonework. Additionally, each home offers 10-foot ceilings, pre-installed smart home technology for seamless control of lighting, climate, and air/water filtration systems, and high-performance soundproofing for unparalleled privacy and comfort.

In addition to La Sponda, Vita residents will enjoy a host of private amenities, including a bayfront pool, lounge, bar, fitness center, and spa. Residents and club members also have access to a second pool with bar service, tennis, as well as the island’s marina.

Spanning 20 acres, Grove Isle is considered one of Miami’s most exclusive private islands, located just off the coast of Coconut Grove and accessible via the scenic Grove Isle Drive bridge. This secluded enclave is prized for its tranquility and unobstructed bay views, while offering close proximity to top schools, shopping, dining, and entertainment across Brickell, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach.

For more information about Vita at Grove Isle, including preconstruction sales opportunities, call 305-400-7400, email info@vitagroveisle.com, or visit the project’s sales gallery at 3357 Pan American Dr., Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Learn more at www.vitagroveisle.com.

 

 

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