AVA MediterrAegean Opens Flagship in Coconut Grove as Riviera Dining Group Expands Its Luxury Hospitality Footprint

Key Points

• Riviera Dining Group, led by founder Gregory Galy, has opened its new Miami flagship AVA MediterrAegean in Coconut Grove.

• The restaurant features a complete redesign by Lázaro Rosa-Violán, an elite culinary team with talent from Per Se and Alain Ducasse, and an on-site members club, AVA MM.

• The concept brings a modern Greek agora-inspired experience with Mediterranean dishes, crudos, large-format plates, and an elevated members-only dining sanctuary.

AVA MediterrAegean has officially arrived in Coconut Grove, marking one of Miami’s biggest hospitality debuts of the year. Known for its cult following in Winter Park, Florida, the brand now enters Miami with a fully reimagined design, a star-powered kitchen, and an exclusive new members club. 

A New Miami Flagship for Riviera Dining Group

• Led by Gregory Galy, AVA MediterrAegean represents a major leap forward for the group behind MILA Miami, CASA NEOS, and CLAUDIE.

• The concept brings its signature Mediterranean lifestyle sensibility to Coconut Grove, blending elevated dining with culture and atmosphere.

Design: Immersive and Island-Inspired

• The interiors are crafted by Lázaro Rosa-Violán, known for soulful, highly textured spaces.

• Highlights include:

  • A sculpted, island-inspired dining room

  • Open-air terrace with linens and Mediterranean greenery

  • A dramatic marble-wrapped bar serving as the social centerpiece

Culinary Program: Cycladic Heritage Meets Riviera Refinement

• Overseen by Partner & Head of Culinary Michaël Michaelidis and Executive Chef Frédéric Aumeunier.

• Their pedigrees include Per Se, Pineapple & Pearls, La Maison Pic, and work with Alain Ducasse.

• Menu includes:

  • Aegean Tuna Ceviche

  • Mediterranean Seabass Carpaccio

  • Whole Branzino Spetziota

  • Lamb Moussaka carved tableside

• The menu leans on mezze, crudos, premium seafood, seasonal vegetables, and large-format sharable dishes.

AVA MM: A Discreet Members-Only Sanctuary

• Hidden within AVA MediterrAegean, AVA MM expands RDG’s membership ecosystem.

• Features include:

  • A Japanese-focused menu

  • Private wine and cigar lockers

  • Chef-led dinners, tastings, and cultural events

  • A bronze-accented, nature-integrated interior designed as a quiet retreat

Why It Matters for Miami’s Dining Scene

• AVA MediterrAegean’s arrival signals RDG’s push to shape Miami’s next wave of experience-driven, high-design hospitality.

• Coconut Grove continues its evolution as a luxury dining hub, attracting premium concepts and affluent clientele.

• The combination of design, culture, membership, and fine dining positions AVA as one of Miami’s newest marquee destinations.

A New Threshold for Coconut Grove

With its immersive design, powerhouse culinary team, and exclusive members club, AVA MediterrAegean sets a new bar for luxury dining in Coconut Grove. Riviera Dining Group is clearly betting big on Miami, and this flagship shows how the city’s hospitality scene continues evolving toward high-end, experiential concepts that merge culture, cuisine, and community.