Coral Gables just got a very chic new lunch spot, and I am already planning excuses to go back. Mottai opened inside The Plaza Coral Gables, and it might be the most beautiful way to do a midday meeting in Miami.
The quick take: Mottai is the first U.S. restaurant from Brazil’s acclaimed Attivo Group, led by Chef Brian Nasajon with Sushi Chef Hiroshi Shintaku. I tried the $64 Business Lunch, and between the food and the room, it earns the hype.
Watch: Lunch at Mottai
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The Story Behind Mottai
Mottai is Attivo Group’s first restaurant outside Brazil, where the group runs thirteen acclaimed spots. Here they paired Chef Brian Nasajon’s love of fresh, shareable ingredients with Sushi Chef Hiroshi Shintaku’s Japanese discipline. The result reads Japanese on the plate and very Miami in spirit.
And the room deserves its own paragraph: marble tables, deep blue velvet, and white crane wall art in a space that was just named to the Prix Versailles 2026 list of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. Yes, the whole world. It is in Coral Gables.
Know Before You Go
- Where: The Plaza Coral Gables, 2881 Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
- The move: the $64 Business Lunch if you want the elegant midday version, or go at dinner and order for the table.
- Vibe check: chic but not stuffy. Dress a little nicer than you think.
FAQ: Mottai Coral Gables
Where is Mottai?
Inside The Plaza Coral Gables at 2881 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, in the heart of Coral Gables.
Who is behind Mottai?
Brazil’s Attivo Group, in their first U.S. project, with Chef Brian Nasajon leading the kitchen and Sushi Chef Hiroshi Shintaku behind the sushi.
Is Mottai expensive?
It is a fine dining spot, but the $64 Business Lunch is a well-priced way to experience it, especially for a work meeting you want to feel special.
Keep Exploring
Coral Gables is on a roll with openings: see what to order at Fuku on Miracle Mile, and keep up with every new spot in my Restaurants section. Not a food day? My locals series has three alcohol-free Miami picks from a vintage shop owner.
