Miami

Takai to Develop Premium Sushi Dining Experience in Miami

Seasonal omakase sushi and rare sake selections will define the intimate dining experience at this Miami restaurant.

Image courtesy of Takai.

MIAMI, FL — Takai is targeting a late May opening at 2296 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145, where owner Yoni Matz and executive chef Glen Kotlyarsky are preparing a 10-seat premium omakase restaurant focused on an intimate, reservation-only dining experience. Matz told Business Debut the team is hoping to open around May 26th.

What to Expect

Takai is designed as a traditional Japanese omakase counter with 10 seats and a full sensory approach to the experience. Matz said the restaurant is centered on precision, restraint and ingredient integrity, with a goal of delivering a hospitality-driven concept that stands out in South Florida.

The counter will be made from Japanese hinoki wood, with materials sourced from Japan. The space was designed by KTX Archilab, an award-winning architecture and interior design firm whose Takai project marks its first in the United States, according to the owners.

Kotlyarsky said Takai will draw from traditional Edomae sushi while incorporating a modern fine-dining approach. “We’re staying rooted in Edomae, but presenting it in a way that feels refined and current,” he told Business Debut.

He said the menu will feature seasonal ingredients sourced globally, with select core courses remaining when products are available. “The idea is to let the ingredients guide the menu, not the other way around,” he told Business Debut.

The menu will be updated weekly, though not every course will change at once. Kotlyarsky said the team is also working to source rare sake selections through connections in Japan, aiming to build a cohesive experience around both food and beverage. “It’s not just about the sushi... it’s about the full experience from start to finish,” he told Business Debut.

Ownership and Background

Yoni Matz said this marks his first independent venture in South Florida after previously being involved in opening restaurants in Canada, bringing operational experience into the Takai concept. He told Business Debut the project reflects a more focused and personal approach to hospitality, centered on a small-format, high-touch dining environment.

Matz said the decision to develop a 10-seat omakase restaurant was intentional, allowing the team to prioritize consistency and guest interaction at every seating. He told Business Debut the goal is to create a space where execution, pacing and service are tightly controlled from start to finish.

Opening Timeline

Takai is currently targeting an opening toward the end of May, with May 26th as the tentative date. Matz said this will be his first independent venture in South Florida after prior restaurant-opening experience in Canada.

Hours

Takai plans to open Tuesday through Saturday with two nightly seatings at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The restaurant will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. Reservations will be required, with bookings expected to open one month in advance.