Five South Florida hotel restaurants earned spots on OpenTable's 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America list, released Tuesday, July 15. More than $170 million in hotel transactions has reshaped Coconut Grove's hospitality landscape over the past seven months.
An OpenTable-commissioned survey found 60% of summer travelers said they booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant. Hotel restaurant dining by travelers increased 13% from January through April compared with the same period in 2025, according to the company.
Florida leads the nation with 17 restaurants
The five South Florida restaurants, selected from more than 10 million verified diner reviews collected between May 2025 and April 2026, are Akira Back at The Ray Hotel in Delray Beach, Evelyn's at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, Gianni's at the Former Versace Mansion in Miami Beach, Sushi by Bou at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens and Takato at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. Florida placed 17 restaurants on the national list, more than any other state, according to OpenTable.
"Restaurants aren't just an itinerary line item anymore, they're the anchor," Matt Davis, head of North America Hotels at OpenTable, said in the announcement.
Investors reshape Coconut Grove's hotel market
The Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, 3000 Florida Ave., sold for approximately $110 million in June, according to Coconut Grove Magazine. Entities affiliated with billionaire Paul Singer's Elliott Investment Management and London-based Lifestyle Hospitality Capital Group acquired the 179-room property, which last sold for $46.8 million in 2019. Total financing for the deal reached approximately $79 million.
HEI Hotels & Resorts became the Mayfair House's management company in November 2025. The hotel earned two MICHELIN Keys for a second consecutive year. Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli, who previously opened Glass & Vine in Coconut Grove, leads the Mayfair Grill and oversees the Sunday Grove Bazaar in the hotel's courtyard.
Gencom reacquired a majority interest in the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27th Ave., on Dec. 26, 2025, buying out Hersha Hospitality Trust with a $62 million loan from Banco Inbursa, according to property records cited by The Real Deal. The Miami-based firm originally purchased the 115-room hotel in 2011 and sold a majority stake to Hersha in 2017.
"This acquisition reflects our long-term conviction in Miami's lodging fundamentals," Alessandro Colantonio, Gencom's chief investment officer, said in a Jan. 5 statement. He described Coconut Grove as "one of Miami's most established and in-demand submarkets for both leisure and business travel."
Gencom's 2018 renovation of the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove added Isabelle's restaurant and The Commodore cocktail bar. The company also completed a $100 million renovation at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, reopening the resort on Dec. 8, 2025, with six new dining concepts, including Luma, Paraléa and Stefano's.
Hotel owners have not announced restaurant changes
Neither the Mayfair House's new owners nor Gencom has announced changes to the dining programs at their Coconut Grove properties. OpenTable will base its next Top 100 Hotel Restaurants list on verified diner reviews collected through April 2027.
