Donna Mare Italian Chophouse, a newly reimagined dining destination adjacent to the historic Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club on Miami Beach, is now open. Led by Executive Chef Luigi Iannuario, the restaurant celebrates the artistry of Italian gastronomy with an in-house sfoglina, a master pasta-maker whose craft is seasoned with generations of family tradition. Donna Mare offers an open-kitchen concept that showcases a wood-fired pizza oven, dedicated pasta workshop, and chic seating centered around an olive tree. The menu features shareable dishes made with organic ingredients, including the signature Donna Mare Chicken Parm and 36oz Dry-Aged Tomahawk Ribeye. Additionally, the beverage program highlights organically farmed, Italian-leaning wines alongside playfully themed cocktails.
Inspired by the restaurant’s art deco charm and cosmopolitan energy of Miami, Chef Iannuario’s menus for Donna Mare honor premium ingredients while introducing diners to bold, shareable dishes influenced by the traditions of Italian cuisine. A Milan native with a lifelong passion for his country’s culinary heritage, Chef Iannuario honed his craft under Michelin-starred Chef Gualtiero Marchesi. His journey spans prestigious kitchens across Europe and the U.S., including The Albereta Relais & Chateaux and Ristorante Dal Pescatore Santini.
“Donna Mare Italian Chophouse is a celebration of Italy’s culinary artistry, where generations of family recipes meet the bounty of land and sea to craft an experience that is as playful as it is nurturing,” said Iannuario in a statement. “For me, the kitchen and dining table have always been sanctuaries of connection. With this new restaurant concept, our goal is to offer guests an unforgettable experience where the ultimate luxury is tasting the passion infused into every dish.”In curating an experience that embodies the connection to and affection for Italian dining, the team at Donna Mare welcomes master sfoglina Elena Montanari, a traditional pasta artisan from Italy, who showcases her craft from her workshop overlooking Collins Avenue. Guests can marvel as her hands dance through flour and egg, transforming simple ingredients into art – just as she learned in her family’s shop, preserving a centuries-old practice.
Menu highlights include Mortadella Pizza ($24), featuring creamy burrata sourced from Puglia, nutty pistachio pesto and fragrant basil atop a perfectly crisp, wood-fired crust, and Lobster Chitarra ($70), house-made pasta paired with tender Maine lobster and a velvety sauce simmered for 12 hours. For those craving a heartier indulgence, the 45-ounce Fiorentina Steak ($214), dry-aged and seared to perfection, is ideal for sharing, while the Veal Cotoletta alla Milanese ($34) features a milk-fed veal accompanied by arugula and tomato. Even classics like the Donna Mare Chicken Parm ($36) are elevated with organic chicken and a rich five-cheese blend, embodying a “nonna-influenced” approach. Donna Mare’s signature wood-fired oven pizzas are crafted with a 50-year-old mother yeast, passed down through generations.
For those with a sweet tooth, Donna Mare offers a selection of desserts. The Cioccolato ($14) delights with a rich Belgian dark chocolate runny cake, raspberry coulis, pistachio cream and a scoop of Tahitian vanilla gelato. The Tiramisu ($14) is a classic Italian favorite, featuring mascarpone mousse, espresso and Kahlua-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of dark cocoa. For a refreshing finish, the Crostata ($16) combines a strawberry cheesecake pie with a limoncello crème.
Donna Mare’s beverage program complements the menu with lively twists on Italian classics. The Velvet Sgroppino ($22) combines sparkling wine with silky limoncello sorbet for a refreshing nod to the Amalfi Coast, while the When in Roma ($28) is a dramatic cocktail featuring Rhum J.M. Agricole Blanc, Aperol, passion fruit and pineapple served in a sculpture-shaped glass perfect for two. The Espresso-Self ($20) dessert martini combines Bounty Premium Dark rum with a blend of coffee liqueur, amaretto, chocolate cream and fresh espresso topped with cocoa powder and a ladyfinger biscuit. Donna Mare also boasts an impressive wine menu – from crisp DO Ferrero Albariño ($92) to bold Damilano Brunate Barolo ($270) – with sparkling, white, rosé and red options that enhance the restaurant’s traditional Italian cuisine.
The ambience at Donna Mare amplifies the dining experience, blending Old World charm with modern sophistication. New York-based Melissa Bowers designed the 182-seat space, which features a central olive tree (symbolic of the Mediterranean), deep green earth tones and warm wood accents that evoke nature and heritage. Plush banquettes, golden velvet drapes, and brass and leather chairs exude luxury and intimacy, creating a welcoming and spirited environment.
“Designing Donna Mare was about creating a space that feels as warm and inviting as a home, yet sophisticated enough to elevate every dining occasion,” explained Bowers. “The central olive tree serves as a nod to Italian heritage and a connection to nature, while the blend of textures – from golden velvet to brass and leather – infuses the space with sensuality and timeless refinement.”
Originally opened in 1940 and reimagined in 2018, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club has long been a beacon of oceanfront elegance and luxury. Donna Mare Italian Chophouse builds on this legacy, offering a dining destination where Italian tradition meets Miami’s dynamic spirit.
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse is located at 3921 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Breakfast is served Monday through Friday from 7-11:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. Dinner is available Sunday through Thursday from 5-11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-11:30 p.m.
