An era is ending in Miami as Perricone's Marketplace & Cafe, a culinary mainstay of the city's dining scene, is set to shutter on Thursday after a nearly three-decade run. Steven Perricone, the owner of the beloved eatery, took to social media to break the news of the closure, marking a poignant chapter's close for locals and visitors alike who have frequented the establishment over the years.
"We became a everyday gathering place for those who lived and worked in Brickell and for the past four years, The Roads. I watched with pride and a little astonishment as our Brickell neighborhood grew into a world-class hub for international business," said Perricone, in a statement obtained by Local 10 News. The venue first opened its doors 20 years prior in Miami's "The Roads" neighborhood before finally moving to its last location in March of 2020 – fatefully, just as the COVID pandemic was beginning to upend daily life.
Amid the upheavals caused by the pandemic, Perricone's pivoted to continue serving its customers, remaining operational for delivery and takeout even as the health crisis worsened in the spring of 2020. The restaurant, however, did close for about a month when coronavirus cases surged.
Confirmation of the definitive end of Perricone’s came also through a post on Miami New Times' X account, reiterating the closure of the establishment that has served the Miami community for over 27 years, echoing the sentiment felt by many that the city will be losing not just a restaurant, but a piece of its local heritage.
Beloved Miami restaurant Perricone’s Marketplace & Café is permanently closing after over 27 years in Brickell and the Roads. https://t.co/5eSRssOkyr
— Miami New Times (@miaminewtimes) May 3, 2024
The last day for patrons to enjoy the ambiance and flavors that Perricone’s has to offer will be Thursday, May 16. As of yet, there is no word on future plans for the space that Perricone’s will be vacating, but the impact of its closure on Miami’s culinary landscape is one that is sure to be felt deeply by many.
