Paralía, a new open-air Aegean restaurant, has debuted on the oceanfront at the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, bringing Greek- and Turkish-inspired meze, grilled seafood and a beachside cocktail program to the island. The restaurant takes over the former Cantina Beach space and swaps bar-height seating for low-slung tables, a fire pit and panoramic water views that set the scene for sun-soaked lunches and dinners under the stars. Executive Chef Renato Mekolli is leading the kitchen.
A menu built for sharing
Paralía centers on a "Paralía Meze Experience," a shareable spread of dips like hummus, tzatziki and whipped feta topped with honey and sesame, alongside crowd-pleasing plates such as oregano-and-garlic lamb chops and a creative short-rib baklava. The cocktail list keeps the Aegean theme going, including a Santorini Spritz that blends Assyrtiko wine and citrus for golden-hour sipping, according to Time Out.
Chef Renato Mekolli takes the helm
Opening-day materials from the resort name Renato Mekolli as executive chef of Paralía and describe the restaurant as an open-air, coastal-Mediterranean concept that focuses on Florida-caught seafood and shareable plates. The hotel's opening press materials position Paralía as one piece of an expanded culinary lineup at the property, according to The Ritz-Carlton press release.
Oceanfront setting and hours
Set just steps from the sand, Paralía features an open-air dining room and a fire pit for lingering evenings. The restaurant's site lists both lunch and dinner service and promotes live entertainment on Friday nights, while Time Out reports that the restaurant offers roughly 105 open-air seats, making it a breezy option for groups and sunset drinks. For operating details, see Paralía's site.
Part of a $100 million relaunch
Paralía opened as part of the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne's approximately $100 million renovation, which refreshed guest rooms, updated the spa and added several new dining venues, including Luma, Rum Bar and Dune Beach Bar. Local coverage has characterized the relaunch as a major upgrade for the island resort scene, according to Miami Herald.
The restaurant is open to both hotel guests and locals, with reservations and menus available on the hotel's dining page. For reservations and the latest menus, visit the Ritz-Carlton dining page.
