Coral Gables diners who have been missing their Caffe Vialetto fix will not have to wait much longer. Chef and owner Marcelo Chopa is reviving the beloved spot this May as Casa Vialetto, a smaller, more intimate dining room that keeps the spirit of the original. The reboot promises the same inventive Italian menu with Caribbean touches that longtime regulars loved. After closing the original restaurant following more than two decades in business, Chopa is relaunching the concept on his own. When doors finally open later this month, guests can expect seafood-forward plates and a full bar.
From Le Jeune to Alhambra
As reported by Miami Herald, Caffe Vialetto first opened in 1999 at 4019 S. Le Jeune Road and served its final dinner on Aug. 16, 2025, after a 26 year run. Co-owner Ernie Fernandez sold the Le Jeune property and retired, leaving Chopa to chart a new course for the brand.
Chopa is set to reopen the restaurant as Casa Vialetto at 267 Alhambra Circle, a smaller room with roughly 45 seats, according to Miami New Times. He has said he aims to welcome his first guests by the end of May.
Menu and dining room
The new menu will stay Italian at its core but skew “more European” in character while keeping the Caribbean touches that made the original memorable. Signature plates, including the hog snapper pan sautéed in a mango mojito sauce, are expected to return when the fish is available, Miami Herald notes. Casa Vialetto will include a full bar and focus on local seafood and produce.
Delays and the relaunch
Getting to opening day has not been simple. Grease trap complications and permitting work slowed the process, and Chopa says his fiancée helped shepherd the paperwork, Miami New Times reports. “I'm very happy and so ready after such a long wait,” he said.
What became of the Le Jeune spot
The Le Jeune building did not sit empty: Wagyu Bar has moved in at 4019 S. Le Jeune Road, bringing a steak-focused concept to the corner. For those wanting a taste of the original, Caffe Vialetto still documents the restaurant's 1999 roots on Le Jeune Road.
Chopa says he is optimistic the new Casa Vialetto will quickly find its footing on Alhambra Circle, and that details on reservations and the exact opening night will appear as the team finalizes the last inspections. We will update this story once the restaurant announces a firm date.
