Happea's Mediterranean Grill is set to open a new location at 2745-2747 NE 193rd St., Suite 20, in Aventura in August 2026, expanding the Miami-born fast-casual chain further into South Florida's suburban dining scene. The family-run brand, known for scratch-made hummus and seed-oil-free cooking, will bring its Mediterranean bowls, pockets, and mezze plates to a market that has increasingly become a hotspot for ambitious food concepts.
According to WhatNow, the new location will mark another South Florida outpost for the brand, which currently operates a Brickell restaurant at 1250 S. Miami Ave. and is owned and operated by business partners Eduardo Wainberg and Danny Omari. Property documents from commercial landlord Regency Centers show the new spot will occupy a 2,430-square-foot storefront within the Avenida Biscayne shopping plaza, a 28,568-square-foot retail property on Northeast 193rd Street.
A Family Business With Deep Industry Roots
Happea's describes itself as a family business built around fresh Mediterranean cooking served fast-casual style, per WhatNow's report. While Wainberg and Omari manage day-to-day operations and overall vision, the brand's creative direction, interior design, and visual branding are led by Melanie Wainberg, Eduardo's sister and Danny's wife, according to Happea's Mediterranean Grill.
Omari brings a notable resume to the venture. He previously co-founded national brands Baked by Melissa and Kith Treats and managed Cafe Bari in New York City before partnering with his civil engineer brother-in-law, Wainberg, to launch Happea's in South Florida, as detailed by Voyage MIA Magazine. The brand's name is itself a bit of local trivia: “Happea's,” pronounced “Happy's,” was created as a portmanteau combining “Happy” with “Chickpea,” the same outlet reports.
From Vegan Roots to a Broader Menu
Happea's launched as a 100% plant-based and vegan dining spot in Miami before later adding a salmon bowl, according to Forbes. That evolution shows up on the current menu, which per WhatNow includes mezze, pockets, bowls, salads, desserts, drinks, and coffee, alongside vegetarian options.
The restaurant positions itself around seed-oil-free cooking, using 100% avocado oil for all cooking and frying while preparing its hummus, dressings, and sauces fresh from scratch daily, Happea's states on its own site. Before settling on its own concept, the founders had originally acquired a restaurant lease in Hollywood, Florida, in 2016 intending to franchise an Israeli hummus brand, but decided to part ways with that franchisor and build their own brand instead, Voyage MIA reports.
Aventura's Growing Culinary Footprint
The Aventura retail submarket has attracted major culinary investment in recent years, highlighted by Eataly's opening of a 30,000-square-foot Italian marketplace at Aventura Mall in June 2025, as Hoodline reported.
National chain CAVA opened a Hialeah-area location in April 2025 and is set to open a Pembroke Pines location on September 9, 2026.
