Waterfront Dining at San Lorenzo Embraces Simplicity and Surprise
Waterfront Dining at San Lorenzo Embraces Simplicity and SurprisePhoto Credit: Scott Roth

San Lorenzo Debuts Miami’s First No-Menu Dining Experience Along the Waterfront

With Italian Heritage, Prix Fixe Intimacy, and a Single Question—Carne o Pesce?—San Lorenzo Invites Diners to Surrender the Script and Savor the Unexpected

Source: San Lorenzo

Reported By: Caroline Dalal

Miami’s dining scene just welcomed its most intriguing addition yet—and it’s not following the usual script. On May 31, 2025, San Lorenzo officially opened in the city’s Upper East Side, offering a distinctive take on Italian fine dining. The concept? No menu. No QR codes. Just one guiding question to shape the evening: Carne o Pesce?

Crafted by the hospitality minds behind Cotoletta—Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor, Mattia Cicognani, and third-generation restaurateur Andrea Fraquelli—San Lorenzo marks a bold pivot from predictable dining formats. It’s a $140 prix fixe experience for two that values mystery over micromanagement, inviting guests to let go of control and lean into the unexpected.

Curated Spirits Behind the Bar Reflect the No-Menu Philosophy
Curated Spirits Behind the Bar Reflect the No-Menu PhilosophyPhoto Credit: Scott Roth

No Menu, No Stress—Just Pure Italian Craft

Upon arrival, diners are simply asked to choose between meat or fish. From there, the rest of the evening is curated by the kitchen, taking into account any allergies or dietary restrictions. At the helm is Executive Chef Giulio Rossi, whose culinary philosophy is rooted in tradition but executed with restraint and precision.

“San Lorenzo is all about letting the ingredients shine. By narrowing the focus, we ensure that every dish is a standout. We want guests to feel a sense of excitement and trust, knowing they’re getting the very best.”

Executive Chef Giulio Rossi

Meals unfold with a round of appetizers, followed by a main course and thoughtful sides. Every dish is a reflection of classic Italian technique, filtered through a local lens and grounded in a respect for seasonality and simplicity.

Atmosphere Inspired by Lake Como, Anchored in Miami

Waterfront Tables Dressed in White and Hyacinths
Waterfront Tables Dressed in White and HyacinthsPhoto Credit: Scott Roth

The setting plays a central role in the experience. Tucked away on the waterfront at 620 NE 78th Street, San Lorenzo offers 44 seats indoors and an additional 30 on its terracotta terrace—a space defined by dim candlelight, hand-selected Venetian lighting, and the soft hush of the river.

Designed in collaboration with Eduardo Suarez and Milan-based Alessio Bernardinito, the interiors draw inspiration from 1930s Venetian osterias and Italian countryside villas. The result is equal parts transportive and intimate. With no need to scroll through menus or flag down servers, guests are free to sink into their surroundings and their conversations.

Waterfront Dining at San Lorenzo Embraces Simplicity and Surprise
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A Refined, Italian-First Beverage Program

The bar follows the same less-is-more philosophy. Guests won’t find an overwhelming list of options—instead, San Lorenzo offers one brand per spirit, anchoring its cocktail program in loyalty, curation, and craftsmanship. The signature Negroni leans into its bittersweet bite, while the Dry Vodka Martini is all crisp edges and clean finishes. Also on offer: Bellinis and a refined selection of digestivos, each presented with old-world care.

Wine lovers will find an equally streamlined experience. The list features only red wines, chosen to complement the restaurant’s offerings and honor Italy’s regional viticulture. It’s a pairing program that isn’t just thoughtful—it’s intentional.

Simplicity as Luxury

Whimsical Glass Art Greets Guests at San Lorenzo
Whimsical Glass Art Greets Guests at San LorenzoPhoto Credit: Scott Roth

At San Lorenzo, the act of choosing is reduced to a single moment. Everything that follows is handled with expert care. That ethos—ease as elegance—is what sets the restaurant apart in a city known for its over-the-top flash.

As co-founder Andrea Fraquelli notes, “Our mission has always been to make people feel better when they leave than when they arrived—guests and team members alike. What San Lorenzo will do, more than any other restaurant in Miami ever has, is transport guests to another world. Italian flavors and recipes, made and served by Italians full of passion for what they do.”

The result is a rare kind of hospitality: one where the experience is guided rather than chosen, and where luxury is intuitive.

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