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Miami’s Michelin-starred sushi scene is getting a more casual sibling with the arrival of STAND., a Japanese cafe and daytime eatery opening June 4 in Coral Gables.
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Created by Chef Shingo Akikuni and partner Kenzie Motai—the duo behind Michelin-starred SHINGO—the 24-seat concept channels the quiet charm of Tokyo kissaten cafes while serving polished takes on Japanese convenience store staples. By day, expect matcha, specialty coffee, pastries, sandos and bento boxes; by night, the space will transform into an intimate izakaya with sake, small plates and moodier vibes.
Located at 98 Miracle Mile, STAND.'s menu centers on house-baked milk bread prepared fresh daily by Chef de Cuisine Lania Andrade, formerly the pastry chef at SHINGO. The breads become the foundation for Japanese-style egg salad sandos, chicken katsu sandwiches layered with kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce, and thick-cut toast topped with everything from cheesy miso caramel and jammy eggs to brûléed sweet potato and honey.
The breakfast lineup also includes rotating shio pan flavors—pillowy Japanese rolls filled with cream, chocolate, curry or sausage—while lunch bento options pair proteins like karaage, salmon and yakiniku beef with rice, miso soup and seasonal sides.
“STAND. is really a reflection of how Shingo and I grew up and the places that stayed with us,” Motai said in a statement. “Some of our earliest memories are in Japanese cafés—quiet, intentional spaces where everything, from the coffee to the food to the atmosphere, felt considered. We’ve been wanting to recreate that feeling in our own way. Opening STAND. feels like a full-circle moment, bringing something that’s been a lifelong inspiration into a space we can now share with the community.”
Designed by Love Lake Studio, the minimalist interior leans into natural light, handcrafted materials and intimate seating arrangements. An L-shaped counter anchors the room, while shelves lined with Japanese ceramics and greenery soften the space. A small kitchen window lets guests watch pastries and breads being prepared throughout the day.
Then there’s the sound system. Later this fall, STAND. will pivot into evening service as a dimly lit izakaya with an emphasis on immersive audio, powered by Lipinski L707 speakers intended to create a rich, detailed listening environment alongside seasonal Japanese small plates, sake, beer and wine.
For now, though, STAND. looks poised to become one of Miami’s most stylish coffee-and-sando stops, where a quick breakfast run could easily turn into a lingering afternoon hang.
For more information, click here.