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Miami has no shortage of restaurants that know how to make an entrance but one Coral Gables newcomer just earned recognition on an international stage.
Mottai, the Japanese-inspired restaurant from chef Brian Nasajon, has been named one of the World's Most Beautiful Restaurants for 2026 by the Prix Versailles, an annual architecture and design award program that highlights standout spaces worldwide. The Coral Gables restaurant joins an eclectic lineup from around the world that includes restaurants in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Monaco and Cape Town.
If you've eaten at Mottai, the honor won’t come as a surprise. The space, designed by Saladino Design Studios, features an open sushi bar set beneath a canopy that serves as the room's focal point, allowing diners to watch chefs at work throughout the meal. According to Prix Versailles, the design draws inspiration from traditional Japanese spatial philosophies that emphasize discipline and minimalism.
But don’t think this is just a stark Zen box: curved architectural details, custom furniture and tactile materials soften the space. The organization praised the restaurant's ability to transform dinner into something more immersive, describing the kitchen team's movement as an "interactive ritual."
This year's other winners range from a cave-like beachfront restaurant in Egypt to a futuristic cocktail lounge in Hong Kong and the newly opened Carbone in London. Prix Versailles Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain said the selected venues demonstrate how design can complement culinary identity while reflecting local culture and surroundings.
In a place like Miami—well-known for flashy dining rooms and over-the-top hospitality—Mottai takes a quieter approach, rooted in craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Not bad for a restaurant tucked away in Coral Gables. It now finds itself sharing a list with some of the most striking dining destinations on the planet.
These are the world’s 16 most beautiful restaurants
- Nobu One Za’abeel, Dubai, UAE
- Le Fou, Vienna, Austria
- Monti, Gstaad, Switzerland
- Akira Back, Hong Kong
- Hana no Kumo, Hong Kong
- Monsieur Dior by Anne-Sophie Pic, Beijing, China
- Peridot, Hong Kong
- Escā Playa, Ras El Hekma, Egypt
- Finlandia Bistro, Helsinki, Finland
- Carbone, London, UK
- Rosso, Hinganigada, India
- Marlow, Monaco, Monaco
- Lucia, Los Angeles, United States
- Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, Beverly Hills, USA
- Mottai, Coral Gables, USA
- Amura by Ángel León, Cape Town, South Africa