At Torno Subito, Massimo Bottura’s Brilliance Touches Down in Miami
One of the world’s top chefs has debuted what’s sure to become one of Miami’s top restaurants (rooftop, that is). Capping off the historic Downtown building that’s home to the multi-story culinary and entertainment venue Julia & Henry’s, Torno Subito is world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura’s new rooftop restaurant that promises elite Italian cooking with a twist of whimsy and fun.
The menu transports guests all over Italy but proudly spotlights two key ingredients from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, where Bottura hails from: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar. It’s all about “tradition in evolution,” the same motto upheld by Bottura’s famed three-Michelin-star flagship restaurant, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy.
Emerge through Torno Subito’s dedicated entrance on East Flagler Street around the corner from Julia & Henry’s main doors, take the elevator to the rooftop, and embark on Bottura’s joyful Italian journey. You’re in for a fancy meal, but also a fun time. Here’s what to know.
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The vibe is retro Italian Riviera meets Fellini fantasy.
From the restaurant decor down to the dishware, Torno Subito is awash in a vibrant color palette that feels at home in Miami as much as coastal Italy. In fact, the design was inspired by Bottura’s childhood trips to the coastal town of Rimini in Emilia-Romagna. Dishes are served on plates that feel like pop art, thanks to playful shades of pink, yellow, and teal. And with whimsical striped walls, a candy-apple red bar, and a yellow-tiled pizza oven, the restaurant was designed to feel like an almost dreamlike circus — a signal that unexpected things can happen here.
“People fall in love with Italy for the landscape, the food, and the unexpected. That is what Torno brings to life,” Bottura says.
The chef is one of the world’s very best.
“I didn’t choose Miami; Miami chose me,” Bottura says. “The last time I was there, I found an amazing energy. I feel it’s the place to be right now.”
A chef who needs no introduction, Massimo Bottura is the culinary mastermind behind Osteria Francescana, which has topped the World’s Best 50 Restaurant list multiple times and holds three Michelin stars as well as a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. His restaurants under the Francescana Family umbrella span cities across Italy and the globe — Dubai, Tokyo, and Seoul, to name a few — and now, Miami.
I didn’t choose Miami; Miami chose me.— Massimo Bottura
The restaurant was named Torno Subito, which means “be right back” in Italian, because Bottura himself will be in and out of Miami. All the while, Bottura has entrusted head chef Bernardo Paladini to hold down the kitchen. Paladini led the original Torno Subito in Dubai to earn a Michelin star, but he’s been here in Miami for the last year and a half, preparing for the restaurant opening. In that time, Paladini has focused on building relationships with South Florida purveyors, from farmers and fishermen to local cheesemakers.
And so is the team behind the drinks.
The rooftop restaurant has an eye-popping indoor-outdoor bar that’s destined to be a Downtown hot spot. It’s a theatrical red color and U-shaped, like it’s meant to be the center of the restaurant’s circus. As for the drinks themselves, cocktails are curated by Dante, an Italian-Australian spot in New York’s Greenwich Village that was named the World’s Best Bar in 2019. Since it opened over a century ago in 1915, Dante has long been a hangout for Italian immigrants, which made them fitting partners.
“We strive to retain our understating of Italian heritage and sensibility – while simultaneously creating accessible and enjoyable cocktails inspired by the Miami drinking culture,” explains Rodrigo Leme, Dante’s director of business.
That’s why Torno Subito’s drink menu features a clever Miami spin on Italian classics, like the peach Bellini mojito and passionfruit Aperol spritz, and even a Parmesan-infused martini as a nod to Emilia-Romagna’s prized export.
There’s a story behind every bite.
Torno Subito might come off as playful (many of their picturesque plates look nothing like what you’d get from a typical Italian restaurant), but they take their food very seriously. Whether you order à la carte or opt for the eight-course tasting menu, culinary storytelling is consistent throughout a meal here.
For example, the Pappa al Pomodoro amuse-bouche is all about fighting food waste: The dish features croutons made with yesterday’s bread service, tomatoes, and Parmigiano Reggiano foam made from the rind. Or consider the tiramisu dessert course that’s about breaking tradition — you’ll literally break through a layer of chocolate biscuit and coffee ice cream with your spoon before getting to the traditional tiramisu layer at the bottom.
In addition, several of the restaurant’s standout dishes — from the lobster roll and pizza fritta, to the tartare and the restaurant’s signature Emilia burger — can be ordered at the bar, which will make for a casual, fun experience in addition to the fireworks in the main dining room.
These dishes prove you can have it all at Torno Subito — something familiarly comforting that honors Italian customs, yet still feels new and unexpected. It’s tradition in evolution, and for that, we have Bottura to thank.
Lyssa Goldberg is a Miami-based freelance writer and content strategist. She loves telling stories about food, wellness, and travel, and you can find her byline in Parade, The Points Guy, U.S. News & World Report, American Way, Mashable, Time Out, and more. Follow her on Instagram and X. Follow Resy, too.
