Eataly Expands to Miami, Rockefeller Center, and Heads to Sea
The Ikea of Italian food opens its first Florida location, introduces a caffè, and sets sail on an MSC ship -- all part of a massive expansion of the brand
In 2007, Oscar Farinetti opened the first Eataly in Torino, Italy, with the idea that it would be more than a grocery store. The shop, which embellished on the traditional market concept with a food hall, classes, and more, was an instant hit. When Eataly came to New York City’s Flatiron neighborhood in 2010, people queued up (sometimes for hours) to sip on prosecco, eat pizza, and shop for pasta and Moka pots.
There are now more than 50 Eatalys around the globe, with locations from Istanbul to Stockholm. Now the Eataly family is growing with the addition of several more concepts from the first Florida Eataly to the Eataly Caffè in Rockefeller Center (and soon, Hudson Yards), and even an Eataly (of sorts) on a mega cruise ship.
The First Eataly in Florida Opens in a Mega Mall
Eataly will open its first Florida store on Thursday, June 12, inside Aventura Mall. Considered the fifth-largest mall in the United States and housing everything from luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Gucci to budget retailers like the Gap and J.C. Penny, Aventura Mall is a hodgepodge of a shopping destination. The mall, located about halfway between Downtown Miami and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, is undergoing a major expansion that includes its Esplanade area of dining options and specialty stores.
At 30,000 square feet, Eataly Aventura will house two sit-down restaurants, a quick service caffè, a wine store, a cooking school, and a retail market offering both pantry and ready-to-eat products.
The two sit-down restaurants are La Pizza & La Pasta, a 300-seat restaurant offering pizza and pasta, with dishes from Italy’s various regions.
At Il Pastaio (pasta maker), diners can watch their fresh pasta being made. This 90-seat restaurant is more intimate.
The caffè area consists of several different counters, including,
A Lavazza caffè
La Pasticceria, a pastry counter with cakes, croissants, and other baked goods
Il Gelato, offering gelato and sorbetto creations
Pizza alla Pala, offering a variety of Roman-style pizzas
Panini, a counter dedicated to focaccia and panini
Eataly at Sea
Just last month, Eataly also launched its Eataly at Sea onboard the MSC World America ship. The mega ship, which sails from Port of Miami and can accommodate 6,762 passengers, offers everything from a giant shark slide and bumper cars to a gin bar and a musical review of “Dirty Dancing”. Eataly at Sea is one of its specialty dining options. Available for an upcharge, the restaurant serves Italian favorites, including freshly made pastas. The concept, frankly, had so much potential for a mini Eataly. Located on the ship’s shopping and dining arcade, this Eataly at Sea could have housed a small boutique with a curated selection of herbs, pastas, and small kitchen gadgets that are easily packable for memorable souvenirs. It also could have held pasta-making and other culinary classes, wine tastings, and so much more. Perhaps Eataly will realize its potential of a captive audience of thousands.
Eataly Caffè
Lastly, the very first Eataly Caffè recently opened in Rockefeller Center, featuring a coffee bar, pastry and gelato counters, grab-and-go fridges, and a curated retail section. Tourists and New Yorkers alike can grab freshly baked cornetti and cappuccino in the morning. There’s also panini and tramezzini, Roman pizza alla pala, salads, and pastas.
Eataly seems to be doubling down on the Caffè concept, opening one in Hudson Yards any day now.
More Eataly
According to Eater New York, Eataly is opening three locations at JFK Airport some time this year. This is all part of Eataly’s planned expansion throughout the U.S. and Canada, targeting malls and city areas.