After 26 years, this beloved Italian restaurant in Coral Gables is closing

Miami Herald

17-07-2025

For 26 years, Caffe Vialetto in Coral Gables was part of the family.
It was the elegant restaurant you went to for romantic dinners or anniversary celebrations — or even girls' nights out or business dinners. It was also home for family milestones: birthdays and baptisms, first communions and graduations, baby and bridal showers, for any and every momentous event in the lives of the customers it served.
Now, the Italian restaurant at 4019 S. Le Jeune Road, a small but mighty building dwarfed by rampant Gables growth, is closing its doors.
Owned by Ernie Fernandez and Marcelo Chopa and founded in 1999 near what would eventually become Merrick Park, Caffe Vialetto announced the sad news on its social media platforms. The final night of service will be Aug. 16.
'After decades of flavor and friendship, we're saying goodbye,' the note began.
The post went on to thank the restaurant's 'incredible community.'
'What started as a humble eatery has grown into something far greater: a space filled with laughter, memories, and heartfelt moments shared over meals. We're endlessly grateful for your support, your stories, and your appetite. Thank you for making us part of your celebrations, your quiet evenings, and your traditions — and we couldn't be more honored.'
The news saddened longtime customers who considered the restaurant a friendly oasis in a culinary world, one that sometimes seems to care more about flash than service. Fans took to social media to lament the closing and remember their favorite dishes. The risottos. The pear ravioli. The short rib papardelle.
Janessa Fuentes of Palmetto Bay, who has been to many parties there as well as sharing quiet dinners with her husband, was determined to celebrate her daughter's communion at Caffe Vialetto.
'I literally booked it a year advance,' she said. 'I called them and said, 'I need to book this now,' and they were such nice, honest people they didn't even collect a deposit. They didn't want my credit card. Ernie said, 'We'll take your word for it, don't worry. If you need to cancel just let us know.' They were so humble. It was a family restaurant that worked on honesty.'
'They'd do whatever you needed for the kids or a group,' she said. 'We made great memories there. This industry is so difficult. It's hard to sustain. It's been here so long for a reason.'
Mike Romeu, owner and operator of Sweet Melody Ice Cream, said the loss hits particularly hard because Caffe Vialetto was the first restaurant to put his ice cream on the menu. He knew Fernandez from his time at Bougainvillea's in South Miami, where Fernandez's band played.
'When I was first making ice cream, I thought 'Maybe Ernie will give me a shot,' and he did, with no hesitation,' he said. 'They put my chocolate cake with cherries and vanilla bean ice cream on the menu. It's rare to find a place where the people are so nice and the food is so good.'
'There wasn't one dish there that wasn't a 10. They always went under the radar. No frills, just good food.'
He also remembers performer Pitbull being a fan of the restaurant.
'He had his own account,' he said. 'He'd eat in a private room and just put the bill on his tab. He's probably heartbroken, too.'