Babette In Coral Gables - A Culinary Couple’s Heartfelt Love Letter To Hospitality

“Babette is a place that could not be, would not exist, if it weren’t for Alex and the journey we’ve made together,” says Chef Dani. “The very soul of the place is built on what we share - the life, the love, the family we’ve created. We opened Babette to set a table where others can feel that same sense of joy, comfort, and amor de la vida.”

Babette presents a refined yet welcoming menu, where Mediterranean soul meets the precision of French technique, the vibrancy of Spanish cuisine, and unexpected Japanese influence. Every dish is rooted in ingredient purity and thoughtful simplicity, allowing flavors to shine without distraction. Dishes that have become signature must-tries include a sumptuous Crab Truffle Flan, a complex dish rich in flavor, bedrocked by chawanmushi, a Japanese steamed egg custard, that Dani fell in love with during his time overseas. Other notable selections include a visually striking and delicious warm Summer Vegetable Mosaic, an artful composition of organic carrots, radishes, snow peas, parsnip and carrot purée, pickled cauliflower, and baby zucchini; and Beet Tartare, a vegetarian spin on the carnivorous classic anchored by dashi and dressed with sherry and rosé vinegar. Equally compelling Entrees include housemade Cavatelli with tender lamb ragout, brightened with mint and paprika; a crisp Berkshire Pork Cutlet paired with rosemary apple purée, green asparagus, and earthy porcini; and the Magret de Canard – silky slices of duck served with kabocha squash, roasted endive heart, and a luscious zucchini-spinach purée.

Among the current dessert offerings are a simple yet elegant Apple Mille-Feuille and Berries Pavlova. A full bar is available as well as an impressive wine list, curated with care by Dani himself, offering bottle selections and offerings by the glass for erudite oenophiles and budding enthusiasts alike.

The decor is a seamless blend of timeless European elegance and modern chic, evoking a warm, inviting, and often candlelit/romantic atmosphere. Every detail from the vintage-inspired furnishings to the soft, ambient lighting evokes the charm of a cozy café on a quiet European street, while still embracing Miami’s joie de vivre. The intimate space accommodates 30 guests indoors, while a charming patio with seating for 20 offers a perfect outdoor dining experience under the Miami sky.

Meanwhile, a secret stirs upstairs. Coming November 2025, The Romeo Room, an intimate escape draped in velvet and whimsy, where Victorian tea room elegance meets the allure of a modern speakeasy. Guests will be able to slip away into this intimate hideaway to enjoy thoughtfully crafted cocktails and a menu of curated bites, all served in a space designed to feel like a world apart.

The backstory: Chef Dani’s journey to Babette began in Venezuela, learning to cook with his mother and making sandwiches with his father; these two experiences kick-started his passion for cooking and his lifelong love affair with Nutella. As a young man, seeking a posh professional life, he joined law school but soon discovered himself gravitating toward F&B when he decided, rather spontaneously, to open a café. His moneymaking endeavor soon became his raison d'être, and though he completed and graduated from law school, his true passion ultimately led him to pursue a life in the kitchen. In Barcelona, he won a national culinary competition and earned a scholarship to culinary school, training in world-renowned kitchens, including the genre-defying, trend-setting El Bulli, still considered to this day one of the most impactful restaurants in the history of modern gastronomy, widely considered the most influential restaurant of the modern era. At Can Ravell, he cooked for the King of Spain and helped Lluçanès earn a Michelin star, but it was joining legendary Chef/Restaurateur David Bouley that truly helped him blaze a path forward, working with the chef to open restaurants all over the world. In fact, Dani credits his time in Okinawa as a pivotal turning point in his life and career; it was there that he became acquainted with Blue Zones, a discovery that directly impacted how he approached cooking. In 2020, after a chance meeting as adults, he reconnected with Alexandra, the little sister of one of Dani’s school friends. And what began as a rekindled friendship soon blossomed into a love affair and a business partnership, which brought them to Miami, where Babette was born in 2025. A great deal of Babette’s allure is the product of Alexandra’s keen eye; a product designer by profession, with extensive experience in interior design and corporate image development, her undeniable sense of style is integral to the concept and complements Dani’s culinary prowess. In addition to leading Babette, Dani is also the Chief Culinary Officer at Epicured, where he leads menu development in collaboration with Epicured’s Partners in Health, furthering their mission to heal through food. This role reflects his passion for health-conscious, purposeful cuisine.

Babette is located at 301 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Hours of operation are Tuesday - Saturday, Lunch is from 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dinner is from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. For more information and to make a reservation, visit: https://babettemiami.com. Follow along on Social Media on Instagram at: @babettemiami.