SOUTH MIAMI, Fla. — South Miami’s dining scene has a notable new addition with the opening of Flight West Miami, a restaurant that blends live-fire cooking, globally inspired New World cuisine, and a whiskey-centric beverage program in a striking new space on Sunset Drive.
Located at 5984 Sunset Drive, the restaurant marks the first Florida expansion of the acclaimed Flight West concept from Rochester, New York. Designed to offer an elevated dining experience without requiring a trip to Miami’s more established culinary districts, the new venue aims to become both a neighborhood favorite and a destination for food and whiskey enthusiasts alike.
“We wanted to create an experience that feels worthy of a celebration while still being accessible to the South Miami community,” said Joel Morejon, Director of Operations at Flight West. “Guests often associate this level of hospitality with neighborhoods like Brickell or Wynwood, and we saw an opportunity to bring that same caliber of dining closer to home.”
The culinary program revolves around a Mibrasa charcoal oven, which imparts subtle smokiness and depth to many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Flight West embraces New World cuisine with global influences while weaving whiskey into both its food and beverage offerings.
Among the standout menu items is the 32-Day Dry-Aged Ribeye, infused with whiskey for added richness. Other highlights include Anticucho-Glazed Charred Octopus served over smoked chickpea hummus, Roasted Cauliflower paired with peanut sauce and jalapeño crema, Alaskan King Crab finished with a gochujang-whiskey glaze, and Butter-Poached Maine Lobster Linguine featuring ají amarillo cream, garlic, and fresh herbs. Whiskey also appears throughout the menu in glazes, reductions, sauces, and even house-made ice creams, reinforcing the restaurant’s signature identity.
The beverage program is equally ambitious. Flight West houses a collection of approximately 350 spirits, with a particular emphasis on whiskey, bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, and Japanese expressions. The extensive selection is designed to appeal to both seasoned collectors and guests exploring whiskey for the first time.
Signature cocktails showcase both creativity and presentation. The Maduro offers a local twist on the Old Fashioned, using Four Roses Bourbon infused with plantain and finished with walnut bitters and a crisp plantain chip garnish. Meanwhile, The Juniper combines gin and St-Germain for a bright botanical profile. Several cocktails pay tribute to South Miami’s history and landscape, including The Larkin, inspired by the pioneering Larkins family, Botanical Oak, which nods to the city’s lush gardens, and The Crossroads, named after the nearby historic intersection.
The beverage program, overseen by Jeffrey Ambler, also includes a wine list featuring more than 50 labels from established Old World producers alongside emerging wine regions, carefully selected to complement the restaurant’s globally inspired menu.
Looking ahead, Flight West plans to expand its whiskey-focused offerings through guided tastings and educational experiences hosted in its private dining room. The events will feature rare expressions, industry experts, and opportunities for guests to deepen their appreciation of whiskey in an approachable setting.
Flight West Miami is now open at 5984 Sunset Drive, South Miami. Reservations, hours, and additional information are available at flightwestmiami.com, and updates can be found on Instagram at @FlightWestMiami.