How Igor Dze Is Transforming Italian Dining into an Immersive Miami Experience

Q&A: Leonardo Brings the Golden Age of Italian Dining Back to Life

Miami, FL – April 15, 2026 – Leonardo is “a love letter to the golden age of Italian dining, reimagined for Miami Beach today,” says Igor Dze, Founder and Co-Owner of Leonardo, capturing the spirit of mid-century Italian-American glamour with a modern, immersive twist.

Rooted in tradition yet designed to evolve throughout the evening, the experience begins with refined, authentic cuisine before transforming into a vibrant late-night scene where “art, music, design and atmosphere come together.” Signature dishes like the Fettuccine alla Leonardo, finished tableside in a wheel of Parmesan, and the Whole Branzino flambéed tableside deliver both flavor and theatrics, while a dynamic cocktail program ranges from the floral Hibiscus martini to the bold Passion Paradise.

The restaurant’s design further deepens the sense of transport, with “deep green tones, antique mirrors and warm, aged wood” creating a layered, cinematic ambiance personally curated by Dze. The goal, he explains, is for guests to “lose track of time—in the best way,” embracing the rhythm of a lingering Italian dinner that effortlessly unfolds into something more electric.

Set against the backdrop of South Beach, Leonardo taps into the neighborhood’s energy and global appeal, offering a dining experience that feels both nostalgic and entirely of the moment.

Igor Dze

“Leonardo is a love letter to the golden age of Italian dining, reimagined for Miami Beach today.”

Please tell us about the concept of Leonardo’s.

Igor Dze: Leonardo is a love letter to the golden age of Italian dining, reimagined for Miami Beach today. It draws inspiration from the elegance and ritual of Italian-American restaurants from the 1930s through the 1950s, where dinner was never rushed and the restaurant itself felt like a stage for connection and celebration. The experience begins as a refined dinner centered around authentic Italian cuisine and gradually evolves into a lively late-night dinner party, where art, music, design and atmosphere come together.

Burratta

Tuna Tartar

What are some of the signature dishes and cocktails?

ID: The menu highlights classic Italian cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and time-honored techniques. Signature dishes include the Fettuccine alla Leonardo, finished tableside in a wheel of Parmesan, and the Whole Branzino, flambéed tableside for a theatrical touch. Guests can also expect standout crudos like Tuna Tartare, Beef Carpaccio, and a Burrata with tomato gazpacho, alongside house-made pastas such as Tagliatelle with meat ragù and Linguine Aragosta with Maine lobster.

The cocktail program is equally expressive, featuring signature drinks from the Hibiscus, a floral martini with hibiscus-infused vodka and elderflower to the Passion Paradise, a vibrant tequila cocktail with passionfruit and spice. Classic cocktails are reimagined with Italian influences, complemented by an extensive wine list.

Igor Dze & Medhi Vanden Broeck

“The menu highlights classic Italian cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and time-honored techniques.”

Lobster Linguini

Three Tomatoes

What do you hope guests experience at Leonardo’s?

ID: The hope is that guests lose track of time—in the best way. Leonardo is built around that feeling of a long, lingering Italian dinner where one course turns into another, another bottle is opened, the music gets a little louder and suddenly the night has taken on a life of its own. It’s about creating a space where people feel present, connected and part of something unfolding around them.

The Oasis Cooler

Libria Dze, Igor Dze, & Medhi Vanden Broeck

“Walking into Leonardo feels like stepping into another era.”

Tell us about the design of the interior space.

ID: Walking into Leonardo feels like stepping into another era. The room is wrapped in deep green tones, antique mirrors and warm, aged wood that give it a sense of history and depth. I’m proud to have had a personal hand in every element of the design, down to the materials, textures and finishes, so nothing feels accidental or overly polished. Artwork inspired by Leonardo da Vinci lines the walls, and subtle nods to Italian artistry (even overhead) add to the feeling that the space is layered, lived-in and timeless.

Melanzane Parmigiana

Fettuccine Leonardo

Into the Tropics

Why did you choose South Beach for the location?

ID: South Beach was a natural fit because of its unique blend of international energy, cultural vibrancy and appreciation for elevated hospitality experiences. The neighborhood attracts both locals and global visitors who are looking for something beyond a traditional dinner. Leonardo’s concept, which transitions from refined dining into a dynamic late-night atmosphere, aligns perfectly with Miami Beach’s rhythm and lifestyle, making it an ideal setting to bring this vision to life.

Limone

Tiramisu