This rustic Italian spot in Miami Beach just opened a second restaurant in Aventura

A South of Fifth neighborhood favorite has opened a second location in Aventura.

Gaby by Call Me Gaby, the laidback and rustic Italian restaurant on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, is now open at the Aventura Mall.

The restaurant, which opened in 2018 across the street from Joe’s Stone Crab and is owned by Cathy & Anthony Arrighi, is known for its relaxed al fresco dining as well as its pizza, pasta, foccacia and charcuterie.

The Aventura spot is located between Pani and Pubbelly Sushi in the former space of the busy Israeli and Mediterranean restaurant Motek, which moved to a larger spot on the other side of Pani.

A chef cuts a pizza at the new Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.
A chef cuts a pizza at the new Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.

Cathy Arrighi said they were thrilled to bring “the essence” of Call Me Gaby to Aventura.

“Our team has poured their hearts into creating a space where guests can gather, enjoy delicious food, and create lasting memories together,” she said in a statement.

The menu will focus on pizza and pasta and serve lunch and dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Gaby by Call Me Gaby is the latest addition to the growing number of dining options popping up in and around the mall. Several have opened in the past year at the Esplanade at Aventura next to the mall, including the Peruvian spot Jarana and the Patagonian-Italian spot Amalfi Llama, which specializes in grilled meat and pasta.

A corner table at Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.
A corner table at Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.

The new restaurant will also see some Italian competition in 2025, when the international juggernaut Eataly will open at the mall, above the Louis Vuitton store in the Nordstrom wing. Eataly will include a market, a grab-and-go counter for coffee, snacks and sandwiches and two full service Italian restaurants, Eataly Ristorante and Il Pastaio.

Tommaso Bruso, the Italian brand’s CEO for North America, told the Miami Herald earlier this year that Eataly is an “ambassador for the Italian lifestyle.”

“When you come to visit Eataly, you’re supposed to have the same experience that you have when you go to Italy physically, without the flying or packing your luggage,” he said.

The interior of the cozy Italian spot Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.
The interior of the cozy Italian spot Gaby by Call Me Gaby in Aventura.

Gaby by Call Me Gaby

Where: 19565 Biscayne Blvd., #938, Aventura.

Hours: Lunch and dinner daily

Reservations: OpenTable

More information: www.callmegaby.com

Gaby by Call Me Gaby also offers outdoor seating at the Aventura Mall.
Gaby by Call Me Gaby also offers outdoor seating at the Aventura Mall.