Nestled in a lush tropical garden just off the main strip off Collins Avenue in South Beach, Casa Tua is a true Miami institution. Since opening in 2001 as a welcoming place for friends and family, owners Miky and Leticia Grendene have turned Casa Tua into a global brand with locations around the world.

“Casa Tua means ‘your home’ in Italian,” the owners tell GRAZIA USA. “The inspiration was literally our home. When we started our family, we wanted to create a space to entertain and enjoy special moments that echoed our home, where our friends and family and like-minded individuals could come together and enjoy good conversation, happy moments and great food. We love sharing the warmth and soul of our home with our friends and family.”

They’ve brought delicious food, excellent service and exclusive events all over the world. After opening the very first Casa Tua in Miami, there are now locations in Aspen and Paris, as well as plans for more in Miami and one at The Surrey in New York City. “We open places where we like to be,” the husband and wife duo explain. “We chose Aspen because we wanted to raise our kids there. We opened Paris because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and our daughter was in school there at the time.”

Next, the Grendenes are branching out into real estate and giving it their special twist with ORA by Casa Tua, a residential tower in the city’s Brickell neighborhood. “People live in a different way now and we aim to create a place that takes the best elements of residential and hotel,” they say. “We wanted to create a place for people to come together and build community.” As Miami takes its place as a global destination — in many ways, escalated due to the global pandemic— Casa Tua continues to blaze the trail.

“Miami is finally having the moment that is long overdue,” they admit. “Our city has become a destination for food, culture, art, fashion, elevated sports and entertainment. With Formula 1 and other global events coming to the city, the standouts are those who have been in the Miami market for a while now, those who have believed in Miami and continue to build our city.” One way they made such a mark on the Miami culinary scene is by standing out and going against the grain. “We opened the flagship restaurant on Miami Beach over 20 years ago and chose to put quality and passion before anything else. We created more than a restaurant, we created a home for our clients.”

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