Cult Favorite Fooq’s Returns to Miami in Massive New Little River Location
The long-anticipated return of Fooq’s, a Persian-French dining concept that gained a dedicated following in downtown Miami before its closure in 2021, has officially taken place in the Little River neighborhood. David Foulquier, co-owner of We All Gotta Eat Hospitality Group, has reopened the restaurant as a significantly larger venue compared to its original intimate space. The new property spans 14,000 square feet across two stories, featuring a chef’s counter, extensive outdoor dining, and a design intended to replicate a dinner-party atmosphere.
Executive Chef Andrew Bazzini leads the kitchen at the revitalized establishment, which joins an increasingly dense culinary corridor in Little River alongside the Michelin-starred Ogawa and Sunny’s Steakhouse. The reopening marks the end of a hiatus that began during the COVID-19 pandemic when the original location was converted into Eleventh Street Pizza. Foulquier described the restaurant’s absence as creating a “mythical” status similar to seeing the Grateful Dead, noting that the closure allowed the brand to retain a cult-like following among Miami residents.
Despite the excitement surrounding the opening, the expansion into Little River comes with noted reservations regarding urban development. Foulquier admitted he was initially reluctant to invest in the area, having sworn previously to avoid neighborhoods that lacked established infrastructure. The decision to leave the original downtown location was driven by significant operational challenges, including limited parking, vehicle break-ins, and safety concerns that deterred patrons. While the new development suggests a more planned approach to the neighborhood’s growth, the restaurant now faces the standard challenges of operating a large-scale venue in an area that is still actively undergoing gentrification and construction.
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