"Major Food Group's Lake Como fantasy in the Design District — grand-trattoria cooking and a 40-ounce bistecca worth dressing up for."
About Contessa
Contessa opened in 2022 in the Moore Building in Miami's Design District, the Miami chapter of Major Food Group's grand-trattoria concept from founders Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi. The two-floor room is dressed as a Lake Como fantasy — lush, theatrical and built to be seen in.
The cooking is classic northern Italian done with Major Food Group's flair: carpaccio, antipasti, fresh pasta and grand mains. Like the group's other rooms, it trades on glamour and generosity as much as the plates themselves.
The Kitchen
The menu runs from Piemontese and Chianina beef carpaccio and octopus agrodolce through fresh pasta — the spicy lobster capellini and garganelli verdi bolognese are signatures — to grand mains. The headliner is the 40-ounce dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina, carved for the table, with veal Milanese close behind.
Pricing is destination-level: figure around $70 to $100 per person before drinks, with the bistecca and lobster pasta pushing it higher, and $100 to $150 with wine or cocktails. The room is part of what you are paying for.
The Room
The two-floor space is the showpiece — Lake Como flourishes, lush colour and a glamorous, see-and-be-seen energy that fits the Design District. It is loud and social by design, a place to dress up and make a night of it rather than a quiet dinner.
The Moore Building address keeps it central to Miami's luxury-retail and gallery district. Booking ahead is essential for prime evenings and weekends, and the room rewards dressing for the occasion.
Best for Impressing Clients
The glamour, the central Design District address and the carved bistecca make Contessa a natural pick to impress clients or host a milestone birthday. The Lake Como room and the buzz also make it a showy anniversary dinner.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet, intimate meal or a bargain — Contessa is a glamorous, high-priced see-and-be-seen trattoria where the room is half the point.
Frequently Asked
What is Contessa Miami known for?
Being Major Food Group's grand Italian trattoria in the Design District. Opened in 2022 in the Moore Building, it is known for a Lake Como-inspired room, fresh pasta and a 40-ounce bistecca Fiorentina.
Who is behind Contessa Miami?
Major Food Group — founders Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi — the group behind Carbone and other glamorous Italian restaurants, here bringing its grand-trattoria concept to Miami.
What should I order at Contessa?
The signatures: Chianina beef carpaccio and octopus agrodolce to start, the spicy lobster capellini or garganelli verdi bolognese, and the 40-ounce dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina to share.
How much does dinner cost at Contessa Miami?
It is destination-priced. Figure around $70 to $100 per person before drinks, more with the bistecca or lobster pasta, and $100 to $150 with wine or cocktails.
Where is Contessa and do I need to book?
In the Moore Building at 151 NE 41st Street in Miami's Design District. Booking ahead is essential for prime evenings and weekends, and the glamorous room rewards dressing up.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Contessa
Book ahead for prime evenings and weekends. A glamorous, see-and-be-seen room in the Design District — dress for the occasion.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address151 NE 41st Street, Design District, Miami
NeighbourhoodThe Moore Building, Miami Design District
CuisineItalian
PriceAround $70–100 per person before drinks; the 40-ounce bistecca and spicy lobster capellini run higher
Dress CodeSmart / glamorous
SeatingTwo-floor Lake Como-inspired dining room
ReservationEssential for prime evenings
