Slim’s Steakhouse by STARR Opening Next Month at Bal Harbour Shops
STARR Restaurants is set to debut a new steakhouse concept, Slim’s, at the iconic Bal Harbour Shops in March 2026. Led by hospitality powerhouse Stephen Starr, the highly anticipated restaurant promises a fresh, elevated take on the classic American steakhouse in one of South Florida’s most prestigious retail destinations. .
A New Steakhouse From the Team Behind Pastis, Makoto & Buddakan
STARR Restaurants, the acclaimed hospitality group founded by Stephen Starr, is known for creating some of the most recognizable dining destinations in the country. The group’s portfolio includes iconic concepts such as Pastis, Makoto, Buddakan, and Le Diplomate — each celebrated for its distinct atmosphere, culinary excellence, and devoted following.
With Slim’s, STARR is introducing a refined steakhouse concept that blends timeless design with modern energy. While details about the full menu and interiors are still under wraps, expectations are high given the group’s track record of delivering restaurants that feel both transportive and enduring.
Why Bal Harbour Shops?
Bal Harbour Shops has become more than a luxury shopping destination — it has evolved into a culinary hub featuring some of the most sought-after restaurant brands in the country. The addition of Slim’s Steakhouse further strengthens the property’s growing roster of upscale dining concepts.
For Miami’s luxury market — including nearby Bal Harbour, Surfside, and Bay Harbor Islands — Slim’s is expected to become a go-to spot for power lunches, celebratory dinners, and high-end social gatherings. Its location within Bal Harbour Shops ensures strong foot traffic from affluent shoppers and international visitors alike.
What to Expect From Slim’s Steakhouse
While the full menu has not yet been released, diners can likely anticipate:
Prime and dry-aged steaks
Signature steakhouse appetizers and raw bar selections
Classic sides with a modern twist
A robust wine list and craft cocktail program
Given STARR Restaurants’ reputation for design-forward spaces, Slim’s is also expected to deliver a visually striking interior that complements the sophisticated atmosphere of Bal Harbour Shops.
Opening Timeline
Slim’s Bal Harbour is expected to open in four weeks. This page will be updated as more details emerge.
For now, Slim’s Steakhouse is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Miami for 2026, further elevating Bal Harbour Shops’ position as a premier dining destination.
Bal Harbour Shops’ Ambitious Expansion Plan: A Blend of Luxury and Workforce Housing
Bal Harbour Shops, a renowned shopping center in Florida, is set to undergo a transformative expansion that promises to reshape the community’s housing landscape. The owners of Bal Harbour Shops have filed an exciting proposal to build an expansion that includes 600 residential units, a move aimed at addressing the critical need for housing for various community members. This development has been made possible through Florida’s new Live Local Act, which allows developers to bypass certain local zoning regulations in exchange for a commitment to create workforce housing.
The visionary behind this project, Matthew Whitman Lazenby, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Whitman Family Development, sees the expansion as an opportunity to diversify the area’s housing market. Lazenby expressed, “By adding workforce and market-rate housing catering to service and hospitality workers, teachers, first responders, and other workers who are the backbone and lifeblood of our community and who are currently priced out of the market, Bal Harbour Shops will diversify the area’s housing market so that people who work in this Village can actually live here.”
The expansion will consist of two distinct types of residential units. First, 40% of the units will be dedicated to workforce housing, providing an attainable living option for essential members of the community. These units will offer comfortable and quality living spaces designed to cater to the needs of service industry workers, teachers, and first responders.
The remaining 60% of residential units will be luxurious, maintaining the premium design, finishes, and features that characterize Bal Harbour Shop’s luxury brand. This blend of workforce and luxury housing creates a unique living environment that promotes inclusivity and diversity while maintaining a high standard of living.
Apart from residential units, the expansion plan includes a 70-room upscale hotel, adding to the allure of Bal Harbour as a destination for visitors and tourists. Additionally, 45,700 square feet of retail space will be integrated, providing residents and visitors with more shopping options.
The new towers are set to rise to approximately 275 feet, similar in height to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort across the street. The design places a strong emphasis on pedestrian access and street-level activations, ensuring that the development seamlessly integrates with the surrounding community. New entry points to the development will enhance accessibility and encourage community engagement.
Currently, Bal Harbour Shops is eagerly awaiting the issuance of a building permit. Once this milestone is reached, the first phase of the project will commence with the construction of an attainable housing tower on the property’s southwest corner. Subsequently, the luxury housing and hotel will follow, further enhancing the community’s housing and hospitality offerings.
Chicago’s Mediterranean Restaurant Aba to Launch in the Bal Harbour Shops Miami
With its most recent expansion news—the launch this fall of Chicago’s Mediterranean restaurant Aba on its first floor—The Bal Harbour Shops in Bal Harbour shows that it is more than just a place to shop. It arrives in Miami courtesy of former Top Chef contestant CJ Jacobson, senior partner Marc Jacobs, and Chicago-based hospitality company Lettuce Entertain You, which is working with Aba for the first time on a South Florida project.
Aba, a sister establishment of Ēma in Chicago’s River North, features chef Jacobson’s more casual approach to Mediterranean cooking. The cuisine emphasizes vegetables and offers a variety of dips, such as avocado hummus with Dungeness crab and carrot sunflower with sunflower tahini.
Other notable meals are the shawarma Spiced Skirt Steak with Black Garlic Mushroom Jus, the grilled Mahi Mahi with Roasted Garlic Yogurt, and the torched toro toro with watermelon and crystalized Castelvetrano olives.
A wine list that focuses on wineries that use sustainable, organic, and/or biodynamic farming methods was chosen by mixologist Liz Pearce and has cocktails that combine elements of the Mediterranean and Southern California.
Hebrew named Aba which translates as “Father,” is a continuation of Chef CJ Jacobson’s earlier eatery, Ema, which means “Mother.” Chicago and Austin currently house the two Aba sites.
The first floor of the mall will include Aba, which will have an indoor dining room with more than 240 seats, a covered patio, a mezzanine bar, and a terrace. It goes without saying that it will be a spacious and much-needed contrast to the slew of other Mediterranean eateries that are opening this season, including the tapas-focused Mazeh, the stunning Lebanese Amal, and the modern Israeli restaurant Neya.
