Pubbelly Sushi celebrates 15 years of iconic rolls and innovation in South Florida

Fifteen years ago, a then lesser-known chef named José Mendín opened a tiny gastropub in a quiet corner of Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood. That restaurant, Pubbelly, introduced a hyper-creative fusion of Japanese and Latin flavors to the city’s dining scene and quickly became an instant locals’ favorite shortly after it became Pubbelly Sushi. Today, led by five-time James Beard Award–nominated chef Mendín, Pubbelly Sushi has grown from a single “cool” neighborhood spot into a beloved Miami culinary institution, one credited with sparking Sunset Harbour’s transformation into the dining hotspot it is today.

In the decade and a half since its 2010 debut, Pubbelly Sushi’s impact on Miami’s food landscape has been profound. The original Pubbelly “defied classification,” as Chef Mendín mixed Asian, Latin, and even Italian influences into his dishes, setting a trend for innovative mash-up cuisine in the city. “When we started Pubbelly, our intention was simple: create a place where chefs and food lovers could enjoy high-quality, unpretentious dishes in a cool atmosphere,” says Chef Mendín. “I never imagined our little gastropub would help revolutionize Miami’s culinary scene the way it did. Seeing Sunset Harbour blossom around us and knowing we played a part in that is incredibly humbling.” In 2013, the City of Miami Beach even declared an official “Pubbelly Group Day” to recognize the homegrown restaurant’s outsized influence. A testament to the culture-changing footprint of the brand.

Anniversary Celebration

Starting October 1, Pubbelly Sushi marks its 15th anniversary with a month-long celebration to thank the community that has embraced it. All signature sushi rolls at every Pubbelly Sushi location will be priced at $15 for the entire month, a nod to 15 years of flavor and innovation. From the famed Butter Krab Roll to the truffle-laced Yellowtail Tá and other classics, diners can indulge in the restaurant’s greatest hits at this special anniversary price. “Our guests are the reason we’ve made it 15 years,” Mendín notes. “Offering our most popular rolls for $15 all month is our way of saying thank you a little birthday gift from us to Miami.”

The festivities will culminate in an epic 15th Anniversary Party on October 16th, 2025 with its loyal customers, friends, and colleagues at the original Sunset Harbour location. In true Pubbelly fashion,  the kind of legendary bash only the “Pubbelly Boys” can throw, the evening promises to be a vibrant celebration of food, music, and Miami spirit. 

From Miami Beach to West Palm Beach

What started as a single eatery in 2010 has since blossomed into a mini-empire of culinary creativity. Pubbelly Sushi now boasts five locations across South Florida, with a sixth on the horizon. In addition to the flagship Miami Beach restaurant in Sunset Harbour, Pubbelly Sushi can be found at:

• Brickell City Centre – bringing Pubbelly’s vibe to the heart of Miami’s financial district
• Aventura Mall – a bustling outpost in one of South Florida’s premier shopping destinations
• Downtown Dadeland – a Kendall-area locale catering to the South Miami-Dade community
• Pembroke Pines – the newest location, serving Broward County sushi lovers

The brand’s next stop is West Palm Beach, where a new Pubbelly Sushi is now open on Clematis Street, downtown’s nightlife and dining strip. This upcoming location, the company’s first in Palm Beach County, affirms Pubbelly Sushi’s steady expansion beyond Miami-Dade (where it currently operates five restaurants). “Expanding to West Palm Beach is an exciting new chapter for us,” says Mendín. “Bringing Pubbelly to new communities while staying true to what we are and that’s always the goal. We can’t wait to share our food and vibe with a whole new crowd up there.”

Mendín’s Culinary Empire Grows

The 15-year milestone arrives amid a flurry of new ventures for Chef Jose Mendín, whose culinary creativity extends well beyond the sushi that made him a South Florida star. In his native Puerto Rico, Mendín recently debuted Mar y Rosa, a rooftop restaurant and bar above the historic streets of Old San Juan at the historic Alma San Juan, quickly becoming known as one of the island’s hottest new dining destinations. Back in Miami Beach he opened Casa Isola Osteria in 2021, taking over Pubbelly’s original Sunset Harbour space and reinventing it as a cozy Italian tavern (while still paying homage to Pubbelly’s communal, tavern-style roots). Mendín has also shown his knack for comfort food: he launched The Piefather, a New York-style pizza and pasta concept operating out of The Wharf Fort Lauderdale and Regatta Grove. And in a move that cements his international footprint, Chef Mendín brought a taste of Miami to Mexico City with Isola Polanco, an Italian-American restaurant in the Polanco district, his latest creation abroad.

Despite this growing portfolio, Pubbelly Sushi remains the heart and soul of Mendín’s endeavors. The restaurant continues to earn accolades (including “Best Sushi” in Readers’ Choice Awards) and draw locals and tourists alike with its inventive dishes like the Tuna Pizza and Miso Black Cod. “Pubbelly Sushi is where it all began for me, we’re still having fun, still trying new things, and still cooking from the heart. Here’s to the next 15!”said Mendin. 

ABOUT PUBBELLY SUSHI

Pubbelly Sushi is a trend-setting Japanese-Latin inspired restaurant concept founded in 2010 by Chef Jose Mendín in Miami Beach, Florida. From its beginnings as a humble Sunset Harbour gastropub, Pubbelly Sushi has grown into a local culinary icon known for its inventive sushi rolls, shareable tapas-style plates, and warm neighborhood vibe. Today, Pubbelly Sushi operates five South Florida locations (Miami Beach, Brickell, Aventura, Dadeland, and Pembroke Pines) with expansion to West Palm Beach underway, delighting guests with high-quality cuisine in a fun, family-style atmosphere. A five-time James Beard Award nominee, Chef Mendín has built Pubbelly Sushi’s reputation on creativity, consistency, and community – an approach that has earned the brand numerous accolades, including a Miami New Times “Best Sushi” award. For more information, visit pubbellyglobal.com or follow @pubbellyglobal on social media.