Mercante Opens January 2027 With 175 Seats
Restaurateur Nicola Siervo partners with House Kiki to open an Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant and piano bar at 404 NW North River Drive.
By Oliver Bennett ·
Mercante will open in January 2027 at 404 NW North River Drive on the Miami River.
The venue will feature 175 seats divided between an indoor dining room and a waterfront terrace. A private dining table for up to 20 guests is located on the dock, which also includes a 150-foot berth for boat access.
Restaurateur Nicola Siervo is developing the project with Roman Jones of House Kiki. The partnership combines Siervo’s nearly four decades in Miami nightlife with Jones’s portfolio, which includes Kiki on The River and Habibi.
Siervo said the Miami River environment reminded him of Miami Beach during its 1990s transformation. He described the location as having a Venice vibe that influenced the design. The concept aims to replicate the light and openness of the Italian coast.
The menu will focus on authentic Italian cuisine. Items include freshly made pastas, raw and grilled seafood, and house-made breads. A bar menu will offer Italian street food, and a special pairing menu will feature meatballs and beverages. Desserts will include gelatos, and the wine list will be exclusively Italian.
The interior was designed by Nikolai Design under Mark Lehmkuhl, House Kiki’s Chief Design Officer. The color palette includes turquoise, citrus tones, and green. The exterior features a whitewashed facade with climbing ivy and striped awnings. A vintage turquoise Fiat 500 is positioned outside as a visual anchor.
Guests will enter through a grand entrance with stairs made of hand-glazed Zellige tiles. The main dining room features high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and live piano music. A vine-covered pergola sits on the terrace overlooking the river. In fair weather, floor-to-ceiling doors fold away to connect the interior and exterior spaces.
The venue will operate seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Brunch will be served on Saturdays and Sundays. The space will include a bar and lounge area with polished brass and marble surfaces. Live music, karaoke, and curated soundtracks are planned for the entertainment program.
Siervo has operated or co-owned establishments including Bang, Joia, Quattro, and WALL. His career spans from the 1990s South Beach renaissance to the present day. The Mercante project has been in development since 2024.
House Kiki plans additional openings along the Miami River over the next 48 months. These include a wedding chapel, a lounge called Trinity, and a venue called Villa Romana. Mercante is the latest addition to the group’s waterfront portfolio.
