The story
Jaya — Sanskrit for "victory" — sets its intentions plainly. Conceived as a celebration of culinary diversity, this restaurant at The Setai Miami Beach draws from regional traditions across South Asia, weaving together flavors that rarely share the same table. The result is an Asian dining experience that feels both expansive and deliberate, earning Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for a wine program worthy of the kitchen it accompanies.
Executive Chef Vijay Veena leads a menu that moves fluidly across the continent. Traditional tandoor oven preparations sit alongside wok-crafted curries, and the signature Peking Duck has become a signature draw in its own right. Every Wednesday, Chef Veena's "Flavors of India" series dedicates the evening to a specific Indian region, rotating through the subcontinent's diverse culinary traditions week by week — a format that rewards regulars and gives first-timers a focused entry point into the restaurant's depth.
The weekend Caviar & Champagne Brunch extends the kitchen's range further: a caviar station, the Peking Duck, premium grilled meats and fish, a seafood tower, and a live dessert bar, all accompanied by free-flowing Louis Roederer Champagne. Saturdays bring Parisian electro-lounge and Ibiza-inspired beats; Sundays shift to live jazz from The Vinyl Blvd.
Evenings at Jaya unfold in an al fresco courtyard where the Asian Night Bazaar takes over nightly. Aerialists and contortionists perform alongside a resident DJ, creating an atmosphere that balances spectacle with the seriousness of the food. A casual elegant dress code keeps the tone appropriately refined — blazers encouraged, beachwear firmly not.
Breakfast runs daily, lunch through the week, and dinner every evening until eleven — a schedule that makes Jaya as relevant to a quiet morning as to a full evening out on Collins Avenue.
Recognition
Ambience
Location