Governor’s Island is about to be transformed into a tropical oasis. A revolutionary restaurant concept and beach escape from Groupo Gitano, Gitano Island Club, is opening on Governor’s Island, giving city residents a true place to escape. The 27,000 square-foot waterfront restaurant and beach club will serve brunch, dinner, and host disco nights, transporting guests to Tulum with an authentic Mexican menu.

The property sits just five minutes away from lower Manhattan by ferry, and is a tropical oasis filled with sand, lush greenery, and tropical palm trees. There will be a 600 person capacity restaurant, along with the company’s iconic black Bedouin Dining Tent with a 360 degree marble bar, twin dining pergolas and open fired kitchen, and a beach club complete with sun beds and tipis. Another element of the Gitano Island Club is CLUB GITANO, a members lounge centered around a 40 foot water feature with a  giant disco ball. Gitano will introduce a tented stage, and have a rotating program of local and international DJs and live artist performances. The music program features a blend of Classic and Nu Disco, House Music, Afrobeats, and Latin Music, presented on a cutting edge Martin Audio sound system.

The menu of the main restaurant is the brainchild of Executive Chef Antonio Maldonado, who is joining forces with Jose Luis Hinostroza (Atila and Arca Restaurants) to craft the most authentic Tulum-inspired dishes, from Mexican lobster rolls to watermelon salad to Branzino cooked in banana leaf.

Gitano Island will open every day from noon to 10 pm, and to 11 pm on weekends. The beach is a two-minute walk from the Governor’s Island Ferry drop-off point.