The 40 best restaurants in Miami to book right now

What is it? A cross between an L.A. strip mall gem and a cozy Brooklyn dive, Boia De sits on the edge of Buena Vista and Little Haiti, where it serves modern, Italian-inspired dishes and low-ABV cocktails that taste not a drop less celebratory.

Why we love it: Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer pour themselves into this place, constantly reinventing the classics. The beef tartare, for example, is topped with a crunchy shallot-garlic concoction as well as capers, which are fried for a burst of briny flavor, and then the whole thing is smothered in a yummy tonnato sauce, a tuna-based Italian condiment that holds everything together like some kind of fancy picnic salad. The pasta is fresh and the wine list is superb, offering a few skin-contact options to coax you out of your comfort zone.

What is it? Thomas Keller’s restaurant inside the Four Seasons Surf Club is a shining example of the quality and elegance the chef is known for.

Why we love it: From the tightly edited classic American menu to the midcentury stylings to the special moments afforded by the numerous tableside preparations available, it’s all class, baby. Go in knowing you’re going to spend a small fortune—but it’ll all be worth it for shareable dishes like the flaky beef Wellington that’s baked and carved to order.

What is it? Tâm Tâm began as a pandemic project, then a series of special collab dinners and now, finally, a brick-and-mortar restaurant serving creative and highly shareable Vietnamese dishes in a nostalgic Downtown Miami dining room.

Why go? Unlike other pop-ups that haven’t managed to figure out much beyond the food, Tâm Tâm nails every aspect: vibe, service and its dishes, which you’ll find yourself craving over and over again.

Order this: The crazy-crispy wings in caramel fish sauce

What is it? At Ariete in Coconut Grove, Michael Beltran flourishes at the intersection of homestyle Cuban cooking and contemporary fine dining. He takes familiar dishes up a notch with high-low ingredient pairings that never feel too forced: From grilled oysters with bone marrow and uni butter to a "pan con bistec"-style A5 ribeye with caramelized onion and papitas, it all kind of makes sense. 

Why we love it: Few restaurants can prepare a duck in as many ways or with the same level of precision. But then again, few offer a tableside pressed duck experience like Ariete.

What is it? Maty’s is an homage to James Beard Best Chef: South winner Valerie Chang’s Peruvian roots and her grandmother, Maty, who inspired her to cook. 

Why we love it: Previously at the helm of the lauded Nikkei concept Itamae alongside her brother Nando, here, Chang takes simple dishes and imbues them with familiar yet complex Peruvian flavors. Oysters arrive in a tangy leche de tigre and dots of herby oil. The roasted sweet corn gets treated to a luscious huancaína sauce. It all plays out in a modern, airy dining room in bustling Midtown.

Order this: The star of the show is the whole Dorado. Splayed open with the skin side up, it’s a brilliant preparation, retaining the fish’s unbelievably soft texture.

What is it? Zitz Sum is a modern, Asian-inspired restaurant in Coral Gables.

Why go? Chef and owner Pablo Zitzmann started his solo dumpling business during lockdown, and we couldn’t be happier for his success. Zitz Sum is now a brick-and-mortar in Coral Gables, which means we can pop in at any time for his hand-rolled dumplings, scallion pancakes and other Asian-influenced dishes. Zitzmann, who’s of German-Mexican heritage, lets his creativity run free with unexpected pairings like charred cabbage with habanero butter and wonton in brodo with chicken and foie gras. 

What is it? The original Sunny’s pop-up was run by the team behind the much-missed Jaguar Sun co-owners, Carey Hynes and Will Thompson. Now, they’ve brought in ex-Edge chef Aaron Brooks to run the kitchen at the newly renovated and reopened brick-and-mortar restaurant in Little River. The theme is steakhouse classics turned sideways, as in the Caesar dominated by super-crisp fried breadcrumbs. Steak tartare is pre-slathered on sourdough above a burnt leek aioli that adds sophistication to the dish. Things veer from a traditional steakhouse with a pasta section, including an agnolotti with blue crab, corn and saffron that tastes deeply of the sea.

Why we love it: The whole thing—the ambiance, food, drinks and service—feels like a grand production, a special night out, even when you're just going for happy hour. Pitchers of cocktails, martini service and seafood platters come served in elaborate vessels that border on camp in the best way possible.

Time Out tip: Dress up, spend some cash on top-notch steaks and turn this into something special; or stay casual, order the tartare and the hangar steak and still leave very happy.

What is it? Gastón Acurio’s renowned Peruvian restaurant inside the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, where the supremely talented Diego Oka runs the show.

Why we love it: It takes serious talent to skillfully execute the complicated raw dishes La Mar puts out daily, and chef Oka’s got it in droves. His precision and technique are on display in every ceviche and tiradito adorned by foams and edible flowers. La Mar’s waterfront patio is another sight for sore eyes, offering diners a 360-degree vista of Downtown and Brickell. Swoon.

Time Out tip: If you can peel yourself away from the views, do yourself a favor and book a seat at the intimate new Amano by Oka tasting menu experience. Tucked off the main dining room, it features eight courses of Oka's signature Peruvian Nikkei-style cuisine served on stoneware handcrafted by the chef himself.

What is it? Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford’s edgy neighborhood restaurant doles inspired new American cuisine you’ll be craving long after your meal.

Why we love it: Besides earning a Michelin star, Stubborn Seed has the kind of wow factor you don’t see often in these parts of South Beach, where it’s all sparklers and velvet ropes (yes, even at restaurants). There’s a thoughtful subtleness to Ford’s cooking, which we find at once unconventional and familiar. 

What is it? Chef Michael Pirolo’s South Beach trattoria with a newly minted garden patio.

Why we love it: It’s the familiar rustic Italian dishes that do us in here. Get handmade pasta served with lamb ragú, tossed with clams or served simply with garlic and olive oil to enjoy outdoors or at home now that the restaurant introduced delivery.

Time Out tip: Pirolo's sister, Jacqueline, helms the beverage program here (and advises at a few cool spots around town, too). The pasta is fantastic, but don't shy away from ordering something fun off the drinks menu, like a petite Bambinit Tini or one of her excellent wine selections.

What is it? The Miami outpost of this Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse from New York City is every bit worth the splurge—and splurge you will.

Why we love it? Cote brings a new level of dining experience to Miami, one that’s upscale but approachable and with a high-end menu that’s still got plenty of heart. The tables are equipped with smokeless charcoal grills, where servers cook your dry-aged beef for you. Lest you forget the caliber of the restaurant, there’s no chance you’re going home smelling like you’ve been on the ‘cue yourself. (We can’t say the same about other Korean barbecue joints we’ve frequented.)

Time Out tip: First time? The Butcher’s Feast tasting experience is a great way to sample the restaurant’s heavy hitters for an accessible $74 per person. It’ll leave plenty of room in the budget to savor one of the excellent craft cocktails, such as the Esteban, a super smooth mezcal negroni.

What is it? Styled after the striking white-and-blue paint seen in Cycladic landscapes, Mandolin is a dreamy outdoor eatery serving traditional Greek food.

Why we love it: There’s no better date spot. The menu of shareable dishes—think mezzes, baskets of freshly baked pita bread and a fresh whole grilled fish for two—helps play up the romantic atmosphere. Mandolin’s satisfying homemade sangria really evokes the feeling of an island vacation, but don’t take too many sips: You might just confuse its whitewashed exterior for Santorini.

What is it? Its smash-hit food truck was a favorite among those whose preferred Saturday morning activity was waiting in line for food. Then, El Bagel’s MiMo brick-and-mortar became the chosen breakfast pilgrimage of people with incredible patience. Now, find a second (possibly even busier) outpost in Coconut Grove.

Why we love it: Takeout at this small shop can take up to two hours but no one craving a fresh, NYC-style hand-rolled bagel can resist. 

Order this: The B.E.C. with Proper Sausages bacon, egg and cheese and the avo smash with a mound of fresh sprouts are day-one favorites you can still get at the shop. 

What is it? A surf-and-turf showstopper spanning three levels of the beautiful and historic Women's Club building in Edgewater.

Why we love it: The food is quite good at Klaw, yes. But walking up to the portico, it feels special, like heading into a rumrunner supper club with fellow flappers, a theme that continues with dapper servers offering up decadent trays of marbled meats and massive king crab claws, well into the dessert course. Plus, up on the sixth floor, the sunset views over Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline are pretty hard to beat.

Time Out Miami editor Falyn Wood says: "This highly-ranked newcomer to the Miami steakhouse scene has partnered with local ranchers to serve Florida Cracker Cattle, one of the oldest and rarest breeds in the United States. (It's claimed that one of Klaw's partners can trace the DNA of their cattle back to the original herd brought to Florida in 1521.) Our cut was juicy and tender, and though it came with a side of two delicious sauces, we found its wood-fired flavor shines best on its own. Plus, Florida Cracker meat is high in Omega-3 fatty acids since the cattle graze on grass instead of corn."

What is it? Ogawa isn’t a Japanese restaurant exactly. It’s a chunk of Japanese soil, an embassy, a slice of culture. That’s true with the vibe, in that it can be somewhat awkward yet humbling, and of course with the food, a long evening of sushi and hot dishes that all display a downright obsession with being authentically Japanese.

Why we love it: Not everyone can get on an overnight to Tokyo. But at least there’s Ogawa, a meticulous rendition of what makes Japan so fascinating and its food such an exploration into something new.

Time Out tip: If you go, it’s impossible to say what you’ll eat or even how much you’ll pay (we enjoyed 18 courses over two-plus hours). In advance they’ll give you only a range: $175 to $300. The owner, Alvaro Perez Miranda, says they tailor each night’s menu to who’s coming, changing it up based on preferences or allergies or even special requests.

What is it? James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz’s premier restaurant in the Design District is one of those iconic Miami institutions that you’re supposed to like, and you invariably will.

Why we love it: Even putting buzz, accolades, celebrity sightings and longevity aside, the Design District staple still wows us after 16 years. It's even more impressive now following a renovation that saw it expand its footprint, widen its bar seating and grow its menu to reflect seasonal dining trends—think a wild mushroom pot pie and wood-roasted grouper served with clams and tomato broth.

Time Out tip: The food and atmosphere walk the line between casual and showy, making it the perfect standby for a quick happy-hour cocktail, a business lunch or a date-night dinner of oysters, duck confit and pour upon pour of wine. They've also just extended the happy hour (one of our favorites in town) to six days: Monday through Friday and Sundays from 4 to 7pm at the bar.

What is it? This regional Mexican restaurant in Coconut Grove takes its tortillas and just about everything else it does very seriously, which is likely why it's retained its Michelin star three years running. Upstairs, the same team runs sister restaurant Krüs Kitchen, a light-filled loft serving globally inspired dishes, seasonal crudo and housemade bread. 

Why we love it: For starters, the tortillas here are made from imported Mexican corn ground by a volcano rock in a molino. Then there's the esquites made with wild-caught crab in a lobster bisque and the tamal stuffed with confit duck and pepper criolla. Oh, and both restaurants were recently awarded the prestigious Michelin Green Star for their commitment to sustainability

What is it? South Florida’s most famous restaurant, Joe’s (which turned 100 in 2013) is as much a Miami must-see as Ocean Drive.

Why go: It's no secret that Joe's serves the best stone crabs in Miami, but there's also the garlic creamed spinach, Lyonnaise potatoes, coleslaw and Joe's salad. If you don’t like seafood, try the insanely inexpensive fried chicken, or the liver and onions. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a horrendously long wait, first to register your name, then for a table. 

Time Out tip: Now that it's officially stone crab season, brush up on everything you ever wanted to know about Joe's Stone Crab, straight from the source. We sat down with the family's CEO to find out if the Colossal claws are worth the price and more juicy Joe's hacks, history and fun facts in celebration of 112 seasons.

What is it? This enchanting import from London draws on the Mediterranean for inspiration, serving a medley of seafood plates alongside a smattering of Provençal dishes you might find on the French Riviera.

Why we love it? Try the escargot, the whole sea bream baked en papillote and the french fries, which are made with as much care as the entrées. The spuds cook for hours, going from boiling pot to fryer to oven. 

Time Out tip: The fresh tomato and bread service will catch you off guard if it’s your first time dining at LPM, but don’t be afraid to grab a knife and slice right in.

What is it? A modern take on a Cuban cafeteria, this Little Havana counter with a second location in Little Haiti sells pressed sandwiches, croquetas and a handful of hearty, quick bites.

Why we love it: Sanguich infuses the proud Cubano with house-made ingredients, such as cured ham, brined pork, fresh pickles and artisanal mustard. (Hell, even the doughy bread is made to Sanguich’s strict specifications.) Obviously, the best Cubano in Miami resides here. Plus, its Cuban version of nachos—with fried plantain strips and garlic aioli sauce—is utterly out of this world.

What is it? NIU Kitchen chef Deme Lomas’ Catalonian gem is located deep in Downtown Miami. The compact restaurant outgrew its original location (which has been converted into a lovely hole-in-the-wall wine bar dubbed NIU Wine) and has since expanded to a roomier setting next door.

Why we love it: There’s a seasonal lineup of bold tapas and flame-grilled mains, like the delicate branzino tartare served with a white garlic soup. While delicious pa amb tomàquet (the traditional rustic bread with vine-ripened tomatoes, olive oil and salt), bottles of natural wines and something starring a running yolk like the ous—a creamy bowl of poached eggs, truffled potato foam, jamón ibérico and black truffle—are always a given.

What is it? At Ghee, acclaimed chef Niven Patel doles out farm-to-table Southeast Asian food good enough to get folks to the ’burbs for dinner.

Why we love it: Patel grows about a quarter of his ingredients at his Rancho Patel in Homestead. And the whole operation is a family affair: His mother and mother-in-law can be seen whipping up smoked lamb neck, crispy cauliflower and steamed green millet, and other specialties in the open kitchen. The dishes are seasonal, the curries are made fresh, and the naan is so flavorful, it should really be savored on its own.

What is it? Pulling up to Edan Bistro is like landing in San Sebastian for a meal. Chef Aitor Garate Berasaluze is the chef and owner of this modest Spanish restaurant in North Miami, and the Basque region native pours years of experience and limitless dedication into every detail.

Why we love it: Formerly of Lur, chef Aitor cooks the kind of ingredient-forward, technique-heavy Basque dishes you’d expect from the Spanish region’s Michelin-starred restaurants (where he also happens to have worked). At Edan, his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, diners can order á la carte at brunch and dinner, but the latter offers a special eight-course tasting menu you’d be remiss to skip. 

Time Out tip: Parking here is free!

What is it? This destination Italian restaurant deep in Coral Gables is sister to award-winning spots of the same name in D.C. and Venice, Italy. Like its other locations, Fiola Miami is designed to wow, including with its ultra-attentive service, ornately plated dishes—and the final bill. The menu encourages eating as the Italians do, so expect small-ish servings of pasta in delicate sauces to precede a protein, like the outstanding Australian wagyu petite filet with truffle ossobuco sauce.

Why we love it: The brainchild of Fabio Trabocchi, local co-owner Thomas Angelo tapped Miami native Danny Ganem to lead the kitchen. Gorgeous plates like the caviar “carbonara” and pesto burrata look like they require a whole team of tweezer-wielding sous chefs to create.

Time Out tip: For the CFOs out there who like to keep things tight, there’s an aperitivo hour from 4 to 7pm Tuesday through Friday featuring $10 cocktails and reasonably priced bites, like a $12 cacio e pepe.

What is it? James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, her chef/restaurateur husband David Martinez, and internationally acclaimed cantinero Julio Cabrera partner up on this lively Cuban restaurant on Calle Ocho. 

Why go? A nostalgia-tinged aesthetic meets a modern-day Cuban menu, serving serrano ham croquetas, Cuban sandwich empanadas and skirt steak ropa vieja that gives Abuela's a run for its money. It's where you'll find Miami's best arroz con Pollo and Miami's best mojito—the only two reasons you need to venture out to Little Havana. Though if you needed a third, La Trova features live music nearly every night.

Time Out tip: The bar cantinero-led bar program here consistently ranks among the world's best, so definitely don't sleep on the cocktails. Ask your server for a recommendation—or, better yet, find a seat and get cozy at the bar.

What is it? Zak Stern’s eponymous bakery and certified-Kosher sandwich shop in Wynwood is ground zero for all things sourdough.

Why we love it: Stern’s bread is a well-known team player in sandwiches and toasts at countless other restaurants. But his own intricate breakfast sammies are in a class of their own, with ingredients like alfalfa sprouts and heirloom tomatoes. We’re also big fans of the spectacular bagel platters, classic deli-style food and the rotating vegan soup. Delivery and takeout are available as is dine-in service at its recently expanded patio.

What is it? This walk-up window by chef Nuno Grullon serves up a brief menu of Mexican street food classics all executed to perfection. There’s only a smattering of outdoor seating, but not to worry: if you order to go, it travels extremely well. (Take it from someone who’s ordered Uptown literally dozens of times since the MiMo spot opened during the pandemic.)

Why we love it: It’s not often a humble sidewalk sign proclaiming “Best in the city” ends up being true, but in the case of Uptown 66, the tacos really do exist in their own Miami league. They come on hand-pressed heirloom corn tortillas which have yet to crumble apart on us despite the heaping piles of juicy, marinated fillings. 

Order this: Chicken nachos, a steak burrito lined with crispy potatoes, 48-hour braised birria tacos and churros to finish.

What is it? Luca is Giorgio Rapicavoli’s delicious salute to his home country, serving up modern interpretations of Italian classics.

Why we love it: We know this is a restaurant list, but we’re going to lead with cocktails. Luca’s impressive list of Italian standards and reinvented classics deserves serious praise. We can never decide between the banana espresso martini or the Portofino, which is his take on a dirty with a delicate drizzle of super high-quality olive oil. Naturally, we get them both. The same goes for the pasta—from the tangy al limone and the cheesy cacio e pepe to the rich short rib bolognese, you’ll want to order several when you dine here.

Order this: The patate fritte from the antipasti menu. These delicate, crispy-skinned potato pearls explode in your mouth to combine with black truffle, creamy Parmigiano fonduta and egg yolk. It's seriously unmissable. 

What is it? A steakhouse for nonbelievers, Bourbon keeps things casual with a sleek wraparound bar and a lounge where snug booths and high-top tables are available sans reservations.

Why we love it: The menu sticks to tried-and-true standards: a crisp wedge salad, a tuna tartare that’s finished tableside, and myriad cuts of prime Angus beef and wagyu. Don’t overlook the burger, which pairs perfectly with the free (and unlimited!) duck-fat fries, served in lieu of the usual bread basket.

What is it? Motek rivals the hip cafés of Tel Aviv with its bright, inviting indoor/outdoor space at Aventura Mall (plus locations in Downtown, Coral Gables, Brickell and soon, Miami Beach) and stacked menu of authentic Israeli delights.

Why we love it: From crispy falafel and juicy schnitzel to fresh salad and creamy house-made hummus, the fast-casual spot does street food with care, leaning into the spice-driven cuisine for simple, flavorful dishes you can enjoy at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Getting a late start to the day? Motek serves an all-day breakfast, including our favorite shakshuka—made with just enough heat to kickstart your day.

Time Out tip: The arayes burger can be found on many lists of Miami's best burgers. This brilliant cross-cultural dish combines a burger with Middle Eastern spices, stuffed in a pita and baked until the whole thing becomes a little burger package.

What is it? Converted from a 1930s gas station, this is a genuine oyster bar, with the marquee to prove it.

Why we love it: Find the day’s Atlantic and Pacific bivalves listed on a retro signboard that’s perched above the counter, where you can take a load off and watch all the shucking action. The casual space has a definite diner feel, but with much better food: Overflowing with chunks of buttery claw meat, the Connecticut-style lobster roll comes complete with house-made potato chips.

What is it? There’s an old saying in restaurants: good food, good service, good ambiance—pick two. In Miami, it’s often: good food, clubby scene—pick one. There are exceptions, of course, and Doya is one, a lively indoor-outdoor space where trays of excellent and shareable Aegean dishes fill the tables.

Why we love it: Those plates come from a kitchen run by chef Erhan Kostepen, formerly of Mandolin Aegean Bistro, one of Miami’s longtime favorite restaurants. At Doya, Kostepen took Mandolin’s concept of creating simply prepared mezze dishes that highlight a few well-sourced ingredients. The tomato and feta salad, for instance, is little more than just that, dressed in olive oil with oregano and capers, and just perfect because it doesn’t try to be anything more.

Time Out tip: While most of the dishes here are meant to be shared, don't sleep on the entree-sized items, like lamb chops or wood-fired kebabs, and grilled Turkish kofte meatballs. The fisherman’s seafood stew comes served for two, with mussels, shrimp and branzino in a spicy and thick tomato broth plus a couple of grilled slices of toast ready for dipping.

What is it? Tiny, order-at-the-counter Eleventh Street Pizza serves up two kinds of pies: New York thin-crust and a thick, airy Sicilian style.

Why go? While a monster slice of NYC-style pep does a great job soaking up late-night drinking, the finest things here are those thick slices, big towers of dough covered with cupped pepperoni, wild maitake mushrooms with caramelized onions and a Provencal number with roasted red onions, confit garlic and pepperoncini.

Time Out tip: The Japanese milk bread garlic rolls are both sweet and savory, so much so that you’ll probably want a second order for dessert.

What is it? This French bistro began its life in 2000 in the Meatpacking District of New York, although it took a five-year hiatus over a rent dispute before reopening in 2019. For the buzzy Wynwood location, the first of several clones planned to open around the country, restaurateurs Keith McNally and Stephen Starr recreated the original seemingly piece by piece. 

Why we love it: Though it looks the same, Pastis Miami boasts an expanded menu that includes dishes from the south of France, like the snapper provencal and a poached fish dish served in aioli. From there, the menu largely stays true to the Parisian theme with dishes you’ve seen before (salade nicoise, escargot, croque monsieur) and, in some cases, quite possibly the best versions of them you’ve had—the hangar steak frites is as tender as the butter used to base it. 

What is it? The second location of Vinya Wine & Market, a relaxed wine shop and bistro that quickly became a favorite of Key Biscayners after it opened there in 2021. The Coral Gables location is decidedly more restaurant than shop, with a highly romantic dining room and instant-classic dishes like smoked burrata with rainbow beet carpaccio and bacon-wrapped dates with cantimpalo chorizo and goat cheese.

Why we love it: There are plenty of bottles and by-the-glass options from the expensive stuff, but it’s also totally approachable and helpfully labeled for the wine novices, with affordable picks like an orange wine from Sardinia that’s “not super orangey” and a red blend that demands “shut up and drink me!”

Time Out tip: If the spirited resident somm Allegra Angelo is around, ask for her recommendations. Either way, peruse the shop shelves for something to take home on your way out. Unlike some shops, prices and tasting notes are displayed among the shop's curated bottles, snacks and wares.

What is it? Second only to Pizza Rustica for late-night bingeing, South Beach’s original gourmet sandwich bar caters to a fabulous mix of clubbers, drinkers, limo drivers and tattoo artists, along with anyone else who appreciates a well-made prosciutto and mozzarella, ham and turkey, or veggie sandwich on a fresh baguette.

Why we love it: La Sandwicherie is a Miami institution, helmed by founders Franz and Elise since 1988. Though the French sandwich shop and its addictive vinaigrette have expanded to throughout Miami, its original location remains on Miami Beach, as well as its second-oldest location in Brickell.

What is it? Versailles in Little Havana bills itself as Miami’s most famous Cuban restaurant—and they’re not lying.

Why we love it: This place is slammed at all hours of the day (now outdoors under a widespread tent). If you’re visiting, tick off every Cuban thing from your Miami bucket list—coffee, sandwich and pastelito. If you live here, you’re probably well acquainted with the ventanita dispensing thimbles of addictive cafecito.