The best restaurants in Miami to book right now

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.

Address: 7357 NW Miami Ct, Miami, FL 33150

Opening hours: Sun, Wed, Thu 5:30–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm

Expect to pay: About $200 to $250 per person, including springing for a requisite martini, something from the raw bar and dessert.

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.

Time Out tip: Reservations are hard to snag, so we’d suggest planning out your next one before you leave.

Address: 5205 NE Second Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Daily 5:30–10:30pm

Expect to pay: $150 per person should get you about two to three plates and a glass of wine or two.

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’ll 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.

Time Out tip: Dishes like french onion dip might sound kitschy but the expert execution to classics is part of the fun of this place.

Address: 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 5:30–10pm; Thu–Sat 5:30–10:30pm

Expect to pay: $250 per person should cover about two drinks, a couple of appetizers and an entrée each. 

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 we love it: Unlike other pop-ups that haven’t figured 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.

Time Out tip: Order the crazy-crispy wings in caramel fish sauce. It's a messy treat you'll find yourself craving long after you visit.

Address: 99 NW 1st St, Miami, FL 33128

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–10:30pm 

Expect to pay: $150 per person, including tax and tip. Most dishes are under $20, while shareable mains hover around the $40 mark. 

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.

Address: 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 6–11pm; Fri–Sun 5–11pm

Expect to pay: $150 per person, and you'll want to budget for a bottle of wine and/or cocktails—few can curate a beverage list as well as Jacqueline.

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.

Time Out tip: The duck press should be ordered, marveled at, and serve as a warning for those annoying ducks at the park.

Address: 3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm 

Expect to pay: About $250 per person, but the sky's the limit when you factor in the optional luxuries of osetra caviar and grilled oysters ($15 for two), plus the duck for two service is $160. 

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

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. This theme 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 tip: Order the crab, of course, and also steaks from Florida Cracker Cattle, with meat that’s high in Omega-3 fatty acids since the cattle graze on grass instead of corn.

Address: 1737 N Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33132

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4–10:30pm; Fri–Sat 4–11:30pm; Sun noon–10:30pm

Expect to pay: When your crab is flown in from Norway and each slab of meat has an origin story, then $300 per person is sort of expected.

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: Don’t be shy about telling the sushi chefs what you like and don’t like, which will help decide about 18 courses over two-plus hours.

Address: 7223 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33150

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6–9pm

Expect to pay: $175 to $300 per person, depending on your selections and beverages.

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.

Time Out tip: Order the whole Dorado, splayed open with the skin side up in a brilliant preparation, retaining the fish’s unbelievably soft texture.

Address: 3255 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Daily 5–10pm

Expect to pay: $180 per person is about the average tab at Maty's but you can get away with $300 per couple.

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.

Address: 3900 NE Second Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Sun–Wed noon–3pm, 5–11pm; Thu–Sat noon–3pm, 5–midnight

Expect to pay: The well-priced Butcher's Feast allows for a budget-friendly, Michelin meal at about $120 per person, including a cocktail, tax and tip.

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.

Time Out tip: The $175 per person, plus tax and gratuity, tasting menu offers a spin through dishes that showcase what makes Ford such a talent.

Address: 101 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Thu–Sun 6–10pm; Fri, Sat 6–11pm

Expect to pay: The tasting menu here is excellent and will set you back about $250 per person with a glass of wine and tax and tip.

What is it? James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz’s namesake 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 all these years later. 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 with pour upon pour of wine.

Address: 130 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11:30am–10pm; Sun 11am–8pm

Expect to pay: It's hard to say. A full dinner with drinks can run you about $175 per person, but you can also indulge in brunch for about $75 per person. Happy hour is a steal with $10 drinks and $6 snacks, which are substantial enough to call a light dinner.

What is it? South Florida’s most famous restaurant, Joe’s (around since 1913!) is as much a Miami must-see as Ocean Drive.

Why we love it: 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: While the short experiment with reservations is over at Joe’s, you can still call ahead up to two weeks beforehand to have your name added to the “Maitre D’s list,” which will get you in before all those schleps who don’t know the secret.

Address: 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm; Sat 11:30am–11pm

Expect to pay: $100 to $200 per person, a range that hinges on your proclivity for stone crabs—available at market price. The chicken, thankfully, is always a reliable $8.95.

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.

Time Out tip: Outside is where it’s at, and we’ve personally witnessed the overhangs keep most everyone dry during downpours.

Address: 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: The average check here is about $150 per person.

What is it? People like to visit Miami for an escape, but what do Miamians do when they need a little reprieve from the city? Instant vacation vibes come courtesy of Gramps Getaway, a sister restaurant to Wynwood's lovable O.G. dive bar, Gramps. Perched inside the Rickenbacker Marina, this is a true dock-and-dine destination with a casual sandals vibe and an amazing view of downtown Miami across the water.

Why we love it: Chef James McNeal serves up the usual fare you'd want with your day on the water: wings, conch fritters, cheeseburgers and fish sandwiches, all elevated in the least douchey sense of the word. You'll also find more unexpected stuff, like a charred broccoli salad with pickled chili, buttermilk ranch and garlic-shallot crumble.

Time Out tip: Like its mainland counterpart, Gramps Getaway wouldn't be the same without its event programming, which packs DJ sets, live bands and other locals-approved activations into most weekends.

Address: 3301 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm

Expect to pay: $80 per person

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.

Time Out tip: Order the pork cheek carnitas, so tender and full of flavor it just might make the entire meal worth it.

Address: 3413 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri 5:30–11pm; Sat, Sun 11am–3:30pm, 5:30–11pm

Expect to pay: Most dishes average about $30, and you'll need several to fill up, so expect to pay about $250 per person. 

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.

Time Out tip: The new Wynwood location is like the cooler cousin of the Kendall original.

Address: 63 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–10pm

Expect to pay: A meal for two is about $250

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!

Address: 650 NE 125th St, North Miami, FL 33161

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 1–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Dinneer is an average of $100 to $150 per person

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.

Time Out tip: Order the patate fritte from the antipasti menu. These delicate, crispy-skinned potato pearls explode in your mouth when combined with black truffle, creamy Parmigiano fonduta, and egg yolk. It's seriously unmissable.

Address: 116 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Opening hours: 5:30-10p Tue-Thu and Sun; 5:30-11pm Fri-Sat;

Expect to pay: The average check here is $150 per person.

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. 

Time Out tip: The B.E.C. with Proper Sausages bacon, egg and cheese is a day-one favorite, and about the only thing that'll successfully cure a hangover. Lines are long on the weekends so be sure to order ahead online for pick-up.

Address: 6910 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138

Opening hours: Wed–Mon 8am–2pm

Expect to pay: About $10 to $15 for a bagel and a coffee. 

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.

Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr, Miami, FL 33131

Opening hours: Mon–Tue 5–11pm; Wed–Fri noon–3pm, 5–11pm; Sat, Sun 6–11pm

Expect to pay: Dinner will run you about $150 to $200 per person.

What is it? A modern take on a Cuban cafeteria, this Little Havana counter (with locations in Coral Gables and Bayside Marketplace) 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.

Time Out tip: Folks who live north can get a quick taste of Sanguich from their Little Haiti ventanita (walk-up window). 

Address: 2057 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135; 111 Palermo Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134; 401 Biscayne Blvd. S116, Miami, FL 33132; 6500 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138

Opening hours: Daily 10am–6pm (Little Havana); Daily 11am–10pm (Bayside); Daily 11am–7pm (Little Haiti); Daily 7am–9pm (Coral Gables)

Expect to pay: Sandwiches are $12 to $15 and hearty - you can share one or save half for dinner and enjoy two meals for less than $20. 

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.

Address: 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Opening hours: Mon 5:30–8:30pm; Tue–Thu 5:30–9pm; Fri 5–10pm; Sat 5:30–10pm

Expect to pay: Dinner can easily run you $150 per person, but a pre-drink during happy hour can help offset the cost.

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.

Address: 347 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–10:45pm; Fri, Sat noon–11:45

Expect to pay: Your meal will run you about $100 per person.