Eric Barton

Will eating your way through every burger in Miami lead to record-setting cholesterol levels? Maybe. But sniffing out the best burgers in the city is a worthy cause, at least in our book. It means consuming stacks of smash burgers, piles of traditional fritas and bountiful buns and patties prepared using fine-dining techniques at fancy sit-down restaurants. After housing every burger we could get our hands on—from the overhyped to the criminally under-the-radar, we’ve produced this guide to the very best burgers in Miami right now.  RECOMMENDED: The best breweries in Miami

Let's cut straight to the chase—Miami features 84 miles of Atlantic coastline and endless waterways, yet finding a restaurant that serves both knockout views and decent food? Well, let’s just say it’s as rare as a cool Miami day in August. Sadly, at many places, the waterfront premium you pay often subsidizes mediocre meals while you ride on million-dollar backdrops.  After years of sampling waterside dining across Miami-Dade, from hidden fish shacks to fancy yacht hangouts, we've compiled the spots truly worth your time and money. Our criteria? Would the food impress even if served in a strip mall? Does the view actually enhance your dining experience rather than justify the markup? We've eaten countless disappointing $30 Caesar salads beside beautiful waters so you don't have to. Below, the best waterfront restaurants in Miami. April 2025: This recent update welcomes three favorites to the waterfront dining scene: newcomer Yaya Coastal Cuisine in North Miami with its Mediterranean fare, Casa Neos, which brings chic crowds and unique flavors, and Avra Miami in Sunny Isles, where Greek classics meet Atlantic views. RECOMMENDED: The best waterfront bars in Miami How we curate and review at Time Out

In case you've missed it, Miami's dining scene has become one of the most exciting in the country and, arguably, the world. Over the last decade or so, the city's collective palate has matured to encompass so much more than steakhouses, Italian chains and homey Cuban spots (though we've still got plenty of those, too, and even a few in this guide). One day, you can be sipping cocktails at a sleek new omakase counter; the next, tucking into a bowl of golden-hued Peruvian ceviche. At least once during the season, you'll hopefully find yourself elbow-deep in a basket of stone crabs at a place that’s been around for a century. It's a beautiful, flavorful and occasionally overwhelming melange of cultures colliding on our plates in Miami, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Then there’s trying to balance out all these newcomers from New York with the old-school spots. You’ve got the classic restaurants—the ones your parents went to, the ones their parents went to—and you’ve got the new kids, the restaurants that pop up with a bang, get a few glossy reviews, and then vanish before you’ve even had a chance to figure out the parking situation. Some spots manage to straddle both worlds, delivering the kind of meals that stick with you long after the check has been paid. These are the places our editors have listed below: Miami’s best restaurants right now, along with our tried-and-true tips for reserving, ordering and more. April 2025: Last month, we did a hefty spring overhaul of t

April 2025: The spring breakers may have fled, but our Magic City is still blooming with parties, shows, sporting events and more fantastic reasons to leave the house every day this month. We're in the thick of Miami's festival season, too, so be sure to peep some of our top picks below. Of course, now is a great time to explore the outdoors and get your steps in while the weather's still mild. (We recently updated our guide to Miami's best hikes and nature walks, if that sounds like your journey). Dive into the action with our up-to-the-minute guide to the best things to do in Miami right now. Locals and tourists can agree that the best things to do in Miami extend beyond ounging on the sand—though it goes without saying that spending some time on the best Miami beaches is fundamental to life in the 305. Aside from dabbling in our famous nightlife and exploring Miami's best bars, no trip would be complete without scoping out the booming culinary scene and our award-winning Miami restaurants. In between sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails, check off these essential Miami experiences, a mix of year-round attractions, seasonal events, cultural staples and exciting one-offs vetted by our expert editors and contributors. (We're a team of born-and-raised locals and passionate Miami transplants with an unhealthy aversion to staying home). By the way, this list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn’t choose favorites.

Mornings in Miami come with consequences. That last tequila shot I took at 2am? A terrible idea. The blurry Uber ride home from a Miami club? A mystery best left unsolved. But fear not, because brunch—the city’s most sacred meal—is here to save us. Whether it’s a cortadito strong enough to restart your nervous system or a plate of chilaquiles at your local Mexican spot to silence regrets, Miami delivers. From bottomless rosé in South Beach to arepas worth a Sunday pilgrimage and an Instagram-worthy bagel tower, the best brunch in Miami will make you feel human again. Or at least human enough for round two. Let’s eat. March 2025: Early mornings aren’t the time to wade through dozens of options, so we’ve trimmed this list of the best brunches in Miami down to our favorites. Unfortunately, our favorite from last time, La Mar, is about to close and take a few months to relocate, but don’t stress, because we still have your morning-ish plans sorted with the new No. 1 spot Michael's—which just extended its weekend brunch to 5pm—plus a host of other favorites. 

South Beach: Miami’s O.G. epicenter of cacophonously touristy bars, home to the city’s sugariest, not-at-all-a-deal two-for-one drinks! But is that it? Is that all this balmy strip of barrier island has to offer? Come out with us for a night and you’ll think twice before writing off the bar scene in SoBe. Whether hidden within boutique hotels, tucked away in unassuming alleyways or proudly perched along the main thoroughfares, South Beach boasts an impressive array of watering holes that cater to every taste and vibe—you just need to know where to look. From sleek rooftop lounges with panoramic views to new neighborhood classics, here’s your guide to the best bars in South Beach right now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to South Beach, Miami

If there’s one thing Miami knows, it’s seafood. You can throw a coconut from just about anywhere and hit a spot claiming the best ceviche, stone crab or yellowtail snapper in town. But locals know not to fall for the sales pitches of menu hawkers lingering outside restaurants on Ocean Drive. Most likely they do not, actually, have the freshest catch. Instead, we seek out the city’s best seafood restaurants in less conspicuous locales, from the sandy shores of Miami Beach to the farthest reaches of Dade County.  Below, you’ll find the hidden gems that locals swear by, the buzzy hotspots where you’ll easily drop a paycheck and a few joints where the dress code is a bikini and flip-flops. That’s to say, if you’re craving the ocean’s bounty, you can still find it at a variety of price points in Miami. From a fish shack with an overstuffed lobster roll to a fine-dining spot plating spiny lobster like it’s modern art, these are our tried and true seafood restaurants in Miami—where the drinks are cold and the catch is always fresh. RECOMMENDED: Where to go for stone crabs in Miami, from old-school institutions to waterfront gems

Searching out the best Mexican food in Miami means something very different than it did just a few years ago. Back then, you’d have to stand in the yellow glow of food trucks in unassuming parking lots and peruse unbelievably long menus at places that have been around forever. Today—yes, you still might sidle up to a food truck and gorge yourself at the old-school Mexican spots. But Miami is now also home to places that would fit in well on the streets of Mexico City. We also now have monuments to Mexican cuisine, fancy places with “elevated” dishes and even one spot inside an actual castle (OK, chateau). The good news is that our guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Miami includes a range of prices, from affordable to outrageous—so that you’re free to properly indulge in one of the best cuisines on the planet.  RECOMMENDED: The best Miami rooftop bars for solid sips and dazzling views

I recently took renowned artist and friend Kevin Palme to Superblue Miami, curious about how he'd react to immersive art. Would he dismiss it as nothing more than shallow social media backgrounds? Then, a video wall bloomed with flowers at his touch, bulbs pulsed to the beat of his heart, and a maze of mirrors mesmerized him. But it was James Turrell's AKHU that truly transfixed us both—the entire place bleeding from one color to the other, the space seeming endless. Like Superblue, the best immersive art museums in America transport you into the mind of an artist, letting you live in their imagination. In the past generation, these experiences have grown from small museum exhibits to vast playgrounds, destinations by themselves. I’ve searched the country to create this list below, the best immersive museums in the U.S.. RECOMMENDED: The weirdest museums in the U.S.

There’s nothing better than a beach day. The sun and surf, great company, and the smell of sunscreen in the air just give off big summer vibes. While Orlando’s theme parks and water parks have man-made stretches of sand where you can work on your tan or learn to surf (looking at you, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park), if you’ve made it to Florida, you’re going to want to get to the real thing. If you hop in a car and drive an hour east of Orlando, you’ll hit one of the most iconic beaches in Florida, Cocoa Beach, but there are many other beaches near Orlando worth the drive to on the east and west coasts. Whether you’re looking for a day of relaxation or a day filled with water sports and games on the sand, there’s a beach vibe for everyone. Keep reading to find the perfect beach near Orlando for you. This guide was updated by Orlando-based writer Megan duBois. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best parks in Orlando

If you’ve got trust issues, the idea of handing somebody else control over what to eat tonight probably isn’t going to be your thing. But done right, omakase, which translates roughly to “I’ll leave it to you,” can be a true restaurant experience. The idea is to let a sushi chef who probably spent more time perfecting their craft than you did paying attention in school decide dinner based on what’s freshest. In Miami, this is a concept that went very quickly from something that was nowhere to be found to legitimately the hottest restaurant trend of late. You’ll find excellent omakase from Coconut Grove to Fort Lauderdale (we promise they’re worth the drive). And if you’re looking to take a raw fish trust fall, I’m here to tell you I’ve dived in myself, sampled from the omakase counters at the finest and most affordable spots in town to come up with this list below, the best omakase in Miami. February 2025: Omakase dining has continued to explode since we last updated this guide over a year ago. And so much has changed! Our No. 1 pick, Hiyakawa, was bumped down and replaced by its hip, newer sibling, Ogawa. Omakase by Kazu, formerly in the backroom of Hachidori, closed; and other well-known places shifted around—swapping in rankings and literally moving to new locations. We’ve also added other recent newcomers, such as Queen and Itamae AO. Click here for more information on how we curate guides. RECOMMENDED:  The best Japanese restaurants in Miami The best sushi in Miami right

Look, there have been plenty of hints. Those conversations about preferred ring styles. Even talk about who would make the best bridesmaids and groomsmen. You let birthdays pass and New Year’s, and now here we are at the most romantic of romantic holidays. It’s time. So, now that you’re set on a proposal—oh, sweet ghost of Teddy Pendergrass, you’re going to need a proposal. Anywho, now that you’re set on popping the question, you will need a reservation. And no, not at Chili’s. Luckily, I’ve got you covered with this list below. These are the best Valentine’s Day restaurant specials in Miami, whether you’re popping the question or celebrating one more year with the love of your life. RECOMMENDED: Our guide to Valentine’s Day in Miami RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami

Tucked above sister restaurant Los Félix in Coconut Grove, Krüs Kitchen feels like the kind of place you only hear about from someone who really knows where to eat. No neon signs, no overhyped Instagram dishes—just quietly brilliant cooking in a bright, loft-like space where the food does all the talking. The menu, like the restaurant itself, is understated but deeply considered. Chef Sebastián Vargas sources ingredients with the precision of someone who actually cares—small farms, responsible fishing, nothing that feels like an afterthought. The result is dishes that are deceptively simple but impossibly good. Think housemade agnolotti with truffle pecorino, or a daily crudo so fresh it might still be deciding whether it wants to be sushi. Krüs takes the same thoughtful approach to its wine list, offering small-batch natural wines and lesser-known labels that pair perfectly with the kitchen’s bright, clean flavors. And the service? It's effortless and warm, like you’ve been invited to a dinner party where the host actually knows how to cook. If it were anywhere else, Krüs would have a months-long waitlist by now. But for now, it remains one of Miami’s best-kept secrets.

Subtlety is not Phuc Yea’s thing. The name alone should tell you that. This isn’t a delicate pho parlor or a minimalist ode to Vietnamese cuisine—it’s a full-throttle explosion of flavors, colors, and attitude, wrapped in a neon-lit, graffiti-tagged shell. And somehow, it all works. Born as one of Miami’s first pop-ups, Phuc Yea planted its roots in the city long before people started pretending to care about bánh mì. Today, it’s a permanent fixture in MiMo, blending Vietnamese flavors with Cajun swagger in a way that sounds chaotic but tastes like genius.The menu is stacked with dishes that demand your attention. The crispy imperial rolls shatter on impact. The caramelized pork riblets are sticky, sweet, and impossible to eat politely. And the bao buns are pillowy perfection, stuffed with everything from crispy duck to soft-shell crab. Then there’s the wok-fired Viet-Cajun seafood, drenched in garlic butter, begging to be eaten with your hands. Cocktails are just as over-the-top—bright, boozy, and often served in something ridiculous, like a giant ceramic cat. And the vibe? It’s loud, it’s dark, it’s the kind of place where you order too much and stay too long. Phuc Yea doesn’t do quiet. It does bold, brash, and deeply satisfying. And that’s exactly why Miami keeps coming back.

Once upon a time, Miami’s dining scene was dominated by overpriced steak houses and forgettable hotel restaurants. Then came Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, landing in the Design District before it was a luxury mall—before anyone knew they needed a $5,000 handbag. And while its surroundings have changed, Michael’s has stayed true to what made it great: sharp technique, local ingredients, and a menu that never gets old. Chef Michael Schwartz, a James Beard Award winner, could have turned his name into a chain long ago. Instead, since opening in 2007, he’s stuck to a simple philosophy—seasonal, locally sourced, and unpretentious. Today, every trendy restaurant does it, but Michael’s was doing it before it was cool. The airy dining room still hums with regulars who have been coming since day one. They know to start with the crispy hominy or the house-smoked fish dip, which remains the gold standard. The menu shifts with the seasons, but some things never leave—like the impossibly tender short rib, a dish so rich it makes all other proteins seem like a waste of time. Even the vegetables deserve a moment: roasted beets with blue cheese, charred broccolini—proof that side dishes can be stars. Brunch is another level. The breakfast pizza, topped with egg and speck, is practically required eating, and the brioche French toast, drowning in maple syrup, might ruin all other French toasts for you. Restaurants come and go in Miami, many with more flash, more hype. But Michael’s Genuine?

Some restaurants do farm-to-table like a marketing gimmick—slap “local” on the menu, charge $6 for a tomato, and call it a day. Ol'days in Midtown actually means it. This breezy, sunlit café feels like stepping into a friend’s kitchen—if that friend happened to be an Argentine chef with a knack for fresh ingredients and a patio that opens up onto a walkable city street.The menu leans wholesome but never boring. Think thick-cut avocado toast on sourdough that tastes like bread, not an Instagram prop. The empanadas are golden, flaky, and properly stuffed, and the steak-and-eggs is the kind of breakfast that reminds you why Argentina takes its beef so seriously. And if you’re the type to judge a place by its coffee, Ol'days passes with flying colors—smooth, strong, and made with the kind of care that suggests they’d rather close than serve a bad cup. Service is unhurried but warm. This is the kind of spot where you linger over a second cortado and actually consider reading a book instead of your phone. While Miami brunch spots tend to skew chaotic, Ol'days keeps it refreshingly low-key. It’s not trying to be trendy. It’s just good. And in a city obsessed with the next big thing, that’s worth slowing down for.

If you’ve ever wished your dinner came with a side of old-school glamour, Contessa is here to grant that wish—wrapped in emerald-green velvet and topped with a parmesan cloud. This opulent Italian dining room in the Design District is the Miami outpost of Major Food Group, the team behind Carbone, meaning it’s got the same high-drama aesthetic, the same impossible-to-book reservations, and, yes, the same $27 burrata. But Contessa isn’t just a sequel to Carbone—it’s a full-blown Lake Coumo chateau owned by an eccentric count, where every plate arrives like it’s ready for its Vogue close-up. The hand-cut wagyu carpaccio is absurdly delicate, the lobster capellini is unapologetically rich, and the veal Milanese is the size of a small raft, as it should be. And then there’s the rigatoni carbonara, the kind of dish that demands silence on the first bite. Service is crisp, the wine list leans heavily into Italian vintages, and the crowd is exactly what you’d expect—polished, well-dressed, and taking their pasta very seriously. And while it’s definitely a scene, the food holds its own. Is it over the top? Absolutely. But Contessa isn’t trying to be subtle. It’s here to dazzle, to seduce, and to remind you that Italian food can still be an event.

Ariete is a Michelin-starred Coral Gables gem where chef Michael Beltrán seamlessly fuses Cuban flavors with modern American fine dining. This is where you go when you want a meal that feels both nostalgic and wildly inventive—familiar flavors, reimagined with the kind of finesse that turns dinner into an experience. The foie gras with a pastelito glaze is somehow both decadent and deeply Miami. The short rib, slow-cooked until it practically melts, is served alongside a black bean purée so rich it could stand on its own. And then there’s the canard à la presse—an ultra-luxurious duck dish that’s equal parts spectacle and indulgence. The ambiance is warm but upscale, with dim lighting, leather banquettes, and an open kitchen that lets you watch the magic happen. The cocktails lean classic, the wine list is deep, and the tasting menu is the best way to experience Beltrán’s full range—if you’re willing to surrender to the chef’s vision for the night.

Fiola is a polished, Italian fine-dining spot in Coral Gables overseen by Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi, where indulgence isn’t just encouraged—it’s expected. Think decadent handmade pastas, pristine seafood, and a wine list deep enough to get lost in. In charge of the kitchen here is the talented Danny Ganem. His menu doesn’t create just a meal—it’s a full-fledged production, complete with tuxedoed servers, extravagant tableside presentations, and a dining room that oozes old-school glamour. The dishes lean luxurious, like lobster ravioli swimming in a silky coral butter sauce and Wagyu carpaccio that arrives under a dramatic cloche of hickory smoke. The caviar service is impeccable. The truffle pasta is practically mandatory. Save room for dessert. The soufflé, if available, is worth the wait, and the tableside affogato is the kind of simple-yet-perfect finisher that reminds you why Italian dining is all about the art of indulgence. Despite the formal setting, Fiola never feels stuffy. Service is warm, the cocktails are expertly crafted, and the attention to detail—from the plush banquettes to the house-baked bread that arrives like a gift—is what makes this place special. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just feel like treating yourself on a Tuesday, Fiola is where you go when you want to feel like a VIP.

This funky, neighborhood-chic Mexican spot in Coconut Grove takes tortillas as seriously as some places take wine lists, which is a big reason why they’ve held a Michelin star since 2022. With a menu rooted in heirloom corn, ancestral cooking techniques, and natural wines, Los Félix is the kind of place that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about tacos. The masa, nixtamalized in-house, forms the foundation for nearly every dish—whether it’s the impossibly fresh blue corn tortillas cradling tender, slow-cooked pork or the blue crab arepa made with smoked corn. Drinks stay on theme, with fat-washed cognac in the El Fashion and a coconut-oil amaro creating a new complexity in a mezcal negroni with the Lennox Drive. The space itself is effortlessly cool, with dim lighting, vinyl records spinning, and a crowd that looks like it just stepped off a fashion shoot. But despite the stylish setting, Los Félix is all about substance—big flavors, quality ingredients, and a genuine love for the craft.

This high-end surf-and-turf stunner in Edgewater is where Norwegian king crab meets dry-aged beef in a historic waterfront setting. The main dining room is all dark wood and old-money vibes, but the rooftop bar is where you’ll want to linger—with a cocktail in hand and a view that reminds you why Miami is, well, Miami. This isn’t your average steakhouse—or seafood spot, for that matter. Klaw is all about hyper-specific sourcing, flying in wild-caught red king crab daily from Norway and dry-aging premium cuts of beef in-house in cabinets you’ll see at check-in. The result is some of the most impressive—and indulgent—plates in the city. The crab arrives tableside, pre-cracked and ready to be dunked in drawn butter, while the steaks offer selections from the simple to the complicated, like a funky strip flavored from the kimchi fed to the cattle. Service is sharp, the wine list is deep, and the cocktails are designed to pair with both the surf and the turf. If you’re looking to impress a date, celebrate a deal, or just eat like a king (literally), Klaw is the place to do it.

A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jewel box tucked into a nondescript strip mall on the edge of Buena Vista and Little Haiti, Boia De is a cozy, 27-seat temple to modern Italian-inspired cooking. The neon pink exclamation point above the door sets the tone: This place is small, boisterous, and very, very good. Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer have a knack for taking classic flavors and twisting them into something unexpected yet deeply satisfying. Case in point: the beef tartare, a dish that, in lesser hands, might be forgettable but here becomes a textural playground. Crunchy shallot-garlic crumbs, briny fried capers, and a silky tonnato sauce create a combination that’s somehow decadent and refreshing all at once. Then there’s the pasta. It’s handmade and always something special, like the oxtail ravioli with parsnip and back truffle jus. Drinks lean toward the low-ABV side, with cocktails that feel festive without tipping you into oblivion. The wine list is equally thoughtful, showcasing funky skin-contact bottles alongside approachable Italian staples. Let the staff steer you. Boia De’s intimate space means tables book fast, but if you manage to score a reservation, you’re in for something special: a restaurant that feels both of-the-moment and like it’s been here forever. In Miami’s ever-changing dining landscape, that’s no small feat.

A masterclass in mid-century glamour, The Surf Club brings Thomas Keller’s legendary precision to the Four Seasons Surf Club. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an event—one where the cocktails are stiff, the napkins are crisply pressed and the service glides through the dining room like a well-choreographed ballet. Start with a martini—because of course you should—and let the tableside theatrics begin. The menu leans into nostalgia, elevating dishes your grandparents might have ordered at a grand hotel in the ‘50s. The beef Wellington is the undisputed star, baked and carved with a golden crust giving way to tender, rosy beef. But don’t sleep on the Dover sole, filleted tableside or the towering coconut cake that somehow feels both indulgent and impossibly light. Yes, it’s expensive. No, you won’t regret it. This is the kind of restaurant where you dress up, settle in and let yourself be transported to a time when dining out felt like an occasion. Because at The Surf Club, it still is.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a sun-drenched escape to the Greek isles—minus the flight. Tucked away in a charming 1940s house in the Design District, Mandolin is all about breezy outdoor dining, fresh Mediterranean flavors, and enough blue-and-white décor to make you double-check your passport. Mezzes arrive in delicate little dishes, perfect for sharing, and the fresh, house-baked pita is so good you might be tempted to hoard it. The whole grilled fish, served simply with olive oil and lemon, is exactly the kind of unfussy, beautifully executed dish that makes Mediterranean food so satisfying. And then there’s the sangria. Light, refreshing, and just strong enough to make you wonder if you’ve been teleported to Santorini, it’s the ideal pairing for an evening under Mandolin’s twinkling patio lights. It’s not just a meal—it’s a vacation, served in small plates and sips.

Here at Time Out, our mission is to bring you the very best of Miami, and that very importantly includes Miami's best restaurants. Of course, on that mission, we editors find ourselves dining out quite a lot. Whether we're trying out the latest buzzy concept from one of the city's homegrown star chefs, hunting down the most delicious new smash burger in a tidal wave of Miami smash burgers or suiting up to make it past the velvet rope at South Beach's hottest new clubstaurant, it's all in day's work to present you with our findings. Though we don't give full, rated reviews to every Miami restaurant, bar or venue we visit, we take a lot of time and care with the ones we do. These writeups represent our honest impressions of the place, regardless of whether we were invited to experience it as a media guest or if we paid our own way. Our editors and contributors are committed to helping you decide where to go out in Miami and what to do with your time (and money), because we know it's precious. That said, we'll be recapping all the new Miami restaurants we review each month in one easily digestible post. Here are the new restaurants Time Out Miami editors tried in December—and what we thought. Bon appétit! Photograph: Wonho LeeMother Wolf Miami Mother Wolf Rating: ★★★★ (4 out of 5 stars) "Is it worth splurging your hard-earned (or not) bitcoin profits here? The answer comes with an asterisk. Mother Wolf is a visually dazzling space with Italian classics that range from stellar

Gastón Riveira sits across from me at his new Coconut Grove restaurant. “We will start with the meat, then the appetizers,” he states. “We will do things in reverse.” I don’t know why we’re doing things backward. But when you’re sitting down for a meal with the world’s most famous master of the Argentinian asado, you don’t question the order of things.  Riveira is the owner and chef of La Cabrera, a chain of Argentine restaurants that stretches from the Philippines to Spain. He’s recently added two outposts in Miami—Coconut Grove and Sunny Isles—with a third coming soon in Midtown. Riveira opened his first La Cabrera in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires in 2002. The concept was to stay true to a parrilla, an Argentine tradition similar to a Brazilian steakhouse but generally without all the skewers parading through the place. Since then, Riveira has penned several cookbooks and his restaurant has collected many awards, including landing on at least one list of the world’s best steakhouses.  Photograpg: Tim FitzgeraldLa Cabrera Our first course arrives, a strip steak sliced thick in a cast-iron platter, seasoned with salt and pepper. Riveira and I stab slices and slather on chimichurri as he talks about his abuelo, his hero and mentor, the man who taught him how to cook meats over an open flame. Growing up in Argentina, the asado was how holidays were celebrated, or just the conclusion of a week. It’s a grill-out, essentially, usually with sausages and various cuts of

On a fall Sunday in Asheville’s busiest tourist season, I drove to the charming downtown recently to see what’s opened since the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Chairs sat upside-down on the tables of White Duck, so I looked around as a rainbow of leaves drifted down the mostly empty street.  And then I noticed it: Cúrate, literally my favorite restaurant in the world. It was open. Just two other people occupied a single table when I took a seat at the chef’s table, facing the Josper oven. I ordered a traditional gilda tapas, then a wonderful bibb salad with olives and orange, before going on to a fried shrimp bocadillo, like a mashup of a po-boy and an Iberian sandwich.  I’ve been traveling to Asheville for nearly two decades now and became a part-time resident two years ago. And the last time I snuck into Cúrate without a reservation in the height of season? Probably a decade ago. It’s indicative of the state of the city now. Fewer tourists mean the city is like it was a generation ago before the digital nomads and vacationers discovered it.  Photograph: Eric Barton for Time OutA fried shrimp bocadillo from Cúrate During my recent trip there, I learned that’s both bad and good. Some tourist attractions are still shuttered, as are an estimated 56 percent of local businesses, according to Explore Asheville. But fewer people means what is open is far more accessible, and so, in many ways, it’s a delightful time to visit Asheville. Just how hard of a hit Asheville is taking

Here at Time Out, our mission is to bring you the very best of Miami, and that very importantly includes Miami's best restaurants. Of course, on that mission, we editors find ourselves dining out quite a lot. Whether we're trying out the latest buzzy concept from one of the city's homegrown star chefs, hunting down the most delicious new smash burger in a tidal wave of Miami smash burgers or suiting up to make it past the velvet rope at South Beach's hottest new clubstaurant, it's all in day's work to present you with our findings. Though we don't give full, rated reviews to every Miami restaurant, bar or venue we visit, we take a lot of time and care with the ones we do. These writeups represent our honest impressions of the place, regardless of whether we were invited to experience it as a media guest or if we paid our own way. Our editors and contributors are committed to helping you decide where to go out in Miami and what to do with your time (and money), because we know it's precious. That said, we'll be recapping all the new Miami restaurants we review each month in one easily digestible post. Here are the new restaurants Time Out Miami editors tried in October—and what we thought. Bon appétit!    Photograph: Courtesy Otto & Pepe Otto & Pepe Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars) "If there’s one thing to criticize at the Wynwood pasta restaurant Otto & Pepe, it’s the slogan: 'Mean pasta & natty wine.' I figured crabby servers would be pouring nothing but mushroom-flavored

Ah, fall. That magical, brisk and cozy time of year that lasts about six hours in Miami before it’s hot as hell again. Fall is also when new Miami restaurants tend to arrive en masse as chefs and hospitality groups get warmed up before The Coming Of The Season. This fall, we’re witnessing the continuation of a trend we’ve seen in Miami since the pandemic as major restaurant groups from across the globe plant roots in the 305. We’ll also be getting several reborn versions of local favorites, places we’ve definitely been missing. How do you plan for the fall restaurant arrivals? Don’t worry: As reliable as pumpkin spice everything this season, we’ve got you covered with our roundup of the most anticipated new restaurant openings this fall in Miami (listed alphabetically). RECOMMENDED: The 39 best restaurants in Miami right now Photograph: Courtesy Aviv 1. Aviv Miami Beach Philly chef Michael Solomonov returns to Miami with this Israeli concept on the ground floor of the 1 Hotel South Beach. The restaurant promises to “blend ancient charcoal cooking methods, mezze plates, easy-drinking cocktails” and offers an extensive wine list. Expected opening: October Rendering: Courtesy Casa Gianna 2. Casa Gianna Downtown Contemporary and traditional dishes will dominate the menu by chef David Caceres in the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences. There’s a piazza off the main dining room and also a caffè è pasticceria, which, essentially, is Italian for you’re about to gain 10 pounds. Expected

There was a time not long ago when a bartender in Miami fit a very specific stereotype: former Northerner, disheveled, probably at least half-drunk, and quite likely still matted with beach sand from last night’s adventures.  But Miami saw a revolution behind the bar in the past generation as a new crop of cocktail makers took things far more seriously. We’re talking places like the Broken Shaker (whose Miami founders recently sold to Generator Hostels), The Regent Cocktail Club, Jaguar Sun and Lost Boy. (We’re probably not even mentioning your favorite because, hell, we’ve got a lot of really good bars in Miami now.)  If you strike up a conversation with your barkeep (highly recommended), you might catch wind of something new influencing mixology in Miami lately: an influx from overseas. Bartenders from Italy to Japan come for a pop-up or bar takeover and end up making a permanent move. We spoke to a few of the most influential bartenders around Miami to find out how this very welcome foreign invasion is shaking up the local cocktail scene. Photograph: Anthony Nader - 52 Chefs You couldn’t talk about ‘Miami-style’ bartending previously, but now everybody knows it. It’s like a mix of everything that’s happening around the world. Julio Cabrera, Café La Trova Where he’s from: Born in Calimente, Cuba, in 1964, Cabrera grew up hearing stories about the bar his father owned before the revolution, a community gathering spot where factory workers would start the day with a coffee

While Bogotá is a cosmopolitan city full of panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and a thumping nightlife scene, I’ll admit I wanted to go for one reason: arepas. I’m fairly obsessed with the discs of corn and all the ways Colombians prepare them. There are the small, simple ones from the País region that serve as vehicles for salsa. Then there are the corn pancakes, sweet and doughy and oozing with cheese.  For those who might also share my passion for arepas, or simply want to check out Colombia’s vibrant capital city, there’s a brand new way to get there: The high-end Emirates Airlines just launched a daily, non-stop route from Miami, and I recently had the opportunity to experience the inaugural flight. Full disclosure: Emirates paid my way as part of its media rollout. Nonetheless, I’ve outlined my unfiltered takeaways below. TLDR: If you’re planning a trip to Colombia anytime soon, you might just want to book yourself a ticket if you can. Photograph: Courtesy the authorTime Out contributor Eric Barton on the inaugural Emirates flight from Miami to Bogotá 1. The only luxe way to reach Colombia Several airlines fly directly into Bogotá, but Emirates is the only one with a first-class cabin. The good seats on an Emirates plane are as nice as you’ve probably heard. Yes, you could fly economy roundtrip for around $350, but upgrading just might be the best part of your vacation. First class, where each seat is like a little apartment, will cost you the downpayment o

The James Beard Foundation last night named Miami’s Valerie Chang the South’s best chef, and it’s a reward not only for a talented young restaurateur but also a long-deserved recognition for an entire state. Chang’s award is the first time a Florida chef has won the Best Chef: South category since Michael Schwartz claimed the recognition way back in 2010—remarkably 14 years ago.  It’s a point Chang made from the podium at the awards ceremony in Chicago. “Miami—finally, we won! We got something for Miami!” Chang’s voice mixed with laughter and exuberance as she triumphantly held up the medal. Chang’s Midtown restaurant Maty’s is an homage to her heritage, her Peruvian immigrant parents and to her grandmother, the restaurant’s namesake. At the podium last night, Chang talked about the emotional rollercoaster of winning the award not long after losing her grandmother. “To my grandmother who passed away five days ago, and you know I named the restaurant after her, and I can't believe I'm standing here.” Her brother and business partner Nando Chang said in the comments of an Instagram post: “What a way to honor Maty. @chifitachang I love you very much and I’m so proud of you.” Photograph: Isa ZapataMaty's If you haven’t been to Maty’s, chances are it’s going to become harder to score a reservation after last night. But it's well worth whatever wait is required, with oysters bathed in a tangy leche de tigre, charred cauliflower with ocopa sauce and what's become the restaurant's

There’s a truth about Miami that maybe you didn’t know, something that’s developed over the last few years, pretty much out of nowhere: We now have a die-hard contingent of folks who will do whatever—brave the heat, long lines, uncomfortable seating and those daily hurricane-like rainstorms—just to eat something delicious.  Because of this, pop-up restaurants now thrive here. Those responsible for the pop-ups (both experienced chefs and young upstarts with no training) credit these people, the ones going above and beyond to discover Miami’s next best foods, with allowing them to do what they do.  There’s proof by the dozen across town, with many of Miami’s best restaurants growing out of pop-ups or humble food trucks. Among our favorites, Boia De, now a Michelin-starred restaurant, launched as a food truck serving fried chicken sandwiches; Zitz Sum, one of the city’s most awarded restaurants, started with a chef making dumplings in his home kitchen; Old Greg’s, some of the best pizza in town, began as a pandemic side project; and the new QP Tapas, technically still a pop-up, is among our favorite new restaurants this year.  The growth of these experimental, temporary restaurants and their committed followings has fundamentally changed the restaurant industry in Miami in ways that make it entirely better. How? Why? We spoke to the teams behind many of Miami’s pop-up success stories to find out. RECOMMENDED: Why is it so damn hard to open a restaurant in Miami? Photograph: Cou

It seems like every week there’s a new national outlet arriving in Miami to report on something we locals already know: This city is having a serious restaurant moment. It began well before pandemic lockdowns but, ever since, Miami has seen an influx of major restaurant groups clamoring for their piece, along with homegrown chef-owners carving out new concepts throughout the county. This season, there’s lots to be excited about, from (yet another) Miami omakase courtesy of the Itamae team to Klaw’s stylish new Italian neighbor. As the not-so-slow summer ends and fall picks up, here are our top Miami restaurant openings to bookmark on Google Maps this season from Wynwood to South Beach and beyond. RECOMMENDED: Every Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Miami Photograph: Courtesy Itamae Ao 1. Itamae Ao Much-loved Nikkei destination Itamae swaps its Design District digs for a new, 12-seat omakase-style counter next to sister restaurant Maty’s in Midtown. Brother-sister duo Nando and Val Chang were just named best new chefs by Food & Wine, so expect hard-to-get reservations from day one. 3255 NE 1st Ave Photograph: Courtesy Alpareno Restaurant GroupAlpareno Restaurant Group founders Mohamed “Mo” Alkassar and Chef Niven Patel 2. Erba Niven Patel, the celebrated Miami chef behind Ghee, Orno and Mamey, began this pasta concept as a pop-up way back in 2019. Ever since it’s been just on the cusp of reopening in a permanent home. This fall, Erba finally lands in Coral Gables with a menu

Vikram Thadani first came to Miami from Chile on vacation when he was 17, and he swore right then that someday he’d open a restaurant here. That was in 2002, and after opening four restaurants back home, he decided in 2021 he’d attempt to pull off his dream. Thadani settled on a space in Wynwood. He figured it would take six months to open. “Everyone laughed when I told them that,” he says.  Eighteen months later, after endless red tape and reams of paperwork thrown at him by the City of Miami, he finally opened his Indian restaurant, Rishtedar, in February. He can’t even calculate how many tens of thousands of dollars the delays cost him.  “That’s why I’m living in my car at Home Depot,” he says with a laugh. “Just kidding, just kidding.” Thadani’s experience is similar to stories I’ve heard over and over from chefs and restaurant owners in my 20 years covering the industry in South Florida. Miami’s inefficient and often beguiling bureaucracy can lead to months—sometimes years—of delays in even a simple restaurant opening, costing operators sometimes upwards of six figures. The reasons for the delays in Miami are often baffling, owners say. In Thadani’s case, one problem arose when the Post Office changed his restaurant’s mailing address. Suddenly, inspectors stopped showing up, leading to a two-week pause in the process—and adding to months of delays. Some might shrug this off as a problem suffered only by well-off restaurateurs. But it can also hurt workers who get stuck i

It’s after 2 o’clock in the afternoon when we hook up with Brittany Brave, and she’s just finishing up breakfast at Mamey in Coral Gables. She polished off a coffee, a mimosa, coconut water, tuna tostones, and grilled cheese bites—all with the desperate hope of beating the hangover. Having just barely answered the phone, she’s already apologizing profusely for sleeping through multiple alarms and jumping on the call late. “I don’t know what I was thinking scheduling a 10am Monday phone call.” You can’t blame her. The night before, 31-year-old Brave had headlined the Miami Improv for the first time, all part of what seems to be a major moment for this homegrown comedienne. In the past year, Brave has racked up headlining spots and accolades including being named by the Miami New Times as the city’s best comedian. Is this officially a thing? “Um, yeah, I am afraid—well, first off thank you for saying that—but I’m afraid to use language like that,” Brave says. “You never want to jinx it, and you never want to think you’re ahead of where you are.” Up until recently, she was a starving artist. “Sometimes literally starving,” she says. And as such, she doesn't want to ruin things. Brave grew up in west Kendall, the only child of a cosmetologist mom and sales manager dad. Her parents remain the funniest people she knows, she says, and she figured out early on that she loved making them laugh. Some of her earliest memories are of standing in the middle of the room at get-togethers an