78 Best Restaurants in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Miami's restaurant scene has exploded in the past few years, with new restaurants springing up left and right every month. The melting pot of residents and visitors has brought an array of sophisticated, tasty cuisine. Little Havana is still king for Cuban fare, and Miami Beach is swept up in a trend of fusion cuisine, which combines Asian, French, American, and Latin cooking with sumptuous—and pricey—results. Locals spend the most time in downtown Miami, Wynwood, Midtown, and the Design District, where the city's ongoing foodie and cocktail revolution is most pronounced. Since Miami dining is a part of the trendy nightlife scene, most dinners don't start until 8 or 9 pm, and may go well into the night. To avoid a long wait among the late-night partiers at hot spots, come before 7 pm or make reservations. Attire is usually casual-chic, but patrons like to dress to impress. Don't be surprised to see large tables of women in skimpy dresses—this is common in Miami. Prices tend to stay high in hot spots like Lincoln Road, but if you venture off the beaten path you can find delicious food for reasonable prices. When you get your bill, check whether a gratuity is already included; most restaurants add between 15% and 20% (ostensibly for the convenience of, and protection from, the many Latin American and European tourists who are used to this practice in their homelands), but supplement it depending on your opinion of the service.

All Day

$

Under the glow of a green neon light in a hip industrial space, this locally loved, independent coffee shop offers quick service and a curated list of rotating coffee blends, pastries, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Coffee connoisseurs will delight in the several preparations of nitro cold brew, pour over, and carefully crafted lattes. Most popular of the bites is the Runny & Everything sandwich, an aptly named sunny-side up egg sandwich with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on an Everything brioche bun, but you'll also find local staples like croquetas and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice.

Area 31

$$$$

High atop the 16th floor of Downtown Miami's Kimpton EPIC Hotel, memorable and sustainable ocean-to-table cuisine is prepared in the bustling, beautiful open kitchen. Look forward to a seafood-centric menu with innovative flavors and a hefty portion of ethos—all fruits of the sea here are certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, FL, 33131, USA
305-424–5234
Known For
  • Great raw bar
  • Excellent bay-side views
  • Artisanal cocktails

Something incorrect in this review?

Aubi & Ramsa

$

At first glance, Aubi & Ramsa may seem like a sleek bar, but it's actually a 21-plus ice cream shop featuring small-batch pints infused with a bevy of spirits and wines. Imagine flavors like The Highland Truffle, made with Belgian chocolate, Macallan 12-Year scotch, and chocolate chunks; or Strawberries Rosé, a strawberry sorbet with Veuve Cliquot Rosé and St. Germain. There are even vegan flavors to cater to those with such dietary needs. Ice cream is sold by the scoop or the pint.

172 N.E. 41 St., FL, 33137, USA
305-946--9072
Known For
  • Boozy ice creams that cool on hot days of shopping
  • High-end spirits
  • Champagne sorbet

Something incorrect in this review?

Recommended Fodor's Video

Bourbon Steak

$$$$

Michael Mina's long-standing South Florida steak house is renowned for its seductive design, sophisticated clientele, outstanding wine list, phenomenal service, and, of course, exceptional food. Dinner begins with a skillet of fresh potato focaccia and flavor-dusted french fries as preludes to entrées like the Maine lobster potpie (with truffle cream) and any of the dozen varieties of butter-poached, wood-grilled steaks (from hormone-free prime cuts to American Wagyu).

Cantina Beach

$$$

Discover a small, sumptuous piece of coastal Mexico at this feet-in-the-sand Mexican restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami. (Note: non–hotel guests are welcome.) Order the guacamole, prepared tableside, a few tequila-infused cocktails (like the sour black cherry Black Diamond margarita), and then move onto heartier plates of fajitas and enchiladas.

Carpaccio Restaurant

$$$$

As expected for its ritzy location, this upscale restaurant matches its high-fashion neighbors: waiters don bow ties and coattails, even for lunch hours, yet are approachable in their knowledge and attentiveness. Practically everything on the menu jumps out, though the handmade mozzarella antipasti, clam linguine, and namesake beef carpaccio are signature dishes. An extensive list of wines from Italy, California, and other locales around the world perfectly complements a meal here.

9700 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA
305-867–7777
Known For
  • Myriad carpaccios
  • Ladies who lunch
  • Well-heeled crowd
Restaurant Details
For reservations call (305) 501-4448

Something incorrect in this review?

Cecconi's Miami Beach

$$$$

The wait for a table at this outpost of the legendary Italian restaurant is just as long as for its counterparts in West Hollywood and London. Expect heavy portions of atmosphere: it's a real scene of who's who and who's eating what, cast in a seductive, vintage-chic setting across the courtyard of Soho Beach House.

Chez Le Bebe

$$

Chez Le Bebe offers a short menu of Haitian home cooking—it's been going strong for over 30 years and has been featured on shows like the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and The Layover with Anthony Bourdain. Try the stewed goat (the specialty) or the tender and flavorful chicken, fish, oxtail, or fried pork; each plate comes with rice, beans, plantains, and salad, for around $15.

114 N.E. 54th St., FL, 33137, USA
305-751–7639
Known For
  • Authentic Haitian eats
  • No-frills atmosphere
  • Hefty portions

Something incorrect in this review?

Chotto Matte

$$$

With bright graffiti walls, a buzzing bar, and an open-air roof, this trendy Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant has brought sophistication and edge to Lincoln Road. Order a pisco or Japanese whiskey and settle in for flavor-packed Nikkei-style cuisine and some of the best sushi in town.

1664 Lenox Ave., FL, 33139, USA
305-690--0743
Known For
  • Excellent sharing menu
  • Glow-in-the-dark bathrooms
  • Flaming Holy Water cocktail

Something incorrect in this review?

Coyo Taco

$
Quick and easy tacos, quesadillas, and burritos can be found in this Wynwood gem. The local staple has several locations that serve tasty Mexican fare in a fast, casual setting and a menu that's sure to keep the entire group happy. The frozen margaritas are a popular choice.

DC Pie Co.

$$

From the same team behind Brooklyn's famous Lucali restaurant comes a fast casual New York--style pizzeria specializing in thin crust brick-oven pies and hearty Italian comfort dishes. Menu highlights include massive meatballs, chicken Parmesan, pepperoni chips, and salads. Make sure to visit the bar in the back, Dom's, for refreshing cocktails and wine and a rowdy karaoke night on Thursday.

1010 Brickell Ave., FL, 33131, USA
786-453--6888
Known For
  • Brick-oven pizza
  • Solid cocktails
  • Slice & spritz brunch deals

Something incorrect in this review?

DOYA

$$$$ | Wynwood

Taking inspiration from Greece, Turkey, the greater Mediterranean and Middle East, this meze and bar restaurant consistently wins accolades for their amazing small plates that are amazing to share with many people. The drinks are creative and unique, making the perfect start and end to the meal. The best thing to do is order a mix of cold and hot meze for the table, and finish with a Turkish coffee and desert. Notable dishes on the menu include their take on muhammara (roasted red pepper hummus) topped with pomegranate molasses; the adana kebap (spiced ground lamb); and the whole grilled branzino. 

EDGE Steak & Bar

$$$$

It's farm-to-table surf and turf at this elegantly understated restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, where hefty portions of the finest cuts and freshest seafood headline the menu, prepared by renowned chef Aaron Brooks. For a more casual experience, enjoy your meal and the restaurant's artisanal cocktails under the skies on the alfresco terrace.

Don't overlook happy hour weekdays 4--7 pm with $1 oysters, 2-for-1 bites, and $8 bubbles and cocktails.

El Palacio de los Jugos

$

To the northwest of Coral Gables proper, this small but boisterous indoor-outdoor market is one of the easiest and truest ways to see Miami's local Latin life in action. Besides the rows of fresh, tropical fruits and vegetables—and the shakes you can get with any of them—Miami's original food hall has numerous counters where you can order a wide variety of Latin American food, from pan con lechón (roast pork on Cuban bread) to fried pork rinds.

Gianni's

$$$$

Set within the glitz and ostentation of Gianni Versace’s former mansion, The Villa Casa Casuarina, this restaurant doles out pricey Italian-Mediterranean eats across the mansion's most prized nooks. It's more about the romantic atmosphere and eating next to Versace's storied mosaic pool than the food, which includes caviar selections, filet mignon, and black-truffle risotto.

1116 Ocean Dr., FL, 33139, USA
786-485–2200
Known For
  • Haute dining
  • Wow-factor surrounds
  • Only-in-Miami experience
Restaurant Details
Reservations essential

Something incorrect in this review?

Glass & Vine

$$$$

With a design that fuses the indoors and outdoors in the middle of Coconut Grove’s residential Peacock Park, this charming, family-friendly restaurant is as picturesque as it is unexpected. Parents can sit back and enjoy some incredible gourmet-style sharing plates (featuring local catch and produce) and the sensational wine selection while the little ones are thoroughly entertained outside (there's even a playground).

GreenStreet Cafe

$

A tried-and-true locals' hangout since it was founded in the early 1990s—with regulars including athletes, politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, and other prominent area names—this cozy café serves simple French-Mediterranean delights. Despite the restaurant's see-and-be-seen reputation, diners are encouraged to sit back and simply enjoy the experience with relaxed decor, good food, and friendly service.

Havana Harry's

$$

When Cuban families want an affordable home-cooked meal with a twist but don't want to cook it themselves, they come to this big, unassuming restaurant. The fare is traditional Cuban: long, thin, panfried steaks known as bistec palomilla, roast chicken with citrus marinade, and fried pork chunks. Most dishes come with white rice, black beans, and a choice of ripe or green plantains.

4612 Le Jeune Rd., FL, 33134, USA
305-661–2622
Known For
  • Mariquitas (plantain chips) with mojo
  • Acclaimed flan
  • "tres leches overdose" dessert

Something incorrect in this review?

House of Per'La

$
This quaint coffee shop owned and operated by a local roaster serves a handful of its own blends and a selection of homemade pastries and sandwiches. Stop in for a morning jolt and buy a bag of Per'La Specialty Roasters coffee to go.

Il Mulino New York at Aqualina Resort & Spa

$$$$

For decades Il Mulino New York has ranked among the top Italian restaurants in Gotham, so it's no surprise that this Miami outpost is similarly good. Start your food coma with the complimentary starters—fresh cuts of Parmesan cheese, four types of fresh bread, garlicky bruschetta, and spicy, fried zucchini whet the palate—and then move on to antipasti like calamari fritti followed by ever-changing risottos and other classic Italian dishes perfected.

Jaya

$$$$

At the flagship restaurant of The Setai Miami Beach hotel, expect a pan-Asian extravaganza, representing the countries of Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, India, China, and Japan through dishes that range from sea bass tikka to Peking duck to lobster curry. Before or after dinner, be sure to enjoy a cocktail around the harmonious courtyard reflecting pool.

Josh's Deli

$

An unconventional Jewish deli that's not exactly kosher, Josh's serves impressive creations like the "Jewbanize," a deli-style take on a Cubano, in addition to more traditional classics like corned beef Reubens and latkes. The menu here changes often and can be found on Instagram. One day it's a barbecue pop-up and the next day it's Chinese, but there's always some sort of deli offering.

Katsuya South Beach

$$$

Design impresario Philippe Starck opted to fill the smoking-hot SLS Hotel South Beach with a number of see-and-be-seen eateries, including Katsuya South Beach. At this popular Japanese restaurant, dishes come from four separate kitchens and include awesome eats like a legendary miso-marinated black cod, succulent lobster dynamite (in a creamy mushroom sauce), baked crab hand rolls, and amazing sushi rolls. If you want a quieter evening, ask to sit in the unpublicized second-floor dining room.

Kiki on the River

$$$$

In a contemporary waterfront garden setting along the Miami River, Kiki is a daily celebration of fabulous Greek food (hello, olive oil–braised octopus), steamy and sceney Miami nights, and an overall Greece-meets-the-tropics joie de vivre. Expect to people-watch, eat a lot, drink even more, and dance (especially if coming for the weekly Sunday Funday party).

450 N.W. North River Dr., FL, 33128, USA
786-502--3243
Known For
  • Lobster pasta
  • Tomato salad
  • Great happy hour

Something incorrect in this review?

Kush

$$

At this cozy burger joint on the edge of Wynwood, locally sourced ingredients and stellar craft beer star on a Florida-inspired menu. Order a Frita burger topped with Gruyère and guava jelly or a Key West conch salad while you sip one of 18 brews. Since the place is so small, you might have to wait, but that's not a problem thanks to a neon-lit speakeasy bar next door that celebrates the neighborhood's grungy, artistic vibe.

Le Jardinier

$$$

This stunning indoor-outdoor restaurant serves a vegetable-forward menu that imparts classic French techniques (no surprise, since it's the brainchild of world-renowned chef Joël Robuchon). Ingredients are sustainable and local with star dishes including heirloom beets, Heritage chicken, and chicory salad. Open for lunch and dinner, it's an ideal stop after a day of strolling through the Design District.

151 N.E. 41st St., FL, 33137, USA
305-402--9060
Known For
  • Lush outdoor seating
  • Fresh seasonal offerings
  • Perfectly plated dishes
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

Something incorrect in this review?

Le Zoo

$$$$

Restaurateur Stephen Starr imports a bona fide Parisian brasserie to the swanky Bal Harbour shops—inclusive of vintage decorations, furnishings, and an entire bar, all of which were shipped directly from France. Expect classics perfected, such as onion soup gratiné, steak frites and moules frites, and seafood plateaux (towers); a few delicious deviations like the escargots in hazelnut butter (rather than garlic butter); and plenty of excellent people-watching.

9700 Collins Ave., FL, 33154, USA
305-602--9663
Known For
  • Parisian flair
  • Seafood towers
  • Outdoor seating

Something incorrect in this review?

Los Pinareños Fruteria

$

If you're looking for something refreshing or a high-octane jolt while touring Little Havana, try this fruteria (fruit stand) that serves coco frio (fresh, cold coconut juice served in a whole coconut), mango juice, and other jugos (juices), as well as Cuban coffees and Cuban finger foods. You can order from the walk-up window and enjoy your drink at one of the tables inside the market.

1334 S.W. 8th St., FL, 33135, USA
305-285–1135
Known For
  • Exotic juices
  • Coco frio
  • Friendly staff

Something incorrect in this review?

LPM Restaurant & Bar

$$$$

Located on the ground floor of a Brickell high-rise, this upscale French Mediterranean restaurant serves classic fare like escargot and ratatouille el feta. During the day, most diners are local businesspeople, but at night the bar is busy with yuppies who are looking to treat themselves with exceptional seafood, pastas, and meat dishes.

1300 Brickell Bay Dr., FL, 33131, USA
305-403--9133
Known For
  • Buttery escargot
  • Cozy banquette tables
  • Octopus carpaccio

Something incorrect in this review?

Matador Room

$$$

In one of Miami's most captivating and seductive settings, this headline restaurant by celebrity-chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten fuses Spanish, Caribbean, and Latin American gastronomy while focusing on local products, resulting in a diverse collection of small and large plates. Indulge in tropically inspired plates like avocado pizza, Florida Keys shrimp in "Agua Diablo," and grilled Florida black-grouper tacos.

2901 Collins Ave., FL, 33140, USA
786-257–4600
Known For
  • "Light & Bright" beach-conscious options
  • Seasonal craft cocktails
  • Stunning terrace for outdoor dining

Something incorrect in this review?