39 Best Restaurants in Miami, June 2024 (2024)

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 co*cktails thattaste 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 forshareable dishes like the flaky beef Wellington that’sbaked and carved to order.

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: Fromgrilled oysters with bone marrow and uni butterto a "pan con bistec"-style A5 ribeye with caramelized onion and papitas, it all kind of makes sense.

Why we love it: Few restaurants canprepare 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?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? Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford’s edgy neighborhood restaurant doles inspired new American cuisine you’llbe 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? Maty’s is an homage tochef 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 takessimple dishes and imbues them with familiar yet complex Peruvian flavors. Oysters arriveina tangy leche de tigre and dots of herby oil. The roasted sweet corngets treated to a luscious huancaína sauce. It all plays out in a modern, airy dining room in bustling Midtown.

Order this: The star of theshow 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? 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?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 tiraditoadorned 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:La Mar's epic weekendis one of the best values in town as far as high-end experiences go. Diners get their choice of entreé in addition to the sprawling buffet, featuring individually portioned ceviche and other raw-bar favorites. There's also an anticucho station and a build-your-ownsancocho bar sure to cure even the most hungover souls.

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 co*cktails, such asthe Esteban, a super smooth mezcal negroni.

What is it?This enchanting import fromLondon draws on the Mediterranean for inspiration, serving a medley of seafood plates alongside a smattering of Provençal dishes you might find onthe 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?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 reflectseasonal dining trends—think awild mushroom pot pieand 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 co*cktail, a business lunch or a date-night dinner of oysters,duck confitand pour upon pour of wine.

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 ofshareable 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?This cozy (and boozy)Downtown bar and restaurant earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its delicious handmade pasta and delicate crudos served in a hip, familial setting.

Why we love it:Synergetic owners Chef Carey Hynes and bar director Will Thompson manage to complement each other each step of the way. There’s no fino martini without an order of the market crudo, no Madame Butterfly without the Parker house rolls and no Very Strong Baby without a heaping bowl of spicy rigatoni to make sure you’re not a Very Drunk Diner.

Time Out tip:There are three parts to the perfect meal at Jaguar Sun: a martini, a pasta and an ice cream sandwich.Everything else is the cherry on top.

What is it? At Ghee, acclaimed chef Niven Patel doles out farm-to-tableSoutheast Asianfoodgood 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?Its smash-hit food truck was a favorite among thosewhosepreferred Saturday morning activity was waiting in line for food. Then, El Bagel’s MiMo brick-and-mortarbecame thechosenbreakfast 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 afresh, 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?NIU Kitchen chef Deme Lomas and wine director Karina Iglesias’s Catalonian gem is located deep in Downtown Miami. The compact restaurant outgrew its original location (which they've 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? Luca isGiorgio 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 co*cktails. Luca’s impressive list ofItalian 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:Thepatate fritte from the antipasti menu. These delicate, crispy-skinned potato pearls explode in your mouthto combine with black truffle, creamy Parmigiano fonduta and egg yolk. It's seriously unmissable.

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?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 thegarlic 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:Joe'sfinally takes reservations via Resy. Availability is limited but it beats staring down the hostess for hours while you wait.

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

Why we love it:It’s thefamiliar 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.

What is it? This destination Italian restaurant deep inCoral Gablesis 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 itsultra-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 Tuesdaythrough Fridayfeaturing $10 co*cktailsandreasonably 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 thislively Cuban restaurant on Calle Ocho.

Why go?A nostalgia-tinged aesthetic meets a modern-day Cuban menu, serving serrano hamcroquetas, 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 toLittle Havana. Though if you needed a third, La Trova features live music nearly every night.

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

What is it? Old Greg’s was born out of the pandemic when chef Greg Tetzner and PR pro Jackie Richie started selling square pizzas out of their house made from a much-loved sourdough starter they named Old Greg. That transitioned first to a takeout pizza phenomenon in a shuttered Design District bar and then, finally, to its own brick-and-mortar shop.

Why we love it:Along with an expanded menu of salads and binge-worthy hoagies, Tetzner is still slinging the handsome, grandma-style pies that first blew up Instagram during lockdowns. These things are absolutely crammed with toppings like zucchini and burrata, lamb sausage with tahini and the O.G. Roni with hot honey and a whole lot of curled-up pepperoni cups.

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 ofLur, 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? A surf-and-turf showstopper spanning threelevels ofthe beautifuland 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 headinginto a rumrunner supper club with fellow flappers, a theme that continues with dapper serversoffering updecadenttrays 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.

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?This regional Mexican restaurant in Coconut Grove takes its tortillas, and just about everything else it does, very seriously.

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 bloomingcarpaccio of beetsthat resemblesa springtime flower and the blue corn quesadilla with multi-colored squash blossoms fanning out from the opening. Be it vegan, vegetarian or meaty pibil, every single dish shows immense attention to detail.

Time Out tip:On Saturdays, enjoy yourdinneras a DJ spins vinyl records.

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’sbreadis a well-known team player in sandwiches and toasts at countless other restaurants. But his ownintricate 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 itsrecentlyexpanded patio.

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.

Time Out tip:Mignonette's sister restaurant, the long-running Blue Collar in MiMo, will expand and relocate to a much larger location this summer.

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? The omakase counter floating above the main dining room at Queen is a lot like the Miami Beach restaurant itself: an over-the-top version of anything like it you’ve tried before. Expect caviar and truffles and beautifully marbled meats prepared before your eyes in a way that feels as much theater as it does dinner.

Why go?Behind the opulent counter is Max Kamakura, a Japanese-Brazilian, third-generation sushi chef who narrates the multi-course meal, talking up technique and sourcing. Some of the 15-plus items are familiar from other omakases around Miami.But then there’s the novel and new, like foie gras melted over tuna anda quenelle of caviar dusted with gold powder.

Time Out tip: Queen requires adherence to a strict dress code of “fashionable and elegant” attire. Seats cost $275 per person, paid in advance.Yes, there’s a steep price for entry to this omakase theater. But you will find no Miami sushi counter with a more flamboyant, decadent show thanthis one.

What is it?The second location of , a relaxed wine shop and bistrothat 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-wrappeddates 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 affordablepicks 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 curatedbottles, snacks and wares.

What is it?Stephen Starr’s fancy pants Japanese restaurant inside the luxurious Bal Harbour Shops.

Why we love it:Hello, freshness! Makoto dishes out top-quality seafood, from its sashimi platter and its sushi to its heaping crab salad. With the verdant corridors of the Bal HarbourShopsas the backdrop for its patio and a spicy tuna crispy rice that trumps all other versions of the trendy sushi starter, Makoto wins for its mix ofcrave-worthy dishesand relaxed, tropical atmosphere.

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? Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s first Miami restaurant continues the Southernstylings of its Harlem flagship but with more Caribbean-flare thanks, in no small part, to the city’s flourishing Haitian community. For diners, that means a menu peppered with light and bright local veggies, seafood native to South Florida and a number ofCaribbean specialties—think a jerk-spiced, rum-glazed whole chicken—served alongside Southern classics such as a spicy honey fried yardbird and ajambalaya and grits that’s too good to pass up.

Why we love it:Formerly Clyde Killen’s Pool Hall, the restaurant’s upstairs lounge area also functions as a cultural space showcasing exhibitions, performances and weekly, thematic celebrations. The curation is conducted by co-owner Derek Fleming, who is intentional about taking stock of Overtown’s rich history and using it to inform Red Rooster’s cultural programming.

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 acquaintedwith the ventanita dispensing thimbles of addictive cafecito.