Miami

Lucali

The Miami outpost of Brooklyn's legendary pizza spot lives up to the hype. Order the vodka pie and watch the flames dance in the wood-fired oven while you wait — it's worth every minute. The calzones are absurdly good, and the vibe is pure candlelit romance.

Boia De

A tiny, unpretentious gem in Little Haiti that punches way above its weight. The focaccia is otherworldly, and their pasta courses will make you forget every Italian meal you've ever had. Get here early or prepare to wait — no reservations, and regulars are obsessive for a reason.

Kiki On The River

Greek taverna vibes meet Miami River sunset views. The grilled octopus is perfectly charred, and the tzatziki is dangerously addictive. Come for a long, boozy lunch and stay to watch the yachts roll by.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Tucked inside a charming 1940s house in the Design District, this feels like a Greek grandmother's courtyard dinner. The lamb chops are perfection, and the mezze spread is meant for sharing and lingering. Book the garden patio at dusk.

COTE Miami

Korean BBQ meets Michelin-starred steakhouse in this Design District stunner. The butcher's feast is an absolute journey through impeccably sourced wagyu, and the banchan is no afterthought. This is a special occasion spot that never disappoints.

Casa Isola Osteria

A South Beach Italian spot where the pasta is hand-rolled and the Negronis are perfectly bitter. The ricotta gnudi is the move, and the cramped, buzzy dining room feels like you've been transported to Rome. Late night, it gets rowdy in the best way.

Zuma Miami

Downtown's sleek Japanese izakaya delivers every single time. The robata-grilled miso black cod is legendary, and the omakase at the sushi bar is world-class. Order the sake flight and let the staff guide you.

NAOE

One of the most intimate omakase experiences in the country, hidden in a Brickell office building. Chef Kevin Cory's 20-course journey is deeply personal, and the bento box presentations are edible art. You'll need reservations months out.

Joe's Stone Crab

A Miami institution since 1913, and the stone crabs are still the best you'll ever crack. Skip the brutal wait and do takeaway from the counter next door. The hash browns are the unsung hero, and that key lime pie is perfection.

Prime 112

South Beach's power steakhouse where every table looks like a casting call. The truffle mac and cheese is obscene, and the prime rib is sized for sharing (or not). Expect celebrities, bottle service energy, and people-watching at its finest.

Estiatorio Milos

Mediterranean seafood so fresh it practically swam to your table. Pick your fish from the ice display and they'll prepare it simply — grilled whole with olive oil and lemon. Yes, it's expensive, but the Dover sole is worth every dollar.

Cafe La Trova

Little Havana's answer to the cocktail bar, with a swinging Cuban soundtrack and award-winning bartenders. The daiquiris are textbook perfect, and the croquetas are crispy, creamy bliss. Come for drinks, stay for the live music and dancing.

Broken Shaker

A backyard cocktail garden tucked inside the Freehand hostel — it's quirky, creative, and impossibly cool. The drinks are inventive and seasonally-driven, and the mismatched furniture adds to the ramshackle charm. Get the house punch and share with friends.

Sugar

An Asian-inspired rooftop bar perched atop the EAST hotel in Brickell with panoramic skyline views. The cocktails are tiki-forward and potent, and the small plates are perfect for grazing. Come at sunset for the full magic.

Lagniappe

A wine garden in MiMo with live music, mismatched furniture, and a choose-your-own-cheese-adventure vibe. Grab a bottle, assemble a charcuterie plate, and settle into the outdoor garden. It's where Miami's creative crowd goes to decompress.

Higher Ground

A cocktail den in Wynwood's back alleys that feels like a secret. The bartenders know their stuff, the lighting is dim and moody, and the crowd is more local than tourist. Order dealer's choice and trust them.

Jaguar Sun

A snug downtown cocktail bar with serious drinks and a late-night Italian menu that slaps. The carbonara is a 2am revelation, and the cocktails are perfectly balanced without being fussy. It's where bartenders drink after work.

El Carajo

Yes, it's inside a Citgo gas station, and yes, it's one of the best Spanish tapas spots in Miami. The jamón ibérico is properly sourced, the wine list is impeccable, and the whole setup is gloriously absurd. Trust the process.

Sanguich

The Cuban sandwich debate ends here. Pressed to perfection, with pork that melts and bread that shatters, this Little Havana counter is the real deal. Get it "all the way" and chase it with a cafecito from the window.

Zak the Baker

Artisanal bread and outstanding breakfast sandwiches in a sun-drenched Wynwood bakery. The challah is pillow-soft, the babka is righteous, and everything is baked fresh daily. Also secretly the best bagels in Miami.

El Bagel

NYC-style bagels done right by a Brooklyn transplant in Wynwood. They're hand-rolled, boiled, and baked, with that perfect chew-to-crust ratio. The lox schmear is serious, and the line on weekends is a badge of honor.

Eleventh Street Pizza

Roman-style al taglio pizza in Wynwood with crispy, focaccia-like crust and toppings that rotate daily. The potato and rosemary slice is unreasonably good, and everything is sold by the weight. Walk up, point, devour.

Stubborn Seed

Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford's tasting menu spot on the beach is playful, precise, and worth the splurge. The flavors are bold, the presentations are artful, and the wine pairings are on point. Book ahead.

Ariete

Coconut Grove's neighborhood gem serves elevated comfort food with Latin soul. The short rib croquetas are legendary, the brunch is unbeatable, and Chef Michael Beltran's warmth infuses every dish. Come hungry, leave happy.

Chug's Diner

A Cuban diner reimagined, with croqueta-topped pancakes and guava pastelito French toast. The vintage vibes are picture-perfect, and the cafecito hits like it should. Weekend brunch is a scene, but worth the wait.

Seaspice

Miami River seafood spot where yachts pull up dockside and the scene is always poppin'. The lobster linguine is lush, and Sunday rosé vibes are undefeated. Dress up, order champagne, and own the moment.

The River Oyster Bar

Brickell's casual, convivial oyster spot with an ever-rotating selection from both coasts. Happy hour is one of the city's best deals, and the New England clam chowder is thick and loaded. The old-school vibes are refreshingly unpretentious.

Monty's Coconut Grove

The quintessential waterfront dive bar with frozen drinks, sandy floors, and live music every weekend. Order a painkiller, claim a table on the deck, and let the sunset do the rest. Pure tropical escapism.

Blackbird Ordinary

Brickell's best late-night dive-meets-cocktail-bar with a sprawling outdoor patio. The whiskey selection is deep, the crowd is young and rowdy, and there's often live music. It's where you end up at 1am, and that's a good thing.

Club Space

The temple of techno in Downtown Miami, where sunrise sets on the terrace are legendary. International DJs spin until well past noon, and the Terrace is where the magic happens. An essential rite of passage for dance music devotees.

Pastis Miami

The beloved NYC French brasserie finds a home in Wynwood, zinc bar and all. The steak frites are classic, the tarte tatin is sublime, and brunch feels like a Parisian holiday. Très chic, très delicious.

Swan

Pharrell and David Grutman's Design District brasserie is stylish, scene-y, and surprisingly solid on the food front. The fried chicken is addictive, and the cocktails are crafted with care. Best for late-night dining after gallery hopping.

La Sandwicherie

Open-air sandwich counter serving French-style subs with vinaigrette that's borderline addictive. The smoked salmon is the move, and the late-night hours have saved many a night out. Simple, fresh, legendary.

Garcia's Seafood

A no-frills Miami River institution where dolphins swim by and the stone crabs are cracked fresh. Get the fried snapper sandwich and eat it on the dock. It's cash-only, unpretentious, and deeply Miami.

niu Kitchen

Catalan small plates in a minimalist downtown space, with sherry and jamón done right. The croquetas are textbook creamy, and the Iberian pork is melt-in-your-mouth. One of the city's most underrated restaurants.

Caffe Abbracci

Coral Gables' beloved Italian institution where everyone knows your name (eventually). The osso buco is soul-warming, and the tiramisu is legendary. Old-school service, devoted regulars, and zero pretension.

Macchialina

Intimate Italian hideaway in South Beach's Sunset Harbour that feels like a secret. The handmade pastas are exceptional, the wine list is thoughtful, and the whole experience feels like a neighborhood spot in Florence. Reservations essential.