Welcome to Miami: the Floridian land of sun, sand and seriously good eats. There are 5-star restaurants with waterfront views, downtown legends for sushi and a night cap, beachside seafood shacks, Little Havana mainstays, fancy Italian pizzerias and many more worthy eateries to add to your itinerary while in Magic City. We’ve compiled 17 of the best Miami restaurants for Instagrammable food and drink content that will score you all the likes, but first, a little more intel of the food that makes Miami famous.
What Food Is Miami Known For?
Miami is a melting pot of international flavors ranging from Cuban and Haitian cuisine, to Asian, Spanish, Mexican, Floribbean and more. When in Miami, you can’t leave without devouring towers of fresh Florida stone crabs claws and ordering anything with Key lime in the name (Key Lime Pie, sauce, cheesecake, etc.). Also a must while in town: Cubanos, tacos, fresh juices and smoothies, açai bowls, ceviche, asado, fish sandwiches and fried chicken. Not to mention all of the amazing pasta, pizza and burger options in this city…let’s just say you won’t go home hungry.
Best Miami Restaurants
Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
Argentinian grill master Francis Mallmann may have restaurants all over Argentina, Uruguay, even France, but there’s only one stateside and you have to travel to Miami for his South American asado experience. Take one look at their ‘gram and you’ll get why Los Fuegos is touted for being one of the leading restaurants in the city. He strings whole chickens, pineapples, and steaks over an open fire with circus-level precision (and presentation) to create the most mouthwatering parrilladas you’ll ever have. That would be a mixed grill plate of Argentine skirt steak, ribeye, lamb, chorizo, domino potatoes and the works. Reserve a table inside Los Fuegos’ stunning dining room awash in red and leopard print, or eat en plein air, where smoky meats just tastes better with a side of salt-licked ocean breeze.
Joe’s Stone Crab
If you go to Miami and don’t go to Joe’s Stone Crab, you missed the assignment. The iconic eatery dates back to 1913 when owners Joe and his wife Jennie used to serve their famed stone crab claws to guests on their front porch. It’s since evolved into the most famous restaurant in Miami (still with the old-school vibes, but more upscale) and their stone crab can’t be beat. Neither can their fish sandwiches or Key lime pie, which you can order straight to your door in case you can’t make it there in person.
Cecconi’s Miami
Cecconi’s Miami is where you go for fancy Italian fare in Miami and for special occasions. Situated in the ground floor of the Soho House Hotel, their dining room happens to be one of the most striking in town and resembles a romantic garden with twinkling glass jar lights suspended from trees and soft pops of teal and seafoam green throughout. They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch, so there’s ample opportunity to make it there for what will probably be one of your most memorable meals in Miami. Begin with their signature Negroni and a few cicchetti like Cannellini Bean Dip with Crudités and Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, try an app or two (Calamari Fritti, Lemon, Chili, Aioli is a solid move), then there’s Beef Tartare with Black Truffle and Quail Egg, a variety of wood oven pizzas, Spaghetti Lobster, Veal Milanese and Eggplant Parmigiana to get into, ahead of dessert. We recommend a Chocolate Pot, Tiramisu and Tres Leches tasting, before they have to wheel you out of there.
Joia Beach Restaurant
Skip over-crowded, over-touristy South Beach and go straight to Jungle Island (aka Watson Island) where Miami’s best tucked-away beach and Greek-inspired waterfront restaurant awaits. Known for day-to-night dining, along with unparalleled views, sunsets and vibes, Joia Beach is reminiscent of some of Europe and the Caribbean’s most iconic beach clubs. Reservations are necessary and we suggest starting off with lunch in their pretty, open-air dining room before moving over to the beach lounge to keep the party going. As for the menu, there are the usual Mediterranean spreads (hummus, tzatziki, baba ghanoush), along with vibrant salads, crispy lobster tails, skewered meats, catch-of-the-day specialities and endless rosé and craft cocktails to wash it all down. The ideal Sunday Funday or weeknight happy hour spot.
MR CHOW
For a big night out, Miami style, there’s no topping MR CHOW at W South Beach. The celeb-loved Chinese restaurant is beautiful, delicious and dramatic, thanks to six different culinary and beverage shows you can order on any given night. There’s the The Carving of The Beijing Duck performed by renowned duck chef and skilled knife master, Chef Ren, the Noodle Show—a live performance by MR CHOW’s Pasta Chefs Lau and Tsui who miraculously hand pull hundreds of noodles from a small pile of dough in seconds—the Presenting of the Champagne Trolley, Decanting of the Wine, Sole Filleting and finally, the Dessert Trolley. The new definition of dinner and a show, if you ask us.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Taco joint by day, dance party by night. Ask anyone what’s good for drinks and dancing and they’ll lead you straight to Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in South Beach. Known for cheap (yet addictive) eats and stiff drinks, it’s a one-stop shop for live music, happy hour, taco cravings satisfied and frozen margs in an eclectic “puebla” inspired setting. Venture through the meat locker door and you’ll encounter their not-so-secret speakeasy and tequila bar where a good Miami night always ends.
Como Como
Como Como is Moxy Miami South Beach’s marisquería (seafood restaurant) and raw bar created by the same owners as hotspots Coyo Taco and 1-800-LUCKY. Inspired by the flavors of Los Cabos, Acapulco and other coastal towns in Mexico, it’s where foodie dreams come true and it’s pure eye candy from the moment you walk in the door. Between the massive seafood counters displaying the day’s bounty on beds of ice, the rare tequila and mezcal bottles lining the bar and the Mezcalista lounge in the back—they’re doing it all right. Then the food starts to come out… Each dish is better than the next, although although they’re really known for their oysters, ceviches, king crab, whole fish and octopus cooked over the wood-burning grill. For the carnivores, there’s Australian rack of lamb, a plethora of steak cuts and albondigas (Mexican lamb meatballs with fresh mint and epazote in a roasted tomato chipotle sauce).
Juvia
For the most breathtaking rooftop views in Miami, look no further than Juvia, an al fresco oasis all the way up on the penthouse level of the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage. With French, Japanese and Peruvian influences, the menu is as universal as they come and the ambiance is unrivaled—there’s a larger-than-life green living wall flanking one side and city skyline vistas exposed on the other. A Champagne bar, sunset dinner menu and dessert list with gems like these Valrhona chocolate profiteroles are all an added bonus.
Sushi Fly Chicken
Sushi + fried chicken—name a better combo. Inspired by Tokyo’s underground nightlife scene, Asia’s diverse cuisines and Miami’s unstoppable energy, Sushi Fly Chicken can’t be beat for specialty rolls, delicious robatas and some really good fried chicken plates. It’s also a sake bar and speakeasy-style lounge with rotating DJs, so go for the food, stay for the music. And whatever you do, don’t leave without passing by the swinging kitchen door which reveals secret rooms akin to unmarked watering holes around Tokyo’s Roppongi and Ginza neighborhoods.
Gitano Miami
You don’t need to leave Miami to get a taste of Tulum; just make a reservation at boho-cool Gitano Miami at Casa Faena. With lush greenery at every turn, woven textiles and one-of-a-kind artwork, you’ll swear you’ve been transported to Mexico’s Mayan wonderland. There’s also the Jungle Rooftop upstairs with live music featuring Palo Santo on Thursdays, Gypsy Disco on Fridays and Tropicalia on Saturdays. Pop by for tiki drinks, elixirs and punch bowls (Tulum style), in addition to salads with bright red watermelon chunks, tostadas piled high with tuna, shrimp tacos, Pork Chops Al Pastor and one killer branzino in a banana leaf. Leaving without sampling their Churros with Chocolate Jalapeño and Mezcal Caramel is not advised.
Stiltsville
A neighborhood “fish bar” like no other. Located in the in the heart of Sunset Harbour, husband and wife top chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth have turned Stiltsville into one of Miami’s greatest treasures with Key West-inspired drinks, tackle boxes overflowing with raw oysters, lobster salad and tuna ceviche, plus all the fried fish (and chicken) favorites that make waking up for brunch on a weekend worth it. Pro tip: order the house-made conch fritters, buffalo fish wings, crispy whole fish and Kataifi-Wrapped Royal Red Shrimp with Key Lime Sauce. They’re also known for some of the best specials in Vice City, like 1/2 off wine bottles on Monday, $2 tacos on Tuesday and a Crawfish Eddie’s happy hour from 3-7pm every night.
Versailles Restaurant
There’s no bakery/restaurant more synonymous with Miami than Versailles, the 51-year-old Little Havana centerpiece known as “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant.” They’re also known for Miami’s most famous Cubanos, Ropa Vieja (shredded beef cooked with garlic, onions, bell peppers, wine and tomato sauce) along with first-rate cafecitos, cortaditos, Cuban pastries (beef or guava) and croquetas, of course. Order take-out from the walk-up window at their Southwest 8th Street location, or head inside for an unforgettable meal in their legendary dining room.
Papi Steak
Papi Steak fuses Golden Era Hollywood swagger with modern day Miami energy to create an entirely new steakhouse experience. The restaurant, which is located in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, serves elevated contemporary twists on classic chophouse dishes—like King Crab Stuffed Florida Lobster Tail and the Papi Steak—a Tomahawk-cut named in honor of David “Papi” Einhorn, a partner in the restaurant. Don’t sleep on the sides either. Their Monop Potato with Osetra Caviar and Crème Fraîche is beyond, as is the Lobster Mac & Cheese with Gruyère & Mornay and Latkes with House-Made Apple Sauce and Chives.
Makoto
The art of sushi presentation is on full display at Makoto, in their newly refurbished Bal Harbour digs. Designed to look a Japanese flower garden, oversized florals abound, as does sushi-grade fish. Must-try classics include: Hamachi Ponzu, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Fire and Ice Oysters, Miso Seabass, Frosty Wagyu Fried Rice and over-the-top caviar service, but it’s the extensive list of sushi, sashimi and maki selections that’s really worth the visit. Obviously you can never go wrong with the Chef’s Sampler or Omakase Combination.
Whitmans
What started as a beloved NYC burger haven, has finally made its way to Miami. Whitmans is known for quality burgers, elevated comfort food (think Crack Kale, Blue Cheese Fries and Loaded Tots), plus their use of local vendors, but most importantly for fine contributions to burger nation such as the Juicy Lucy—two thin beef short rib blend patties pinched together encasing a scoop of pimento cheese with caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, spicy pickles and special sauce on a sesame bun. The result: a molten core of cheese oozing from the patty.
Bellini Restaurant
Reasons to visit Miami’s trendy Coconut Grove neighborhood are a mile long, but at the top of the list: the Mr. C Hotel and onsite restaurant, Bellini. Given that they’re part of the Cipriani family, you know they take their Italian cuisine seriously and their rooftop dwelling is equal parts laidback and elegant, where you’d want to spend a leisurely lunch or pop in for a quick bite. Begin your meal with a signature Bellini cocktail, followed by Italian Charcuterie & Cheese, Umbrian Lentil Salad and Sautéed Clams alla Veneziana. Then dive right into their indulgent, house-made pastas that are some of the best Miami has to offer. The Bucatini Cacio e Pepe is a winner, as is the Pappardelle alla Bellini, but we’re also big fans of the spaghetti entangled with clams, daily gnocchi and Lasagna alla Bolognese that’s layered with love. It’s really hard to go wrong with any of the options to be honest.
Swan
Even if you’ve never been to Miami, chances are you’ve seen the dreamy restaurant Swan splashed across your feed. Co-owned by David Grutman and Pharrell Williams, the Design District landmark is the most Instagram-able dining destination, thanks to a millennial pink bar glistening with chandeliers and a magical outdoor garden. If you’re looking for a scene, or a celebratory venue for a bridal shower or bachelorette party, you’ve come to the right place. And their seasonally-driven menu features shareable small plates everyone will agree on, pasta and pizza, plus a variety of veggie sides—some healthy, some just really really good. We’re looking at you, Corn Corn Corn (their famed corn side with creamy polenta, brown butter and popcorn). Next: 16 Best Restaurants in Newport, Rhode Island
