Locations in Miami: Critics' Pick

223 NW 23rd St. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

305-573-5996

Modern American, American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

At Alter, chef/owner Bradley Kilgore serves some of Miami's most exciting food. Come for the five- or seven-course creative tasting menus, featuring seasonal dishes and signature creations such as soft egg with sea scallop espuma and truffle pearls with Siberian caviar. Here, the 2016 Food & Wine Magazine best new chef has given Wynwood a welcoming restaurant that doesn't trade refinement for the neighborhood's cool factor. Alter defies all expectations in light of its surroundings: The restaurant has a spare industrial feel, and everything from reggae to rock blares over the sound system, but that says little about the quality of the dishes, such as smoked duck served with spring berry, kaffir lime yogurt, purple kale, and Marcona almonds. Insider tip: Take your visit to up a notch by booking the chef counter experience, a seven- or nine-course meal that places you in the middle of Alter's action. Brace yourself for a long and indulgent night.

74 articles

Amara at Paraiso

3101 NE Seventh Ave. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

305-702-5528

Latin American, New American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Michael Schwartz's Amara at Paraiso is beautifully set on Biscayne Bay. Located in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, the 4,500-square-foot dining room boasts indoor and outdoor seating, all with a waterfront view. The James Beard Award-winning chef, best known for his Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, calls Amara at Paraiso a "love letter to Miami." But the restaurant offers more than an exceptional location — the food is equally satisfying. The menu includes Latin American-influenced dishes cooked using a wood grill and a Josper charcoal oven. Standouts include crispy octopus with braised yuca and a parrillada of short rib, chorizo, sweet breads, and steak.

17 articles

Area 31

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way Downtown/Overtown

305-424-5234

Seafood, New American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

The restaurant takes its name and gathers much of its menu from Fishing Area 31, an ecologically productive swath of the Atlantic Ocean that encompasses the coastal waters of Florida, Central America, and northern South America. As with any good fishing spot, Area 31 is far removed from the hustle and bustle of civilization, tucked away on the 16th floor of downtown Miami's Epic Hotel. The terrace is enchanting, but the pristine seafood preparations are the real reason to head here fast. Whether choosing from a half-dozen daily wood-grilled catches or more complicated dishes such as salt-crusted dorade, you'll find the results stunningly fresh and delicious. Other worthy hauls include butternut risotto with kale, pine nuts, and Parmesan shavings, as well as the ceviche, gravlax, and carpaccio. The wine list, cocktails, and service are also impressive. The next time you seek a great seafood dinner, there's no need to go fishing for options — just cast your line with Area 31.

59 articles

Ariete

3540 Main Highway Coconut Grove

786-615-3747

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Chef Michael Beltran's Ariete adds an air of refinement to Coconut Grove not seen since the days when industrialist James Deering caroused its shores. Ariete serves dishes like foie gras with smoked plantains, but there's something more than fancy amid the elegance offered by Beltran, who trained under chefs Norman Van Aken and Michael Schwartz. The Little Havana native twists bits of Cuba and France into every dish, just the way his grandparents taught him. In 2022, Beltran's culinary craftsmanship earned Ariete a Michelin star.

62 articles

Atchana's Homegrown Thai

3194 Commodore Plaza Coconut Grove

305-774-0404

Thai, Asian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

It's bold to name a dish "the perfect bite," but Atchana Capellini has done just that. The miang kham is a delight handed down through generations. A plate holds wrinkly pale-pink dried shrimp, toasted coconut flakes, and tiny slices of ginger. Even the leaves look different. Rather than the ruffled bright-green fronds of butter lettuce, these betel leaves are deep green and spade-shaped, with an almost unnoticeable flavor. Combine all of this with a few bits of crushed peanuts, a squeeze of lime, and a dash of spicy-sweet tamarind sauce, and you'll soon be reaching for a napkin to dab the tears of joy cascading down your cheeks.

7 articles

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

19934 NW Second Ave. Miami Gardens

305-770-5100

Ethiopian, Critics' Pick, Slideshow, Essentials

At Awash, owners Eka and Fouad Wassel want to take you to an authentic Ethiopian-style home kitchen called a gojo bait. Try the doro wot, a rich chicken dish with a depth of flavor similar to the moles of Mexico. The Awash River, from which this restaurant and many other Ethiopian eateries across the nation take their names, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley surrounding it was where researchers in 1974 found 52 fossilized bone fragments of the famed early hominid Lucy. Carbon dating put the partial skeleton's age at more than 3 million years, a fact almost every Ethiopian knows. But it's also one that brings home the history of this part of the world and the fact that much of human culture was born here. You might be tempted to visit only at night, but be sure to pop in during the daylight hours for a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, the same one that's repeated up to three times a day in the Horn of Africa. Green coffee beans are pan-roasted, hand-ground, and then slowly brewed over hot coals. The point is to slow you to a stop in order to connect with the coffee and those with whom you're sharing it.

4 articles

Blackbrick

3451 NE First Ave., Unit 103 Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

305-573-8886

Chinese, Dim Sum, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Blackbrick in midtown serves the Chinese food you've been waiting for. There are classics such as salt-and-pepper shrimp, Sichuan vegetables with hot oil fried rice, and steamed red snapper with soy, ginger, and scallions. The dessert menu is also extensive, with ice cream from Calle Ocho's Azucar and an assortment of cakes. Stop by the 60-seat restaurant and sit at the kitchen bar. From there, you can inhale the smoky scent of toasted Sichuan peppers and watch chefs stir-fry mustard greens in red-hot woks.

30 articles

Blue Collar

6730 Biscayne Blvd. Miami Shores/Biscayne Park

305-756-0366

American, Seafood, Sandwiches, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Danny Serfer's Blue Collar takes its cues from the classic American diner. The tiny restaurant in the MiMo District offers daily specials and elevated comfort foods. Start with a gutsy New Orleans-style dish of shrimp and grits with bacon and Worcestershire-based barbecue sauce, or Hanukkah latkes (served year-round). Don’t miss the veg chalkboard, filled with delightful options from which you can build your own customized plate. Order a thermos of Panther coffee and a cheeseburger or the "parm of the day" and make yourself as comfy as you’d be in your mom’s kitchen. Pro tip: Serfer's also the chef behind another of our faves, Mignonette, an oyster bar and all-around seafood gem, just north of downtown.

112 articles

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

336 21st St., Miami Beach South Beach

305-800-0404

Sushi, Japanese, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

Located in South Beach, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill serves a menu packed with traditional vegetable rolls that can be difficult to find amid Miami Beach's cacophony of sushi spots. One roll is loaded with threads of loamy enoki mushrooms. Another wraps rice and seaweed paper around crunchy matchsticks of burdock root that taste like a hybrid of jícama and sweet potato. The best contain the slightly slimy yet nutty fermented soybean called natto. Meanwhile, each day, a printed menu insert lists the special and seasonal varieties of fish on hand. Only a few other places in the city offer many of the species you'll find at Blue Ribbon. There's a proclivity for silver-skinned fish, which in America are often overlooked because of their sometimes fishy flavor profiles. More important is this place's vast, evolving nigiri and sashimi offerings, which could be a gateway for legions of diners to move beyond tuna, salmon, and shrimp.

6 articles

Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina

19999 W. Country Club Dr. Aventura/North Miami Beach

786-279-6600

Steakhouse, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

Bourbon Steak is a contemporary American steakhouse — and one of South Florida’s finest. Tucked inside the swank JW Marriott Turnberry Isle Resort & Spa, it offers all-natural, organic, and hormone-free selections of beef, tempered in herb-infused butter and then grilled over wood, including the legendary, exquisitely marbled Japanese A5 Kobe (well worth the market price). The seafood, too, is topnotch, as are farm-fresh sides of truffle mac and cheese, roasted mushrooms, and crisp Brussels sprouts. In the mood for a casual meal? Request the Turnberry burger, an off-menu option made with your choice of beef, turkey, or falafel. To accompany your feast, Bourbon Steak’s wine cellar stocks more than 850 selections.

80 articles

Bulla Gastrobar

2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables/S. Miami

786-810-6215

Gastro Pub, Spanish, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Bulla (pronounced boo-yah) is younger, cooler, and better than ever. Cocktails are delicious and fussy, infused with cardamom and currant syrup, lemongrass, and cucumber purée. Venture into the dining room, where chalkboards listing Spanish dishes adorn the blond-wood walls, to sample the small-plates cuisine. Doused in fried-tomato paste, albóndigas — veal-and-pork meatballs — swim in milky stracciatella. Croquetas de jamón — golden bits of pinguid beauty — gleam beneath a thin fig-jam glaze. On Saturday and Sunday, Bulla offers brunch. Try the decadent huevos Bulla — house-made potato chips topped with a jumbo organic egg, potato foam, thin slices of Serrano ham, and a prodigious drizzle of truffle oil.

40 articles

Cafe La Trova

971 SW Eighth St. Little Havana

786-615-4379

Cuban, Latin American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials, DrinkHere

Between Cuban cantinero Julio Cabrera's daiquiris and chef Michelle Bernstein's fare, there's something uniquely Miami about Cafe La Trova. Bernstein's comfort food is all-around tempting. She works to meet the foodie fantasies of her guests, whether they're in search of elaborate dishes or a traditional tres leches dessert. Cabrera's cantineros take pride in the art of drink making. Here, they "throw" daiquiris, tossing the precious liquid from shaker to shaker to create an arch in the air before spontaneously bursting into a choreographed dance number. But as with all things Magic City, this joint isn't fueled solely by good food and drink: At any given time of the day, expect guayabera-clad musicians or jazz trumpet players to fill the air with their vibrant tunes from a stage whose backdrop is the weathered façade of an Old Havana edifice. The debut Florida Michelin Guide recognized Cafe La Trova for its superior food and drink.

35 articles

Café Roval

5808 NE Fourth Ct. Miami Shores/Biscayne Park

786-953-7850

Mediterranean, Seafood, Critics' Pick, Menu, Slideshow

Café Roval is a feather in the cap of Mark Soyka's long and storied career. It began with the now-iconic News Cafe on Ocean Drive and culminates with the conversion of Morningside's coral-rock pump house into the intimate restaurant the Israeli-born restaurateur says will be his last. Beyond the dining room accented with dark wood and bronze furniture illuminated by sweeping metal chandeliers awaits a garden patio that's part Zen retreat and part urban oasis. A weathered bronze Buddha statue sits atop a dribbling waterfall that empties into a rock-ringed pond. Stone pathways snake among towering palm trees. At the far side of the enclosure, a few bistro tables are shaded by the maroon umbrellas that once stood outside the Van Dyke Cafe. Yet Soyka's food here is strikingly similar to the comforts he has long provided the neighborhood at his namesake only a couple hundred yards away. The pricey deboned yellow snapper comes with charred cherry tomatoes that accent the juicy flesh. The paste of garlic, paprika, lemon, and thyme used to season the fish unfortunately prevents any crisping of its skin, but the aromatic runoff does double duty in seasoning supple coins of confit Yukon Gold potatoes. An $18 quarter-chicken is just as well executed, though the price does sting a bit for such a small portion. At least the kitchen has the good sense to send out dark meat, which is gently braised in a Dominican-style sofrito of charred red onion, cilantro, garlic, parsley, and tomato. This yields crackly skin that's ingeniously drizzled with honey. Soyka says Roval is his most ambitious project, yet his ability to offer simple, familiar fare in comfortable surroundings still shines through. Read our full review of Café Roval.

6 articles

Cake Thai Kitchen

7919 Biscayne Blvd. Miami Shores/Biscayne Park

786-534-7906

Thai, Critics' Pick, Menu

Miami isn't exactly brimming with great Thai restaurants, which is partly why Cake Thai Kitchen is such a novelty. At the front of the tiny eatery, crammed into a derelict Biscayne Boulevard strip mall, stands a buffet station that offers lemongrass-rubbed roasted chicken alongside roasted rice studded with crisp shallots and fried pork. Sometimes it's Penang curry or fried chicken. Otherwise, the menu consists mainly of curries, noodle dishes, salads, and fried rice. There's plenty to choose from. For dessert, try the Thai doughnuts or custard sticky rice. Insider tip: A true hole-in-the-wall, Cake Thai makes up for what it lacks in real estate and atmosphere with its authentic, flavor-packed Thai food. Parking is known to be tricky, but there's a small lot in the back that usually has spots. Cake doesn't serve alcohol, but you can pop across the street to CVS, buy a six-pack, and bring it over.

13 articles

Captain Jim's Seafood Market & Restaurant

12950 W. Dixie Highway North Miami

305-892-2812

Seafood, Market, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

David Garcia (La Camaronera Seafood Joint) now owns this iconic North Miami seafood spot, which dates back to the 1990s. This heir to Miami seafood royalty kept the menu mostly unchanged, allowing Captain Jim's to do what it does best: serve the freshest fish possible. Favorites include stone crab claws and a beautiful take on conch salad with meaty hunks of the mollusk tossed in a spicy tomato marinade and cubed red and green peppers. Fresh yellowtail snapper and hogfish can be ordered grilled, blackened, or fried. Regulars go for the "Captain's Combo" — the catch of the day served with one side.

7 articles

Cecconi's Miami Beach

4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Mid/North Beach

786-507-7902

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of

A 14-seat bar and an open kitchen bookend the foliated patio dining room, which with tiny white lights wrapped around trees has the look of a rustic winter wonderland. It is at once elegant and comfortable. The cooking philosophy is a clean, basic compilation of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The roasted branzino is prepared with tomatoes, olives, basil, a sliver or two of celery, and a touch of lemon juice. The New York steak is prepared with arugula. The signature pasta is a plate of spaghetti with Maine lobster, but you're just as well off with a house-made plin agnolotti with butter, sage, Parmesan, and minced veal, beef, and pork. We don't quibble with Cecconi's pricing. Still, if you relish dining on fresh, flavorful Italian food in a breezily romantic setting, Cecconi's won't disappoint.

48 articles

Chayhana Oasis

250 Sunny Isles Blvd., Sunny Isles Beach Aventura/North Miami Beach

305-917-1133

Uzbekistan, Russian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

A mural depicting a desert beneath a floating pair of eyes is the only sign that beckons passersby into this Uzbek-style hideaway, accessible only from one side of NE 163rd Street. Chayhana Oasis offers fare not only from Uzbekistan but also the entire central Eurasian region. Translation: You can eat your way around several nations. To keep the proceedings simple and entertaining, the menu contains quirky descriptions of lesser-known dishes. Begin with the doma, tender stuffed Turkish-style grape leaves; continue with shish kebabs of lamb, chicken, beef, or shrimp. For dessert, try gnezdo, a crunchy meringue topped with diced walnuts. In standard European fashion, wash it all down with a shot of top-shelf vodka. Go ahead — there's no shortage of fresh, chewy Uzbek-style bread to soak it up.

7 articles

Chinese Guy Chi-town Restaurant

113 SW 107th Ave. Westchester/West Miami

786-763-2008

Chinese, Szechuan, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

When searching for a traditional Chinese restaurant, Western diners often take the presence of Chinese customers as a good sign. West Miami-Dade's Chinese Guy is beloved by the countless Chinese students who attend the University of Miami and Florida International University. The eatery's owners are Tianjin natives Kun Bao and Yanan Cai. When Bao arrived in Miami in 2010, he and his Chinese classmates quickly noticed no place served the food they grew up on. A few years later, that problem seems a distant memory. Northern Chinese dishes such as slender shreds of braised pig ears doused in ripping-hot chili oil come flying out of the kitchen. The delights never seem to end: Corn or pumpkin cubes are fried in rich, salty duck egg batter; sticky pig trotters are braised in sweet soy; and a heap of meaty rib tips comes perched atop sticky rice. This Chinese Guy will leave you begging for more.

6 articles

Cibo Wine Bar

45 Miracle Mile Coral Gables/S. Miami

305-442-4925

Wine Bar, Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Nobody knows wining and dining like the Italians, and Cibo Wine Bar is a modern, sophisticated take on the centuries-old concept. You could even call it wine heaven, and there's even an angel involved. Like any good spirit, she takes flight (via harness), procuring bottles of vino for guests. To soak up the celestial spirits, they serve rustic Italian fare such as carpaccio, formaggi, risotto, spaghetti, pesce crudo, and homemade pizzas. There are cocktails too, for the wine-unenthused. So take a trip to Coral Gables' Miracle Mile and get a little Italian in you.

9 articles

Coney Burger

2298 SW Eighth St. Little Havana

786-523-2722

Burgers, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Essentials

Coney Burger's ascent from Smorgasburg pop-up in Wynwood to Calle Ocho brick-and-mortar establishment is a testament to the love that power couple Pedro (chef) and Vanessa (marketing) Lara pour into the venture. Carnivores should order the "Champ," a beyond-juicy Wagyu patty procured from a family-run ranch in Homestead, seared to perfection and topped with a slice of tarragon-seasoned, pickled green heirloom tomato, a schmear of the chef's egg yolk-based "happy sauce," a tangy-sweet housemade yuzu mayo, and a sprinkling of chopped chives. The vegan "Coney" is a made-from-scratch patty that combines maitake and oyster mushrooms with sweet potato, black beans, carrot, and a blend of seasonings, served with vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, vegan cilantro aioli, "Coney sauce," and "magic" fried onions. All burgers are served on a vegan brioche bun fashioned after Japanese milk bread — squishy and buttery, like a brioche bao — an ideal delivery vehicle for these irresistible treats.

2 articles

CY Chinese Restaurant

1242 NE 163rd St. Aventura/North Miami Beach

305-947-3838

Chinese, Asian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

The minute you step into this Sichuan-style North Miami Beach hideaway, your senses fall prey to the overwhelming perfume of rendered beef fat and chili oil. Take, for example, the hot pot, in which beef fat is the central ingredient; the rich, savory aroma is the yardstick by which most Chinese folks judge the quality of hot pot. A simple chicken broth, made by simmering carcasses with ginger and garlic for three hours, is poured on top just before the dish is sent out to the dining room. Bring a big group so you can order as many of the accouterments as possible. Also be sure to pace yourself: One of the most joyous moments of hot pot comes at the very end when the broth and spices have reduced, along with everything that's been cooked in them, into a rich, flavorful brew that makes the final few bites truly special.

4 articles

Doma

35 NE 26th St. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

786-953-6946

Italian, Critics' Pick, Essentials

Tucked into Miami’s ever-evolving Wynwood neighborhood, Doma has blended classic Italian flavors with a dash of innovation since opening in 2018. The chic, minimalist ambiance is warmly welcoming, great for a date night, hanging out with friends, or meeting the in-laws. Cacio e pepe pasta, a signature dish, surprises with a delicate floral twist from Szechuan black pepper, while the soft egg, a starter, is abetted by a Parmesan espuma. Topnotch cuisine and attentive service have earned Doma its rightful spot as a vibrant player in the neighborhood, drawing devoted locals and curious newcomers alike.

10 articles

Eating House Miami

128 Giralda Ave. Coral Gables/S. Miami

786-580-3745

Modern American, Italian, Critics' Pick, Slideshow, Essentials

As one of Miami's first true pop-up restaurants, Eating House stands as a culinary gem not just for its creative riff-style menu, but also for its ability to pivot and expand without losing sight of its ethos: delivering simple, well-executed fare. When Miami native and Chopped champ Giorgio Rapicavoli opened in 2011, the popular Coral Gables restaurant introduced diners to dishes that are now cult classics. While Rapicavoli's rotating specials continue to offer edible exploration, mainstays have become forever favorites. Take the heirloom tomatoes prepared with a fish sauce vinaigrette, peanuts, and coconut milk. Or the housemade tater tots complemented by a Coca-Cola-spiked ketchup. And you can't scroll the Eating House Instagram feed without a glimpse of the bucatini carbonara: a warm egg yolk mixed tableside into a generous bowl of dente pasta coated in a black pepper cream sauce flecked with nibs of heritage bacon and black truffle — it's a dish that will haunt you with cravings months later. Pro tip: Don't sleep on the weekend brunch.

62 articles

Edge Steak & Bar

1435 Brickell Ave. Brickell

305-381-3190

Steakhouse, Breakfast/Brunch, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Quality food that looks and tastes great will fit most folks' bill, even more so if it's fairly priced. Understanding this concept is what gives Edge Steak & Bar the edge over competitors in the steakhouse and hotel restaurant games. The seafood and Creekstone Farms steaks are offered in small, medium, and large cuts, with prices to match, including a six-ounce grass-fed Angus Pure filet mignon and a New York strip, each assertively seared on an 1,800-degree infrared grill. Seafoods are likewise portioned to please. A napoleon layered with dark chocolate ganache and gianduja crunch is one of several heavenly and creative desserts. Insider tip: Edge offers $1 oysters on the happy hour menu, but what's more impressive is the custom Edge Tasting Experience. It's a five-course menu by executive chef Aaron Brooks and his culinary team. Every Tuesday, they create a new tasting menu for the week that includes restaurant favorites and off-the-menu items for $65 per person. A beverage pairing costs an additional $35 per person.

93 articles

Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis

730 First St., Miami Beach South Beach

305-604-6800

Greek, Seafood, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Greek cuisine is rooted in simplicity and quality ingredients. At Estiatorio Milos in South Beach, there's something new to discover on every visit: The fish selection changes daily depending upon what fishermen haul in. The day's catch is prepared to your liking and priced according to weight. There's nothing newfangled here, but when it comes to topnotch seafood, Milos is in a league of its own. One of the restaurant's specialties is melt-in-your-mouth charcoal-broiled octopus, seasoned with white balsamic vinegar and olive oil produced by the owner's sister in Greece. Another signature dish is the tomato salad, with cucumbers, green peppers, onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. The restaurant's homemade Greek yogurt dessert is so thick and creamy you'll never believe you're eating something that's good for you.

32 articles

Finka Table & Tap

14690 SW 26th St. Tamiami

305-227-8818

Cuban, Fusion, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice, Essentials

Siblings Eileen and Jonathan Andrade descend from Miami dining royalty. Their grandparents founded Islas Canarias, the shrine of Cuban comfort food revered for its croquetas. Their parents carried on that tradition. It was on the sage advice of Mom and Dad that Eileen and Jonathan opened Finka Table & Tap — employing a funky spelling of finca, the Spanish word for "farm" — out in the far-western reaches of Miami-Dade. Gastropubs are a dime a dozen on the east side of the county, but Finka has a monopoly out west, and a crowd lines up nightly for the Andrades' Peruvian-Korean-Cuban fare: Cuban fried rice, Korean fried chicken, and the famed croquetas from the old family recipe, available in ham, chicken, or fish.

40 articles

The Forge

432 W. 41st St., Miami Beach Mid/North Beach

305-538-8533

American, Contemporary, Steakhouse, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

The Forge is as famous as any South Florida restaurant not named Joe's Stone Crab. After a $10 million renovation, the museum-like mahogany interior has been lightened and brightened to invigorating effect. Yet the six cuts of proffered beef remain the most sought-after entrées. Pair a steak with a glass of wine in one-, three-, or five-ounce pours from a choice of 80 bottles from the restaurant's vaunted cellar collection. Read our full review of the Forge.

73 articles

Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market

398 NW North River Dr. Downtown/Overtown

305-375-0765

Seafood, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice, Essentials

Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market has been serving up a winning combination of fresh fish dishes and family hospitality for nearly 60 years. In-the-know Miamians flock to this indoor/outdoor restaurant overlooking the Miami River — overseen these days by brothers Luis Garcia and Esteban Garcia Jr., whose parents founded the local institution in 1966 — for the freshest catch reeled in daily and available for purchase on the menu or by the pound at the fish market next door. If you choose to stay, you can dine amid dark-wood surroundings or enjoy the laid-back vibe and river view outdoors. Choose blackboard specials or house favorites such as fried grouper fingers or blackened or breaded preparations of your favorite fish. The famous fish dip or crab cakes make tasty starters, and each entrée comes with your choice of two sides. Before you leave, pick up some fresh seafood at the market to cook at home tomorrow!

14 articles

Ghee Indian Kitchen

8965 SW 72nd Pl. East Kendall/Pinecrest

305-968-1850

Indian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice, Essentials

In, of all places, Dadeland, chef Niven Patel and his crew have opened Miami's eyes to the cuisine of western India, a culinary culture that comprises infinitely more than tandoori chicken and lamb rogan josh. At Ghee Indian Kitchen, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in 2022, you'll find the simple street snack of puffed rice called bhel, juiced up with sweet Florida avocado and meaty hunks of raw tuna. Though the restaurant offers chicken tikka masala for the unadventurous, do not miss the sizable vegetable section on the menu, for which many of the ingredients are harvested from Patel's own farm.

25 articles

Glass & Vine

2820 McFarlane Rd. Coconut Grove

305-200-5268

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

The menu at Glass & Vine eschews plate sizes and is split into four sections: Snacks, Garden, Sea, and Land. To start, opt for the barbecued spiced nuts that recently included cashews and walnuts tossed in a meringue spiked with garlic and onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, and complete seasoning. Left out to dry, the savory nibble takes on an ear-shattering crunch when eaten. Nearly all dishes arrive on black plates, which make for eye-popping and sometimes ominous presentations. Charred cauliflower is roasted and then fried until the florets take on a dark-chocolate tone. Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli isn't hesitant to say it was inspired by a meal at Michael Solomonov's Zahav in Philadelphia. The slick of tahini, along with crushed dried chickpeas and olives, makes a decent complement.

33 articles

Hakkasan

4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Mid/North Beach

786-276-1388

Chinese, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Alan Yau's London Hakkasan has earned a Michelin star, but many of the dishes at the Miami outpost are similar to those found at any other Chinese joint — just much better. Among the many standouts on the extensive menu are traditional roast Peking duck breast bursting with five-spice flavor; jasmine tea-smoked pork ribs whose soft, aromatic meat slips off the row of bones; and a juicy wedge of silver cod with a seductive champagne and honey sauce. For a light dessert, try the chocolate fondant with passionfruit, banana and soy caramel ice cream. Starters are priced high, and there are a number of expensive entrees involving seafoods and beef. Whether our local Hakkasan can ever rise to Michelin status is Mr. Yau's problem; we're just happy to be among the privileged few to get a taste of his Cantonese crowd pleasers.

70 articles

Harry's Pizzeria

3918 N. Miami Ave. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

786-275-4963

Pizza, Critics' Pick

Plenty of things can go wrong on a first date, but pizza ain't one of them. The pizzas, wood-oven-roasted chicken wings, and desserts such as the banana-Nutella panini at Harry's Pizzeria are creatively crafted, delicious, and affordable. The restaurant's intimate space and effortlessly cool decor give the place a classic Italian vibe with a few modern touches. It's the kind of spot that feels upscale without making your wallet cry and might just persuade (or fool) your date into thinking you have good taste. Equally important is the location: It's right on the edge of the Design District, so if the chemistry is promising, you can head to the Institute of Contemporary Art up the street and continue the conversation.

71 articles

Il Gabbiano

335 S. Biscayne Blvd. Downtown/Overtown

305-373-0063

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of

At Il Gabbiano, brothers Gino and Fernando Masci march out a succession of solidly, sometimes stunningly satisfying traditional Italian fare. The siblings come to Miami by way of their hometown of Abruzzi, Italy, with a 26-year stopover as owners of Greenwich Village's renowned Il Mulino. They, along with Luigi Tullio, have re-created the magic here in the east tower of downtown's One Miami building. Don't bypass the pasta dishes, whose fresh, chewy noodles are handmade. Even a simple pappardelle with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil inspires awe for the way its few ingredients harmonize while retaining their distinct notes. Other by-the-book classics, such as gnocchi, tortellini, and burrata, make Il Gabbiano one of Miami's top spots for high-quality, authentic Italian fare. It also offers a vista of Biscayne Bay, an extensive wine list, and solid service.

10 articles

Locations in Miami: Critics' Pick

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