Miami’s Best Restaurants: The Hottest Spots in the Magic City

The Surf Club

By Eric Barton

If you’d asked me to write about Miami’s best restaurants a year ago, the list would look vastly different—and that’s not hyperbole, it’s Miami. This city churns out new dining spots like it’s a competitive sport.

With every closing, every pivot, and every massively hyped grand opening, the scene here gets more creative and undeniably better. Miami isn’t a city that clings to its past; it’s one that constantly reinvents itself, and nowhere is that more apparent than at these, the Magic City’s 17 best restaurants.

Sunny's Steakhouse Miami Best restaurants

1. Sunny’s Steakhouse, Little River

Hidden among Little River’s warehouses, Sunny’s feels like a modern-day supper club, with a twinkling banyan tree courtyard and stylish dining rooms buzzing with energy. Chef Aaron Brooks reimagines steakhouse staples with flair—think steak tartare on sourdough with burnt leek aioli and smoky rigatoni with pork tomato sauce—while the hanger steak, perfectly seared with a périgourdine sauce, might be Miami’s best. Add in tableside martini service and a vibe that’s both celebratory and effortless, and you’ve got a night that feels timeless yet fresh. Sunny’s is the rare place where the food, ambiance, and hospitality all sing in harmony.

2. Boia De, Little Haiti

From the unassuming strip mall entrance to the kaleidoscopic neon sign, Boia De revels in contradictions. The brainchild of Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, this James Beard-nominated and Michelin-starred gem offers dishes like ricotta gnocchi with brown butter and crispy pig ears with a Calabrian chili kick. The cozy space feels like a dinner party at your coolest friend’s house—if your friend had impeccable taste and an encyclopedic knowledge of Italian wines.

3. The Surf Club, Surfside

Housed in a restored 1930s landmark, The Surf Club is what happens when Thomas Keller, America’s culinary godfather, sets up shop in Miami. Expect old-school glamour with a contemporary twist—think lobster thermidor and a tableside Caesar salad that could convert the most hardened kale loyalist. The ocean views and impeccable service are almost as satisfying as the lemon tart finale.

4. Paya, Sunset Harbour

At Paya, Chef Niven Patel works his culinary magic once again, blending island and Indian flavors with fresh produce from his farm. Standout dishes include tamarind-glazed lamb chops paired with roasted plantains, a tangy papaya salad with shrimp, and an otherworldly truffle brie grilled cheese anchored in mango jam. The setting, a refreshed former Joliet space, feels as vibrant as the menu, with a poolside terrace soon to open. Don’t miss the rum cake with caramelized edges or the guanabana ice cream topped with caviar—a salty-sweet finale that’s pure wizardry.

5. Tâm Tâm, Downtown

Chef Tam Pham created Tâm Tâm as a love letter to the foods he recalled from his childhood in Vietnam. The vibe is the antidote to fussy dining. Across from the courthouse in a part of downtown without a whole lot of other restaurant options, this charming spot (there’s a karaoke machine in the bathroom!) doles Cantonese-style fish, a "lamb situation" inspired by street vendors, and wings that arrive in a sweet-tangy caramel sauce. Tables here are close enough together that you’ll find yourself describing dishes to people who sit down next to you—although fight the urge to ask for a bite of their grilled escarole.

Ariete Miami Coconut Grove Michael Beltran

6. Ariete, Coconut Grove

Michael Beltran’s Ariete has become synonymous with Miami’s contemporary dining scene. The Michelin-starred spot blends Cuban roots with French techniques, resulting in dishes like the signature foie gras with smoked plantains. The warm, rustic interior is a perfect backdrop for indulgent plates, and the cocktail program—heavy on local citrus—makes it worth lingering.

7. Macchialina, South Beach

Macchialina has matured into one of South Beach’s most beloved Italian restaurants, with a recent renovation transforming its rustic charm into a space that now matches the excellence of its menu. Chef Michael Pirolo’s house-made pastas remain the star, from toothy agnolotti in butter-sage sauce to linguine in a luxurious mushroom truffle cream. The expanded courtyard and atmospheric interior—complete with moody lighting and tropical touches—make it feel like both a neighborhood gem and a special occasion destination.

8. Zitz Sum (Coral Gables)

Pablo Zitzmann brings a global sensibility to Coral Gables with Zitz Sum, a dim sum-inspired eatery that defies expectations. Here, dumplings aren’t just a dish but a revelation—try the pork and shiitake or the ricotta-stuffed manti. The minimalist, almost Zen-like ambiance allows the inventive menu, which takes cues from Zitzmann’s travels, to shine.

9. Maty’s, Midtown

At Maty’s, Chef Valerie Chang steps confidently into the spotlight, blending her Peruvian roots with a modern, understated elegance. The menu highlights simple proteins and vegetables transformed by intricate sauces, like char-roasted cauliflower with minty ocopa or whole dorado atop a luscious aji amarillo beurre blanc. The ambiance nods to her heritage with grayscale family photos, while the bar delivers Peruvian-inspired cocktails, including a pisco sour kissed with huacatay. It’s a triumphant debut for Chang as head chef, earning her the James Beard Best Chef: South award—and cementing Maty’s as one of Miami’s must-visit dining spots.

10. Fiola, Coral Gables

Fiola is where Miami’s high rollers go to celebrate. Chef Danny Ganem delivers a dining experience that’s as extravagant as it is memorable, with ornately plated dishes like wagyu-and-eel lasagna rolled up like tiny works of art or spiny lobster adorned with chanterelles and edible flowers. The setting matches the menu’s grandeur, with mahogany accents, buttery armchairs, and a veranda that feels like it’s keeping out the riffraff. Yes, it’s pricey, but when the champagne’s flowing and truffles are flying, Fiola makes you feel like the biggest deal in the room.

11. Cote Miami, Design District

Miami’s outpost of the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse from NYC delivers both sizzle and style. Helmed by Simon Kim, Cote blends K-BBQ with a fine dining ethos. The star here is the butcher’s feast, a procession of prime cuts grilled tableside, accompanied by an orchestra of banchan. The sleek, dimly lit interior, punctuated by neon accents, feels like stepping into a glossy, futuristic Miami.

12. Stubborn Seed, South Beach

Jeremy Ford, of Top Chef fame, runs the kitchen at Stubborn Seed, and his precision shows in every dish. The tasting menu is a rollercoaster of flavors, from his signature cacio e pepe cheese puffs to the rich, smoky short rib. The moody, industrial-chic space adds an edge to the refined cuisine, making it a must-visit for those who want their fine dining served with a side of fun.

13. Joe’s Stone Crab, South Beach

No list of Miami restaurants would be complete without Joe’s Stone Crab, a legend since 1913. While the namesake crustacean is only available in season (October through May), the rest of the menu—Key lime pie included—holds its own year-round. It’s a shrine to old Miami, where waiters in white jackets serve with precision in a space steeped in history. While the stone crabs and mustard sauce are a tradition, don’t leave without trying the fried chicken; it’s practically a city landmark.

14. Zak the Baker, Wynwood

This isn’t just a bakery; Zak the Baker is a pilgrimage site for carb enthusiasts. Zak Stern, Miami’s resident sourdough whisperer, built his empire on loaves with crackling crusts and tangy interiors. But don’t overlook the café menu—try the shakshuka or the smoked salmon tartine topped with a riot of dill and pickled onions. Housed in a bright, mural-covered building in Wynwood, it’s a temple to both bread and street art.

15. Los Félix, Coconut Grove

Corn reigns supreme at Los Félix, a Coconut Grove restaurant that’s as much about heritage as it is about flavor. The masa is milled in-house for tortillas that cradle everything from carnitas to huitlacoche. With a Michelin star under its belt, this spot marries traditional Mexican techniques with an ingredient-driven ethos.

16. Tropezón, Miami Beach

A love letter to Andalusia, Tropezón combines gin-forward cocktails with Spanish-inspired small plates. Sip a herbaceous negroni as you nibble on gambas al ajillo and croquetas so crisp they practically shatter. The rustic, tavern-like setting on Española Way makes it feel like you’ve stumbled into a slice of Seville.

17. Hometown Barbecue, Allapattah

Brooklyn’s beloved BBQ joint has found a home in Miami, where Hometown Barbecue continues to serve smoky, saucy perfection. The brisket is a showstopper, but the Miami-only smoked lamb belly taco might steal the show. With its industrial digs and casual vibe, it’s a welcome departure from South Beach’s high-gloss scene.