The Best Restaurants in Miami

 

Miami is host to a melting pot of cooking styles that culminate in a truly dynamic dining scene. From fiery Latin American eateries to cool Mediterranean bistros, this vibrant coastal town seemingly has it all. Whether you’re looking for beachside dining or a hidden gem downtown, you’re guaranteed a phenomenal dining experience at the best restaurants in Miami.

The complicated raw dishes served at Gastón Acurio’s renowned Peruvian restaurant are nothing short of incredible. Stationed inside the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miami, the atmosphere is as chic and cosmopolitan as they come, right on the waterfront, for an unbeatable meal with an unbeatable view.

Fantastic cocktails paired with candy-colored skies make Juvia not only an amazing rooftop restaurant, but one of the best restaurants in Miami. The food hardly plays second fiddle to the skyline, with a Japanese-Peruvian menu featuring a selection of curious ceviches and tantalizing small plates. It’s hard to beat quality food and a sweeping view of South Beach.

Indoor, outdoor and exceptionally lively, this fashionable dining destination is the brainchild of hospitality guru David Grutman and music legend Pharell Williams. The refined rustic cuisine has a focus on seasonal, market-driven ingredients, and bold flavors that capture the Miami beach lifestyle.

This Italian gem is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Miami, and the New York Times described it best as “a fancy red-sauce joint as directed by Quentin Tarantino, bringing back the punch-in-the-guts thrills of a genre that everybody else sees as uncultured and a little embarrassing, while exposing the sophistication that was always lurking there”. Essentially, diners are in for world-class pizzas and pasta in a homey, yet sophisticated atmosphere. A must-visit for locals and tourists alike.

Both the flair, and the flavor of Southeast Asia can be found at Komodo, Brickell’s premier choice for delectable Asian dishes. The towering eatery spans 3 stories, with 300 tables and bar seats placed across the tropical terrace and sleek wood-paneled interior. The sushi is delicious, but the real treasures are the small plates, like the Miso Chilean Seabass Skewers, and the Peking Duck.

This electric yet intimate steakhouse combines the swagger of golden age Hollywood with modern day Miami energy for a dining experience like no other. The titular “Papi Steak” is a perfectly marbled Tomahawk-cut served with a secret sauce that no words can do justice. There’s also a full bar and custom cocktail program to enjoy under golden lights and the sounds of a live DJ. The ultimate hedonistic night out. 

Decorated chef Jeremy Ford’s edgy neighborhood eatery ditches the glitz and velvet ropes of south beach for an intense focus on supremely delicious food. Appetizers like the gooey jalapeño fritters and cacio e pepe cheesy puffs are sure to hook any diner. Good thing too, you wouldn’t want to miss the roasted barramundi served atop a delicate stew of onions, citrus, and carrot puree. 

This delightful import from London serves up Mediterranean plates and Provençal dishes you might sample on the French Riviera. High ceilings, terrace dining, and the surrounding consulates, high-end fashion shops and luxury hotels make LPM one classy affair. Be sure to try the escargot, and the whole sea bream baked en papillote.

For fans of fresh sushi it’s hard to beat Stephen Starr’s luxurious Japanese restaurant. With an outdoor patio as the backdrop, guests can enjoy a refined sashimi platter or heaping crab salad. The spicy tuna with crispy rice is in contention for king of the trendy appetizer, and Makoto for king of fine food in a tropical atmosphere.

Thomas Keller’s restaurant inside the Four Seasons Surf Club embodies all the quality and elegance the chef is known for. The eatery is a sparkling mid century oasis by the sea, with all your favorites from a leisurely bygone era. Lobster thermidor, Maryland jumbo lump crab cake and an exquisite lemon meringue tart are just the tip of the iceberg.