Feature image: courtesy of The Setai Miami Beach
Miami may be famed for its platinum sand shoreline and iconic Art Deco skyline, but a thriving dining and drinking scene is making the city just as much a world class culinary destination as it is a storied beach retreat. Hot spots and hidden gems alike are just as eclectic, vibrant and visionary as you would expect from a city rife with celebrated global influences. Paired with privileged seaside proximity and unfettered creativity from the likes of renowned chefs José Andrés, Makoto Okuwa and Marco Calenzo, it’s no wonder Vice City is in the midst of an epicurean renaissance.
Here, I’ve rounded up my self-attested edit of where to eat, drink and savor in Miami right now: buzzing South Beach eateries and polished Surfside drinking dens to hidden gems in Coral Gables.
Related: Poolside in Miami: Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Vice City
Best Restaurants in South Beach: Jaya at The Setai
Arrive at The Setai – one of my favorite luxury hotels in South Beach – and you’ll emerge into the gorgeous courtyard setting of Jaya (“victory” in Sanskrit). It’s lush, it’s zen inspired, it’s a veritable SoBe hot spot. Expect fabulous Pan-Asian cuisine ranging from Truffle Dumplings to wok-crafted Salmon Panang Curry to Jaya’s signature Peking Duck, all paired with exotic nighttime performances (think: fire dancers, contortionists and aerial artists).
Don’t miss weekend brunch, a legendary ritual boasting free-flowing champagne from the Louis Roederer collection, or Jaya’s new Sunset Hours, offering $10 wine, $12 cocktails and $12 appetizers.
Best Restaurants in Bal Harbour: Makoto
Head to the glamorous designer haven of Bal Harbour Shops to not just peruse a who’s who of luxury wares amidst lush, landscaped gardens, but fuel up pre or post-haul at any of the locale’s posh eateries. My #1 pick? Makoto. Here, fine Japanese fare from Edomae-style sushi Chef Makoto Okuwa is presented in a retro-elegant setting giving Japanese eatery, French brasserie and American diner all-in-one.
The sushi is exceptional (fish flown in from Tokyo three times a week), Robata-grilled bites savory and unexpected (try the Avocado and Japanese Eggplant) and comfort food sublime (I’m still dreaming about the Braised Beef Yaki Noodle). Ask for the sake list – it’s extensive – or an Asian inspired cocktail like the lychee infused Hitsuji or lemongrass shiso shrub-enhanced Saru.
Related: The Best Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Miami, South Beach to Bal Harbour
Best Restaurants in South Beach: Zaytinya
From Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés, the South Beach outpost of Zaytinya lays claim to inspired Mediterranean fare in the fashionable setting of The Ritz-Carlton South Beach. Choose from elegant indoor or buzzy outdoor seating (the latter, complete with a poolside view), where all day mezze-style eats see influences from Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines.
Think: Htipiti and Taramosalata spreads, Imam Bayildi (stuffed eggplant), Salmon Durum, Chicken Youvetski and Adana Kebab. The Turkish-Style Pastirma all but transported me back to Istanbul. Pair with traditional Turkish coffee, wine or sparkling by the glass (try the Xinomavro Brut Rose from Macedonia) or sip a specialty cocktail like the Sidecar to Tangier or Ankara Rye Club.
Best Restaurants in South Beach: DiLido Beach bar
If Zaytinya is the polished culinary star of The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, think of DiLido Beach Bar as the property’s laid-back, carefree cousin. In fact, on my recent visit to both venues, DiLido stole the show. A fanciful setting of bold colors, fringed umbrellas and plush rattan seating is framed by greenery and ocean views beyond (the latter, a rarity for South Beach dining), allowing guests open access to and from the beach from 11am – sunset, daily.
Nibble on tropical fare like dragonfruit guacamole with crisp plantains (delightful), a fabulous sesame watermelon salad, or go for the lobster roll. Signature and classic cocktails alike are shaken with enthusiasm from the pro barkeeps. Hot Tip: A special Sunset Hour makes an appearance daily from 4pm – 7pm, boasting a curated selection of reduced-price libations and lite bites.
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Best Restaurants in South Beach: Rao’s Miami Beach
Can’t get a reservation at Rao’s New York? Odds are, you’ll have better luck at Rao’s Miami Beach: the polished tropical outpost of the legendary East Harlem wiseguy OG. Tucked inside the historic St. Moritz tower at Loews Miami Beach – another of my favorite luxury hotels in Miami – guests arrive to the southern Neapolitan eatery amidst a handsome setting of plush hunter green banquettes, crimson red seating and historic photograph-adorned walls.
All of the original comfort foods are here, including the meatballs (with that fabled red sauce), roasted peppers, seafood salad, lemon chicken, baked clams and of course, heaping plates of pasta. All, designed to be enjoyed family style and served with sophistication by white jacket-clad wait staff. A full bar churns out Italian classics and international tipples alike (though a negroni or martini are your best bets), while an extensive wine list offers bottles from $80 – $2,000.
You’ll find far more seating here vs. the intimate 10 table original, but you’ll still do well to make a reservation in advance (up to 60 days ahead, to be exact).
Best Restaurants in Coral Gables: The Wagyu Bar by Meat N’ Bone
Carnivores finding themselves anywhere in the vicinity of Coral Gables should run, not walk, to The Wagyu Bar. Cutting through the smoke and mirrors of hyped up steakhouses without the substance, this casual take is anything but when it comes to the quality, authenticity and passion behind their largely Wagyu menu. One created and supplied by the same masterful team as fine online butcher shop and gourmet food purveyor Meat N’ Bone.
Steak is the obvious star here. Available to be enjoyed at every transparent grade and price point, options range from a Wagyu BMS7+ Burger for $24.00 to a Bone-In 32 oz Wagyu Tomahawk BMS7+ Steak for $250.00. Dining with a crew? Share the 3 lb Miyazaki-Gyu A5 Prime Rib ($600.00) or trust the chef with the Omakase Parillada ($250.00). The latter, a shareable board boasting several cuts of USDA Prime and Japanese Wagyu beef.
The Katsu Sando is one of the best things I’ve eaten ever (think: crisp-fried Wagyu Filet Mignon wedged between two slices of fluffy Japanese milk bread complete with arugula and tonkatsu sauce) and don’t sleep on the apps. The Miyazaki-Gyu A5 Nigiri (torched tableside) is outstanding, as are exceptional non-beef options like AAA Bluefin Tuna Tataki and Ora King Salmon Nigiri. If you’ve got room for dessert, go for the Basque Cheesecake or Hot Cookie with Ice Cream. Both are sinfully decadent.
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Best Restaurants in Surfside: Lido at The Surf Club
The taste of Italian summer can be enjoyed year round at Lido at The Surf Club, gorgeous anchor eatery of luxury Miami legacy stay The Four Seasons at The Surf Club. A setting of white tablecloth dining laced with lush palms is housed underneath vaulted cathedral ceilings, once the high society ballroom of the property’s 1930s origins. Choose to dine amidst the bright, history riddled indoors or on the ocean-facing outdoor terrace. A menu of Italian coastal cuisine comes from the fresh eye of Chef Marco Calenzo (a Florence native) counting such signature dishes as Ricciola, Vitello Tonnato, Raviolo Del Plin and Cotoletta Alla Milanese.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lido’s iconic Sunday Brunch is of particular note: an extravagant terrace-side feast boasting a smorgasbord of eats savory to sweet, plus the option of free-flowing champagne or sparkling wine.
Don’t miss the glamorous Champagne Bar for a pre or post-Lido cocktail (or as a destination of its own). This palm-fringed drinking den is home to a handsome centerpiece bar, signature Mangareva Americana tipple (best prepared on the roving cocktail trolley) and, as the name would suggest, the largest selection of champagnes in Miami.
Best Bars in Little Havana: Café La Trova
A trip to Little Havana is all but required when visiting Miami, and here, you can head straight to Café La Trova. This lively Calle Ocho drinking den holds down the #13 spot in 2025’s North America’s 50 Best Bars list – and lives up to the hype. It’s the creation of famed Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera in collaboration with James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michelle Bernstein, where a retro-Cuba atmosphere springs to life with rum forward cocktails, zesty Cuban fare and the hum of live Trova musicians.
Go for a classic Daiquiri or Mojito, or opt for a signature Cubano Viejo or La Trova Old Fashioned. All, thrown in theatrical style by jacket-uniformed, cantinero style bartenders. A menu of savory bar bites and mains is hard to resist, particularly the Sweet Corn & Chicken Empanadas, Lechon (braised and mojo marinated) and Skirt Steak Ropa Vieja. Stop in between 4 & 7pm daily to enjoy their special Happy Hour menu.
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Best Dining Experiences in South Beach: Queen Miami
This theatrical dining experience happens to reside in the historic Paris Theater on Washington Ave in South Beach – an iconic Art Deco landmark extraordinarily transformed into a lavish, two-story Japanese steakhouse. Queen Miami aims to both honor and revitalize the theater’s storied past, evident through a theme of over-the-top opulence paired with a culinary journey that can best be described as sensorial, indulgent and dramatic.
Think: Enticing scents of smoke and open flame wafting through the air from the Robata Grill and Josper Charcoal Oven, all set against a soaring 26 foot high backdrop of plush velvet banquettes, intricate terrazzo floors and dazzling Lobmeyr chandeliers. A giant gold gong mirror casts a watchful eye from its centerpiece position on the original stage.
Expect a fanciful menu of small plates and sushi platters to seafood towers and an immersive omakase experience; the Butcher Reserve counts Omi-Hime Wagyu, USDA Prime and Dry Aged steaks. Theatrical performances reminiscent of a throwback supper club provide show-stopping entertainment throughout the night. Don’t miss the glamorous Salon Lounge for a pre-dinner aperitif or post-dinner digestif – the cocktail list is fabulous – and be sure to arrive dressed to impress.
Best Restaurants in South Beach: Chotto Matte Miami
A stroll down Lincoln Road will bring you to Chotto Matte: a multi-sensory SoBe hot spot where beautifully presented Nikkei cuisine (Japanese and Peruvian fusion) shines just as bright as the art-splashed walls encircling lush, Amazon inspired interiors. Plus, multiple open kitchens including the Raw Bar, theatrical Sushi Bar and flaming Robata Grill. Indulge in one of several Nikkei Tasting Menus (one’s vegetarian) or order a la carte. The Spicy Edamame, Corn Ribs (in Peruvian huancaina sauce), Spicy Tuna Crispy Sushi, Yellowtail Nikkei Sashimi and Asado de Tira are all standouts.
Cocktails are just as tantalizing, ranging from the classic Pisco Sour to the sake-based Story of Jade to creative NA concoctions made with Seedlip zero-proof spirits. Don’t miss Chotto Hour for bar bite and cocktail specials Tuesday – Friday from 5pm – 8pm, or Buena Vibra Wednesdays, when live Latin music pairs with 2×1 cocktails from 5pm – 10pm.