Exploring Miami’s Classic Culinary Delights: A Food Lover’s Guide to the City’s Best

Miami, the vibrant heart of South Florida, has always been known for its dazzling art scene but this year, there’s more to explore beyond the contemporary art and hipster hotels. The city’s culinary landscape is witnessing a renaissance, with a series of classic eateries and new hotspots making waves. From Brickell to Sunny Isles, let’s embark on a gastronomic journey through Miami’s most iconic dining destinations.

Casadonna: Italian Riviera Vibes in Miami’s Historic Woman’s Club David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality, in collaboration with Tao Group Hospitality, has reimagined a space in Miami’s historic Woman’s Club into Casadonna. This Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant serves a modern twist on traditional Italian dishes. The space, designed by Ken Fulk, reflects a blend of gold and greenery, paying homage to the room’s historic past.

Pastis in Wynwood: A Touch of France Under the Miami Sun Keith McNally, a name synonymous with New York’s bustling restaurant scene, has brought his magic to South Florida with Pastis in Wynwood. Opened in April, Pastis presents a menu brimming with Escoffier-esque classics like duck à l’orange and Dover sole à la meunière. The ambiance is far from a traditional Lyonnaise bouchon; imagine dining under globe lights with rustic wood furniture, surrounded by an airy garden.

Rao’s Miami Beach: A Slice of New York in Loews Miami Beach Rao’s, an iconic New York eatery known for its clubby vibe and Italian cuisine, has opened its doors in Miami Beach. Their new outpost at Loews Miami Beach offers not just their signature meatballs and Sunday gravy, but also adds a Miami twist with a seafood tower and fresh catch of the day. The decor is a blend of classic and contemporary, maintaining Rao’s essence with a Miami-style uplift.

Tala Beach: Mediterranean Vibes at 1 Hotel South Beach Finally, Tala Beach at 1 Hotel South Beach is the new, Mediterranean-inspired beach club. The reimagined space boasts daybeds, outdoor bars, and a lively atmosphere perfect for enjoying cocktails like the Santorini Sunrise.

Amelia’s 1931: Where Latin Meets Asian Cuisine Tucked behind a defunct dry cleaner, Amelia’s 1931 offers a surprising fusion of Latin and Asian cuisines. Chef Eileen Andrade has transformed this space into a retro dining paradise, complete with a speak-easy vibe and a menu that features delights like gochujang paella and arroz con pato.

Tablé by Antonio Bachour: A Pastry Chef’s Parisian Dream Antonio Bachour, celebrated for his pastry skills, has launched Tablé in the Design District. This Parisian-style brasserie blends French and Middle Eastern flavors with dishes like chilled lobster Andalouse and avocado hummus. The ambiance strikes a balance between elegance and comfort, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists.

Brasserie Laurel: French Elegance at Miami Worldcenter At the base of Miami Worldcenter’s Caoba tower lies Brasserie Laurel, a creation of Ariete Hospitality Group and Michelin-starred chef Michael Beltran. The menu is an ode to French classics, featuring caviar, frog legs, and escargot. The setting complements the exquisite menu, ensuring a sophisticated dining experience.

In Miami, the adage “everything old is new again” rings especially true. These culinary havens, blending classic charm with modern twists, are testaments to the city’s evolving and vibrant food scene. Whether you’re a local foodie or a visiting gourmet, these spots are not to be missed on your next Miami adventure.

Niu Wine Miami Named One of the Best Bars in America for 2023

One of the top bars in the nation, according to Esquire magazine’s annual top Bars in America for 2023, is a small, intimate wine bar in downtown Miami with seven tables, two bar stools, a tiny bit of outdoor space, and some of the most intriguing natural wine you’ll find in Miami.

Consider Niu Wine an extension of Niu Kitchen, a bustling tapas restaurant and wine bar located a few doors down on Second Avenue. One of the Catalan restaurant’s proprietors, Karina Iglesias, promotes natural wine, a movement that advocates organic grapes and approaches agriculture ethically, as one of Miami’s earliest proponents.

According to the Esquire editor, “Niu Wine is a place I find myself wanting to visit more than any other in Miami at the moment. Warm, tiny, confident, its walls are lined with bottles that reflect an understanding of good wine-making and the pleasures it can bring.”

However, you don’t need to be an expert to have fun at Niu Wine. Wines by the glass are frequently changed, so check the chalkboard and discuss your preferences with the staff. They can suggest a wine for you to take home or consume at the bar. It might even be a Californian mass-produced liquid butter bomb called chardonnay, the white nectar of the gods that has a poor reputation.

A modest, regularly updated tapas menu is also offered at Niu Wine; if it’s available, Esquire suggests the thinly sliced, melting Iberico ham on a warm platter. Anchoa del Cantabrico (anchovies), tomato salad, oysters, patatas bravas, and charcuterie plates are typical small plates. However, the wine steals the show. All-natural wines from South America, Europe, and even eastern Europe are the main focus of Niu Wine.

Niu Wine is located at 134 NE Second Avenue in downtown Miami and ope Tuesday through Saturday.

Our Pick for Miami’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Restaurants 2023

Valentine’s Day is next week and if you haven’t made plans yet, now’s the time. Whether you want to impress a romantic interest for the first time or finally confess your feelings, Miami has a restaurant — and special Valentine’s Day menu — to match your intentions on the most romantic holiday of the year.

Here are our top restaurants to visit in Miami on Valentine’s Day, ranging from lounge-like restaurants to waterfront dining establishments. Reservations are highly advised.

Carbone

Carbone’s retro glam and universally acclaimed Italian-American cuisine have made their way to Miami. If you get a table, you can expect one of the best veal parmesans in the world, dapper servers who can practically read minds, and tons of vibe in a legendary Ken Fulk-designed space. To make reservations, click here.

The Queen Miami Beach

Tucked inside the meticulously restored Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in South Beach, Queen breathes new life into the storied Art Deco landmark, embodying a wildly lavish and extravagant 21st-century Japanese-style grill that pays homage to its history of opulence and theatricality. Click here for reservations.

Contessa Ristorante Miami

Contessa, a glamorous dining destination by Major Food Group that transports guests to Lake Como, is inspired by the old-world sophistication of Northern Italy’s iconic resorts and estates. Antipasti include a Carpaccio of Chianina Beef and the most coveted Italian prosciutto; signature pizzas and perfectly crafted pastas such as Tortellini en Brodo and Garganelli Verdi Bolognese; and celebratory secondi that highlight the world’s best meat, poultry, and fish. For reservations, click here.

COTE Miami

COTE is Simon Kim’s vision for the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSETM. The restaurant is known for combining the excitement and fervor of Korean barbeque with the hallmarks of a classic, regal American steakhouse. The end result is a one-of-a-kind and convivial environment that infuses a fine dining experience with world-class ingredients and service, complemented by a show-stopping beverage program. Click here to reserve a table.

Klaw

Klaw provides a beef and king crab selection that focuses on raw product preservation, sustainability, and environmental concerns. Executive Chef Michael Paley and his team carefully select the best suppliers and believe that treating the product with respect and cooking it properly can greatly enhance the flavor. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio created our main dining room, which honors its Spanish Renaissance roots with a large dining room decorated in deep colors and dark woods, massive colonial arched windows, a private dining room, and a theater kitchen. The roof top bar has an amazing view and a great selection of cocktails created by beverage manager James Macinnes. We are close to the Opera Tower, Margaret Pace Park, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Avra Estiatorio

You’d almost think you were in the Greek islands, with the salt stone sculptures and bougainvillea-filled pergola, not to mention the sound of crashing waves in the background. This New York mainstay is large, opulent, and glam, with a menu full of seafood specialties that transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite. For more information or reservations, click here.]

Komodo Miami

Komodo is a three-story indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge in Miami’s booming Brickell neighborhood that combines contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. Signature dishes on the menu include Peking Duck, Tuna & Toro Roll, and Lobster Dynamite. The 300-seat restaurant and lounge features several unique multi-level dining options, including three bars with handcrafted cocktail menus and the signature outdoor floating “birds nests” seating, which creates a playful treehouse feel perfect for any occasion day or night. Komodo serves dinner seven days a week. Reservations can be made here.

Lettuce Entertain You Launches Aba at Bal Harbour Shops

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, a Chicago-based restaurant chain, has officially opened its first Bal Harbour Shops location with Aba, a well-known Mediterranean eatery.

Aba’s cuisine, which was developed by Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson, and Marc Jacobs, an executive partner, features tastes from all across the Mediterranean with inspirations from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece.

The everything Jerusalem bagel with smoked salmon spread, hamachi, and charred avocado, as well as the shawarma spiced skirt steak, are some of the standout dishes on the menu. In addition to a full bar program, a “reserve” cocktail list with higher-end portions, and a large selection of zero-proof alternatives, the wine list and bar program offer options from all around the Mediterranean and Southern California.

Aba was initially launched by the group in Chicago in 2018 to great acclaim, winning restaurant of the year from Eater Chicago readers. The popular group will open two restaurants in South Florida; the RPM Italian concept is expected to open in Palm Beach in 2023. Since 1971, Lettuce Entertain You has opened more than 130 eateries, including Beatrix, Shaw’s Crab House, Mon Ami Gabi, and RPM Italian.

With climbing ivy, olive trees, and vintage lighting, including authentic Parisian street lamps and gilded Moroccan fixtures, the 250-seat restaurant maintains its Mediterranean theme. The room is divided into two halves by an arched passageway with textured walls and leather, wicker, and teak furnishings. Both floors of the two-story building have outside dining areas, while the second-floor mezzanine has a bar and additional seats.

The Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, Unit 101, is where you can find Aba. Every day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the restaurant is open for dinner; later this month, lunch and brunch will be added.