Almost hidden on a South Miami-Dade golf course, Apocalypse BBQ serves up smoky, Miami-influenced barbecue that’s far from par for the course. This bare-bones spot has earned a cult following (and long weekend lines) for its standout dishes like brisket bacon, cafecito ribs, award-winning wild boar burgers topped with smoked brisket bacon, and skull-shaped cornbread drizzled with hot honey. Don’t bother calling ahead — Apocalypse has a no-phone, no-takeout policy. Expect long waits, sometimes for an hour or more. But the payoff? Free beer while you wait and barbecue that’s worth every second in line. So word to the wise, get there early — the brisket waits for no one.

Ghee, the Kendall spot from chef Niven Patel and Mohamed “Mo” Alkassar, offers a modern take on Indian cuisine in a setting that combines exposed brick, wood accents, twinkling lights, colorful artwork, and an open kitchen. The menu leans heavily on ingredients from Patel’s two-acre Rancho Patel farm in Homestead, resulting in dishes like the spiced, tender smoked lamb neck and a creamy green millet risotto topped with seasonal vegetables, as well as the crowd-favorite ghost pepper cheddar naan, perfect for scooping up the rich curries. For those who can’t decide, the three-course tasting menu, priced at $65, provides a well-rounded tour of Ghee’s offerings. Don’t overlook the bar program, which features inventive wine-based cocktails such as the Mumbai Mule with homemade ginger beer and the tart tamarind sour.

Possibly one of the most glamorous restaurants in Miami, this D.C. import has been wowing crowds since its debut. It showcases a menu filled with pristine seafood and pasta plates (all offered in gluten-free varieties), like the rich short rib agnolotti, and even a pasta omakase experience. Diners can also find more substantial main dishes like lamb rack, branzino, and steak paired with an extensive wine selection. For those looking to impress a date or fete a special occasion, Fiola is the key.

High-end omakase is having a moment here in Miami, and this restaurant is at the forefront of that trend. Now housed in a permanent location in Coconut Grove, guests dine at a 10-seat counter-only space manned by a team of three chefs and one bartender. With three seatings nightly (5 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.), the 17-course meal consists strictly of nigiri with each item served as is — meaning no extras like soy sauce or wasabi. The menu changes regularly, but certain favorites have made their way to Miami, like the hamachi painted with a sweet corn pudding and topped with bread crumbs and the 1-2 Punch offering different presentations of bone marrow over two courses.

Luca Osteria on pedestrian-friendly Giralda Avenue is the brainchild of Miami native and Chopped champion Giorgio Rapicavoli. This cozy spot reimagines classic dishes with playful touches: think fired  bites of fried potatoes topped with truffle Parmigiano fonduta, black truffle, and egg yolk, or pasta al limone brightened with pistachios. Must-order dishes include the tuna caprese with local stracciatella and the cheeky “Pasta alla Tucci” that features caramelized zucchini and creste di gallo pasta, a nod to none of than Italophile Stanley Tucci himself. The spruced-up versions of Italian-influenced aperitifs echo Rapicavoli’s inventive approach, blending Italian flavors with local influences.

Chef Thomas Keller, known for Michelin-starred restaurants like the French Laundry and Per Se, has taken over the historic La Palma building, once home to the Cla-Reina Hotel, to bring Bouchon — his highly acclaimed French bistro inspired by the city of Lyon — to the East Coast. The menu stays true to Bouchon’s roots, offering classic French bistro fare like steak frites, roasted chicken, escargots, mussels, and a raw bar housed in a space that features unique murals by French artist Paulin Paris, a signature of Keller’s restaurants.

LPM brings the elegant, sun-soaked vibe of the French Riviera to the heart of Brickell. Inspired by the Côte d’Azur, the menu features Provençal classics and Mediterranean dishes like creamy burrata with basil and tomatoes, escargots drenched in garlic butter, and deftly grilled lamb cutlets. The dining room, bathed in natural light and adorned with colorful contemporary art and crisp white tablecloths, sets the stage for everything from business lunches to special date nights. Don’t miss the unique Tomatini cocktail — a refreshing blend of tomato, vodka, and balsamic that’s both tangy and sweet all at the same time. It’s one of the best drinks in the city.

Located on Brickell Key inside the swanky Mandarin Oriental, La Mar is Gaston Acurio’s lauded Peruvian restaurant that offers a combination of well-executed novo-Andean fare and Asian-Peruvian fusion dishes by executive chef Diego Oka. Diners will find classics like lomo saltado, local offerings like yellowtail snapper, and several ceviche options. Make sure to grab a table on its expansive patio for some of the best views of the Miami skyline in town.

For more than 40 years, people have been flocking to this Little Havana spot for the original frita Cubana, packing all the Cuban-style beef, caramelized onions, and crispy shoestring fries that can fit inside a fluffy Cuban roll. The no-frills diner-style setup offers a feeling of decades past, with most of the burgers and sandwiches ringing in under $5. Complete the meal with some corn or malanga fritters for the proper experience.

Classic Cuban comfort food with an irreverent twist by James Beard award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein rules the menu at Cafe La Trova, served alongside expertly crafted Cantinero-style cocktails by Julio Cabrera and his team that consistently keep the bar on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Pop in for lunch, happy hour, or dinner, and don’t be surprised if the live music visits last longer than expected. Pro tip: Visit the 305 Bar in the back room on the weekend for a Miami Vice-style ‘80s blast from the past.

This 109-year-old restaurant is an institution that’s thought to have started the stone crab craze that continues to captivate Miami to this day. Ordering the namesake stone crabs is a must; each batch served with a mustard sauce that is a legend in its own right. But stone crabs aren’t the only notable item on the menu. There is something for all tastes, from an assortment of seafood dishes to glistening steaks and Joe’s popular fried chicken. And don’t forget the sides: Creamed spinach and coleslaw are favorites, but the hash browns and roasted tomatoes are worth an order, too. Don’t want to spend time waiting? Then head next door to Joe’s Takeaway and eat the same caliber claws at home.

Tam Tam, a COVID-era pop-up turned Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown Miami, was born from Tam Pham, a Saigon native, and Harrison Ramhofer’s shared love for Vietnamese culture. The restaurant, strongly influenced by Vietnam’s quán nhậu tradition of social drinking and snacking, features standout dishes like fish sauce caramel wings and lamb lettuce wraps alongside a wide range of dishes that can be made to accommodate vegan diets — like the lotus root salad and the shimeji mushrooms topped with dill and scallion oil — that even the most discerning carnivore would enjoy. Set in a former Cuban diner, the eclectic space combines quirky decor with a unique karaoke-equipped bathroom, ensuring a memorable meal.

Niu Kitchen continues to deliver standout Catalan fare in Downtown Miami, as it has been for nearly a decade, maintaining its reputation as one of the city’s best. Standouts include charbroiled oysters, branded tableside with hot coals and paired with a smoky ponzu and rice vinegar-mayo. The gazpacho offers a cold tomato base topped with mustard ice cream and a drizzle of basil oil, plus croutons for added crunch. Don’t skip the vegan paella, packed with escalivada, mushrooms, asparagus, or the pan-seared foie gras for a more indulgent start to the night. An extensive wine list featuring natural wines from around the world completes the menu.

Miami Slice has become a top destination for pizza lovers in the city. Located in Midtown, this small pizzeria offers on-site slices and whole pies like the La Salsera, a hit on Instagram that features eye-catching swirls of marinara and vodka sauce; the kaleidoscopic pie makes for a visually impressive and satisfying pizza experience. Miami Slice’s concise but thoughtfully curated menu features other stars, like the richly flavored mushroom truffle pie. Diners should anticipate a wait, as the pizza shop does not take reservations and is particularly popular on weekends, often resulting in long lines.

Klaw, a stunning multi-level restaurant inside Edgewater’s former Miami Women’s Club building, has a rooftop bar with expansive waterfront views. As the name implies, seafood is its main focus, particularly the sizable Norwegian king crab sold by the pound. The restaurant also offers a variety of dry-aged meats and a well-rounded bar program that features cocktails that complement the seafood-centric menu, such as gin-based options infused with marine botanicals and vodka drinks garnished with caviar. With prices that range between $25 and $350 per dish, it doesn’t make for an inexpensive night out, so put it on the list for the next time a special occasion arises.

Mignonette offers a modern twist on the classic seafood restaurant by Blue Collar chef Danny Serfer and partner Ryan Roman. This Edgewater spot, located in a former 1930s gas station, blends casual vibes with high-end touches, featuring a rotating selection of bivalves displayed below a vintage marquee. But Mignonette goes beyond oysters with standouts like the New England-style lobster roll, crispy skin snapper, and black grouper paired with Carolina gold rice. Non-seafood offerings include prime rib, chicken, and a popular veggie board showcasing seasonal vegetables.

Part of the culinary empire of James Beard winner Michael Schwartz, Amara at Paraiso not only showcases some of Miami’s best waterfront dining but has compelling dishes found throughout South America. Using Schwartz’s farm-to-table ethos that gained him national fame at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the menu offers things like crispy octopus, short rib empanadas, and steaming-hot yucca balls. With its outdoor space primed for large groups, diners can grab a patio drink — perhaps, the Calm Before the Coconut cocktail filled with rum, cachaca allspice dram, coconut pineapple, and lime all served in a Florida coconut — before or after the meal to soak in all those enviable views.

This Midtown Peruvian restaurant honors James Beard Award-winning chef Val Chang’s grandmother, Maty. Chang, formerly of the highly acclaimed Miami Nikkei spot Itamae, brings her expertise to dishes like yellowedge grouper tail and several cebiches. Complementing the inventive plates is a well-balanced cocktail program featuring drinks like the chicha spritz with vodka, chicha morada, and prosecco, or Maty’s Margarita made with cilantro-tequila, aji amarillo, and lime. The intimate space showcases photos of Maty herself, adding a personal touch to the meal.

This Michelin-starred New York City import has won over the Magic City with its 45-day, dry-aged beef, cooked Korean barbecue-style at the table on smokeless grills. The dimly lit, date-night restaurant features high-end steaks, stiff martinis, and one of the most robust wine selections in town. Undoubtedly the most popular order at Cote is the Butcher’s Feast, which features a variety of cuts along with different vegetables and kimchi, egg souffle, two stews, rice, and soft serve for $74 per person. For those who want to go more high-brow, a 10-course steak omakase is available for $225 per person.

Boia De combines inventive, finely tuned plates with a relaxed-yet-polished atmosphere hidden inside an unassuming strip mall. This one-Michelin-starred gem run by Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer showcases their experience from well-known kitchens like New York City’s Eleven Madison Park and Los Angeles’s Animal through dishes like crispy potato skins with stracciatella and caviar or baked clams with ‘nduja. The cozy, 24-seat space exudes Brooklyn-esque charm with its forest green walls, custom wallpaper, and a soundtrack featuring The Cure and The Smiths. Whatever your order, pair it with one of the restaurant’s hard-to-find vintages or natural wines.

Originally a Wynwood staple, Clive’s Cafe has been serving up Jamaican flavors in Miami for nearly four decades. Now in Little River, this no-fuss spot has become a cornerstone of the city’s Caribbean dining scene. From perfectly spiced jerk chicken to melt-in-your-mouth oxtail and fragrant curry goat, the menu delivers dishes that could rival any neighborhood cookout. The laid-back atmosphere adds to the charm, and no meal is complete without a cold Ting or house-made rum punch — especially when paired with the generous side of rice and peas that’s practically a meal on its own.

What started as an ultra-popular weekend bagel pop-up has turned into a full-blown restaurant with just as strong of a following. Founded by Matteson Koche and Simon Caicedo, the counter-service spot with two locations in Miami, offers a variety of creative bagels (think rosemary salt or jalapeño cheddar), schmears, and bagel sandwiches filled with everything from 18-hour smoked pastrami and fried eggs to fillings that nod to the crowd favorite Guava King, a tribute to the Miami pastelito, made with guava marmalade, cream cheese, and potato sticks.

This Venezuelan-French-inspired bakery, cafe, and recent James Beard nominee is a local favorite for its breakfast and lunch fare. Toast shines with toppings like avocado, feta, or Merguez sausage with harissa mayo. For more filling options, try the turkey club with oven-roasted turkey and garlic aioli or the broccoli sandwich with sun-dried tomato pesto. Sweet lovers won’t be disappointed – the bakery turns out pastries like banana bread, Nutella cruffins, and apple turnovers.

Off Site is where unpretentious comfort food meets expert execution in an industrial, laid-back setting in Little River. A collaboration between Steve Santana (Taquiza) and Adam Darnell (Boxelder), this part-microbrewery, part-grill serves up favorites like smoked wings, the brisket-and-short-rib Koji Burger, and the Champion Dog, a house-made hot dog that’s made even better as a masa-dipped corn dog. The smoky fish dip is a sleeper hit, while sandwich lovers flock to the Little River Cheesesteak or Benton’s Club. Pair any item with a Super Good Lager or one of the rotating craft beers on tap for the full Off Site experience.

Housed inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, this intimate fine dining restaurant from chef Tristan Brandt serves a five-course tasting menu of modern French dishes with influences that cross the Asian diaspora. The one-Michelin-starred restaurant, which only seats 18 guests at a time, has a five-course tasting menu that rotates frequently. Still, diners can expect finessed plates like lobster elote with chicken and cilantro, a deeply spiced lamb curry, and an apricot and white chocolate glass cake. As for beverages, Tambourine Room is currently wine only — Brandt believes the offerings are best served with wine — with a focus on European vintages.

The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller offers nostalgic bistro fare alongside plenty of stiff martinis. Housed in one of Miami’s most storied buildings — now one of its chicest hotels — the dining room is adorned with art deco chandeliers, warm wood paneling, and plush leather banquettes, transporting guests back to the city’s golden era. Kick the night off with one (or two) of those martinis or a well-chosen wine from the restaurant’s impressive selection of vintages. The menu complements the old-school feel of the space, with upscale renditions of beef Wellington, Caesar salad prepared tableside, and a well-executed roast chicken for two. Don’t miss the decadent ice cream sundae, prepared tableside and topped with an array of indulgent toppings, including chocolate drizzle, marshmallow fluff, Chantilly cream, and more.

Located in the upscale Bal Harbour Shops, this bustling Japanese restaurant is a favorite among well-heeled locals, tourists, and celebrities. Having recently moved three floors up from its original spot, the redesigned space now offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with coral pinks, saffron, and sandalwood hues, accented by oversized floral motifs. Chef Makoto Okuwa offers some of the best sushi and sashimi in Miami, complemented by dishes from the charcoal robata, including wagyu filet, rib-eye, sea bass, and lamb chops. The extensive sake list and creative cocktails, such as the Tatsu made with Banhez Mezcal, passionfruit, hibiscus, and Hellfire bitters, round out the experience.

Modern Basque cuisine takes center stage at Edan Bistro in North Miami. Chef Aitor Garate Berasaluze, who honed his skills at Spain’s Azurmendi and Miami’s now-shuttered Leku, brings his Basque heritage to life with the restaurant’s refined yet approachable menu. The sunlit dining room, filled with greenery and emanating a relaxed vibe, feels equally fitting for the backdrop to a family brunch or an intimate dinner. Standout dishes include crispy shiitake croquetas, smoky grilled octopus, and creamy pumpkin rice. Don’t leave without trying the famed Basque cheesecake that’s slightly burnt on the outside and silken on the inside. For those seeking the full experience, the eight-course tasting menu — an almost unheard-of price of $100 per person in Miami — is a must.