Miami is known as a melting pot of people from various countries with their own traditions and cultures. Because of this, it is also a haven for great culinary experiences. About any type of ethnic, seafood, pasta and chops can be found in and around the Miami area.
Because of its location on the water, seafood reigns supreme in Miami, but you are not limited to just seafood. Many restaurants on this list serve Wagyu beef and some of the finest ingredients you can find anywhere.
Here is a list of some of the top restaurants in and around Miami. Just remember new restaurants are opening all the time.
Chi.Che 105
$$ | 786-534-8651 | WEBSITE
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It is hard to go wrong with executive chef Juan Chipoco at the helm. His authentic Peruvian cuisine has garnered accolades and fans from all over.
Starters like Conchas Chalacas, Peruvian scallops with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and lime. It is about as fresh as you can get. Of course, there are many types of ceviche on the menu, as well as tacos, whole fresh fish and steaks, and some great desserts.
Joe’s Stone Crab
$$$ | 305-673-0365 | WEBSITE
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No list would be complete without including Joe’s Stone Crab, which has been a Miami staple since 1913. While the highlight of the menu is the stone crab claws, which are served cracked with mustard sauce, there is so much more great food on the menu.
The snow crab appetizer, which is served in a garlic butter sauce, like escargot, is a tasty start. Seafood paella, fried lobster tail, crab claws and even several beef dishes on the menu are all prepared perfectly to order, and sauteed with marrow butter.
Tropezón Miami
$$$ | 305-763-8523 | WEBSITE
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Those looking for Spanish cuisine, look no further. At Tropezon, you will find a wide variety of small plates and tapas-style dishes. The Spanish tortilla, gambas al ajillo, and pan con tomate are great options for sharing.
Their main dishes include local fish, steak, cowboy ribeye, and paella, all with just the right amount of Spanish seasonings, while not being overwhelming. While the menu may not be huge, you can get full just by sampling some of the many tapas options.
A Fish Called Avalon
$$$ | 305-532-1727 | WEBSITE
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A Fish Called Avalon is more than a cute name, it is a dining experience. Every dish is well-thought-out, expertly prepared, and delicious. The Big Eye Tuna Tartare is as beautiful as it is tasty. The same goes for the chilled lobster appetizer and Spanish-influenced octopus.
The orzo seafood paella for two is a step above, while the jumbo shrimp scampi Provençal looks almost too good to eat. There are a few poultry and meat dishes, but the real star of this menu are the appetizers and seafood dishes.
A Fish Called Avalon also has an impressive happy hour with discounts on food and cocktails.
Yardbird Table & Bar
$$ | 305-538-5220 | WEBSITE
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If you are concerned that Yardbird only serves poultry, you are very wrong. They have a great menu featuring many classic dishes and a beverage program that highlights bourbon.
Appetizers will take you to your comfort zone, classic buttermilk biscuits with honey butter and the smoked brisket biscuits are a good start!
House specialties include chicken and waffles, and lemon rotisserie bird, while the main menu features lobster mac & cheese, St. Louis BBQ ribs and a ribeye with steak frites. Yardbird’s happy hour includes bread and butter, fried okra, and pork cracklins, yum! They also have cocktails specially priced as well.
La Cerveceria de Barrio Ocean Drive
$$$ | 786-359-4497 | WEBSITE
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La Cerveceria de Barrio is a welcoming spot that is popular with locals and tourists. It has been serving Mexican specialties for years. They offer dinner specials, a special lunch menu, and happy hour. So, no matter what time of day you want to dine, you will likely find a special thing going on.
Their dinner highlights a variety of tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas, cooked to your preference. They also have some great starters like ceviche and aguachiles. Some special items include Molcajete Mixto, a blend of skirt steak, chicken, and shrimp with peppers and cheese, and the grilled red snapper with guajillo peppers and garlic.
This is a great spot for lunch or dinner as well as happy hour.
Pane & Vino La Trattoria
$$-$$$ | 305-535-9027 | WEBSITE
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Pane & Vino La Trattoria has won numerous awards, and when you dine there, you will understand why. Not only is the food excellent, but the restaurant itself is also beautiful without being stuffy. Knowledgeable waiters provide excellent service and can help you maneuver the menu.
Starting with the beef carpaccio with mushroom and black truffle cream is hard to turn down. Outstanding main dishes made with homemade pasta include pear and gorgonzola ravioli with a leek sauce and Grandma Maria’s tortelloni stuffed with pumpkin and amaretto cookies is like a meal and dessert in one.
Their main dishes like branzino and breaded veal are very good, but stick with the pasta, you will not regret it.
RED South Beach
$$$ | 305-534-3688 | WEBSITE
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RED recently moved to a larger restaurant to accommodate its growing culinary fan base. They are known for their 40-day aged Kansas City bone-in strip steak and great side dishes.
The restaurant boasts a wonderful raw bar with a variety of options like tuna tartare, ostera, or beluga caviar, and the ultimate seafood tower. They serve raw oysters in a variety of ways, like Rockefeller, New Orleans-style, and buffalo seasoned.
When it comes to warm appetizers, the offers are equally as diverse, with foie gras, crisp calamari with chili, and steak tartare. When it comes to steaks, there are bone-in filets, wagyu, and the ultimate meat board that includes a Tomahawk steak, bone-in filet, bone-in strip, filet, and lamb chops.
They also have a great selection of pasta dishes, seafood meals, and a number of fabulous sides like lobster mac & cheese.
Tanuki
$$-$$$ | 305-615-1055 | WEBSITE
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Tanuki puts a unique spin on Asian food in the heart of Miami Beach. They serve both food and drinks inspired by Japanese and Chinese specialties as well as others from all over Asia. The fusion of these cuisines come together to offer a wonderful dining experience for locals and travelers.
While the menu is Asian, you will see tacos on the appetizer menu, but they are not what you think. These tacos Wagyu beef, salmon, and impossible tacos with Asian influences.
They also offer sushi platters and various types of dim sum. The house specialty is Peking duck with cucumber, scallion, and Chinese pancakes. The menu also includes some Asian-inspired comfort food like fried rice, udon noodle dishes, cashew chicken and nigiri.
Limoncello
$$-$$$ | 305-397-8826 | WEBSITE
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Limoncello is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria that is family operated. They feature wood fired pizzas, Italian dishes, and seafood. The appetizer menu features traditional Italian fare like fried calamari, meatballs, and bruschetta.
One the pasta menu, the paccheri all astice, a blend of lobster, white wine, garlic and cherry tomatoes, tastes fresh and delicious. The pappardelle with wild mushrooms and truffle is also a great classic dish.
Main dishes include grilled branzino, veal, salmon, and chicken. They also offer a variety of wood fired pizzas. As you would expect from the name, there are several drinks on the cocktail menu that feature lemoncello.
Baires Grill Miami Beach
$$$ | 305-763-8342 | WEBSITE
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For over 20 years Baires Grill has been creating delicious Argentinian dishes, that also include many other influences including Greek, Mexican, and Asian.
For example, the roasted cauliflower appetizers comes with a tzatziki, roasted peppers and chipotle sauce. The homemade chicken liver pate features porcini mushrooms, cornichons, and caramelized onions. Inventive and delicious.
Lobster ravioli comes with a crème-fraiche sauce and the Angus tomahawk steak for two is a whopping 32-ounce hand cut ribeye, that’s a lot of meat! They also grill up great filets, New York strips and chicken dishes.
Their pasta dishes are also great, the top option is short rib agnolotti, which is served with an infused sage sauce. Their menu is large and so is their wine menu. If you leave here hungry, it is your own fault. They have a fabulous happy hour with 50% cocktails, wine and beer.
The Sexy Cow Steakhouse
$$-$$$ | 786-758-1808 | WEBSITE
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Aside from it’s adorable name, The Sexy Cow Steakhouse prepares great steaks. The owners are from Patagonia and Argentina and have incorporates cooking elements and flavors from their home country.
They specialize in seafood, meat, fish, pizza, pasta and chicken—in other words—they have a little of everything. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They have a breakfast menu, and an all day dining menu in addition to their dinner menu. Some unique appetizers like deviled eggs with crab meat, short rib empanada, beef carpaccio, and salmon ceviche.
The Sexy Cow Steakhouse grills up some great short ribs, filets, ribeye steaks and lamb chops. They also have huge Tomahawk steaks, surf and turf, and several different preparations for fish and chicken.
In Summary
Next time you plan to travel to or through Miami, plan to make a stop at some of the great local restaurants. You will have your choice of about any cuisine you can imagine and some of the freshest food you will find.
You will find fresh local fish, the top aged beef, steaks, and farm-to-table vegetables, fruits, and herbs. You will be glad you got to experience some of our culinary delights.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
