The June Hit List: Lure Fishbar, Pizza Craft, Azucar Ice Cream, and More

This modest purple house turned restaurant has been serving up handcrafted goodies way before Wynwood’s graffiti walls were trendy. Come here to satisfy your breakfast, lunch, or dinner cravings with traditional homey dishes like chicken and waffles, eggs Benedict, chicken pot pie or meatloaf in addition to bright takes on favorites like vegan French toast, a voluptuous grilled cheese, and duck tacos. Pair your meal with a fresh-pressed juice or a glass from their not-your-basic wine list. 

Tucked inside the Himmarshee District, this pizza joint is a great place to hit up before a classy night at the theater (or a boozy night out). Start your Italian meal with appetite-inducing specialties like Nonna’s meatballs with whipped ricotta and basil, or the stracciatella bruschetta topped with black truffle, olive oil, and cracked pepper. Follow up with one of the must-order pastas: Whether you choose the bucatini carbonara or rigatoni vodka, you won’t be disappointed.  Always make sure to save room for the wood-fired pizzas. And afterwards, saunter past the pizza oven to Apothecary 330, their speakeasy bar, for a cocktail or two.

Smoky, spicy jerk aromas green diners even before they step into this family-owned restaurant on NW 24th Street. While you may not want to eat in sweltering direct sunlight, its spacious courtyard is tented and has plenty of blasting fans. You can also always pull up a seat at the indoor bar or neighboring tables, and start off with a thirst-quenching tropical drink. The fusion of Caribbean flavors is apparent throughout the menu, with dishes like the pressed plantain bites topped with escovitch snapper. And if you can’t decide on what main course of jerk to order, the DJK meat or fish platters will always have what you’re looking for.

This seafood haven, imported from New York and located at the Loews Miami Beach hotel, boasts an intimate sushi counter with an expertly curated glass display of what’s on the evening’s menu. It also has a spacious bar that overlooks the outdoor terrace, resort pool, and ocean, which makes you feel like you’re on vacation even if you’re just enjoying a night out in your own city. Enjoy the kanpachi sashimi or tuna tataki before any of the seafood entrées, which range from nori-crusted tuna and branzino to sea urchin bucatini, and a whole two-pound stuffed lobster. 

Famed Miami chef Jose Mendin is serving up his personal take on Italian fare at this Sunset Harbour restaurant that opened this past spring. The burrata panzanella is creamy as expected, but it’s served with roasted peppers, agrodolce olives, and rustic bread that resembles croutons but that melts in your mouth. The arancini have the ideal texture combination of crispy exterior and gooey interior. The macaroni, or pasta, selections run the gamut from rigatoni alla vodka with just the slightest kick, thanks to Calabrian chiles, to a simple yet flavorful casarecce basil pesto that’s served over a pomodoro sauce. 

Call 786-558-5787 for reservations.

The Pelican Grand Beach Resort’s on-site restaurant offers several dining options, including weekday and weekend prix fixe menus. But the star of this oceanfront property is its weekend brunch. Turquoise waters and swaying palm trees pair very nicely with a variety of raw-bar choices like the glamorous seafood tower, wagyu sliders on pretzel buns, creamy burrata, mahi tacos topped with mango salsa, or candied double-cut bacon. And don’t forget the bottomless prosecco cocktails and Bloodies, of course. 

When seeking this Basque restaurant, you might drive past the building if you’re not careful. Past the hospital and warehouses you’ll find the Rubell Museum, a contemporary art collection — also home to Leku. Its fierce décor, which comprises a large-format painting by Allison Zuckerman and plush jade banquettes that complement the terrace’s lush garden, is on par with an invigorating menu of favorites: ham croquets, Galician-style octopus, pink shrimp in garlic sauce, and wild mushroom rice. Look to its Basque-style grill for wood-fired steaks, lamb, and fish.

Call 786-464-0615 for reservations.

While the trend of eating and drinking inside a movie theater isn’t new, this IPic Theater restaurant is an ideal place to catch up with those friends you haven’t seen in months before quietly slipping into cushy leather recliners. Take advantage of the Thursday and Friday happy hour specials, or dive into few appetizers like the lobster corn dogs, ahi tuna poke or brioche-crusted crab cakes. Plus, IPic Access Gold Members get 10% off their bill. 

If you need another reason to get away from the heat, head over to Aventura Mall for some shopping and dining at its ever-popular food court, where typical, boring mall fare has been banished — replaced with sushi, craft beers, and ceviche. Now it welcomes Michael Mina’s newest endeavor, and first Greek restaurant, into the mix.

Be transported to the Aegean coast with classics like tzatziki and hummus spreads, saganaki, grilled octopus, ouzo prawns, pastitsio, and lamb chops, alongside a selection of Greek wines, beers, ouzo, and mastiha. For brunch, be forever spoiled with the baklava French toast topped with caramelized apples, honey, and candied walnuts.

Call 786-697-1681 for reservations.

It’s summer, and that means ice cream has firmly become a part of everyone’s staple food groups. The rotating list of flavors is extensive, so take your time perusing it. For a signature treat that’s inspired by the neighborhood’s Latin culture and vibe, try the Abuela Maria: vanilla ice cream blended with guava pieces, cream cheese, guava marmalade, and Goya’s Maria cookies (think graham crackers). More info here.