The Resy Hit List: Where In Miami You’ll Want to Eat Right Now

No matter how many new Italian restaurants come to town, for a satisfying bowl of housemade pasta, we’d choose Macchialina every time. This family-owned and -operated modern trattoria eschews the glitz and glam of South Beach dining with a focus on rustic Italian fare inspired by chef Mike Pirolo’s time cooking in Italy and New York. Equally impressive is the wine program, with its emphasis on natural-leaning Italian wines, curated by beverage director (and Mike’s sister) Jacqueline Pirolo. If it’s your first time, reserve a table in the outdoor garden with string lighting, and choose the chef’s tasting menu as a tour of the greatest hits.

Reigning over Miami’s restaurant scene as one of the best brunch spots in town, Rosie’s offers Southern comfort food, fine-tuned through the culinary lens of chef Akino West — with plates like chicken and waffles, pastrami hash, and wild mushroom polenta. It originated as a pop-up at a bed-and-breakfast in Overtown owned by Akino and Jamila West, and became a runaway hit. Today, the couple is in the process of renovating a historic house (perhaps a nod to their B&B days?) that will eventually become the full-fledged Rosie’s. In the interim, it feels like Rosie’s has called more places home than we can count, so be sure to triple-check the address before you go. But as of this writing, the restaurant is in a cozy indoor space in Little River where the walls are lined with art by Afro-Latina artist Reyna Noriega.

You can’t talk about Miami cuisine without mentioning the Cuban sandwich, and for the best, you head to Sanguich, a Calle Ocho walk-up counter that’s perfected the Cubano with an artisan version — in which every ingredient is handcrafted. The bread is housemade and brushed with lard before being pressed, the lechon (pork) is marinated in garlic and spices for 24 hours, and the sweet ham is also brined for a week. Only a few sandwiches, snacks, and shakes appear on the menu, but that’s because they’ve limited it to what they do best. Order a batido (milkshake) and Cuban coffee while you’re there, because when in Little Havana …

Find more info here.

Look for the neon pink exclamation mark hovering as a marquee over an unassuming strip mall in Little Haiti, and you’ve found one of Miami’s hardest-to-book restaurants. Chef duo Alex Meyer and Luciana Giangrandi offer a modern take on Italian plates so good that reservations sell out the day they go live. Which should come as no surprise when you consider their culinary training in kitchens ranging from Scarpetta and Carbone to Eleven Madison Park. It’s an intimate and adorable space, where you’re as likely to be seated at the counter as you are at a table. Your servers will keep it fun and friendly while you partake in some of the best pasta and Italian-ish plates in town.

Major Food Group’s first exclusive-to-Miami concept is an upscale Mexican restaurant inside a historic French chateau – the kind of surprising mashup that we fully appreciate from the team behind Carbone and Dirty French. In fact, Chateau ZZ’s is a first in many ways – it’s also MFG’s first Mexican restaurant and the first time this historic building (formerly a private residence known as Petit Douy) is open to the public. Inspired by a monastery in Douy, France, the venue is as dreamy as it sounds, with a solarium that serves as a sunlit dining area, lush gardens, and an exclusive second-floor space reserved for a private club. White tuxedoed servers will bring your housemade tostadas topped with caviar or wagyu, and of course, your choice of Mexican spirits — from a 1,000-bottle collection.

The team behind the beloved but bygone Itamae — sister Val Chang, brother Nando and father Fernando (aka the Chang Gang) — have become one the most loved and lauded culinary families in Miami. Maty’s is Val’s first solo act, an expansion of her family’s culinary traditions with deeply comforting, yet finessed Peruvian plates that are rooted in her grandmother’s recipes. You can certainly expect some of the expertly executed Nikkei-style ceviches and tiraditos that brought Itamae acclaim, but the hot plates here are where Maty’s truly shines. No matter which entree you choose, order the tortitas (corn fritters) and the choclo (Peruvian sweet corn) in huancaína sauce, which tastes like an appealingly smoky mac ‘n’ cheese.

Once a farmers market phenomenon, Zak the Baker has become synonymous with sourdough by pioneering Miami’s artisan bread revolution — and has given rise to (no pun intended) new bakeries helmed by many of Zak Stern’s own protégés. At this iconic kosher bakery and café in the heart of Wynwood, the façade is splashed with blocks of bright colors, fitting its location in the arts district. Drop in anytime for a loaf of naturally leavened bread and handmade pastries, or sit down for breakfast or lunch at the full-service cafe to order exceptional sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Old Greg’s Pizza was ahead of the curve in setting Miami’s pizza revolution in motion, from its first days as a takeout-only pandemic pop-up. It’s no surprise why it ranks among the country’s best pizza: Greg Tetzner and Jackie Richie are serious about their sourdough crust. The right move is to order the thick-crust square pies (they also do traditional rounds) — choose the O.G. Roni if you want to go classic, Shroomz if you can’t get enough umami, or one of their seasonal specialty pies. But don’t miss out on the eclectic accompaniments either, from polenta-crusted chicken wings and a legendary Caesar salad with crispy chicken cutlets, to epic hoagies and whatever they’re whipping up for dessert that day. The restaurant takes walk-ins, so don’t panic if you don’t see reservations available.

“Niu” means “nest” in Catalan – which explains why NIU Kitchen is the kind of intimate spot where you can come as you are for a low-key night of wine and shared plates with friends. (It’s also a popular hangout for chefs and staff in the hospitality biz.) The Spanish tapas menu is inspired by the memories of chef Deme Lomas, a Barcelona native, who remixes traditional Catalonian flavors into something, well, new. Down the block at sister wine bar NIU Wine, peruse the shelves of their natural wine shop to find your favorite bottle and open it up on the spot to share right then and there, or take it home with you.

Bonded by their love of Vietnamese food and culture, the husband-and-husband team of chef Tam Pham and GM and sommelier Harrison Ramhofer set out to showcase the vibrancy of Vietnamese cuisine beyond the standard pho and bánh mì. The result is Tâm Tâm, a loud and lively Viet drinking food spot inspired by the quán nhậu of Saigon that’s nothing like other restaurants you’ll find in Miami. At these taverns, food is mainly meant to facilitate the drinking — think a Vietnamese take on an izakaya — and here that amounts to shareable plates like crispy fish sauce chicken wings, tamarind-glazed pork ribs, and betel leaf-wrapped lamb. You’ll wash them back with warm-weather wines or frozen mai tais and spiked Viet iced coffee for a guaranteed good time … especially if you follow up by finding the karaoke machine in the bathroom.

This beachside taco shop is the kind of reliable, affordable local spot you want to show off to everyone. But don’t let its casual vibe deceive you — Taquiza is the best taqueria in the city. In business since 2014 (though originally in a different location) this was one of the first places in Miami to nixtamalize and stone-grind their own corn and griddle their tortillas in-house. Whenever we see those signature blue corn tortillas, we know we’re in for a good meal. Taquiza keeps their toppings simple — at most, a dash of onions or cilantro or radish — to highlight the flavor of the fillings, like traditional al pastor or lengua (tongue). Their guacamole and fried-to-order thick blue corn totopos are a must every time, and the squash blossom quesadillas are also excellent if you love an extra-cheesy bite.

More info here.

Ariete is what happens when Miami flavors meet classic French techniques in a tasting-menu format. Chef Michael Beltran has grown his ever-expanding restaurant empire here in Miami, but his firstborn, Ariete, remains his best. Inspired by the chef’s Cuban American heritage and Miami roots, you’ll find signature dishes like foie gras with plantain pavé and flan with candy cap mushrooms. Choose from the Versos Clasicos tasting menu for a selection of Ariete’s greatest hits, or Versos Modernos for the latest twists, or order a few items a la carte if you’re looking to keep it simple.

For more information or reservations, call 786-615-3747.

There’s something about the Krüs menu that feels as easy and breezy as the restaurant’s airy atrium-lit setting. Here, on the second story above sister restaurant Los Félix, chef Sebastián Vargas focuses on seasonal ingredients to create an ever-evolving menu. Light crudos and grilled fish highlight the day’s catch, and creative plates like smoked coconut rice with wild caught crab and cilantro chimichurri feel Miami-inspired. There’s the indulgent, too — beef cheek and tongue ragu, or bone-marrow pudding for dessert. And Krüs is also part natural wine market, with shelves of bottles that you can order or take home and discover as part of their wine club.

Consistently ranked one of the best bars in the world, Café La Trova is the perfect place to take out-of-towners for a local experience full of Cuban flair. Helmed by the award-winning team of chef Michelle Bernstein and mixologist Julio Cabrera, this Little Havana gem exudes a lively, tropical ambiance — from the rumba band playing for guests to the smartly dressed cantineros (professionally trained Cuban bartenders) who shake, stir, and dance their way through prepping your drinks. Aside from classic cocktails, the menu includes both traditional Cuban dishes and innovative creations, a reflection of Miami’s culinary scene today. We love Café La Trova because every visit feels like a festive celebration of the city’s dynamic cuisine, and rich culture.

The Lion menu is ever-evolving, so come curious and ready to experiment. Bringing his Californian sensibility to Miami, Chef Michael Bolen utilizes seasonal ingredients from farmers, fishermen, and purveyors proudly listed on the menu. Everything is made in-house in their kitchen, whether it’s milling heirloom wheat for their breads to making flavored butters and finishing salts extracted from Miami’s waters. (On that note, whatever you do, don’t leave without a taste of the rosemary focaccia and accompanying spreads.) The service can be as exceptional as the food, so you’re in for a special experience from the moment the host opens the door to greet you. Know that the restaurant has gone back and forth since its opening between being tasting menus and à la carte menu, but right now, it’s  4- and 7-course options at dinner, with à la carte at lunch.

When you want a dazzling celebratory night out, you choose Fiola. From the housemade pastas to the stellar service, Fabio Trabocchi’s import from D.C. is the ultimate in Italian fine dining. Co-owner Tom Angelo and executive chef Danny Ganem have made tableside presentations a hallmark of the experience: Expect moments like an artful serving of bison tartare, carefully formed into a quenelle by your server before being individually plated for each person at the table. The wine selection is equally impressive — 8,000 bottles long, to be specific. Pasta lovers will enjoy the six-course pasta omakase tasting menu. And when it’s open for the season, we recommend visiting the La Terraza rooftop for a cocktail or even Sunday brunch.

Mandolin’s signature blue doors, whitewashed decor, and shaded outdoor tables transport diners to the Aegean coast. But it’s the combination of fresh ingredients and a relaxed alfresco atmosphere that makes Mandolin a must-visit (if you can get a table). Known as the ultimate Miami outdoor dining spot thanks to its charming garden patio, Mandolin Aegean Bistro opened 15 years ago as a local gem serving some of the best Greek and Turkish plates in town. That not-so-well-kept-secret has turned it into one of the hardest reservations in town, even for locals who’ve loved it since the start. If you can snag a Resy, order their famous manti dumplings and a handful of refreshing mezzes (you can’t go wrong with the Greek or Turkish samplers). Wash it down with rosé, sangria, or a spritz, and you’ll know you’re doing Miami outdoor dining right.

The term farm-to-table might feel like a loose buzzword these days, but when it comes to Niven Patel’s restaurants, this culinary ethos is at the heart of everything he does. And while it might be a bit off-the-beaten-path from Miami’s more happening neighborhoods, you can’t have a conversation about Miami’s best restaurants without mentioning his first: Ghee Indian Kitchen. Ghee offers a contemporary spin on Patel’s Indian heritage, thanks to a menu that spotlights seasonal produce grown on his own Homestead farm, Rancho Patel. Amidst excellent curries, naans, and chutneys, there are creative renditions like short rib dosas or duck confit samosas and vegetable-centric plates like crispy broccoli or charred corn and paneer. It’s the way that the fragrant Indian spices meld with the freshest local fruits and vegetables that makes Ghee such a Miami standout.

Find more info here.

While the Cuban sandwich usually takes the spotlight as the city’s iconic food, the frita is another authentic Miami street food — and El Rey De Las Fritas is home to some of the best. Essentially a Cuban-style burger, the frita is made with a blend of ground beef and chorizo, topped with crispy potato sticks and often diced raw onions, then served on a fluffy Cuban bread roll bun. There are a handful of locations of El Rey De Las Fritas (which means the king of the fritas, by the way), but the one on Calle Ocho feels like a classic diner splashed with the colors of the Cuban flag, and offers both counter seating and booths. There are plenty of other Cuban dishes on the menu, but we recommend getting an Original Frita with Cheese.

Find more info here.

Inside the lobby of the Alea building in Downtown Miami, you’ll find Jaguar Sun, an intimate cocktail bar that’s become a local haunt for many in-the-know Miamians. The bartenders are fun and the drinks are eclectic (from aperitifs to tropical), but the food is no afterthought. Start off with an order of their famous Parker House rolls and anything from the raw bar – oysters or a refreshing crudo. Then, one taste of their cacio e pepe bucatini and you’ll know this place deserves as much credit for its pasta as it does for cocktails. It’s cozy, so reservations are a good idea if you want a seat in the dining area. The bar is first come, first served.