The Resy Hit List: Where In Miami You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in and around Miami: a monthly-updated (and expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Miami Not to Miss This Month
- Cozy Szn: Feel that chill in the air? (Finally!) Your December dining plans call for a cozy bistro with a soul-soothing menu, like Semilla Eatery & Bar — or maybe a charming outdoor wine bar where you can catch up with friends who are in town for the holidays, like Ruka Winewood. Want more suggestions? Consult our guide to Miami’s cozy locales and take your pick.
- Splurge-Worthy Spots: Whether you’re gallivanting the city for Miami Art Week, gathering with loved ones, or simply treating yourself to the ultimate gift of an indulgent meal, these are the top restaurants in Miami that are worth the splurge. If the tab is on absolutely anyone else, you can sign us up for an over-the-top steak dinner at COTE Miami, Sunny’s, or Ossobuco, please! We wear a size “tomahawk.”
- A Private Affair: If spending your whole Christmas cooking for the family isn’t your perfect picture of a good time, you might want to book dinner that night instead. Consider Boulud Sud’s stunning private dining rooms (they’re serving a three-course menu for Christmas Eve) or Dōma Restaurant, with its secluded private dining room and menu of Italian classics. For more group dining options, check out our guide.
- Toast to the New Year: Pop the Champagne and reserve your table for New Year’s Eve! Dinner at Osaka Nikkei is guaranteed to be a party, with a DJ spinning, a Champagne toast, and formal dress code ($200 per person minimum for the first seating before 7 p.m.; $350 per person after 8:30 p.m.). Click here for more New Year’s Eve happenings and all the Miami events and experiences happening this month.
New to the Hit List (Dec. 2024)
Cowy Burger; Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse; Gramps Getaway; Pasta.
1. Boia De Buena Vista
Photo courtesy of Boia De
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.
Photo courtesy of Boia De
2. ViceVersa Downtown Miami
This modern aperitivo bar from award-winning bartender Valentino Longo has it all: best-in-class drinks, neo-Neapolitan-style pizza that’s in the mix for Miami’s best, plus an off-menu burger special that packs the house on Monday nights. In true Miami fashion, the Downtown drinking destination was designed to be the type of place where you can start the night or keep it going. Come pre-dinner for Italian craft cocktails paired with the perfect light bites (think pizza pies with a crisp, airy crust and raw crudos curated by the former Jaguar Sun team). Or vice versa, extend your evening after dinner nearby and grab a scoop of house-spun gelato and digestif.
3. Sanguich Little Havana, Little Haiti, and Coral Gables
You can’t talk about Miami cuisine without mentioning the Cuban sandwich, and for the best, you head here. This Calle Ocho walk-up counter has perfected the Cubano. 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 brined for a week. There are only a few sandwiches, snacks and shakes on the menu, but that’s because it’s what they do best. Order a batido and Cuban coffee while you’re there because when in Little Havana … or, if you want to avoid the legendarily long lines, there’s also a takeout-only ventanita in Little Haiti and a new larger location with plenty of seating at The Plaza in Coral Gables.
Find more info here.
4. Itamae AO Midtown
Itamae AO is the more intimate and interactive iteration of the original Itamae, which had become one of Miami’s best restaurants in its five-year run spanning from food hall stand to full-service restaurant. The new version run by chef and owner Nando Chang is a Nikkei-style omakase counter with only 10 seats, located right next to sister restaurant Maty’s (run by Nando’s sister Valerie Chang). Melding Japanese techniques with Peruvian influences, the eight-course omakase menu features plenty of seafood in the form of dry-aged fish, sashimi, and nigiri, alongside Peruvian bites like anticuchos (skewers) and aguadito (soup).
5. Recoveco South Miami
Recoveco’s name may mean “nook” or “cranny” in Spanish, but it didn’t take long after its opening for locals to discover this gem in South Miami. After honing their craft together in the kitchens of two of Miami’s top restaurants (Alter and Itamae), co-chef/owners Nicolas Martinez and Teresa Gallina opened this own intimate, open-kitchen spot with a menu that isn’t bound by cultural borders. With only a few starters, entrees and desserts on the brief menu, their foremost goal is to execute everything exceptionally well — and that’s exactly what they’re doing. Dishes and ingredients rotate with the seasons, but you can almost guarantee a plate of fish or chicken that’s the best you’ve ever had.
6. Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Miami Design District
Michael’s Genuine is considered the trailblazer of seasonal cuisine in Miami, and it’s not overreaching to say that the Design District — and frankly, our city’s culinary scene — wouldn’t have taken off without this restaurant. After more than 15 years, chef Michael Schwartz’s flagship remains a gem. In the midst of the city’s most expensive stores, it’s a comfortable respite that feels as upscale or as casual as you want it to be. The American-style menu offers something for everyone — from raw bar plates to wood oven-fired dishes — and so does the restaurant space, with its open-kitchen dining room, cozy outdoor courtyard, and a bar that’s a happy hour hot spot.
7. Caracas Bakery Doral and MiMo
Venezuelan-French inspired baked goods might not familiar, but trust us when we tell you this bakery is worth going out of your way for. Run by the father-son team of Manuel and Jesús Brazón, here you’ll find expertly crafted croissants, sourdough and baguettes, alongside Venezuelan specialties like golfeados, cachitos, pan de jamón and pan de queso. Visit the MiMo location if you’re looking for a full-on cafe experience (i.e. sandwiches, toasts and actual seating) or Doral if you’re in the area, on the go, and speak at least enough Spanish to be able to order some of the best breads you’ve had in a long time. If you leave without trying a traditional cachito (a soft, golden ham and cheese-stuffed bread), you’ve done it wrong.
Find more info here.
8. Zak the Baker Wynwood
Zak the Baker has become synonymous with sourdough by pioneering Miami’s artisan bread revolution and giving rise to (no pun intended) new bakery businesses helmed by 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 of 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.
9. Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse Fort Lauderdale
Daniel’s celebrates the bounty of Florida, serving grass-fed beef from North Florida ranches, alongside local seafood from the Panhandle and Keys. Leading up to its opening, culinary director Daniel Ganem scoured the state to find the best farmers, fishermen, and food purveyors in our backyard. And it all comes together in a menu that encapsulates his culinary career, including the fresh pastas he perfected at Fiola Miami. Aside from the steaks, we were impressed by whimsical apps like pastrami wagyu brisket bao, and a lobster bisque with the most lusciously delicate poached lobster.
10. Pasta Wynwood
Opening a restaurant simply called Pasta might invite some SEO growing pains, but the decision to open a handmade pasta bar — we can get behind that. Peruvian chefs Juan Manuel Umbert and Janice Buraschi are the husband-and-wife team behind the pasta-centric menu, and the focal point of the minimalist-meets-rustic restaurant is an open kitchen with counter seating that invites guests in on the culinary action. Those housemade efforts range from traditional (pappardelle with beef cheek ragu) to explosively flavorful (agnolotti di funghi with an umami sauce of 36 month-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano), but it’s the starters influenced by Peruvian flavors that feel like something you’d only find in Miami — like oyster tempura with aji amarillo sauce or razor clams with salsa verde and housemade ‘nduja.
11. El Bagel Upper East Side and Coconut Grove
Be prepared to wait for Miami’s best bagels, whether you order in the shop or online for pick-up. Located in Miami’s MiMo neighborhood and Coconut Grove, El Bagel is known for slow-fermented, hand-rolled bagels — along with a selection of schmears and locally smoked salmon. But there’s no need to overthink your order. They’ve crafted all of the best combinations into a menu of super-stuffed bagel sandwiches, like the EB Original (scallion cream cheese, roasted jalapeños, and thick-cut bacon), BEC (bacon, egg and cheese), and the King Guava (guava marmalade, cream cheese, pepitas, and fried egg). Made with only five ingredients (no strange syrups or preservatives) and baked fresh daily overnight, these artisan bagels are worth that inevitable wait.
Find more info here.
12. La Natural Little River
Proof that naturally leavened pizzas and natural wine go hand-in-hand. This unassuming Little River spot is an extension of what owners Javier Ramirez and Andreina Matos were already doing in their own backyard before they turned it into a restaurant: pouring natural wines for friends and family and perfecting sourdough pizzas with a dough recipe developed over the years. Now, their wood-burning oven at La Natural churns out pillowy, charred pies (often with funky toppings like scallions and Sichuan peppercorns, but the classic burrata and basil pizza is always a winner). Pair that with veg-centric plates that are ideal for sharing and one of the longest natural wine lists in town, and you have everything you need for a standout meal.
13. Cowy Burger Wynwood
With its paper-thin, crispy smashed patties, Cowy Burger in Wynwood asserts that smashburgers are actually just meant to be a vehicle for some delicious cheesy sauce and toppings. And their signature Cowy Burger is exactly that: topped with American cheese and stuffed to the brim with sweet caramelized onions, chunky bacon jam, and their Cowy sauce. The menu board at this burger joint consists of gourmet smashburgers (the most unique of which is the Cabrito, with chorizo sausage, goat cheese, sweet potato strings, and hot honey), waffle fries, and because this is Miami, they’ve also got a few extra snacks, like mini cheese tequeños and Parmesan-bacon jam croquetas. Order at the counter, take your table number and a seat, and then await Miami’s new smash fave.
Find more info here.
14. Silverlake Bistro Miami Beach
From the same duo behind Hialeah’s La Fresa Francesca, this charming bistro in the quiet Normandy Isles neighborhood proves there’s still hidden gems left in Miami Beach. The menu leans toward American comfort food, but it’s rooted in French cuisine. On occasion you can find surprising menu specials like venison, quail and soft-shell crab, but you don’t need to stray far from two of their staples — duck fat-seared gnocchi mac ‘n’ cheese and their signature Silverlake Burger, made with two grass-fed beef patties, sharp cheddar cheese, and porcini mushroom butter. The vintage decor and wallpaper will make you feel right at home, and if that doesn’t do the trick, the friendly service and consistently delectable plates sure will.
15. The Surf Club Restaurant Surfside
Amid a flurry of flashy and expensive restaurants in Miami, The Surf Club is the ultimate special occasion spot, where you go to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal that feels like you’re dining in a bygone era. That’s because when chef Thomas Keller takes on fine dining at a historic institution like the Surf Club — an iconic South Florida social club that opened in the 1930s — you get old-school cuisine that oozes glamor. Think classics like tableside Caesar, beef Wellington and lobster thermidor, with the top-notch service to match. It’s exactly what you would expect from a Thomas Keller restaurant that was made for Miami.
16. The Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt North Beach
Few dining experiences in Miami feel more exclusive than at this intimate 18-seat fine dining den. It’s named for the famed 1950s cocktail lounge that used to stand in its place — a gathering spot for the likes of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack back in the Carillon Hotel’s heyday. And the tasting menu, at a set seating time, feels like a full-on dinner show. The number of courses may vary throughout the seasons (and often includes more dishes than publicized) but no matter the length, prepare to enjoy as everyone’s meal is served in synchronization by staff dressed in a sleek black uniform from head-to-toe, down to their glove-laced fingertips.
17. Mandolin Aegean Bistro Miami Design District
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 relaxed 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 opened 15 years ago, 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. If you snag a Resy, order their famous manti dumplings and a handful of mezzes (you can’t go wrong with the Greek or Turkish samplers). Enjoy it with rosé, sangria, or a spritz, and you’ll know you’re doing Miami right.
18. Apocalypse BBQ Kendall
Miami’s barbecue scene has exploded in the last few years, and Apocalypse BBQ is arguably the best in town (so named, because it started as a pop-up in the middle of the pandemic). This is Miami-style barbecue, so you’ll find coffee-rubbed ribs and chicken wings, a wild boar burger with brisket bacon, and delicious sweet skull-shaped cornbread (remember, it started during what felt like the end times). A few things to know before you visit: Apocalypse doesn’t take reservations so be prepared to wait a while (lines often form before they even open, but hey, they’ll give you free beer to pass the time) and some of their smoked meats sometimes run out, so seriously, come early.
Find more info here.
19. Gramps Getaway Key Biscayne
It’s one of life’s few guarantees that when you’re sitting under a thatched tiki hut, looking out at the water, all your problems melt away. And thanks to the team at Gramps in Wynwood, we’ve now got Gramps Getaway, a casual waterfront locale in Key Biscayne that feels like it’s been a Miami staple forever. Here, under a palapa with a view of the city skyline and the bay, the beer is cheap, the frozen drinks are strong, and the throwback tunes make you forget what’s going on with the rest of the world beyond your seaside dock. And what about the food? You’ll find Miami bar essentials like coconut shrimp and jerk chicken wings, alongside amped-up options like charred broccoli salad and watermelon-cucumber salad with Thai basil and roasted peanuts.
Find more info here or call 305-465-2482.
20. Sunny’s Little River
It was about time that the Jaguar Sun team made a permanent home for its pandemic pop-up concept. Sunny’s is a modern take on a white-tablecloth steakhouse serving wood-fired meats and steakhouse classics alongside much of what you’d expect from the duo of Will Thompson and Carey Hynes: impeccable cocktails, raw bar bites, and yes, even handmade pastas. That includes some of your old favorites from Jaguar Sun, like corn agnolotti and spicy pork rigatoni. You can still enjoy al fresco dining under the shade of the enormous central banyan tree, but now there’s a more polished indoor dining room (thankfully, since this is Florida), decorated with golden palms for equally breezy vibes.
Discover More
Stephen Satterfield's Corner Table
