Now on Resy: Sereia, Novikov, Palma, and More Local Favorites

Little Havana is full of excellent restaurants, but there’s nothing quite like this inviting little tasting menu jewel. Palma, after all, is where Florida-born chef Juan Camilo Liscano (whose résumé includes stints at Momofuku Ko in New York and Ikoyi in London) works magic with local ingredients, transforming them with French technique and Latin American flavors.

If you’re looking for a splurge, this caviar-laced global chain is the spot. You’ll find the black pearls on top of crispy Peking duck, tucked into juicy wagyu sliders, glistening on top of sushi and handmade dim sum, and more. If you’re going Biscayne Bay big, go big.

Because the pasta alla ruota (pasta tossed inside a Grana Padano wheel) is a specialty at this family-focused spot. Consider it the perfect midway point between your apps (calamari fritti and Caesar salad, if you know what’s good for you) and the grilled porterhouse Fiorentina.

The hallmark of a great Peruvian restaurant is its ceviche, and here, it’s made with fresh corvina fish in your choice of sauce (ají amarillo is always a good choice), and served with plump Peruvian corn. The causas always hit, as does the lomo saltado and the proper pisco sour.

The hallmarks of this vibey steakhouse include lots of white leather, huge booths, dramatic purple lighting, and a party atmosphere. The menu features perfectly grilled steaks, chilled shellfish towers, and great cocktails. That all tracks for the Aventura location. 

Hit this delightful all-day café for exceptional coffee (the latte art alone is worth a spin), fluffy French toast, sweet and savory crêpes, and salads or sandwiches that play well into the evening. Indoor and out, Bon Bouquet is cheery and floral.

The Mediterranean vibe is alive and well at this Midtown spot, from the emerald green velvet touches and brassy hues to the La Vie en Rose cocktail. Share whipped labneh with charred maitakes and homemade pita, piri piri chicken, and bone-in pork chops with romesco cream sauce. Stay for the DJ and extra bubbly.

If you can’t tell by the name, pasta takes center stage at this Wynnwood charmer. Each twist of tagliatelle, stuffed agnolotti, and rolled pici is made by hand and on view in the open kitchen. And thanks to the chefs’ meeting in Lima (where their first restaurant lives), Peruvian influences abound.

You could come just for the pies, which have a tangy homemade sauce, three cheeses, and a crackling, brick-oven crust. (PS: Pepperoni isn’t just an afterthought; slices are also crisped up and served as a side dish.) But don’t be afraid to veer into other parts of the menu, from fresh salads to saucy chicken wings and eggplant parm.

You might think you’re in some fashionable Milanese trattoria when you step inside this bustling South Beach spot, and the food — including an abundance of pasta, pizza, and meat and seafood dishes — will double down on that impression. Special occasion? Get the Terra e Mare combo for two, a 16-ounce cowboy steak plus grilled lobster and octopus.

With sleek and sexy décor — lots of mirrored black, leather, and pops of red — Red South Beach offers a contemporary steakhouse vibe. Expect chilled martinis, oysters, iceberg wedge salads, and any steak cooked just the way you like it. Just know the truffle pasta is known to knocks people’s socks off.

In a city with no shortage of Cuban restaurants, this homey place, with its walls covered in photos and posters evoking Cuba’s capital in bygone days, stands out for its delectable specialties, from Abuela’s toston breakfast to housemade empanadas and classic ropa vieja — plus eight different mojitos and rum-based margaritas.

After over a decade, this pioneering Design District spot still delivers fresh, modern Italian dishes in a stylish space. Simplicity shines through everything: ahi tuna crudo with grapefruit, fennel, and crispy quinoa; mini fig pizzas or Brussels sprouts and truffle pizzas; handmade pastas; and thick rib eyes or honey-glazed pork chops grilled to perfection. Brunch is still a city standout.

Because for more than a decade, La Ventana has been serving Miami Beach the best of Colombian cuisine. Pro tip: Follow the chef’s recommendations and start with “Mi Tierra” (an appetizer plate with a taste of almost everything), followed by a mixed grill or mixed seafood platter for two.

True to its name, the tacos at this vibrant Miami Beach spot are something else — think four seafood variations and a steak-and-cheese signature called La Rosa de Guadalupe — but know that Mama’s also offers burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and other south-of-the-border dishes.

In the light-flooded dining room or on the breezy covered terrace, this super-hospitable corner of Cuba-in-Miami does a bang-up job with all the specialties you know and love, including lechón asado, two kinds of paella, and a Cuban sandwich that defines the genre. And there’s a reason there’s a mojito (available in numerous variations) on every table.

The Art Deco Cavalier Hotel’s all-day restaurant is located right on Ocean Drive, with patio seats prime for people-watching. The menu caters to all tastes, with an emphasis on seafood, so anything from paella to pasta and pizza.

With vintage signs and artifacts covering every inch of wall; a multi-colored bar dispensing tequila, mezcal, and numerous margaritas; sidewalk seating for great people-watching on Collins Avenue; and a menu offering almost any Mexican standard you can imagine … You know Don Sombrero is going to be fun.

With its postcard setting of white-washed walls, bright yellow lemons, and bougainvillea everywhere, Osteria Positano might just remind you of the Amalfi Coast. Think of places where cacio e pepe is tossed in a cheese wheel, and where individual tiramisu is made just for you at the table. Creamy carbonara gilded with burrata and truffles might seem over the top — until that first bite.

Blink and you might think you’re somewhere in the Greek isles, but Kiki’s colorful, eclectic dining room and bougainvillea-lined terrace are right on the Miami River. The party vibes fill every inch of the place, whether you’re there for pitchers of mojitos and smoked salmon towers at brunch or an array of spreads, salads, and pasta platters at night.