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

Miami is no stranger to Latin flavors, yet somehow this food hall counter is whipping up Ecuadorian cuisine like South Florida has never seen — with unusual flavor combinations like sweet plantain-stuffed tortellini and goat ragu inspired by the country’s traditional goat stews. Honoring chef Alejandra Espinoza’s Ecuadorian heritage, the menu explicitly calls out the inspiration for many of the dishes — from specific regional dishes, to Ecuador’s diversity of seafood and tropical fruit, to the chef’s own grandmother’s cornbread recipe. But at Cotoa, Espinoza takes these classics and provides a progressive twist – reminding us that traditional flavors can still be delivered with modern Miami flair, in as humble a setting as a food hall.

Whether you’re in the mood for a full meal or simply some leisurely sips of wine, this Wynwood mainstay always promises a fun time with multiple concepts in one. You get a full restaurant with a cozy 28-seat bar where diners can watch chefs craft fresh pasta by hand, a charming enoteca lined with naturalish wines selected by Miami wine expert Karina Iglesias, and even an al fresco patio for aperitivo. The menu eschews meat entrees in favor of four main categories: red sauce pasta, white sauce pasta, more pasta, and not pasta (namely the appetizers). And with a Michelin-starred Italian chef leading the kitchen, each handmade pasta plate is executed to perfection. The inviting outdoor courtyard is ideal for an aperitivo.

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. (And which, as noted above, you can revisit for a limited time at Maty’s.) 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).

Proof that there’s enough room in town for two Carbones, this sister of the world-famous red sauce joint puts its focus on wine. Inspired by Italy’s enotecas, Vino offers a 600-plus bottle wine list alongside Carbone signature dishes like spicy rigatoni and tableside Caesar, plus new pastas exclusive to this concept. Of note, their housemade spaghettini Bambini is a grown-up version of the basic butter noodles that are a childhood staple, except made here with butter and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. Don’t forget to end your meal with an enormous cannoli sundae for the table, made with cannoli soft-serve topped with chopped pistachios and shaved chocolate, plus a ring of freshly fried cannoli shells. Pro tip: The bar is open to walk-ins and serves the full menu.

With Miami’s café culture on the rise, this charming neighborhood Latin diner from the Miami Slice folks has quickly become a favorite breakfast spot. Tina in the Gables serves a soigné all-day brunch, which means that instead of your classic plate of ham and eggs, here you’ll find dishes like Sunny Side Duck with sunny-side up duck eggs and smoky duck breast bacon. And on the lunch-y side, hearty protein plates like juicy picanha and rotisserie chicken please everyone at the table no matter the time of day. It’s a cozy spot, and everything from their basic brown-rimmed plates to the classic wooden chairs with woven seats will make you feel like you’ve walked into a family member’s living room.

More info here.

Amara delivers on the Miami waterfront promise that so many restaurants can’t: enviable views with the food to back it, thanks to legendary local chef Michael Schwartz’s take on Latin American cooking. With its rare east-facing perch on Biscayne Bay, Amara transforms a meal of bold local flavors into a postcard-perfect experience. The indoor-outdoor space makes the most of its bayfront location, creating that quintessential Miami moment when sunset cocktails transition seamlessly into dinner. We especially love the breezy patio complete with seating on the sand that feels like your own secret stretch of beach. It’s the rare spot that works equally well for impressing out-of-town guests or for locals seeking a delicious reminder of why they live here.

Miami’s oldest steakhouse is still one of its best, and it’s where you go when you want a special night out that guarantees you’ll be treated like a VIP. For over 45 years, the local landmark has wined-and-dined some of the highest dignitaries, but the top-notch service extends to us common folk, too. Even after a refresh and change in ownership, Christy’s retains a warm, old-school feel. A meal at Christy’s must start with their signature Caesar salad and end with a baked Alaska flambéd tableside. (If we haven’t convinced you, watching the showy dessert appear at every other table at the restaurant should do the trick.) We’re always partial to the carved-to-order, slow-roasted prime rib.

Grab your spork and dive into a world of pure imagination. Palma gets creative with ingredients in ways that can be wildly delicious at best, and certainly memorable at the least. Palma’s chef Juan Camilo Liscano worked at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe and the U.S. before returning to his hometown of Miami to highlight local flavors and farmers with culinary techniques he’s gathered from cultures across the globe. We can’t tell you exactly what will be on the tasting menu the day you’re dining at Palma (other than a signature sweet plantain brioche bread and butter course that comes out mid-meal), but we can predict the plates will be small, ingredient-driven jewels, ranging from overly inventive to explosively flavorful. Palma’s evolving multi-course menu runs $85 per person, which is arguably a steal these days in Miami.

Somehow this sushi sanctuary in Edgewater remains a relative secret compared to other sushi hot spots — perhaps because there’s no sign marking its entrance. Inside, Aoko’s inviting wood accents, gentle lighting, and soothing soundtrack all welcome you in for an almost-meditative meal of pristinely prepared raw fish. The à la carte menu consists of fresh nigiri and sashimi by the piece, or maki and temaki by the roll, but Aoko also offers excellent omakase options for under $100. Make your way to the bathroom to smell their signature housemade scented candles, which you can also purchase and take home with you.

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.

As Wynwood has evolved from eclectic arts district to buzzy hot spot, Kyu has remained a Miami must-try by blending a range of Asian flavors with American barbecue techniques that make their wood-fired dishes feel both familiar and exciting. The industrial-meets-cozy vibe is the perfect backdrop for this culinary exploration, as the open kitchen’s flames provide both visual drama and a glimpse into the careful technique behind each plate. The famous roasted cauliflower and coconut cake have achieved cult status, and their slow-cooked meats like duck breast burnt ends and sweet soy brisket are delectably smoky and tender. And Kyu is also committed to sustainability by raising money to plant trees to help offset their wood consumption from the wood-burning grill.

This neighborhood gem, tucked away from South Beach’s tourist crowds, offers that rare combination of technical precision and heartfelt hospitality that makes regulars out of first-time visitors. Chef Frederic Joulin, who honed his craft in Parisian kitchens, brings understated elegance to French comfort food classics, like the impossibly fork-tender beef Bourguignon and escargot served atop bone marrow instead of the traditional ceramic baking dish. The restaurant’s unpretentious setting — wooden wall paneling, intimate banquettes, and a welcoming central bar — creates the perfect backdrop for food that prioritizes substance over showmanship. Their secret weapon might be the warm, crusty baguette, a must-order for sopping up the rich, wine-laced sauces that define true French cooking.

Considering many have likened the cosmopolitan coastal city of Tel Aviv to the Miami Beach of the Middle East, it’s no surprise locals are so fond of Abbalé. Inspired by Israeli cafes, Abbalé’s modern Mediterranean menu also leans into Latin flavors and the co-founder’s Telavivian roots. Breads are made in house, so you’re going to want to tear into their piping-hot, freshly baked pita and dip into their ultra-silky Israeli-style hummus. Add to that meat and seafood plates cooked on open-fire, or al ha’esh. We love the original South Beach location for its charming bougainvillea-wrapped patio, but the expansive Aventura dining room is equally inviting, lined with olive trees and cozy banquettes.

When you’re looking for sushi that’s anything but standard, Miss Crispy Rice is both fun and delicious. This sushi counter is known for their laid-back omakase experience that centers around our personal favorite part of any sushi menu — namely, the crispy rice and hand rolls. The fish is flown in from Tokyo’s markets and dry aged in-house to make every bite flavorful and tender, and the resulting plates range from simple to gourmet, like classic spicy tuna crispy rice or a signature hand roll of pork belly, fatty tuna, and caviar. For the full tasting menu experience, be sure to book a reservation at the 16-seat Omakase Bar for lunch or dinner. Alternatively, the Kaisedon Bar offers an express service which includes chirashi bowls and dumplings. 

We love a cozy gem of a restaurant that’s equally about the ambiance as it is about the food, and Jass hits all the right notes. You get romantic chandeliers, red brick walls, and vibrant Turkish flavors in an inviting space that comes to life at night with live jazz music. Amid a menu of cold and hot mezzes that are perfect for sharing, the specialty is a dish of slow-cooked lamb shank and vegetables topped with homemade brioche that feels like a Turkish pot pie. Check the live music calendar before you go: in addition to jazz crooners, you’ll find folk, Latin, and even Turkish acts.

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.