Now on Resy: Wabi Sabi, Chimba, Klaw, and More Local Favorites

This airy space offers the perfect setting for enjoying fresh, simple, and clean Japanese dishes: Customizable donburi bowls and nigiri are indeed standouts, but the stunning ever-evolving omakase is what keeps us going back. And, yes, the origami wall is spectacular.

Midtown gets a taste of South America at this vibrant spot, with next-level empanadas, ceviche, and grilled steaks. Cocktails like the Huacachina sour with passionfruit keep the party going (along with the live DJ if you’re there on the weekend), and the Argentina-heavy wine list is fun to peruse.

This hot spot is a dressed-up take on the Japanese izakaya, with a range of seasonal small plates, tempura, and plenty of Wagyu. And when you want to dive deeper, enjoy sashimi and premium nigiri via the omakase experience at the sushi bar.

Whether for day-boosting smoothies and pastries in the morning, sweet and savory crêpes, or enjoying afternoon spritzes until you can’t spritz anymore, you’ll feel great doing it in the stylish Mr. C lobby cafe. Live entertainment and movie nights add to the fun.

Good food and live music go hand in hand, and this Sunny Isles Beach spot hits just the right notes with both. Zhuzhed up staples fill the menu, like a wagyu burger with truffle mayo, seared branzino, and bubbly pizzas. Live music, DJs, comedy shows — this should be your next choose-your-own-adventure night out.

Locals swear by this standby (a pioneer, even) for Neapolitan-style pizza and hearty pastas like tagliatelle Bolognese. The room is cozy, the staff is super friendly, and you’ll never walk away hungry.

Because the married chefs-owners behind this Downtown gem have already laid claim to a Michelin star in their home base of Spain. As such, expect rustic yet polished Spanish cuisine, with a lick or two from the wood-fired oven on site — don’t miss the Amazonian tiradito (with the couple’s signature neapia sauce), wild mushroom paella, Catalan-style mussels, or wood-fired lamb chops. Pro tip: The Basque-style cheesecake is a wonder and the tonka bean foam dessert comes straight from their Michelin-starred restaurant.

Beautiful design withstanding — the undulating ceiling is a stunner — the experience at Hiyakawa is all about deceptively simple, high-end cooking, featuring ingredients imported daily from Japan. Everything is prepared with the utmost care and precision, from pristine sushi and sashimi to fresh wasabi, agedashi tofu, grilled Wagyu, and more.

This vibrant Peruvian spot from chef Gastón Acurio (of La Mar) brings all the vibes in décor and on the plate. From the pisco bar to the ceviches, Nikkei dishes, lomo saltado, and very shareable whole fried snapper or cowboy steak, it feels like a party for anyone and everyone. 

Like the South Beach outpost (and original New York locations), those who know sushi know to come here for well-priced specials, great bento box options, and omakase featuring fresh, sustainably sourced catches. Pro tip: Everyone talks about the crispy rice selections for a reason. 

Like the other Motek locations, this is the perfect place for all-day brunch, especially when shakshuka and various mezze are involved. The Arayes burger (beef kofta kebabs stuffed into a soft pita with tahini and harissa) tastes even better in larger indoor-outdoor digs, with a cocktail by its side.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

A South Beach stunner in every sense, from the show-stopping outdoor terrace complete with cabanas and a water feature (don’t attempt walking across the floating stones, especially after cocktails) to the sizzling dining room. Mediterranean and Asian elements come together in surprising ways, like snapper crudo with tom yum vinaigrette.

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.