The Resy Guide to Dining in Miami’s Design District

Michael’s Genuine is the restaurant that put the Design District on the dining map. Since opening in 2007, it has anchored the neighborhood with a New American menu that shifts based on what’s in season. Dishes are straightforward, but always full of finesse and bring out the best in ingredients: wood-oven pizzas, whole roasted fish, refreshing raw bar plates, and hearty vegetable sides sit comfortably side-by-side. There’s an open kitchen that invites diners in on the action and an outdoor courtyard that remains lively, whether it’s lunch, brunch, dinner or happy hour. After all these years, it’s still the reliable, welcoming neighborhood spot that sets the tone for how people eat, drink and gather in the Design District.

COTE brings a luxe take on Korean barbecue to the Design District, pairing top-grade beef with a high-energy communal dining style. And it’s as well-suited for a lively group dinner as it is for an intimate night out. Tables center around built-in grills, where servers handle the seasoning and cooking with precision, turning the process into part of the show. Cuts range from dry-aged USDA Prime to American and Japanese wagyu, each treated with care. The Butcher’s Feast delivers a well-rounded spread of meats and Korean sides, while a steak omakase offers a more indulgent progression for those willing to splurge.

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L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon holds the distinction of being Florida’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant. The experience centers on a sleek counter with just 34 seats, where every diner faces the open kitchen and watches the culinary and service team at work. The menu reflects the late French master’s philosophy of transforming simple dishes with impeccable technique. The signature eight-course Evolution Menu and four-course menu change with the seasons, while weekend lunch menus and à la carte choices offer more flexible entry points for those seeking to experience this level of cuisine.

Read more about what to expect at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon here.

Mother Wolf is not an Italian restaurant – it’s a Roman restaurant, specifically. That means the entire menu is rooted in Roman tradition, with thin crust, traditional pizzas and handmade pastas like cacio e pepe and all’Amatriciana (okay, there’s also chef Evan Funke’s famous sfincione focaccia, which is actually Sicilian). For secondi, branzino and several steaks round out the offerings. Splashed in shades of red, the dramatic space blends Roman influence with the Art Deco style that’s a Miami signature – Murano glass chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring, and a fountain-framed foyer that echoes Rome’s iconic fountains add a sense of occasion to a meal here. Most notably, a glass-enclosed “pasta lab” brings the craft and artistry of pasta-making to the forefront, with a chef inside who can be seen hand-rolling pasta shapes throughout dinner service.

Read more about Mother Wolf here.

Looking for a trip to Lake Como instead? Carbone’s Northern Italian cousin, Contessa brings a grand two-story Italian trattoria to the Design District, with soaring ceilings, marble details, and a pink palette that oozes Milanese glamor. The all-day menu options consist of pastas, whole-grilled fish, Tuscan beef, and even imported burrata and buffalo mozzarella from Naples. Refreshing Spritz cocktails, negronis, and a deep Italian wine list round out the experience, making it a spot that feels as fitting for a long lunch as for a celebratory dinner.

At the heart of the Design District is MIA Market, a chef-driven food hall where the quality is consistently high. The space features a central bar and a rotating mix of vendors that keep things interesting – making it a place to sample, linger, and find something new each visit. Some of our favorites include Michelin-recognized Sushi Yasu Tanaka, known for delivering standout sushi with pristine fish and clean presentations (chef Yasu Tanaka recently expanded his reach with Pari Pari Handroll Bar in Wynwood, too). Meanwhile, from the same team behind wine bar and event space La Bibliotheque, Chèvre brings a more snacky angle, with gourmet sandwiches, caviar and cheese plates.

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Le Jardinier in the Design District frames vegetables as the centerpiece, weaving them into exquisite modern French dishes with layered flavors and textures. Seasonal menus feature produce-forward plates accented with fish, meat or grains, all presented with careful technique. And even the specialty cocktails are built around herbs and botanicals that echo the same fresh sensibility. Meanwhile, Le Jardinier’s dining room and patio feel equally light and artful, with greenery and sculptural details creating a serene backdrop.

This iconic brunch spot is tailored for the Design District’s fashion-forward setting. Located on the second floor of the Kith store, Sadelle’s at Kith offers bar-style seating for a quick drop-in bite between shopping or vibrant turquoise booths for the full all-day dining experience. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., this Design District location has its own polished-retro feel and a slightly altered menu (think less eggs, more sandwiches), but all of the necessary staples for an over-the-top brunch in one of Miami’s most posh neighborhoods. Brace yourself for big, shareable plates like towering triple-decker club sandwiches and pancake stacks, plus house-smoked salmon and $300 caviar service.

This Mexico-based taqueria chain brings its breezy vibe to the Design District, serving Mexico City-style street food in a colorful, casual space. With vintage signage and a beach-shack palette, it feels easy to settle in for a quick lunch or gather with friends over pitchers of margaritas and tacos. The traditional-leaning menu spans the gamut from classic al pastor and Baja-style crispy fish tacos to fresh guac and totopos, burritos and quesadillas, and crispy fried churros with Mexican chocolate sauce. Traditional corn and flour tortillas are made in their own factory, and the counter service setup keeps things relaxed but efficient.

ZZ’s Courtyard offers a midday escape in the Design District with its Courtyard Lunch, set in a private garden-like space that feels removed from the bustle of shoppers beyond its boundaries. (Indoors, ZZ’s Members Club remains for members only.) The menu focuses on Japanese-inspired dishes like pristine sushi, chirashi bowls, bento boxes and wagyu sandos, served in a setting that invites lingering. Tables are shaded under umbrellas and comfortably spaced, giving a meal here the air of a hidden retreat. As suitable for a business meeting as it is for a leisurely catch-up, lunch here feels like a genuine occasion.