There are perks to off-peak dining…

… such as Petralunga’s 50% off weekly promos (check out their website to see them all). The absolute highlights were the fried zucchini with stracciatella, the Roman-style spicy four-cheese pizza (extra thin and crispy), a wonderful branzino, and the must-have tableside tiramisu (worth the caloric splurge). The restaurant’s right by the waterfront, tucked away in North Bay Village, so definitely sit outside on their patio. It’s such a good neighborhood gem.

— Jennifer Quinones, Partner Success Team Manager

I really enjoyed dining…

… at chef Kwame Onwuachi’s new restaurant, Las’ Lap. The oxtail Cuban was incredibly flavorful and came with a side of mojo sauce for all dipping needs. But it was the brown stew chicken that was the highlight of my night — as a Jamaican gyal, I was very impressed with the rice and peas — truly some of the best I’ve ever had.

— Camryn Morris, Social Media Analyst

The new winter menu…

… at Abbalé has some standout dishes, like a za’atar roasted chicken, a seared tuna with Moroccan spices, and a saffron tahdig that reminded me of my Persian grandmother’s cooking. And I will never not order their tahini soft serve for dessert, which is super creamy and has a nutty finish.

— Sara Liss, Miami Writer, Resy Editorial

As a serial food sampler…

… I nearly had a micro-panic attack when my Tâm Tâm tablemates suggested double orders of both the fish sauce chicken wings and Tamarind glazed ribs — I’d much rather try and share as many dishes as possible, even if it means getting fewer bites. The good news is: we easily devoured both piles of crispy wings and sticky ribs, and our group dinner outing was a success. My absolute highlight, though, was the lamb wrap situation — it’s so fun to assemble your own perfect bite with all the colorful, crisp veggies and herbs that come on the platter.

— Lyssa Goldberg, Miami Writer, Resy Editorial

Please don’t tell anyone about this place…

Sazón Cubano is my hidden gem. There are so many regulars there, and I am one of them. It’s a perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot, where you can bring your laptop, sit under a pagoda, and work in a space that feels straight out of pre-revolution Cuba. There’s often live music at night, guayabera-clad waiters, and an excellent no-frills menu that’s such great value.

On my last visit, I came for breakfast and enjoyed the combo: eggs with potato, a tostada Cubana, some bacon, and a cafe con leche, all for $13. The coffee was so good that I stayed for two more. I highly recommend you take a digestive stroll along the sandy beach after, since it’s literally just steps away. You seriously can’t beat this spot.

— Jennifer Quinones, Partner Success Team Manager

For some standout mezes…

… Mandolin is it. We loved the roasted beets, the Alinazik kebab, and the roasted mushrooms. My favorite dish by far was the olive oil ice cream on their “specials of the day” board (never sleep on their dessert specials, they’re almost always mind blowing!). Pro tip: Get the coffee, probably the best Turkish coffee in Miami by a mile.

— Jonathan Cespedes, Senior Engineer

The perfect setting for a family night out…

… is Macchialina. Gnocco fritto, salumi, local burrata, and a broccoli rabe Caesar (with a healthy amount of garlic) started things off just right, with several pastas (don’t sleep on the gnocchetti) and branzino rounding out the savory dishes. Paired with patio vibes, warm hospitality, and martinis from their creative list, this Miami classic made for a great start to the holiday break.

— Aaron Ginsberg, Chief Partner Officer

I was lucky enough to snag a seat…

… at Torno Subito’s recent reopening in their new space at The Moore. Massimo Bottura was in the house and it was a treat to see the chef in action — he made sure everyone had a chance to try some aged Parmigiano-Reggiano drizzled with balsamic vinegar. But it was the main courses that truly transported us: highlights included the crab in saor (in which Florida stone crab is paired with crispy polenta), the sweet-and-sour onions and lemon gel, the oven-baked Patagonian toothfish with potato and leeks, foamy bagna cauda with smoked trout roe, and of course, the truffle pasta. The charcoal-colored dessert “Oops, I Burned the Key Lime Pie” with smoked lime ice cream is both a visual show-stopper and wildly delicious.

— Sara Liss, Miami Writer, Resy Editorial

There’s a lovely new gem in South Beach…

… by the name of BeyBey, where Lebanese and Yucatecan flavors abound. The aubergine croqueta and the za’atar short rib were the stars of the night — second only to their lively cocktail program.

— Jennifer Quinones, Partner Success Team Manager

I recently revisited…

… Pastis after years and I was in love all over again — that outdoor courtyard, the buzzing atmosphere, the fried artichokes, and the perfectly seared trout amandine with crispy almonds hit all the right notes. We ended with the classic profiteroles, which are truly some of the best in town.

— Sara Liss, Miami Writer, Resy Editorial

I kicked off my holiday break in the best way possible…

… with the signature spicy rigatoni at the very cozy Carbone Vino in the Grove. But it was the exclusive-to-Vino brown butter pumpkin agnolotti that were truly irresistible. The service and Barolo wine by-the-glass were also on point, and I was particularly impressed with a daily special that had so many layers of flavor: lobster and burrata with basil oil.

— Lyssa Goldberg, Miami Writer, Resy Editorial

It was a delight to dine at…

… Carbone. Our server Jake truly enhanced our experience and was overall the best part of the night. Our favorite dish was the flavor-packed bone-in NY strip (which lived up to everyone’s expectations), with a close second being the incredibly tasty lobster ravioli. Pro tip: Arrive early to give yourself time to find parking, but also, so you may bask in the ambiance of this lovely restaurant.

— Brianna Calixte, Operations Analyst

For an amazing dining experience…

… head to Aviv. Between the restaurant space to the atmosphere, the service, and the food, everything flows together perfectly. I dined with a friend and we ordered the hummus tehina, the eggplant (with muhammara and carob molasses), the beef shishlik with black garlic toum, and the pargiyot (a skewered chicken dish). Everything was delicious and we cannot wait to make it back again.

— Makenna Kaminski, Regional Seller

I keep returning to…

… Silverlake Bistro for their radicchio Caesar salad — generous on the anchovies — and their classic namesake burger. This gem is a proper Normandy favorite that’s (thankfully) far removed from the hustle and bustle of Miami’s dining scene.

— Jennifer Quinones, Partner Success Team Manager

Bonus: This spot has quickly become…

… one of my favorite restaurants in South Florida. I adore Yolo and their upbeat atmosphere, the playlist, and their indoor-outdoor vibe. Their food is fantastic — I loved the grilled peri-peri half chicken and their Afterglow cocktail.

— Makenna Kaminski, Regional Seller

More Miami staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.