Miami’s culinary scene has been making waves recently, with a nationally famous wine and food festival, 11 Michelin-starred restaurants, multiple James Beard Award semi-finalists, and a new restaurant opening almost every 15 seconds. Bon Appétit magazine has taken notice and named Miami “Food City of the Year” in its latest issue. According to editor-in-chief Dawn Davis, the magazine’s editors kept returning to Miami during their travels across the country in search of bold new places to eat.
Whatever you want to eat, Miami has it: Cuban cafecito, Turkish manti, Southern fried chicken, made-from-scratch Italian pasta, Peruvian seafood. The city is buzzing with a sense of opportunity right now, and a wave of up-and-coming local and new-to-town chefs have picked up on that air of possibility. It’s led to a spate of daring, exciting restaurants that are reshaping this city in the best way. My advice for those visiting Miami: Venture beyond South Beach and skip around to different neighborhoods and try everything—from casual breakfast bites to swanky nighttime dining.
Bon Appétit’s feature highlighted some of Miami’s most exceptional restaurants, including Itamae, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant in Miami’s Design District that was recognized as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide last year. Other acclaimed hot spots include Suite Habana Café in Wynwood, El Turco Turkish restaurant in Upper Buena Vista (also a Bib Gourmand), Rosie’s in Little River, Zak the Baker in Wynwood (another Bib Gourmand), Broken Shaker cocktail bar at the Freehand Hotel in Miami Beach, Paradis Books & Bread in North Miami Beach, Jaguar Sun in Miami, and Krüs Kitchen and Los Félix, both located in Coconut Grove.
Bon Appétit also recommended trying Lil Greenhouse Grill and Red Rooster in Overtown, Michael Beltran’s Michelin-starred Ariete in the Grove, and Doce Provisions and Azucar Ice Cream Company in Little Havana. Overall, Miami’s dynamic dining scene has put the city on the map as a must-visit food destination.
