10 restaurants to try in Miami

Quick insights

• The restaurants in Miami span a wide range of cuisines, from Mediterranean to Vietnamese to Cuban.
• Seafood restaurants abound in this oceanside city where you can try fresh local seafood straight from the Atlantic Ocean.
• With so many rooftop and waterfront restaurants in Miami, there are ample opportunities to dine al fresco, take in city skyline and ocean views and enjoy the weather.

From cafeterias and fast food joints to ritzy steak and seafood spots, Miami offers a variety of dining experiences. The “Magic City” is a melting pot, and its diverse population is reflected in its food scene. Latin American and Caribbean influences persist on menus throughout the city. It’s also a place where you can embrace the latest dining trends or enjoy classic dishes that persist through time.

We’ve gathered a list of restaurants that may appeal to visitors and seasoned Miamians alike. Here are 10 restaurants to try in Miami.

Sanguich De Miami

The Cuban sandwich is a staple of the Miami dining scene, and this Little Havana sandwich shop serves up a modern take on the Cubano made with fresh, artisanal ingredients. This cafeteria also has other classic sandwiches of Cuban cuisine on the menu like pan con lechon, pan con bistec and pan con croqueta. Wash down your sanguich with a frosty batido (milkshake).

Caracas Bakery Biscayne

This family-owned bakery and café has a bright, modern interior and offers a range Venezuelan-French treats, including pastries, sandwiches and toasts. You’ll find Latin American favorites like cachitos and palmeritas alongside French classics like almond croissants. If you’re craving something heartier, stop by for breakfast or lunch to enjoy items made with their freshly baked bread, such as the Merguez toast, pan con tomate or the broccoli sandwich.

The Surf Club Restaurant

For nostalgic American dishes served in an art deco setting, stop by The Surf Club Restaurant located within the Four Seasons Hotel Surfside. The menu puts a modern twist on the Continental cuisine of a bygone era. Dishes like beef short rib Wellington, Maine lobster thermidor and Dover sole meunière feel right at home in the restaurant’s glamourous, old-school interior.

Tam Tam

Tam Tam “quán nhậu,” which refers to taverns in Vietnam where the food is meant to complement drinking with friends. You’ll find shareable items like lotus root salad, jungle steak tartare, nhau bone marrow and scallop pomelo goi. A mix of plant- and meat-forward dishes mean that vegans and carnivores can break bread here. Let the food fuel you as you sample their wine list and frozen drinks like the soursop daquiri and spiked Vietnamese ice coffee.

Boia De

The menu at Boia De features modern American dishes with an Italian influence. You may choose from plates of beef tartare, handmade pasta, lamb ribs and more in this cozy-yet-hip setting. The wine list features natural, special release and reserve wines among others, giving you a range of options to complement your bowl of fresh pasta.

La Mar

For a sophisticating dining experience at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, head to La Mar. With an eclectic menu specializing in novo-Andean cuisine and Asian-Peruvian fusion fare, the chefs turn the day’s fresh catch into made-to-order Peruvian raw fish dishes like cebiches and tiraditos. Classic Peruvian plates are updated with innovative touches like foams and edible flowers. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat on their expansive, waterfront terrace, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Soak in the Miami sun on the charming backyard patio at Mandolin Aegean Bistro. This eatery serves traditional Greek and Turkish food in a setting that evokes the coastal towns of the Aegean. Beyond the romantic ambiance, you’ll find a menu stocked with classic meze plates, kebabs, moussaka, lamb chops and more, as well as an assortment of Greek wines to go with your Aegean feast.

LPM Restaurant and Bar

LPM Restaurant and Bar offers diners a taste of Provençal and the Mediterranean. Dinner starts with LPM’s signature tomato and bread service, and you can follow it up with your choice of French Riviera-inspired dishes like escargot de Bourgogne, burrata et tomates, homemade gnocchi and yellowtail carpaccio. Try the Tomatini cocktail, a unique and refreshing mix of tomato, balsamic vinegar and vodka.

El Rey De Las Fritas

With a few locations throughout the Miami area, including the flagship location in Little Havana, this local fast food chain has been serving fritas—a Cuban-style hamburger—and a variety of other Cuban dishes for over 40 years. The original frita Cubana stacks a well-spiced 100% ground beef patty, julienne potatoes, sautéed onions and secret sauce on a soft Cuban roll. Pair your frita with an order of corn fritters or fried yuca.

Klaw Restaurant and Rooftop Bar

For surf and turf in swanky surroundings, consider a night out at Klaw Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, a sprawling oceanfront restaurant in Edgewater. Norwegian king crab, east coast oysters, Maine lobster and dry-aged steak are on the menu, as well as lavish seafood platters and towers from the raw bar. The three-story restaurant is located in a storied Spanish Renaissance building once home to the Miami Women’s Club, which adds to the sophisticated ambiance.

In summary

You’ll find a range of cuisines represented in the Magic City. Our list of Miami restaurants reflects the city’s dynamic food scene where local seafood, Caribbean and Latin food, the latest food trends, familiar favorites and more are served up across the city. Miami’s tropical setting is the backdrop for its diverse culinary scene, and many Miami eateries embrace the city’s warm climate by offering al fresco dining on rooftops and patios all year long.