Little Havana’s top Cuban chefs could go head-to-head with Havana’s finest, and Miami’s culinary excellence extends far beyond the medianoche and cubano sandwiches we’re used to. The city’s restaurant scene is as dynamic as it’s ever been, with tasty new kitchens popping up alongside stellar standbys. Here are five new Miami restaurants that should be on every foodie’s radar.
Ariete
Chef Michael Beltran and restaurateur Jason Odio have a good thing going on at Ariete, the Coconut Grove restaurant they opened in January. Ariete’s cuisine is categorized as New American, but the menu screams French, and hints of Cuban influence can be found in almost every dish. Ariete’s menu is somewhat vegetarian-friendly, and also serves beef, salty pork, and fish so fresh that even the fussiest carnivores and seafood connoisseurs can walk away satisfied. Ariete is just a 15-minute drive from our apartments at AMLI Dadeland.
Bulla Gastrobar
Popular Coral Gables tapas bar Bulla opened a new location in Doral in March. The Doral location has ample dining space, yet it is consistently packed. Spanish-born chef Miguel Rebolledo knows his craft, and pays attention to every detail from the first stages of food prep to the final presentation. If you like tapas, drop in for some arroz marinero, Cubano Iberico, and a glass of your favorite wine or beer after work.
Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market
Directly across 53rd Street from Bulla is Dragonfly, another hot new Doral restaurant worth checking out. Dragonfly’s menu is expansive and authentic, with the English language descriptions being the only obvious difference between it and an izakaya in Japan.
If Japanese cuisine makes you tick, definitely check Dragonfly out. Come for the noodle bar. Come for a la carte sushi. Come for a fresh, grab-and-go meal from the fish market. Come for the modern, Japanese-inspired decor. You won’t be disappointed.
Glass and Vine
Eating House chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s new restaurant was a success on day one. His established reputation probably helped, but the impeccably decorated open-air setting and inventive, Florida-style cuisine certainly pack an inviting punch. The watermelon salad is one of this Miami restaurant’s most talked-about dishes. But choosing from creative concoctions like conch fritters takoyaki and grilled sweetbreads can make decisive ordering a challenge. It may help to sip on one of their delightful cocktails while poring over the menu though. Glass and Vine is a 15-minute drive from the luxury living community at AMLI Dadeland.
KYU
Upscale Japanese restaurant Zuma is revered as much for its cuisine as it is for its stunning ambiance and views. So, when former Zuma chef Michael Lewis and general manager Steven Haigh announced their plans to open a wood-fired Asian grill, there was little chance it wouldn’t take off. Still, the reviews coming in from critics and diners have exceeded expectations. At KYU, you can watch Chef Lewis and his team grill fresh, local ingredients using a Japanese barbecue method called yakinku. And then you can eat to your heart’s content.
Where will you eat your next meal? If you’re craving something bold and delicious that relatively few diners have yet indulged in, try one of these hot new Miami restaurants.
Have you already eaten at one of the Miami restaurants on this list? Share your experience in the comments.
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