DOWNTOWN/ BRICKELL/ COCONUT GROVE/ CORAL GABLES
AREA 31
The Epic Hotel’s 16th-floor eatery boasts exquisite seafood prepared by culinary mastermind Wolfgang Brik and a not-to-be-missed happy hour, all paired with panoramic (and arguably unbeatable) views of the bay. 270 S. Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami, 305-424-5234
ATRIO RESTAURANT AND WINE ROOM
Experience first-hand what it means to be wined and dined at the Conrad’s restaurant and lounge, which offers an innovative international menu and a superb selection of more than 200 vintage wines. 1395 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-503-6529
AZUL
This intimate Forbes Five Star restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental features modern American dishes infused with Asian influences. 500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami, 305-913-8358
GARCIA’S SEAFOOD GRILLE & FISH MARKET
Open for nearly half a century, this riverside restaurant serves some of the freshest catch in the Magic City. Have a serious sweet tooth? The classic Cuban desserts with a twist, like the guava mango cheesecake, will satisfy that. 398 NW North River Dr., Miami, 305-375-0765
KOMODO
Stop by nightlife king David Grutman’s three-story Brickell dining destination and lounge for delectable Southeast Asian-inspired fare with a side of A-list celeb sightings. 801 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-534-2211
LILT LOUNGE
Pop in for a pre- (or post-) dinner cocktail at the Epic Hotel’s exclusive bar and lounge, where you can sip specialty libations, nosh on $1 oysters, and dance to live music every Tuesday through Saturday from 6 to 8 PM. 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami, 305-351-7403
QUINTO LA HUELLA
Executive Chef Nano Crespo’s Uruguayan sensation—the East, Miami outpost of one of the best restaurants in Latin America—combines its wood grill and its eclectic meat-centric menu with views of Brickell City Centre. Ask about the sushi. 788 Brickell Plz., Miami, 786-805-4646
ROOFTOP AT E11EVEN
Take a breather from the 24/7 show club E11EVEN with a quick elevator ride to the roof, where handcrafted cocktails, savory small plates, and a DJ await. When you’re ready to resume partying, downstairs beckons. 15 NE 11th St., Miami, 305-358-9848
SEASPICE
This celebrity-approved seafood brasserie and lounge on the Miami River offers epic bottle brunches and a dock for those arriving by yacht. 422 NW North River Dr., Miami, 305-440-4200
WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE
Meat lovers, rejoice! Wolfgang Zweiner’s famed steakhouse is now a 305 staple, with its beloved 28-day dry-aged steak and other fan favorites, like a memorable Caesar salad, lamb and veal chop Milanese, and the same Junior’s cheesecake that people pay to have shipped from New York. 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-487-7130
ARIETE
Michael Schwartz and Norman Van Aken protégé Michael Beltran’s first solo endeavor (in partnership with Sidebar owner Jason Odio) is a delectable balance of elevated New American cuisine in a casual environment thumping with Biggie. The seasonal pies, cookies, and desserts are the handiwork of Hedy Goldsmith’s pupil Dallas Wynn. 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, 305-640-5862
CAFFE ABBRACCI
This is the type of white tablecloth, ruby lighting, Venetian glass art, and dome ceilinged Italian joint that a goodfella (and good Italian) like Tony Soprano would be a regular at, which is probably why—aside from the al dente pasta and socialite clientele—it’s been an under-the-radar hot spot for almost three decades. 318 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-441-0700
COPPER 29 BAR
Coral Gables’ first legit cocktail bar is shaking and stirring up creative concoctions with ingredients such as chia seed-infused vodka, avocado honey syrup, and Cabernet air foam. Bottoms up. 206 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 786-580-4689
GEORGE’S IN THE GROVE
Nestled among the cozy, tree-lined streets of the Grove, George’s serves up traditional French favorites, including its famed lamb shank, braised to perfection for more than three hours. 3145 Commodore Plz., Coconut Grove, 305-444-7878
GLASS AND VINE
Chopped winner and culinary mastermind Giorgio Rapicavoli is at it again, only this time he’s dishing out Florida stracciatella, charred cauliflower, and Florida beer-spiked PEI mussels with sour orange at what is arguably Coconut Grove’s most stunning eatery. 2820 Mcfarlane Road, Coconut Grove, 305-200-5268
GREENSTREET CAFE
With cinnamon roll pancakes and white peach purée Bellinis on the menu, it’s no wonder lines are forming around the block for brunch at this café. And at any other time of day, you can feast on popular offerings like braised short ribs with polenta and truffle honey or crab and lobster ravioli. Whiskey Wednesdays are still a thing, by the way. 3468 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, 305-444-0244
JOJO TEA
Want to know the origin of oolong? Make a reservation with Jojo founder and local tea guru Michael Ortiz and he’ll gladly fill you in during an omakase tea experience that will give you a newfound appreciation for the ancient art. 951 SW 42nd Ave. #305, Miami, 305-322-9521
LOKAL
What’s better than a burger? A burger between two scrumptious doughnuts from The Salty Donut. Get yours at this Coconut Grove burger and craft beer joint. 3190 Commodore Plz., Miami, 305-442-3377
ALL DAY
Wake up on the right side of the bed thanks to award-winning barista Camila Ramos’s java concoctions, including Thai iced coffee with Xocolatl mole bitters, as well as a sage sausage English muffin with marbled eggs or French toast made with tres leches batter that’ll have you hashtagging and coming here #Alldayeveryday. 1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-699-3447
EDGE STEAK & BAR
This stylish departure from the traditional steakhouse, helmed by local favorite Aaron Brooks, is the new crown jewel of the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, thanks in part to its ever-rotating lineup of house-made charcuterie, its limitless brunch, and its inimitable oyster happy hour. 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-358-3535
IL GABBIANO
Expect Italian cuisine that’s both decadent and exquisite, with all the accoutrements you can imagine (Parmesan wheel, anyone?) served with a view of Biscayne Bay. 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-373-0063
MANNA LIFE FOOD
Get proper nourishment—as in the food of the gods—at this plant-based superfood and juice bar, offering trademarked arepas, nori burritos, açai smoothies, and dairy-free mac ’n’ cheese for brunch. 80 NE Second Ave., Miami, 786-717-5060
MARION
Stop by this Brickell dining destination to indulge in singularly mouthwatering Mediterranean fare, from prime skirt steak with wasabi chimichurri to risotto served with Japanese mushrooms. 1111 SW First Ave., Miami, 786-717-7512
N BY NAOE
Reservations are required for this omakase experience of a lifetime, courtesy of chef Kevin Cory. Here, the only menu is the chef’s menu and the only table is communal. 661 Brickell Key Dr., Miami, 305-947-6263
NIU KITCHEN
Located in a sliver of a space (only 20 seats), this hidden gem is a well-kept secret among locals, even though its chef partner, Deme Lomas, is a James Beard Award semifinalist. Standouts include, well, everything on the menu, particularly the cold tomato soup and the ous. 134 NE Second Ave., Miami, 786-542-5070
RIVER YACHT CLUB
A Vandutch lounge and terrace, docking facilities, and riverside garden seating are among the draws here, as is the rotating roster of nationally acclaimed chefs, like Alex Chang, dishing out seasonal plates. Keep an eye open for rosé parties on the weekend. 401 SW Third Ave., Miami, 305-200-5716
TOSCANA DIVINO
Brickell’s trattoria features an Italian happy hour dubbed Aperitivo Italiano every Wednesday, handmade pasta every day, plus classes so you can make authentic Italian at home. 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-930-6873
TRULUCK’S SEAFOOD STEAK & CRAB HOUSE
A fantastic combination of the freshest Florida stone crab, juicy steaks, and a collection of more than 100 wines. 777 Brickell Ave., Miami, 305-579-0035
ZUMA
London restaurateur Rainer Becker offers internationally acclaimed Japanese “pub fare” at the Epic Hotel, but don’t be confused by the fancy description. It’s sushi at its best. 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami, 305-577-0277
MONTY’S RAW BAR
Crack open steamed clams and oysters or nosh on conch fritters while downing frozen favorites like the Miami Vice or the famous Pain Remover (a blend of rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple and orange juices), all served with a side of waterfront views. 2550 S. Bayshore Dr., Coconut Grove, 305-856-3992
ORTANIQUE ON THE MILE
See (and taste) for yourself why chef Cindy Hutson is heralded for her culinary ingenuity at this Miracle Mile staple, where she fuses Latin and Caribbean flavors in dishes like jerk chicken penne pasta and West Indianstyle bouillabaisse. 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305-446-7710
PALME D’OR
The longest-running French eatery in Miami boasts upscale Parisian fare, including braised rabbit and tempurabattered frog legs, along with an expansive wine list. 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, 305-913-3201
PASCAL’S ON PONCE
Chef Pascal Oudin opened his Coral Gables mainstay in 2000 after being named one of America’s Best New Chefs by Food & Wine in 1995 and the Best New Chef in Florida by Esquire in 1997. Seventeen years later, he continues to delight with his contemporary spins on classic French foods and techniques, like his gourmet sirloin burger filled with braised short ribs. 2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 305-444-2024
TAP 42 GABLES
This is the place to be for happy hour on Friday (favored sips include the blood orange cosmojito, the mule on tap, and the “te-kill-ya”) and bottomless brunch on Sunday (can you say “chocolate banana French toast”?). 301 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables, 786-391-1566
VERSAILLES
A Miami institution flooded with politicians discussing city matters over ropa vieja and black beans, this Calle Ocho staple and its Cuban sandwich got their 15 minutes of fame in the film Chef. 3555 SW Eighth St., Miami, 305-444-0240