DESIGN DISTRICT/ WYNWOOD
ALTER
James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine Best New Chef Bradley Kilgore is elevating Miami’s culinary landscape one five- or seven-course menu at a time. Even world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura recently dropped by for dinner, and yes, he had the soft egg. 223 NW 23rd St., Miami, 305-573-5996; altermiami.com
BLACKBRICK
When Richard Hales decides to open a place for modern Chinese, of course Bon Appétit nominates it as one of America’s Best New Restaurants. Satisfy your dim sum craving with steamed, pan fried, or deep fried. 3451 NE First Ave., Miami, 305-573-8886; midtownchinese.com
FIREMAN DEREK’S
A fireman with a knack for baking pies started selling his version of Key lime for profit instead of compliments, and in little to no time, demand forced him to open a shop, where his offerings now include Oreo cheesecake, crack pie, and more. Find him here on his off days from the station. 2818 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 786-703-3623
KUSH
After the Lokal became one of Miami’s top burger joints, Matt Kushcher wanted to marry his love of buns and beer and bring both to Wynwood. The result? A curated collection of brews and rotating rare kegs, plus gourmet burgers with beef ground in-house from Cowart Ranch. 2003 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-576-4500; kushwynwood.com
KYU
What happens when two Zuma veterans decide to open a restaurant of their own? Wood-fired Asian-inspired chow in the heart of Wynwood. Chef Michael Lewis was recently named a James Beard Award semifinalist, and we think it has something to do with his short ribs. 251 NW 25th St., Miami, 786-577-0150; kyumiami.com
MORGANS
Where can you get brunch all day every day, including a mouthwatering Benedict burger? Hint: It starts with “Mor”—as in “more than enough reason to head to Morgans.” 28 NE 29th St., Miami, 305-573-9678; themorgansrestaurant.com
PLANT FOOD + WINE
Vegan authority Matthew Kenney is infiltrating the 305 with raw goodness by way of completely vegan faux-cheese boards, kelp cacio e pepe, and naturally infused cocktails. 105 NE 24th St., Miami, 305-814-5365; plantlab.com
PROOF
The Midtown pizzeria is beloved for its Neapolitan-style pies topped with oxtail and from-scratch pasta, and extensive beer and wine list.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t leave without finding out what the macaron (which is the size of a burger) flavor of the month is. 3328 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 786-5369562; proofpizza.com
WOOD TAVERN
Giant Jenga, Taco Tuesday, and ladies nights are just some of the happenings at this popular Arts District bar where hipsters congregate and battle it out on the dance floor. 2531 NW Second Ave., Miami, 305-748-2828; woodtavern.com
WYNWOOD KITCHEN & BAR
This Wynwood Walls hot spot offers creative tapas-style Latin cuisine. Fan favorites include the short-rib flautas, loaded sliders dubbed “Hamburguesitas,” and ropa vieja empanadas (of which they go through at least 1,000 on the weekends). Muy delicioso. 2550 NW Second Ave., Miami, 305-7228959; wynwoodkitchenandbar.com