DESIGN DISTRICT/ MIDTOWN
BEAKER & GRAY
What happens when barkeep Ben Potts (a Broken Shaker and Blackbird veteran) and Executive Chef Brian Nasajon join forces? Delectable global small plates and the best cocktails in Wynwood. Also: boozy bottomless brunch. 2637 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-699-2637; beakerandgray.com
BOCCE BAR
Midtown’s latest addition distinguishes itself from your typical Italian restaurants with a bocce ball court and its rustic feel and cozy ambience, not to mention aperitivohour aged negronis. 3252 NE First Ave., Miami, 786-245-6211; bocceristorante.com
HARRY’S PIZZERIA
When James Beard Award winner Michael Schwartz does pizza, you better believe it’s wood-fired and topped with the finest ingredients, like braised short rib. It’s no wonder Daily Meal named it one of America’s best pies. 3918 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 786-275-4963; harryspizzeria.com
JACK’S MIAMI
You might not know Jack, but Jack’s Miami knows home cooking, specifically Italian home cooking, like baked pastas and Nonna’s secret meatballs. 2426 NE Second Ave., Miami, 305-640-5507; jacksmiami.com
MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD & DRINK
The restaurant that started Michael Schwartz’s empire, and the first place to eat in the Design District, the eatery still upholds its reputation as the perfect spot for a celebrity sighting, lunch meeting, or local salad. 130 NE 40th St., Miami, 305-573-5550; michaelsgenuine.com
LAGNIAPPE
Offering over 150 wines and beers and a variety of grilled basics, cheeses, and charcuterie along with live music every night makes this a favored hangout for young professionals and hipsters alike. 3425 NE Second Ave., Miami, 305-576-0108; lagniappehouse.com
MANDOLIN AEGEAN BISTRO
Enjoy authentic countryside cuisine from Greece and Turkey at this Aegean bistro complete with its own vegetable garden out back. INSIDER
TIP: On clear nights, ask them to roll back the rain cover for a clear view of the Miami-terranean sky. 4312 NE Second Ave., Miami, 305-576-6066; mandolinmiami.com
MC KITCHEN
From famed TV chef Dena Marino, this Miami Design District vibey table scene with modern Italian cuisine uses green-market sensibility to offer seasonal dishes with ingredients selected on the basis of quality, harvest maturity, and farming integrity. 4141 NE Second Ave., #101a, Miami, 305-456-9948; mckitchenmiami.com
MIGNONETTE
At this raw oyster bar with an inviting New Orleans feel, seafood lovers can share a bottle of bubbly (after a pink-peppercorn aperitif) while slurping a dozen (or two) of rotating East and West Coast bivalves, some of the freshest in the country. Plus: Danny Serfer’s magical veggies and must-have Maine lobster roll. 210 NE 18th St., Miami, 305-374-4635; mignonettemiami.com OTL The Miami Design District café from nightlife guru Dave Grutman is the perfect spot to recover from a night at LIV, with coffee, superseed toast, sandwiches, salads, and plenty of Snapchat and Instagram action. 160 NE 40th St., Miami, 786-9537620; otlmia.com SUGARCANE There’s never a dull moment at this Midtown hot spot from the same guys behind Sushisamba and helmed by Timon Balloo, especially when you’re sipping on beet mojitos and noshing on bacon-wrapped dates with manchego. 3252 NE First Ave., Miami, 786-369-0353; sugarcanerawbargrill.com