Miami - Guide
More than the beach
Walks in the sub-tropical jungle, canopied drives, early Florida history, delicious cuisine.
The two years we’ve spent in Miami have brought us many exciting moments. This city has so much to offer, and continues to unfurl its fronds as we seek out new locations. Here are some of our favorites, and ones we’re looking forward to visiting.
Eat
There is no shortage of interesting and quality cuisine. New restaurants are constantly popping up and we do our best to stay on top of trying the classic spots and the new kitchens on the block.
J&J’s Picks
Luca Osteria (Coral Gables)
Itamae (Design District)
Mandolin (Design District)
Jaguar Ceviche (Coconut Grove)
Krüs Kitchen (Coconut Grove)
Leku (Allapattah)
Wynwood / Allapattah
KYU - Korean with indoor and street outdoor seating. The buns are delicious, the crab is great, beef tartare is superb, and the short rib + Korean fried chicken are both perfect. Also a great Wynwood Mule cocktail, and right around the corner from Wynwood Walls. The miso Bloody Mary is the most unique version of the drink we’ve had.
Bakan – Mexican, mostly outdoor seating on a great covered patio around their outdoor bar. They have an expansive agave spirit select and sometimes even have a Mescalero to guide you. Solid Mexican food but the mezcal is the draw.
Cerveceria la Tropical – Oldest brewery in Cuba transplanted to Miami. Partnership with Fairchild Botanic Garden, the outdoor patio has lots of interesting plants. Very tasty, tropical, hazy beer options and good food coming out of the kitchen. The cuban sandwich empanadas are a must.
Omakai – Sushi; some of the best we’ve had in the city.
1-800-Lucky – Asian food hall with many tasty option. Grab some ramen & sushi inside, a drink at the outdoor bar and take in the scene on the patio which frequently has a DJ.
Gramps – Outdoor/indoor dive bar with pizzas
Leku – Wynwood…west. Delicious Basque food, recommend the tasting menu & a trip to the Rubell Museum.
Hometown BBQ – Allaphatta. The Miami outpost of the Red Hook original.
Zak the Baker – James Beard nominated bakery.
Edgewater
Amara at Paraíso – South American, mostly outdoor, Biscayne Bay front seating. Saturday brunch has a great unlimited rosé offering, a lovely way to spend a couple hours by the water.
Klaw – Seafood/steakhouse with great bay views.
Design District
Bluefin tuna tiradito @ Itamae
Mandolin – Greek, mostly outdoor patio seating with great ambiance. Saganaki & octopus are amazing.
Côte – Korean BBQ, only indoor seating. Newly 1* Michelin, same as its sister in NYC.
Swan – Co-owned by Pharrell, seems to have lost its glam but during brunch there’s a DJ. Some good dishes but overall decent.
Itamae – Weird seating (in a little plaza surrounded by shops) but seriously good Japanese-Peruvian fusion (Nikkei). The Infatuation did a great review of this one, here. They are putting out some of our favorite food in they city.
Old Greg’s Pizza – Best pizza we’ve found here so far; granny style or normal plus a great little gem salad.
Contessa – Another Major Food Group outpost here, Italian.
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – 2* Michelin, pricy, decent, nice view of the kitchen from the counter.
Little River
The Citadel - A food hall with some quality options including a seafood shop, cafe and newly opened cocktail bar.
Offsite - Brewery with fantastic bar food. We’ll be back for their friend chicken sandwich and smoked wings and we hear they have one of the best burgers around.
La Santa Taqueria - We’ve heard good things about their food and agave selectino.
Little Havana
Versailles Restaurant – A Miami institution with one of the best Cuban sandwiches, also on Calle Ocho, the main thoroughfare for Little Havana.
Ball & Chain – Great mojito, live band, and dancing at night.
Casa Florida Miami – Cocktail bar with a rooftop.
Sanguich – Great Cuban sandwich to-go shop.
Downtown/Brickell
Tobacco Road – Miami’s oldest bar.
The River Oyster Bar – Go for happy hour! We’ve had delicious oysters here.
Quinto La Huella – Uruguayan restaurant; haven’t been yet, but it’s supposed to be good!
Dirty French – Major Food Group (same as Sadelle’s & Carbone) steakhouse.
Sushi by Bou - One hour omakase experience. High quality sushi.
Joia Beach – On its own island. Nice city views, beach vibe.
South Beach/Mid Beach
Bazaar by José Andres - Spanish food + molecular gastronomy. José Andrés is one of our favorite chefs and this place is a great representation of him - we did the tasting menu and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Gitano Miami at Casa Faena – Mexican restaurant in Faena hotel.
Siete Fuegos – Chef Francis Mallmann’s restaurant here also in the Faena hotel.
Scarpetta – Italian, same as their restaurants in NYC. Hamachi crudo starter and the creamy polenta as a side.
The Matador Room - Jean-Georges spot in the Edition hotel.
Surfside
Makoto - Japanese, Bal Harbour shops. Just in case you’re up north, this place is delicious. The truffle salmon and spicy tuna crispy rice are great.
The Surf Club – Thomas Keller’s first Miami restaurant, in the Four Seasons. Newly 2* Michelin.
Hillstone - If you’re missing NYC
Coconut Grove
Jaguar - Peruvian, great ceviche & pisco sours (and happy hour!).
Ariete - American. Newly 1* Michelin.
Nave – Sister restaurant to Ariete, more seafood focused.
Taurus – Ariete/Nave’s sister bar right next door. A dimly lit atmosphere with a fireplace and wood cabin vibe, TVs if you want to catch a game and attentive bartenders…perfect to pair was their extensive whiskey selection.
Sushi Garage – Quick & easy sushi.
Key Club –Newly opened by the same hospitality group as Swan. American favorites + sushi.
Sadelle’s –The Miami outpost of the Jewish/American brunch staple from NYC. Highlights: spicy macha margarita, bagels and house lox, cobb salad, french toast.
Level 6 Rooftop – Great views with tapas food is okay and cocktails, but the views are the reason to go.
Krus Kitchen – Fusion food, very interesting, eclectic, with great natural wine selection. Also a shop for wine & beer. Tasty brunch sandwiches too! Same owners as Los Felix downstairs.
Los Felix – Newly 1* Michelin although I think it’s overrated. Fine Mexican food, no liquor license.
Bodega Taqueria – Mexican taco spot with to-go tacos/burritos/quesadillas in the front, a sports bar in the back, and a mezcaleria speakeasy upstairs.
Monty’s Raw Bar - Super laid-back shack-vibe by the marina with fresh seafood. You can also get it to-go if you’re renting a boat from the marina there.
Meraki – Solid Greek spot with outdoor seating.
Kush/Lokal – Two spots by the same owner, both make great burgers, one has more seafood but I can never remember which, but both very casual.
Victoria’s Vermutheria – Owned by the Kush/Lokal guys, a new vermouth bar serving some small tapas and snacks from the kitchen at Lokal.
Farinelli – Solid pizza.
Glass & Vine – American food in Peacock park, very pretty, live music on Fridays, pretty decent service & food.
Peacock Garden – American food buried in a little garden oasis, pretty vibes, good food.
Narbona – Uruguayan food (pizza, pasta, empanadas, steak) with a great café for morning coffee & pastries.
Amal – Under Level 6 Rooftop, middle eastern / Lebanese food
Chug’s Diner – Cuban diner, also meant to be very tasty.
Barracuda – Classic bar, good beer selection, outdoor seating, great buffalo chicken sandwich.
Juicense – Juice, health food, smoothies.
Greenstreet Café – Brunch spot with outdoor seating on the main street.
Aida – Mexican with a great tuna tostada.
Planta Queen – Veggie dishes with an Asian twist, great noodles.
Salt & Straw - Amazing and uniquely through up ice cream. Very tasty.
Coral Gables
Luca Osteria – Delicious Italian food, all the pastas are great, the straciatella & breads are tasty, the veggies are great. Negroni ciaro is a clear, citrus forward take on the negroni and is not to be missed.
Eating House - Newly reopened and by the same chef as Luca a couple doors down. Amazing brussel sprout salad and take on carbonara.
Chevre - The best cheese, charcuterie, specialty shop we’ve come across.
Bay13 Brewery – Brewery with nice outdoor seating
Ichimi - The best ramen we’ve come across in the city so far
Bellmont – Spanish food from Spain
Vinya Table – Eclectic mix of food, great wine & drink selection.
Calista Greek Seafood Tavern – Greek food owned by a friend of a friend, supposedly very good.
Key Biscayne
Flour & Weirdoughs -
What to do?
We’re still discovering new activities and slices of the city and have found quite a few favorite spots that we have in our rotation.
Outdoor activities
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables) - We love Fairchild. An absolutely magnificent expanse of outdoor and greenhouse gardens with flora from all corners of the world. A perfect place to easily spend an hour walking around and enjoying tropical surroundings. The rainforest area is a highlight and is not to be missed.
The Kampong (Coconut Grove) - Fairchild light with opening hours that can be difficult. Need to buy tickets in advance.
Bill Baggs State Park (Key Biscayne) - A park at the southern tip of the Key. There are trails through brush and along the water and an old lighthouse. Some good history around the indigenous population that used to live in this area.
