At the turn of the millennium, Miami’s dining scene was on the brink of transformation. The 1990s had belonged to South Beach, with velvet-rope hotspots, splashy celebrity haunts, and restaurants built as much for nightlife as for food. But as the 2000s unfolded, the energy shifted. Neighborhoods like Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Little Haiti, Brickell, and the Design District began to shape Miami’s culinary identity, powered not by imports but by homegrown chefs who were ready to tell their own stories. These chefs, trained in award-winning kitchens, returned to their hometowns and built restaurants rooted in culture, memory, and place. Over the next 25 years, Miami evolved from a party-first dining city into one of the most respected food destinations in the country; a place where Michelin stars, James Beard Awards, and national acclaim are now part of the landscape rather than the exception.
Today, many of the chefs who emerged during this period are among the most decorated in the nation, with Michelin-starred restaurants, Bib Gourmand honors, and Beard semifinalist and finalist nods that reflect just how far Miami’s culinary scene has come. But beyond the accolades, these restaurants shaped how Miami eats, celebrates, gathers, and expresses identity through food. They are the places that define neighborhoods, inspire the next generation, and prove that longevity and vision can coexist in a city known for reinvention. As we look ahead to 2026, we take a moment to reflect on the 25 most defining, longstanding, and influential restaurants of the past 25 years.
Chef Michael Beltran of Michelin-starred Ariete in Coconut Grove
Ariete Hospitality Group photo
Ariete, 2016
Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete feels like the kind of Coconut Grove restaurant that wraps you in warmth the second you walk in, with lush greenery, dim light, and a menu that blends French technique and Cuban soul the way only a Miami kid raised on family cooking could pull off. The Michelin-starred tasting menu is where his creativity really shines, with dishes like fluke topped with conch escabeche and venison tartare paired with silky bone marrow sabayon that make you want to savor every last bite. It’s the rare fine-dining spot where you could show up in a blazer or flip-flops and still feel right at home, which is exactly why Ariete sits so confidently at the heart of Miami’s culinary future. 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove; 305-640-5862; arietecoconutgrove.com.
The crispy tiramisu from Boia De is always a delicious treat.
Boia De, 2019
When Boia De opened in a Little Haiti strip mall in 2019, it changed Miami’s culinary scene forever. Boia De is the kind of gem that feels both laid back and wildly special, where chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer turn pasta into pure emotion with dishes like rich, rabbit-studded pappardelle that taste like comfort and celebration at the same time. The Michelin-starred menu goes far beyond noodles, with potato skins piled high with stracciatella and caviar, beautifully executed fish and meat plates, and two desserts that regulars daydream about, especially the chocolate budino and the crispy tiramisu. It may sit in a humble strip mall, but inside it feels like one of Miami’s most magical dining rooms, buzzing with warmth, personality, and the kind of flavors you cannot forget. 5205 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-209-6310; boiaderestaurant.com.
Bombay Darbar is one of the best restaurants in Coconut Grove.
Bombay Darbar, 2011
Bombay Darbar is one of those rare Coconut Grove restaurants that truly delivers on craveable Indian favorites, serving rich chicken tikka masala, fragrant curries, and vibrant vegetarian dishes in a setting that feels warm, lively, and a little luxurious. What began as a small spot on Commodore Plaza nearly 15 years ago has withstood the test of time in a neighborhood that has evolved and become fiercely competitive, growing into a larger Grove location and even expanding to Las Olas while still staying a local favorite. Today, it remains a go-to for Miami diners seeking soulful, deeply flavored Indian cuisine that feels just as celebratory on a weeknight as it does on a special occasion, proving that great food and loyal guests never go out of style in Coconut Grove. 8405 NW 53rd St., Ste. E101, Doral; 786-741-2222; bombaydarbar.com.
James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein runs Cafe La Trova alongside acclaimed cantinero Julio Cabrera.
Café La Trova, 2019
Café La Trova stands as one of the defining restaurants of Miami’s 2020s dining era, led by James Beard Award–winning chef Michelle Bernstein, a legendary force in the city’s culinary history for more than 20 years, alongside world-renowned cantinero Julio Cabrera. Together they reintroduced Cuban cuisine to Miami in a new light, blending heritage recipes and modern techniques with soulful cooking, theatrical cocktails, and live music that feels like Old Havana reborn for a new generation. Their partnership helped elevate Cuban food and culture onto the national stage, proving that Miami’s most nostalgic flavors could also be some of its most innovative and celebrated. 971 SW Eighth St., Miami; 786-615-4379; cafelatrova.com.
Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos remains a staple after all of these years
Estiatorio Milos, 2012
Estiatorio Milos in South Beach proves that simplicity and excellence never go out of style, with a menu built around pristine ingredients and standout signatures, such as the generous meze platter featuring tarama, htipiti, dolmadakia, kefalograviera, olives, and warm pita. Guests return again and again for beautifully grilled classics, such as the “Dorade Royale” with Santorini capers, olive oil, and lemon, the prime lamb chops with Greek fried potatoes and tzatziki, and the indulgent Astako-Makaronada lobster pasta prepared in the Athenian style. In a neighborhood that has shifted and evolved around it, Milos has withstood the test of time thanks to its unwavering consistency, exceptional quality, and hospitality that feels as polished as it is heartfelt. 730 First St., Miami Beach; 305-604-6800; estiatoriomilos.com.
Fiorito has been a staple in Miami for authentic Argentine cuisine for over a decade
Fiorito, 2012
Fiorito has spent more than a decade serving as the unofficial heart of Miami’s Argentine community, a warm and welcoming Little Haiti restaurant where fútbol pride, neighborhood spirit, and deeply comforting cuisine all share the same table. Run by brothers Maximiliano and Cristian Alvarez and watched over by a towering Lionel Messi mural outside, the space radiates Buenos Aires nostalgia, with plates of vacio, churrasco, golden empanadas, and pulpo a la plancha that keep regulars coming back with friends and family in tow. Over the years, its consistency, flavor, and sense of community have made Fiorito far more than a restaurant, cementing it as a gathering place where Miami’s Argentine identity feels right at home. 5555 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-754-2899; fioritomiami.com.
A dish from Ghee Indian Kitchen, a new addition to the Florida Michelin Guide 2025
Ghee Indian Kitchen photo
Ghee Indian Kitchen, 2017
Chef Niven Patel transformed the way Miami understands and celebrates Indian cuisine, introducing South Florida diners to the vibrant flavors of western India through Ghee Indian Kitchen long before the city’s dining scene fully embraced global regional cooking. With a farm-driven approach, fearless creativity, and a deep respect for tradition, he moved the conversation beyond the usual stereotypes of Indian food and showed Miami how soulful, nuanced, and ingredient-focused the cuisine could be. Over the past decade, Patel has become a true pioneer in the region’s Indian dining landscape, inspiring chefs and diners alike while continually expanding his culinary vision across South Florida. Multiple area locations, including 8965 SW 72nd Pl., Kendall; 305-968-1850; gheemiami.com.
Komodo, owned by Groot Hospitality, has become synonymous with Brickell for its Asian-fusion cuisine like these dumplings that come wrapped in gold.
Komodo, 2015
Komodo may not be a chef-driven restaurant, and yes, it can feel over-the-top with its flashy scene and cast of unforgettable characters, but it undeniably marked the beginning of Miami’s modern club-restaurant era. Founded by local nightlife entrepreneur David Grutman, the restaurant blended high-energy hospitality with a bold, transportive dining room that foreshadowed the future of Miami before anyone realized what was to come. When it opened in Brickell in 2015, long before TikTok and influencer culture dominated the dining scene, Komodo reshaped how tourists, partygoers, and large groups celebrated nights out in Miami, merging bottle-service buzz with a menu featuring Peking duck, miso Chilean sea bass, and king crab lo mein. And through all the evolution of Miami’s dining scene, its greatest surprise may be that the food has remained consistently delicious, proving that spectacle and substance can absolutely coexist. 801 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305-534-2211; komodomiami.com.
Luca Osteria is one of the most beloved restaurants in Coral Gables
Luca Osteria, 2021
Luca Osteria feels like Coral Gables at its most charming, where double James Beard Award semifinalist and Food Network’s Chopped winner Giorgio Rapicavoli channels his Italian heritage into silky pastas, indulgent antipasti, and thoughtful spritzes along the lively stretch of Giralda Plaza. From patate fritte blanketed in truffle-scented parmigiano fonduta to pappardelle with short rib ragù and bright pasta al limone, the menu strikes that perfect balance between comfort and refinement, the kind of food you want to linger over with a glass of Italian wine. Over the years, it has become one of Miami’s most beloved pasta destinations, thanks to Rapicavoli’s heart, creativity, and a dining room that embodies the mantra: good pasta, good people, and genuinely good vibes. 116 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables; 305-381-5097; lucamiami.com.
Macchialina is a cherished Italian restaurant in Miami
Macchialina, 2012
Macchialina has earned its place as one of Miami’s most beloved Italian restaurants of the past 25 years, thanks to chef Michael Pirolo, who brought home years of experience cooking in Michelin-starred kitchens across Italy before opening this intimate, pasta-focused gem on Alton Road. His menu is focused and deceptively simple, yet every dish from tagliatelle ai funghi and spaghetti con vongole to the coveted short rib and Taleggio lasagna delivers bold, soulful flavors that highlight pristine ingredients and precise technique. A true Miami classic that has won countless New Times “Best Of” awards, Macchialina remains cherished for its hospitality, timeless atmosphere, and unwavering devotion to the magic of great pasta. 820 Alton Rd., Miami Beach; 305-534-2124; macchialina.com.
Makoto is one of the most booked restaurants in Miami.
Makoto, 2011
Makoto has been a defining force in Miami’s modern Japanese dining scene for over a decade, where Chef Makoto Okuwa brings his mastery of Edomae-style sushi to the luxurious Bal Harbour Shops with precision, elegance, and a sense of creative play. Guests who opt for omakase are treated to wave after wave of pristine fish sourced directly from Japan, from silky scallop and kinmedai to chu-toro and akami, all crafted with respect for tradition and an eye toward contemporary flavor. With its refined setting, thoughtful service, and consistently exceptional cuisine, Makoto remains one of Miami’s most reliable destinations for sushi lovers, special occasions, and anyone seeking a truly transportive dining experience. 9700 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-864-8600; makoto-restaurant.com.
Diners have flocked to Mediterranean-inspired Mandolin Aegean Bistro for more than a decade.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro photo
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, 2009
Mandolin Aegean Bistro has become Miami’s most universally adored Mediterranean restaurant over the past 25 years, a Design District landmark where Greek and Turkish traditions, soulful hospitality, and breezy courtyard dining come together effortlessly. Housed in a restored blue-and-white 1940s bungalow, it wins hearts with simple, ingredient-driven dishes like grilled octopus, chicken kebabs, and bright, herb-laced salads that feel both nostalgic and impossibly fresh. More than just a neighborhood favorite, Mandolin is a place where locals, travelers, and even the occasional celebrity all gather at the same tables, proof that great food and genuine warmth never go out of style in Miami. 4312 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-749-9140; mandolinrestaurant.com.
A pork belly dish from Michael’s Genuine in Miami Design District
The Genuine Hospitality Group photo
Michael’s Genuine, 2007
Michael’s Genuine has remained one of Miami’s most enduring and influential restaurants for nearly 20 years, thanks to James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, who has consistently delivered ingredient-driven cooking and genuine hospitality, a hallmark that predates the Design District’s rise as a luxury dining hub. Long before flashy concepts and multimillion-dollar build-outs defined the city’s restaurant boom, this neighborhood brasserie set the tone for thoughtful, seasonal cuisine and became a training ground for some of Miami’s most celebrated chefs, from Niven Patel to Michael Beltran. In a city known for constant reinvention, Michael’s Genuine continues to thrive by evolving with intention while staying true to the values that made it a cornerstone of Miami dining in the first place. Schwartz saw the potential in the Design District long before developers did, making him a true pioneer in both the neighborhood and Miami’s dining scene. 130 NE 40th St., Miami; 305-676-0894; michaelsgenuine.com.
Dishes from Mila in South Beach
Mila, 2020
Mila may be the highest-grossing restaurant in Miami, but what keeps people coming back is how consistently delightful, energetic, and genuinely delicious it is, whether you’re there for brunch on the breezy terrace, omakase in the private dining spaces, or cocktails at the buzzing bar. Since opening in 2020, Riviera Dining Group has nailed the blend of flash and flavor, pairing its dramatic rooftop setting and stylish design with food and hospitality that feel polished rather than gimmicky. Even with its party-leaning vibe and lively crowds, Mila remains one of those rare South Beach destinations that delivers a memorable experience at any time of day. It also marks a defining moment in Miami’s dining history, launching during a period of uncertainty in 2020 and not only surviving but thriving as the city’s restaurant boom took shape around it. 1636 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach; 786-706-0744; mila-miami.com.
MC Kitchen has been a fixture in the Design District since 2012
MC Kitchen, 2012
MC Kitchen has been a beloved fixture in the Design District since 2012, thanks to a menu that blends comfort and sophistication with standout dishes like the Black Mission Fig pizzetta, the Brussels sprouts and black truffle mushroom fonduta pizza, and the Molinari pepperoni and fennel sausage pie with tomato conserva. Guests return again and again for indulgent house-made pastas, such as the “Fiocchi di Formaggio e Pera” (made with roasted pear, robiola, grana padano, taleggio, white truffle cream; a cult favorite) and the ricotta cavatelli, along with heartier favorites like the domestic Wagyu burger, which has become a quiet cult classic. With its stylish setting, polished service, and consistently craveable food, MC Kitchen remains one of Miami’s most trusted and enduring modern Italian restaurants. 4141 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-456-9948; mckitchenmiami.com.
Niu Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in downtown Miami
NIU Kitchen, 2014
Niu Kitchen has become one of downtown Miami’s most distinctive and quietly influential restaurants, where Barcelona-born chef Deme Lomas brings Catalan flavors to life through playful, deeply personal dishes that blur the line between tradition and modern creativity. What began as a tiny, cult-favorite dining room later expanded to merge with its sister concept Arson, allowing more room for alfresco dining and for Lomas’ charcoal-driven cooking to shine with plates like chargrilled prawns, charbroiled oysters, and vegan paella. With its relaxed atmosphere, natural wine program, and menu built for sharing and lingering, Niu Kitchen continues to thrive as a gathering place for diners who crave food with character, soul, and a true sense of place. 104 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-717-6711; niukitchen.com.
Ogawa is one of the most outstanding omakase restaurants in Miami
Ogawa, 2023
Ogawa has quickly become one of Miami’s most revered Japanese restaurants, offering an experience so authentic and transportive that it feels less like dining out and more like stepping into a quiet corner of Osaka. With seafood flown in from Japan and kappo-style dishes such as otoro, baby sea bream, and A5 Wagyu prepared with remarkable precision by chef Masayuki Komatsu, every course at the intimate ten-seat counter feels intentional, personal, and unforgettable. A New Times Best Japanese Restaurant winner and one of Miami’s newest Michelin-starred destinations, Ogawa is a coveted reservation that rewards diners with craftsmanship, serenity, and a rare sense of true culinary immersion. 7223 NW Second Ave., Miami; exploretock.com/ogawa-miami.
Pastor at Pascal has withstood the test of time, originally opening at the turn of the millennium.
Pastor at Pascal (Formerly Pascals on Ponce), 2000
Pastor at Pascal, formerly Pascal’s on Ponce, is officially the oldest restaurant on this list, celebrating 25 years in Coral Gables after opening in 2000 at the turn of the millennium. However, its placement on this list isn’t just due to its longevity; it’s a beloved classic that has evolved without losing its essence. The new Basque chef, Alberto Pastor, wisely kept Pascal Oudin’s legendary French staples after his retirement in 2024, including the Gruyère soufflé and duck confit, while weaving in Spanish favorites like Galician octopus and Iberian pork, creating a seamless blend of French finesse and Spanish boldness where every dish feels like a star. With a refreshed dining room, the same loyal staff, and a renewed sense of energy, Pastor at Pascal re-emerged in 2025 as one of Coral Gables’ most wonderful dining spots at the ripe old age of 25.
You can’t go wrong with Prime 112 for steak
Prime 112, 2004
Prime 112 stands as one of the most iconic and culturally defining restaurants Miami has ever produced, a place whose legacy stretches far beyond the past 25 years and into the DNA of the city itself. Opened in 2004 by restaurateur Myles Chefetz inside the historic Browns Hotel, it reinvented the American steakhouse with a chef-driven menu, an electric, high-octane dining room, and an atmosphere where indulgence, glamour, and great food collide. With its dry-aged steaks, truffled lobster mac and cheese, Kobe beef sliders, and martinis poured ice-cold and to the brim, Prime 112 remains one of Miami’s most coveted reservations and a landmark of the city’s dining culture. 112 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; 305-532-8112; mylesrestaurantgroup.com.
Smoked foie gras at Stubborn Seed.
Grove Bay Hospitality photo
Stubborn Seed, 2017
Stubborn Seed cemented chef Jeremy Ford as one of Miami’s most important culinary voices, bringing an unapologetically ambitious tasting-menu experience to South Beach when the city was still defining its modern fine-dining identity. A Top Chef season 13 winner and former executive chef at the Matador Room, Ford delivers meticulous, story-driven dishes that balance precision, creativity, and local ingredients, whether enjoyed through the six- or nine-course tasting menus or at the bar with elevated à la carte bites. The restaurant’s commitment to crafting the “perfect bite” earned it a Michelin star in 2022, which it has maintained ever since, solidifying Stubborn Seed as a destination for diners who crave both artistry and intensity on the plate. 101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 786-322-5211; stubbornseed.com.
The dry-aged ribeye at Sunny’s is perfection.
Sunny’s Steakhouse, 2024
Sunny’s Steakhouse may have opened its permanent Little River location in late 2024, but its momentum has defined Miami dining in 2025, earning national acclaim from Esquire, Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, and even a coveted spot on the New York Times Restaurant List. Born from a pandemic pop-up beneath a banyan tree, Sunny’s has evolved into a stunning courtyard-and-dining-room experience where executive chef Aaron Brooks blends wood-fired steaks with pastas, seafood, and playful martinis, creating a menu that feels both soulful and celebratory. With dishes like corn and blue crab agnolotti, spicy rigatoni with pork sugo, oysters with pineapple hot sauce, and a perfectly charred dry-aged ribeye, Sunny’s has quickly become one of Miami’s most talked-about restaurants, pairing big-deal accolades with the kind of warmth, charm, and flavor that keeps diners coming back. 7357 NW Miami Ct., Miami; sunnysmia.com.
Tâm Tâm broke the mold for what Vietnamese cuisine could be in Miami
Tâm Tâm, 2023
Tâm Tâm is one of the most pivotal and defining restaurants in Miami’s past 25 years, carving out a completely unique place in the city’s dining landscape with its bold Vietnamese flavors, electric sense of community, and joyful, come-as-you-are spirit. Created by partners Tam Pham and Harrison Ramhofer, who recognized the deep need for a restaurant like this in Miami, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning spot blends inventive dishes, frozen cocktails, natural wines, and heartfelt storytelling into an experience that feels unlike anywhere else in the city. Intimate, vibrant, and unapologetically original, Tâm Tâm is not just a great restaurant but a cultural moment for Miami dining. 99 NW First St., Miami; 786-933-6378; tam-tam-mia.com.
The River Oyster Bar is a classic Brickell restaurant known for its seafood.
The River Oyster Bar photo
The River Oyster Bar, 2003
The River Oyster Bar has quietly stood the test of time for over two decades in the heart of Brickell, proving that thoughtful cooking, warm hospitality, and a loyal local following matter more than fleeting trends. Known first for its pristine, ice-packed selection of cold-water oysters, the restaurant has continued to evolve with modern, flavor-forward seafood dishes, such as mushroom-crusted black grouper and snapper tartare with yuzu and crisp wontons, all served in a space that feels sleek yet inviting. In a neighborhood that has undergone a dramatic transformation, the River Oyster Bar remains a beloved constant, trusted by professionals, regulars, and seafood lovers who know that great quality never goes out of style. 33 SE Seventh St., Ste. 100, Miami; 3050530-1915; therivermiami.com.
Lobster Thermidor at the Michelin-starred Surf Club Restaurant
The Surf Club Restaurant, 2018
The Surf Club Restaurant, by chef Thomas Keller, is monumental in Miami dining history, marking the first time the legendary American chef brought one of his concepts to Florida, before later expanding with Bouchon Bistro. Set inside the beautifully restored Surf Club in Surfside, the restaurant reimagines classic Continental cuisine with precision, elegance, and a touch of playful nostalgia that nods to the glamour of the property’s 1950s and 1960s heyday. Recognized with a Michelin star, it remains a defining symbol of refinement and craftsmanship in Miami’s modern restaurant landscape. 9011 Collins Ave., Surfside; 305-768-9440; surfclubrestaurant.com.
Zitz Sum, 2021
Zitz Sum has become one of Miami’s most exciting and personality-filled restaurants, thanks to chef Pablo Zitzmann’s fearless, borderless cooking style, which draws inspiration from Asia, Latin America, Italy, and beyond. What began as a runaway dumpling pop-up evolved into a Coral Gables dining destination where dishes like shrimp har gow with tamarind-black garlic chutney, pork-belly potstickers, and charred cabbage with Fresno chili butter feel inventive yet irresistibly comforting. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022, which it has maintained ever since, Zitz Sum proves that when technique, curiosity, and creativity collide, the results are as fun and delicious as Miami dining gets. 396 Alhambra Cir., Ste. 155, Coral Gables; 786-409-6920; zitzsum.com.