Though it’s a New York import and less than a year old, Las’ Lap already feels very Miami: The Caribbean-inspired restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Kwame Onwuache is the kind of place you go to see and be seen. But the location near Sunset Harbour and the Miami City Ballet is less pretentious than a typical South Beach hot spot. Las’ Lap is big on rum cocktails, with a menu that pulls from Caribbean, Afro-Latin, and global influences, and the room is undeniably sexy: dim lighting, art that commands attention, Tupac blaring through the speakers. It feels like you’re meant to linger, a destination restaurant where time (and maybe even money) is an illusion, but the bold, spicy food snaps you back to reality.
The room oozes island energy: It’s tropical and effortlessly cool, with a slower pace. Service might lean too relaxed, though — we experienced misfired martinis, long waits, and a couple mistakes with our food order. Still, the people-watching is prime and the dishes deliver. Come unhurried, y no pasa nada.
To get the best seat in the house, book a table on the patio at sunset for a golden hour canal-side meal.