15 best new Miami restaurants 2025 are Daniel’s, Shiso, Las’ Lap Miami, Claudie, Cotoa, Double Luck Chinese, Fratesi’s, Altamura Tratrorria, Drinking Pig BBQ, and Dojo Izakaya.
Las’ Lap Miami photo
Miami’s dining scene didn’t simply evolve in 2025; it hit a new stride, and this list of the 15 best new restaurants captures just how bold, diverse, and exciting the city’s appetite has become. From Ecuadorian cooking that earned international acclaim to meticulous Japanese sushi, soulful Italian trattorias, and bold American steakhouses, these openings span cuisines, neighborhoods, and dining styles, yet all share one thing in common: they feel undeniably Miami right now. Whether you’re craving a low-key neighborhood gem or a full-blown night-out destination, there is truly something here for everyone.
What makes this year especially special is how many of these restaurants are driven by chefs Miami already knows and loves. Chef Raheem Sealey alone landed not one but two spots on this list with Drinking Pig BBQ in Coconut Grove and the boundary-pushing Shiso in Wynwood, each showcasing a different side of his creativity. Then there are award-winning standouts like chef Alejandra Espinoza of Cotoa, whose Ecuadorian tasting menu has become one of the city’s most memorable meals, and chef Kwame Onwuachi, whose Las’ Lap Miami brought Afro-Caribbean cooking, energy, and intention to South Beach in a big way.
Taken together, this list feels like a snapshot of Miami dining at its most confident, diverse, and delicious. These restaurants reflect the cultures, stories, and ambitions shaping the city today, and they’re the places locals are already returning to again and again. Buen provecho, and here’s to a happy, healthy, and very delicious new year spent trying every single one of these spots in 2026.
From left: Husband-and-wife chefs Elisabetta and Massimo Tundo of Altamura Tratorria
Altamura Trattoria
Altamura Trattoria is exactly the restaurant Doral was waiting for: beautiful but never stuffy, warm, inviting, and deeply personal from the moment you walk in. Husband-and-wife chefs Massimo Tundo and Elisabetta Tundo greet guests together at the door, remembering names, offering a card, and making it clear you are being welcomed into their home, not just seated at a table. That hospitality carries straight through the menu, where handmade pastas, soulful regional Italian dishes, and perfectly executed pizzas taste like generations of knowledge translated for today. In a year full of flashy openings, Altamura Trattoria stood out for its heart, consistency, and the kind of food and warmth that keeps locals coming back again and again. 7835 NW 107th Ave., Doral; 786-900-2582; altamuratrattoria.com.
A creative spin on the classic Italian dish, Amatriciana, made into a pizza at Bar Bucce
Bar Bucce
Bar Bucce quickly became the kind of neighborhood gem everyone falls in love with, equal parts bottle shop, pizzeria, market, and easygoing hangout. From grabbing a slice and a glass of wine to stocking up on fresh pasta, sauces, and hard-to-find Italian pantry staples, it’s the rare spot that works just as well for a casual night out as it does for take-home dinner plans. The space feels unfussy and welcoming, with counter service, a lively patio, and a menu that changes often enough to keep regulars curious. In a city that’s been craving more relaxed, walk-in-friendly places, Bar Bucce landed as exactly what Miami needed in 2025. 7220 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-202-2526; barbucce.com,.
Claudie is one of the standout restaurants of 2025
Claudie
Claudie solidified its place as one of the best openings of the year by continuing to evolve its dinner menu with new dishes that build on its signature Riviera-inspired offerings. Standouts like the Côte de Boeuf and Entrecôte Wagyu with frites anchor a menu that feels indulgent yet confident, designed for lingering dinners rather than quick bites. Paired with live music, outdoor seating perfect for Miami’s cooler fall nights, and a polished night-out energy, the experience consistently delivers. From cuisine to design to service, Claudie captures the charm of the Côte d’Azur right in the heart of Miami. 1101 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305-990-1101; claudierestaurant.com.
Cotoa is one of the best, if not the best, Ecuadorian restaurants in Miami right now
Cotoa
Cotoa is one of the most wonderful new restaurants of 2025, and a true breath of fresh air for Miami’s dining scene. In a tiny, intimate North Miami space, chef Alejandra Espinoza serves Ecuadorian cuisine with a level of depth, creativity, and confidence that the city has never seen before. Every dish, from the humita with palo santo butter to the Cotopaxi-inspired chocolate lava cake, feels deeply rooted in heritage while unmistakably modern. It’s no surprise that Cotoa earned a Michelin star in 2025, becoming the first Ecuadorian restaurant to receive the honor and one of the most unforgettable meals in Miami right now. 12475 Sixth Ct., North Miami; 786-328-1460; cotoa.rest.
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Daniel’s has become a go-to for steak in Miami
Photo by The Louis Collection
Daniel’s Miami
Daniel’s Miami became one of the best things to happen to Coral Gables and Miami in 2025, and the accolades followed fast. Just four months after opening, it ranked ninth on the World’s Best 101 Steak Restaurants – North America list, an extraordinary achievement for such a young restaurant. The recognition only reinforced what diners already knew: Daniel’s Miami impresses with impeccable hospitality, a stunning reimagined space, and a menu that balances a serious steak program with pastas and a raw bar that truly compete with the city’s best. Chef Daniel Ganem brings heart and precision to every plate, creating a restaurant that feels polished but never pretentious. With a deep, expertly guided wine list and the kind of versatility that works for celebrations, date nights, and business dinners alike, Daniel’s feels destined to become a long-term Gables institution. 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Gables; 305-912-2639; danielssteak.com/miami.
Dojo Izakaya is one of the best new spots in Miami
Dojo Izakaya
At this delicious new Coral Gables spot, chef Pablo Zitzmann (of sister restaurant Zitz Sum) blends pan-Asian techniques with influences from Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil into a menu that feels ambitious yet deeply personal. From a standout being the steak topped with a ramen-style raw yolk drizzled tableside to the chicken karaage that’s impeccably fried and brightened by a yuzu ranch dressing, the dishes here are wonderful. The menu sounds wildly ambitious on paper, from dadinho de queijo with raw tuna to onigiri stuffed with short rib and hojicha miso ice cream, yet every dish lands with boldness and approachability, which is exactly what makes Dojo Izakaya feel so uniquely Miami and one of the most exciting places to eat right now. 148 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables; 305-849-3456; dojomiami.com.
Double Luck Chinese in North Miami blends classic Chinese-American dishes with traditional flavors.
Double Luck Chinese
Double Luck quickly proved itself as one of Miami’s most exciting new restaurants by striking the rare balance between nostalgic Chinese-American comfort and deeper, more traditional flavors. Led by chef Adrian Ochoa and the team behind the award-winning Tâm Tâm, the menu invites diners to go beyond takeout staples with generous, shareable plates, such as tea-smoked duck, dandan noodles, and mapo tofu, alongside craveable crowd-pleasers. The energy is playful and welcoming, with bold flavors, theatrical touches, and a dining room that feels built for groups and late nights. In a city that’s long needed more personality-driven Chinese food, Double Luck delivered exactly that and then some. 1085 NE 79th St., Miami; 305-675-4287.
Popular Miami barbecue pop-up Drinking Pig BBQ has opened its first location in Coconut Grove with its fan-favorite smoked brisket, pulled pork, and sausage.
Drinking Pig BBQ
Drinking Pig BBQ has quickly become one of the best new spots in Coconut Grove, with locals buzzing not just about the food but about the chef behind it. Led by chef Raheem Sealey, the long-anticipated brick-and-mortar establishment embodies everything fans loved about the viral pop-up, from impeccably smoked brisket to pulled pork and sausage cooked low and slow. Sealey’s blend of classic barbecue technique with Caribbean and Asian influences gives the menu a point of view that feels distinctly Miami. As the Grove’s first true barbecue joint, Drinking Pig BBQ has landed as an instant hit and a neighborhood favorite in the making. 3444 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove; drinkingpigbbq.com.
Popular COVID pop-up Fratesi’s Pizza has just secured its first permanent home in downtown Miami.
Fratesi’s Pizza
Fratesi’s Pizza turning its cult-followed pop-up into a permanent downtown spot was one of the most satisfying openings of 2025. The ultra-thin, tavern-style pies that built their pandemic-era buzz taste even better coming out of a proper kitchen, with edge-to-edge cheese, crisp crusts, and no-nonsense toppings that let the technique shine. The space feels intentionally nostalgic and personal, from the booth seating and pitcher service to the family-made art on the walls, reinforcing that this is about community, not hype. In a city crowded with flashy pizza concepts, Fratesi’s Pizza stands out by staying true to what made people fall in love in the first place. 69 E. Flagler St., Miami; instagram.com/fratesi_pizza.
Purists will appreciate the high-quality nigiri offerings—think yellowtail, freshwater eel, and squid
Ikigai
Ikigai has quietly become Brickell Key’s best-kept secret, bringing serious Japanese technique to an island not exactly known for its dining scene. The Mexico City import balances pristine nigiri with inventive house specialties, all executed with precision and restraint that rewards repeat visits. From marinated salmon roe served in lemon to Wagyu nigiri and smoked kampachi finished tableside, the menu feels thoughtful without being showy. With its serene setting, attentive service, and validation-friendly parking, Ikigai is quickly becoming a destination for those in the know. 615 Brickell Key Dr., Miami; 305-456-4582; grupoikigai.com.
The “Escovitch Crab” dish at Las’ Lap Miami
Las’ Lap Miami
Las’ Lap Miami was one of the most exciting new restaurant openings of 2025, delivering a rare combination of atmosphere, intention, and truly memorable food. Highly acclaimed chef-partner Kwame Onwuachi brings Afro-Caribbean depth to the menu, with dishes like escovitch crab claws, Wagyu griot, jerk mushroom yakitori, and roti-paired caviar that feel both playful and deeply rooted in tradition. The cooking is bold and layered, balancing heat, acid, and richness in a way that rewards repeat visits rather than just first impressions. In a year packed with splashy debuts, Las’ Lap Miami stood out for pairing nightlife energy with food that could easily carry the room on its own. 2216 Park Ave., Miami Beach; 786-622-2833; laslapmia.com.
Mutra serves kosher dishes once lovingly prepared by the founder’s grandmother in Israel — reconstructed for the modern palate.
Photo by N.A. Photography
Mutra
Mutra quietly opened earlier this year in North Miami, bringing a thoughtful, deeply personal take on kosher Israeli cuisine to the neighborhood. The 60-seat restaurant reimagines the dishes its founder grew up eating, updating family recipes with modern technique while staying rooted in tradition. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, Mutra focuses on precision, seasonality, and a globally informed approach that challenges dated notions of kosher dining. The result is a warm, intimate spot that signals a new chapter for Israeli food in Miami, honoring the past while confidently cooking forward. 2188 NE 123rd St., North Miami; 786-860-1213; mutramiami.com.
New Coral Way restaurant To Be Determined is a hidden gem in Miami for date night, as it’s intimate, serves delicious crudo, ribeye, crab pasta, and wine.
To Be Determined
To Be Determined has quietly become one of the best new spots in Miami, bringing an unexpected dose of creativity and intimacy to Coral Way. Tucked behind an unassuming facade, the tiny wine bar and restaurant delivers thoughtful, ever-changing dishes that make every visit feel like a discovery. With chefs Johnny Delgado and Richard Ortega letting seasonality and spontaneity lead the way, the menu keeps diners curious and coming back for more. It’s exactly the kind of cool, under-the-radar place that proves To Be Determined is helping redefine what dining along Coral Way can be. 2240 SW 32nd Ave., Miami; 305-747-3661; tobe-determined.com.
Pari Pari Handroll Bar is one of the best openings of 2025
Pari Pari Handroll Bar
Pari Pari has quickly become one of the standout openings of the year, offering a focused and effortlessly cool handroll experience in Wynwood. Led by Michelin-recognized chef Yasuhiro Tanaka, the 24-seat counter keeps things intentionally simple, putting the spotlight on crispy nori, warm rice, and pristine fish delivered handroll by handroll. The menu balances classic and luxurious offerings, featuring salmon and avocado, as well as toro taku and A5 wagyu aburi, alongside uni toro and toro caviar, all expertly executed with precision and restraint. With its Paris-meets-Tokyo sensibility and easygoing, come-as-you-are energy, Pari Pari feels like exactly the kind of modern sushi spot Miami has been craving. 127 NW 27th St., Ste. 105, Miami; 786-536-7134; pariparimiami.com.
The “Shiso Chicken Please” dish at Shiso in Wynwood
Photo by Cristian Gonzalez
Shiso
Chef Raheem Sealey combines Japanese technique, Caribbean soul, and wood-fired barbecue at Shiso, creating a menu that confidently carves out its own niche in Miami’s dining scene. Designed for sharing, the food goes far beyond predictable Asian fusion, with smoked-meat platters and sushi topped with brisket, oxtail, and sticky ribs. Standouts like the “Shiso Chicken Please,” served half smoked and half fried with tangy white barbecue sauce, and the indulgent oxtail gunkan showcase Sealey’s creativity and control. Paired with a buzzing two-story space featuring graffiti-lined walls, an open kitchen, and a rooftop lounge built for late nights, Shiso has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting new restaurants in Miami this year. 239 NW 28th St., Miami; 786-559-1706; shisomiami.com.