Miami’s holiday season begins in earnest with Art Basel (Dec. 8-10), continues through February, and then begins to recede. It’s a time when getting a reservation in the thriving local dining scene becomes nearly impossible. Here are ten of the hardest places for travelers to visit in Miami (make your booking requests now!).
At press time, Mandolin booked through November and December for maximum nights. You should expect a table, even on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. Combining the owner’s Greek and Turkish origins, respectively, expect to find your favorites. such as fried calamari, Saganaki cheese, and Spanakopita. Fans rave about the eggplant chickpeas, green pepper, and wood-fired tahini, as well as the orzo pilaf lamb chops. The Bib Gourmand dining spot gained popularity in the Michelin Guide in 2022. and 2023.
COTE Miami, Simon Kim’s Design District destination, earned its first Michelin star a year after its grand opening in 2021. The Michelin Guide states, “As at the original New York location, premium ingredients, artfully spiced dishes, and engaging bartenders make it sure to be an elegant experience. “Yelp’s critics agree that it lives up to its reputation as Miami’s leading steakhouse. Order the omakase steak, wash it down with red wine, and temporarily note that the COTE builds on the reputation of the original (in clever design). round, not square, spatial). Popular options come with The Butcher’s Feast: 4 purposeful cuts of Wagyu beef paired with classic Korean vegetables. Since reservations are so complicated, COTE suggests participating in their Magic Hour (also known as Happy Hour), which airs every day from five p. m. at 7 p. m. No reservations are required for Magic Hour.
Boia De, a Michelin-starred restaurant, sits rather randomly between a medical center and a laundromat with a bright pink neon exclamation point to draw you in. Some of Boia De’s must-see and usual dishes come with white truffle noodles with truffle yerba, white truffle and parmesan; and crispy polenta with marinated eggplant and ricotta salata. For dessert, try the crispy tiramisu. Sit at the bar near the prep area, chat with the chefs, and enjoy the friendliness and service. An extensive high-caliber wine list is no surprise, but the variety of Italian beers is indicative of Boia De’s authenticity.
This highly anticipated Thomas Keller eat-out spot debuted in Coral Gables in September. The dinner menu at Bouchon Bistro includes Steak Frites (a grilled steak with caramelized shallots and maître d’hôtel butter) and Moules au Safran (steamed Maine bouchot mussels with white wine, Dijon mustard, and saffron). Keller’s Miami-area dining spot, the Surf Club in Miami Beach, has been a local establishment since Prohibition.
Mila’s extensive sushi menu, whose dishes are constantly changing, evolve according to Japan’s 72 micro-seasons.
Combining Mediterranean and Japanese dishes, Mila is popular not only for its cuisine, but also for its living room, which according to the online page is “inspired by African tribes and the primitive design taste of the mother continent. “menu or the chef’s signature tasting menu, each featuring a five-course meal with chef’s selections. The existing dinner menu, which caters to all land and marine options, includes total grilled Branzino with lemon, thyme, and smoked eggplant caviar, a 32 oz glass. Prime Tomahawk with onion juice and roasted artichokes with black truffle and white balsamic vinaigrette.
Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade greets fans at Prime 112 restaurant in Miami Beach, Fla. , after Lebron James announced he would sign with the Miami Heat on Thursday, July 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Part of Myles Restaurant Group, Prime 112 is a popular dining destination among celebrities, a favorite on TripAdvisor, and, coincidentally, a long wait for tables with or without reservations. Your patience will be rewarded. Located inside the construction of the Browns Hotel (considered the first hotel in Miami Beach), Prime 112 stands out for its classic steakhouse atmosphere, celebrity and athlete visitor service, and, of course, steak. Whether your appetite calls for the 16 oz. -On tenderloin or in 48 oz Porterhouse, your steak will come with the finest meat, juices, and flavors, with a variety of forged sides to go with it. Truffled lobster mac and cheese are local favorites.
At Hiden Miami, authentic Japanese cuisine with a twist awaits you. The Secret Door menu is an 8- to 10-course menu of the chef’s choice that includes sushi, desserts, hot and bloodless dishes, and only seasonal ingredients. Chef Seijun Okano comfortably mingles with visitors in the dining room, where only 8 guests can be seated at a time. Note the irony of the name: Hiden is located inside a taco place and requires a secret code to access it. Customers reserve their spot months in advance and leave with an upscale dining room. experience.
Carbon Miami Dining Room
Carbone was founded through Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick and is animated through the great culture of mid-century New York-style Italian restaurants (think Frank Sinatra at Patsy’s in New York City). Signature dishes come with highly spiced Rigatoni in a vodka sauce; the Caesar salad “alla ZZ”, ready at the table; Beef cutlet with Parmesan cheese and crispy, juicy bone; and other standouts, such as Octopus Pizzaiolo, Linguine Vongole, and a steak for two grills over charcoal.
Exterior of Contessa in Miami, by Major Food Group
Contessa is one of Miami’s restaurants, a favorite among travelers seeking this vintage dining destination inspired by northern Italy. Located in the Design District, Contessa has a glamorous and lush vibe, all the better for the Aperol Spritz and Spicy Lobster Capellini. Among the surprises of classic Italian cuisine: an appetizer of meatballs served in an old-fashioned mustard sauce. If the waitlist is full, check out their Boston location.
Interior of the Motek Coral Gables restaurant in Miami, a kosher-style Mediterranean restaurant
Motek is a kosher-style Mediterranean food spot with influences from the owners’ ancestors, surrounding Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, and Yemen. Currently, Motek has three locations in Miami: Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, and Aventura (in addition to the main dining spots on the first floor, the Aventura Mall has a separate street food-style counter, “Yalla Motek,” on the third floor). The Arayes Burger: A mix of lamb and beef on pita bread, served with harissa aioli and tahini. – is a two-time winner at the South Beach Wine Festival