Summer is sizzling, and so is the city's restaurant scene. Here are the top new restaurants in Miami, making it hotter than ever.
The upstairs dining room of Contessa in Miami Design District PHOTO COURTESY OF MAJOR FOOD GROUP
WALRUS RODEO
Helmed by chef Jeff Maxfield, in partnership with Boia De’s Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, Walrus Rodeo dishes out wood-fired concepts such as the rodeo ‘za with anchovies, spicy tomatoes and maple-brown butter; or the mustard green lasagna with lamb ragu. Complete with a colorful design scheme, this 32-seat eatery serves melt-in-your-mouth dishes for the ultimate culinary experience. 5143 NE Second Ave., Miami, walrusrodeo.com
PASTIS
Serving French classics such as onion soup, snails with garlic butter, moules frites, duck à l’Orange, and more, New York City’s beloved James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs Stephen Starr and Keith McNally’s Pastis touches down in Miami, bringing Parisian cuisine to the iconic Wynwood neighborhood with a dining area reminiscent to its New York location—complete with a beautiful outdoor garden and courtyard. 380 NW 26th St., Miami, pastisnyc.com
THE GIBSON ROOM
One of the latest haunts from Michelin-starred chef Michael Beltran, The Gibson Room serves as a relaxed neighborhood tavern with innovative fare and cocktails that will make you want to become a regular. With the mission to bring people together with the addition of a live music schedule and vinyl nights, The Gibson Room checks all the boxes for the ultimate locals’ dining experience in Miami. 2224 SW 22nd St, Miami, thegibsonroommiami.com
Dressed oysters from Queen COURTESY OF QUEEN
QUEEN
More than a restaurant, this new Miami Beach hot spot brings decadence and old-world Hollywood glamour to the Magic City. With a Japanese kitchen helmed by Julien Jouhannaud and a private speakeasy-style Omakase experience led by Max Kamakura, Queen offers over-the-top luxury paired with worldly cuisine. 550 Washington Ave., queenmiamibeach.com
GISELLE
As the latest addition to the E11EVEN empire, Giselle is a hot spot all on its own. As E11EVEN and The Restaurant People’s newest creation, the striking rooftop restaurant’s interior and sophistication—complete with a masterful cocktail program and Asian, Mediterranean, and French-inspired cuisine—provide a first-class dining experience to remember. 15 NE 11 St., Miami, gisellemiami.com
Mediterranean branzino from Giselle PHOTO: COURTESY OF GISELLE MIAMI
CONTESSA
Major Food Group’s new addition brings Northern Italian flair to the Miami Design District—from antipasti like the chianina beef carpaccio to perfectly crafted pastas such as the spicy lobster capellini and cingiale bolognese—guests are delivered a perfectly polished and elegant hospitality experience. 111 41st St., Miami, contessaristorante.com
ZERU MIAMI
Located in the heart of Brickell, this Basque-inspired restaurant serves up some of the best of the cuisine with a menu inspired by the rich culinary San Sebastian region in Spain. Serving as the Mexico-born restaurant’s third global location, Miamians will delight in standout dishes like the Getaria-style seasonal fish to Josper-grilled King Crab, Japanese Kobe Striploin and more. Hotel AKA Brickell, 1395 Brickell Ave, Miami, zerumiami.com
BEAUTY AND THE BUTCHER
The latest culinary gem from Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Ford is a standout, delivering Ford’s innovative culinary spin on contemporary American cuisine. From homemade sourdough focaccia to start to the local suckling pig or open-fire Florida genuine red snapper for dinner and the over-the-top tableside cheese presentation for dessert, diners will be wowed from start to finish. Set in the heart of South Miami’s Sunset Plaza, guests from near and far will continue to return for a truly spectacular dining experience. 6915 Red Rd, Coral Gables, beautyandthebutchermiami.com
MILA OMAKASE
Following the success of upstairs sister restaurant and Miami Beach hot spot MILA, MILA Omakase is located down the steps from the main restaurant, part of the Mila Members Club. Helmed by omakase chef Reiji Yoshizawa and under the direction of Riviera Dining Group’s head of culinary chef Michaël Michaelidis, MILA Omakase brings guests on a culinary journey inspired by the 72 Japanese micro seasons, offering a tongue-tantalizing 15-course omakase meal in an intimate setting with only 10 seats. 800 Lincoln Rd 2nd Floor, Miami Beach, mila-miami.com/mila-omakase
SOFIA
Located in the vibrant Palm Court of the Miami Design District, Sofia delights diners with a picture-perfect, whimsy atmosphere, complete with feminine pink umbrellas and furnishings, delivering melt-in-your-mouth Italian food for lunch and dinner. Nosh on a bowl of cacio e pepe al tartufo or gemelli al pesto as you soak in the lively atmosphere and premier people-watching setting in good company. 140 NE 39th St Unit #133, sofiamdd.com
Photography by: Photo Courtesy of Queen
