24 of Ines' Favorite Restaurants 24 of Ines' Favorite Restaurants

24 of Ines' Favorite Restaurants

Ines's Favorite Miami Restaurants

Discover my personally curated selection of Miami's finest dining experiences, from exclusive omakase encounters to hidden neighborhood gems that define the city's culinary landscape.

Ines's Favorite Omakases

QUEEN OMAKASE

Indulge in a 1.5-hour culinary journey at Queen Miami Beach. For $165 per person, enjoy an unforgettable dining experience that delights the senses.

queenmiamibeach.com/omakase-cooking-class-2

SUSHI BAR MIAMI (ESME HOTEL)

• Enjoy a 10 Course omakase experience for $95 (Happy Hour)

• Any other time is a 17-course meal for $175

• For a special occasion you might want to consider La Caja - a private dining experience on the water. Omakase sunset on the bay sits 12, must be a buyout.

sushibarhospitality.com/locations/miami-beach

Newest Restaurants in Miami by Ines Flax

Sunny Steakhouse

sunnysmia.com

Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura

tornosubitomia.com

Four Seasons Surf Club

Four Seasons Surfside Dining

Klaw - Massive King Crab Claws

klawrestaurant.com

Motek Rivals

motekcafe.com

French Cuisine

Pastis Miami

pastismiami.com

La Grande Boucherie

boucherieus.com

Le Petite Maison

lpmrestaurants.com/miami

Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Café

Japanese pancakes

fluffyfluffy.com

South of Fifth

Joe's Stone Crab

joesstonecrab.com

Forte De Marmi

fdmmiami.com

Stubborn Seed

stubbornseed.com

Abbale Telavivian Kitchen

abbatlvkitchen.com

Casa Tua

Italian with romance and flair
Lovely Key West style décor. Perfect for a romantic and quiet dinner.

casatualifestyle.com/miami

Pied a Terre

piedaterrerestaurant.com

French cuisine at the Cadet Hotel

The Bazaar by José Andrés

SLS Hotel

thebazaar.com

The Setai

Friday tip: Go on Fridays and request a table at the courtyard. Fridays they have shows and great people watching, it is fun!

thesetaihotels.com

Yuca 105

Best Pisco Sour in town
On Alton Road

yuca105.com

Akash

On Lincoln Road

akashmiamibeach.com

Downtown Miami

Novikov

Best Peking Duck

novikovmiami.com

Zuma

Best Saturday & Sunday Brunch

zumarestaurant.com/locations/miami

Nusr-Et (On Brickell)

Best Steaks

nusr-et.com.tr

Hutong

Best Chinese and Dim Sum

hutong-miami.com

"A Must Go"

MAKOTO - Japanese in Bal Harbour Shops

MAKOTO
Japanese cuisine in Bal Harbour Shops. Has the best dessert in town - do not miss the TOBAN YAKI: seasonal fruit, passionfruit sauce, mango sorbet, homemade marshmallows.

My Recommendations

  • MAKOTO HOUSE SALAD - watercress, chikuwa, wasabi dressing
  • WASABI VEGETABLE FRIED RICE - pickled ginger
  • KOBE BEEF CARPACCIO - ginger, garlic, mitsuba, truffle oil
  • SPICY TUNA CRISPY RICE - serrano chili

Location & Contact

Address: 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour

Phone: (305) 864-8600

makoto-restaurant.com

Ines Tasting Menu at Her Favorite Miami & Beach Restaurants

1 JOE'S STONE CRAB
This is the temple of all restaurants and perhaps the oldest running establishment in town on its 102nd season. No visit to Miami is complete without a visit to Joe's.

My Favorites

  • Cole slaw (one of a kind recipe) and/or fried asparagus
  • Jumbo or Large stone crab
  • Sesame seared tuna (Outstanding, if you cannot have stone crab due to allergies)
  • Key lime pie (Best in the world!)

Reservation Policy

Reservations are honored only for large parties of 10 or more

Address: 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 673-0365

joesstonecrab.com

2 PRIME 112
Always a good scene with excellent food. Everything on the menu is superb!

Signature Dishes

  • The best shrimp cocktail in town - the shrimp are so large that one could be enough
  • The double wedge salad with creamy blue cheese dressing
  • Organic field mixed greens salad with walnuts & apple
  • The NY strip steak (my favorite)
  • The best Kobe beef Hot Dog in town (great for lunch - large enough to share)

Address: 112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 532-8112

Reservations: Required

mylesrestaurantgroup.com

3 RED STEAK HOUSE
In the chic SOFI neighborhood.

Address: 119 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Phone: (305) 534-3688

Website: redthesteakhouse.com

4 SMITH & WOLLENSKY
A great place where locals gather for lunch or dinner, or for just drinks (especially in the outdoor area on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to mingle and watch the cruise ships head to sea). July is Lobster Month: enjoy the lobster salad and other lobster dishes.

Address: 1 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 673-2800

smithandwollensky.com

5 TEXAS DE BRAZIL
Good food family style with a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices. Guaranteed to have a good time!

Address: 300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 695-7702

texasdebrazil.com

Sensational Oriental/Chinese/Sushi Cuisine

1 MR CHOW
Wow! The best service of any of the local restaurants. Try the prix fixe tasting menu.

Make Sure to Request

  • Glazed shrimp with walnut
  • Dungeness crab off the shell sautéed with egg white
  • Any of the Dim Sum dishes
  • Peking duck with scallions and pancakes

Address: 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 695-1695

Reservations: Recommended

mrchow.com

ZUMA
BEST GASTRONOMICAL BRUNCH IN TOWN.... TRULY FANTASTIC AND UNFORGETTABLE
This is one of the top restaurants in the world and my favorite in Miami.

Signature Dishes

  • Best dish in the house: yaki taraba gani king crab with ponzu lime butter (not available at Brunch)
  • gyuhire sumibiyaki karami sauce zuke - spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chili and sweet soy
  • Best chicken dish: tsubo miso gake hinadori no oven yaki - barley miso corn fed chicken oven roasted on cedar wood
  • Favorite sushi roll: pirikara hamachi maki - spicy yellowtail roll with serrano pepper and wasabi mayo

Address: 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131

Phone: (305) 577-0277

Reservations: Required for lunch, dinner or brunch

3 HAKKASAN AT THE FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL
Beautiful and Mesmerizing Decor. The London Hakkasan is considered one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. My favorite dishes are the duck salad, lemon chicken and the dim sum platter.

My favorite dish here: Peking Bao - Duck, chicken skin, scallion, cucumber, hoisin.

Address: 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Phone: (305) 674-4670

Reservations: Required

hakkasan.com

11 SUSHI SAMBA ON LINCOLN ROAD
This is my favorite Lincoln Road restaurant. When here I prefer outdoor seating.

Finger Selection & Snacks

  • Sushi Samba "Taquitos" (fish tacos) - order only the yellow tail. Best fish taco in town!
  • Sea bass & miso anticuchos
  • Rock shrimp tempura bibb lettuce

Weekend Brunch

  • Saturday or Sunday Brunch is an amazing value/experience
  • Three course prix-fixe $30.00 or à la carte
  • Bottomless Prosecco additional $25.00/person

Brunch Entrées

DOCE DE LEITE FRENCH TOAST - fresh berries and sesame whipped cream
HOUSEMADE QUINOA WAFFLES - kuromitsu and vanilla-cinnamon butter
WARM CHURROS - shichimi-caramel and Peruvian chocolate
CHURRASCO & EGGS - grilled hanger steak, red chimichurri, organic eggs any style
LOBSTER EGGS BENEDICT - miso-yuzu hollandaise
SOUTH AMERICAN FRITTATA - linguiça, asparagus, heart of palm, manchego cheese
SHRIMP AND POLENTA - organic poached egg and manchego
SAMBA COBB SALAD - slow-cooked chicken, organic egg, apple smoked bacon, avocado, wasabi ranch dressing
WAGYU SLIDERS - aji panca ketchup, shredded lettuce, tomato, sesame brioche, fries
FEIJOADA - Brazilian inspired brunch: savory stew of black bean, shredded pork, seared beef and carne seca with white rice, collard greens, farofa and fresh orange slices

Name: Sushi Samba Dromo

Address: 600 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 673-5337

Reservations: Not necessary, but recommended

sushisamba.com

12 KATSUYA BY STARCK AT THE SLS HOTEL
Since our favorite sushi hang out closed "BOND STREET" we now go to Katsuya for good sushi and Japanese food.

My Favorite Dishes

  • Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna
  • Creamy Rock Shrimp
  • Yellow Tail Sashimi with Jalapeño
  • Edamame & Shishito Peppers
  • Stuffed Eggplant and any of the ceviche choices
But any roll will do - they're all delicious!

Address: 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 455-2995

Reservations: Required

Email: katsuyasouthbeach@sbe.com

13 NOBU
Of world fame, our Nobu is located inside the Shore Club Hotel, enter by 20th Street across from Setai. Truly outstanding and worth the cost.

My Favorites

  • Soft shell crab with watermelon and jalapeño (seasonal dish - call ahead)
  • Yellow tail with jalapeño in lemon sauce
  • Spicy mayo rock shrimp
  • Lightly deep-fried tuna tempura roll
  • Mix green salad
  • End with a warm chocolate cake with ice cream

Address: 1901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 695-3232

Reservations: Required

noburestaurants.com

14 AQUA SUSHI BAR AT DELANO HOTEL
On the corner of 17th Street & Collins Avenue, this is a great sushi bar that is great for meeting people. My favorites are the shrimp and mango roll, tuna tower and small green salad.

Address: 1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 672-2000

Reservations: Not required - first come first serve

delano-hotel.com

Indomania

Fantastic Indonesian rijsttafel dishes: Meat or vegetarian rijsttafel. Small family run restaurant.

Address: 131 26th St, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Phone: (305) 535-6332

Reservations: Recommended

NAOE - The Hardest Restaurant to Get a Table

Capacity: 8 per seating

Address: 661 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, FL 33131

Phone: 305.947.6263 (NAOE)

Email: info@naoemiami.com

Seating Times: Monday - Saturday, 6:00 PM & 9:30 PM

Romantic Restaurants

1 CASA TUA
Italian with romance and flair. Lovely Key West style decor. Just a beautiful setting! Perfect for a romantic and quiet dinner, plus the food is divine. No advertisements, no street sign. Only the people in the know know how to find this one, and the second floor is a private club.

Address: 1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 673-0973

Reservations: Required

casatuahotel.com

2 THE RESTAURANT AT SETAI
Majestic Asian décor in a resort style. If you want to get away from noise and crowds and enjoy good food and company, head to Setai. Also considered to have the best Sunday brunch in town! Truly a culinary experience.

My Favorite Dishes

  • Deep Fried Frog Legs (Kha Goob) - the best recipe and frog legs ever! (Sorry, the new chef is no longer offering this exceptional dish)
  • Miso Roasted Black Cod, Oriental Mushrooms, Pearl Barley, Black Truffle Broth (No longer on menu - watch for new dishes from new chef)
  • Any of the tandoori dishes - they're all superb!
  • The scallop dumpling with truffle in a creamy sauce - the best dumpling in the world!

Address: 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 520-6402

Email: setaidining@ghmamericas.com

Reservations: Required

setai.com

PIED À TERRE - BEST FRENCH CUISINE IN TOWN
Corner of James & 17th Street inside the Cadet Hotel, exuding with charm. Authentic French Dining on South Beach with an intimate ambience...special and unique...try the warm seared foie gras.

Pied à Terre Restaurant prepares food using classic French cooking techniques, blended with the creativity and innovation that are featured at Michelin-starred restaurants in France today.

Our philosophy for food is: Fresh, Refined, Delicate, Flavorful, Light, and Healthy.

We offer an ever-changing menu reflecting fresh and seasonal ingredients and aim to support local farmers whenever possible. In addition to our à la carte menu, we offer a five-course chef's tasting menu with an optional wine pairing for every course.

Unique Concept

  • We do not have a full-time chef - innovative approach to dining
  • Three or four times a year we invite Seasonal Visiting Chefs from top Michelin-starred restaurants in France
  • They share the latest trends of French contemporary cuisine and create recipes specifically for Pied à Terre

Operating Hours

  • Tuesday - Thursday: 6:30pm - 10:00pm
  • Friday - Saturday: 6:30pm - 10:30pm
  • Sunday: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Closed Monday

Address: 1701 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 531-4533

piedaterrerestaurant.com

Seafood

MILO'S MIAMI BY COSTAS SPILIADIS
Best $25 lunch you ever spent...freshest Mediterranean fish or octopus. Don't miss the tomatoes salad...deliciously fresh. From farm to table. Dine before 7pm for better value.

Signature Dishes

  • Lavraki grilled Mediterranean bass
  • Grilled Octopus - sashimi quality Mediterranean octopus, charcoal-broiled
  • Tomato Salad - feta cheese, seasoned with Greek herbs & extra virgin olive oil

Address: 730 1st St, Miami Beach (corner of 1st & Washington Ave.)

Phone: (305) 604-6800

Reservations: Recommended

2 GRILLFISH RESTAURANT
Has the best grilled fish and artichoke dish in town. Grilled artichoke as an appetizer, Caesar calamari salad and the whole yellow tail grilled. If you have room for dessert order the homemade brownie sundae, a real treat, or the mango key lime pie.

Address: 1444 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 538-9908

Reservations: Recommended

grillfish.com

Fun Restaurants with Excellent Food on the Beach

Barton G

A great place to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries. The presentation of every dish is theater at its best.

Address: 1427 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 672-8881

Reservations: Recommended

bartong.com

Villa Azur Restaurant and Lounge

Where the beautiful people come to dine. Garden dining available.

Address: 309 23rd St, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 763-8688

Reservations: Required

Baoli

Nightclub ambience and great garden dining in back. I prefer the green beans and the veal, as well as seating in the garden in back.

Address: 1906 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 674-8822

baoli.com

Other Beach Restaurants Worth a Visit

Blue Door @ Delano Hotel

Continental & French cuisine

Address: 1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 672-2000

delano-hotel.com

Ola Miami

The pork dish is the best dish here.

Address: 1745 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 695-9125

olamiami.com

Sardinia

Excellent regional cold cut platter and house salad are best.

Mare Mio

Best mushroom ravioli with truffle dish and triple tail fish.

Address: 447 Espanola Way (Charming Street to walk or eat)

maremiorestaurant.com

BLT at the Betsy Ross Hotel

The best dishes here are the Hamachi with avocado & hearts of palm appetizer and the dover sole.

Address: 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 673-0044

bltsteak.com

Miami Restaurants You Should Venture Off the Beach For

The River Oyster Bar

The best oysters in town by the Miami River.

Address: 650 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33130

Phone: (305) 530-1915

therivermiami.com

MC KITCHEN

Great ambiance and Italian food in the design district.

Address: 4141 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137

Phone: (305) 572-2901

fratellilyon.com

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Fantastic Greek/Turkish food in a 1940 charming home with back yard garden. Everything is absolutely delicious.

Address: 4312 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Phone: 305.576.6066

Email: mandolinmiami@gmail.com

mandolinmiami.com

Gigi's

Address: 3470 N. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

Phone: (305) 456-1470

giginow.com

CVI.CHE 105

Address: 105 N.E. 3rd Ave. Miami, FL 33132

Phone: 305.577.3454

Email: info@ceviche105.com

ceviche105.com

Morgans

Order the apple pie when you order your main course as it takes 15 to 20 minutes to prepare, homemade.

Address: 28 NE 29th Street, Miami, FL 33132

Phone: (305) 573-9678

themorgansrestaurant.com

The Bazaar by José Andrés

Address: 1701 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: (305) 455-2999

The Newest Sensation in Town

EATING HOUSE
The young chef born and raised in Miami has been nominated the Chef of the Year.

For Indian Food venture to...

1) Mint Leaf

Address: 276 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables

Phone: 305-443-3739

2) Bombay Darbar

Address: Coconut Grove

Phone: 305-444-7272

For Authentic Chinese Food visit:

1) Chu's

The best Peking Duck in town, have it three way!
Dim Sum served daily

Address: 2728 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Phone: (786) 953-7351

chusgables.com

2) Dragon City

Fresh Seafood from a tank and authentic Chinese fare...a real gem!

Address: 6708 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33024

Phone: (954) 894-8393

Other Food Recommendations

Maya's Taps & Grill

The best pizza (only available during lunch). Order the "De Napoli" consisting of Prosciutto, Basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Truffle Oil and Tomato Sauce.

Address: 809 Lincoln Rd.

Phone: (305) 538-0058

Los Ranchos at Bayside Marketplace

The Best Nicaraguan Dish: Meson de Candido. Charbroiled Pork Loin Marinated with Achiote and Spices.

Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd (on the north shopping arcade)

Phone: (305) 375-8188

beststeakinmiami.com

Shake Shack

Good burger and shakes.

Address: Lenox, Miami Beach, FL 33139

La Provence French Bakery

The best baked goods in town. If you're up early, go watch them bake! Great for breakfast or lunch. Other locations in town.

Address: 1621 Collins, Miami Beach

Phone: (305) 538-2406

laprovencemiami.com

Segafredo on Lincoln Road

The best café scene. The food is okay, but the people watching is great.

For Bargain Hunter Food Lovers

Be Sure to visit Miami During the months of August and September for the Miami Spice Specials:
I love Miami Spice!
miamirestaurantmonth.com

For Healthy Dining try...

The Traymore Restaurant at the Metropolitan Hotel

Address: 2445 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

Phone: 305-695-3600

Local Bars

1 SOUTH POINTE TAVERN
Cozy cocktail bar serving diverse spirits, craft beers & wine, plus ceviche, charcuterie & more.

Address: 40 South Pointe Drive, 109, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Hours: Open today · 8AM–2AM

Phone: (305) 763-8368

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