Miami’s dining scene is in constant motion—new restaurants open, pop-ups turn permanent, and chefs from around the world come to test ideas.
The city’s mix of Latin American, Caribbean, and coastal influences, plus serious fine dining and wild nightlife, makes it one of the most dynamic food cities in the country.
These newer spots capture some of that energy.
1. Boia De
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, Boia De has become one of Miami’s most exciting modern restaurants.
The room is small and lively, with a buzzy, neighborhood feel and the kind of menu that makes you want to order everything.
The cooking blends Italian roots with global influences: inventive pastas, beautifully seared meats, crudos with bright, sharp flavors, and vegetable dishes that are anything but an afterthought.
The wine list leans natural and offbeat, and the plates are designed for sharing, making it perfect for a long, leisurely dinner.
2. Itamae / Itamae AO
Itamae helped define Miami’s current wave of Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cooking, and its current incarnation continues that legacy with raw fish, citrus, and chile-driven flavors at the forefront.
The atmosphere is relaxed and contemporary, more focused on the food than on scene-y theatrics.
Expect tiraditos and ceviches layered with textures—crispy onions, corn, sweet potatoes—as well as inventive maki and composed plates that merge Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients.
It’s fresh, bright, and ideal for Miami’s climate and vibe.
3. Café La Trova
Café La Trova feels like stepping into a time-warped slice of Havana, with live music, classic Cuban cocktails, and a room that buzzes well into the night. It’s equal parts serious bar and serious restaurant.
On the plate, you’ll find elevated versions of Cuban standards: croquetas, lechón, ropa vieja, and seafood dishes that balance richness with acidity.
At the bar, legendary cantineros shake and stir flawless Daiquiris, Mojitos, and more elaborate rum-based cocktails.
It’s as much an experience as it is a meal, and it captures Miami’s Cuban heritage in a contemporary way.
4. Leku
Located at the Rubell Museum, Leku brings modern Basque cuisine to Miami in a light-filled, art-adjacent setting.
The dining room opens onto a garden, and the whole experience feels a bit like being transported to northern Spain.
The menu focuses on wood-fired cooking, pristine seafood, and vegetables treated with respect.
Expect grilled whole fish, perfectly seared steaks, delicate pintxos-style bites, and seasonal produce prepared simply but beautifully. The wine list is rich in Spanish selections, and the overall vibe is calm, refined, and a welcome contrast to Miami’s flashier side.
5. Jaguar Sun
Jaguar Sun is a small, intimate cocktail bar that just happens to serve some of the most satisfying pasta and bar snacks in the city.
Tucked into the lobby of an office building, it feels like a hidden gem even as its reputation has grown.
The menu is tight but polished: a handful of pastas with deep, layered flavors, excellent bread and butter, and standout small plates that pair perfectly with drinks.
The cocktails are balanced, creative, and grounded in classic technique, making Jaguar Sun as appealing for a few drinks at the bar as for a full dinner.
Get the All-American Travel Secrets!
Don't miss out on America's hidden gems!
