1. Amara at Paraiso
    Photograph: Courtesy Amara at Paraiso | Amara at Paraiso
  2. Amara at Paraiso by Michael Schwartz
    Photograph: Courtesy Amara at Paraiso
  3. Amara at Paraiso
    Photograph: Courtesy Amara at Paraiso
  4. Amara at Paraiso
    Photograph: Courtesy Amara at Paraiso | Amara at Paraiso

Review

Amara at Paraiso

5 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants | Fusion
  • price 4 of 4
  • Design District
  • Recommended
Olee Fowler
Advertising

Time Out says

This Edgewater waterfront gem from James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz debuted in 2018, and occupies a prime stretch of Biscayne Bay with a design that frames the water through floor-to-ceiling windows and a breezy, palm-fringed terrace. The restaurant feels both polished and relaxed—concrete floors, wood-beam ceilings, and tropical greenery create a space that's distinctly Miami without becoming a cliche.

Schwartz's Latin American-inspired coastal menu draws heavily from open-fire cooking under the guidance of Executive Chef Gastón Yelicich. Start with the yuca cheese puffs (add truffle if you're feeling indulgent) or the standout tuna crudo with creamy avocado, lime and cilantro. The Paraiso Seafood Tower impresses with its bounty of Maine lobster, oysters, hamachi tiradito, and ceviche. For mains, the half chicken a la brasa with crispy smashed potatoes and aji verde shows what wood-fired cooking can achieve, while the fresh catch with garlic mashed yuca and chimichurri is perfect 

The cocktail program boasts plenty of tropical flavors like the Calm Before the Coconut, served in an actual coconut, combines Brugal 1888 rum, cachaça, and pineapple in a photogenic yet genuinely balanced drink. The wine list explores South American producers, with particular strength in Argentinian and Chilean selections that pair well with the menu's flame-cooked proteins.

The vibe: A breezy indoor-outdoor space where Miami's natural beauty takes center stage.

The food: Latin American-inflected coastal fare that celebrates the marriage of wood-fire cooking and locally sourced ingredients

The drink: Sophisticated tropical cocktails and South American wines that complement.

Time Out tip: Request an outdoor table about 45 minutes before sunset. Better yet, visit on a weekday when the crowds thin out and you can actually linger over your meal without feeling the hostess's eyes burning into your back.

Details

Address
3936 N Miami Ave
Miami
33127-2918
Cross street:
Paraiso District
Transport:
Bus 3, 16, 36
Price:
$$
Opening hours:
Mon–Wed noon–10pm; Thu, Fri noon–11pm; Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–10pm
Do you own this business?Sign in & claim business
Advertising
You may also like
You may also like