The best new restaurants in Miami to explore this season

What is it? A laid-back pizza joint and Italian market in Little River from the sibling duo behind Macchialina and partner Jen Chaefsky. It’s relaxed yet still special enough for a date night or a casual dinner with friends.

Why we love it: Bar Bucce fills a gap in Miami’s pizza scene: It’s approachable and low-key, but still delivers serious food and top-notch wines. It's perfect for a chill lunch, family-friendly dinner or a lively evening with friends and flowing cocktails. The food menu hits all the right notes with oversized pies, charcuterie, and standout small plates, while the curated wine list (and even sake!) complements the whole experience.

Time Out tip: Skip the $5 focaccia and use your leftover crust to scoop up the eggplant caponata appetizer. You’ll thank me later.

Address: 7220 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33150

Opening hours: Thu–Mon 11am–11pm

Expect to pay: Two couples or a family with a very hungry kid can get away with a pie, a bottle of wine and an appetizer for about $150.

What is it? Notable chef Raheem Sealey (of KYU and Drinking Pig fame) makes a triumphant return to Wynwood with Shiso, a chic Asian smokehouse fusing Japanese and Caribbean flavors, elevated by wood-fired barbecue techniques.

Why we love it: Shiso knows how to make a statement. The sprawling indoor-outdoor space, complete with two bars and Wynwood-style graffiti walls, draws culinary inspiration from around the globe. Chef Sealey balances sushi rolls and crudos with serious barbecue skills, turning out bold, beautifully plated dishes. Standouts include the Shiso Chicken Please (a Cornish hen served half-smoked, half-fried with white BBQ sauce), miso cornbread with uni and ikura, smoked brisket croquettes with sweet potato, and Chilean seabass in coconut curry. Don’t miss the sake-glazed creamed corn with parmesan and shichimi—it’s a flavor bomb that disappears fast.

Time Out tip: Choose your vibe: Outside offers DJ beats and draft cocktails, while the indoor space leans into old-school hip-hop and more complex craft drinks.

Address: 239 NW 28th St, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat, Sun 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: While mostly on the higher end, the shareable menu appeals to a wide range of price points. Expect cold dishes for $20 to $30, hot dishes for $18 to $42 and large-format mains upwards of $70. 

What is it? A vibey Argentinian import with a big personality, serving a taut menu of Latin-ized Asian dishes. Expect familiar fare like fried rice and dumplings, with a twist.

Why we love it: Niño Gordo is transportive. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but step in and you’re enveloped in a moody crimson world filled with Asian motifs, bamboo curtains, mirrored walls, decorative fish tanks (featuring artificial sea creatures), and an admittedly adorable niño gordo wallpaper pattern. A soundtrack of ’80s and ’90s hits keeps the energy high. Dining solo or on a date? The counter seats facing the open kitchen offer a front-row show.

Time Out tip: The must-order Wagyu sando is about $57… for a (very worthy) sandwich, and it’s rich.  Ask your server to cut it into quarters to share as an appetizer. And don’t be fooled by the cigarette vending machine—it’s actually the entrance to a tiny but cool speakeasy and sushi bar.

Address: 112 NW 28th St, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 6pm–midnight

Expect to pay: About $150 per person for a couple of cocktails and two to three shareable plates, including the aforementioned sando. 

What is it? A speakeasy-style steak house hidden just off Española Way that feels more like a stylish collector’s private lounge than a restaurant. 

Why we love it: The Joyce pulls off the rare feat of feeling exclusive without being pretentious. Chef James Taylor (of Alinea fame) and art collector Andre Sakhai have created a spot where steak house classics are reimagined in playful, elevated ways—from the spicy hamachi crudo to the insanely tender A5 filet mignon. Even the cocktails lean experimental. Think doctored spirits like A5-washed whiskey and blue cheese rum that somehow just work. 

Time Out tip: Don’t sleep on the Joyce Burger. Though more casual than the rest of the fare, it’s one of the most satisfying bites on the menu.

Address: 448 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5:30–11pm

Expect to pay: This is a splurge spot, but worth it. Figure around $150 to $250 a person, depending on how wild you get with the wine and Wagyu.

What is it? This buzzy, waterfront Italian restaurant in Little River from the group behind Coconut Grove’s Cotoletta is earning attention for its no-menu concept. 

Why we love it:  San Lorenzo offers a much-needed reprieve for the decision-fatigued, like me. The only question you’ll be asked is: meat or fish? From there, you’ll relinquish control to executive Giulio Rossi and his trusted staff, who take over serving a beautiful prix-fixe meal of antipasti, pasta and main course. All you have to do is pick a wine and say yes to dessert, especially the tiramisu. Reservations are made strictly by phone (786-828-7136), which only adds to San Lorenzo’s old-school charm. 

Time Out tip: The 44-seat space is a stunner, with Venetian lighting, a commanding raffia bar, and warm terracotta tones. But if the weather’s nice, sit riverside—there’s nothing quite like it in Miami right now.

Address: 620 NE 78th St, Miami, FL 33138

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 6–11pm

Expect to pay: Dinner is priced at $140 per couple, including appetizers, pasta course and main. Drinks and dessert are priced separately.

What is it? Philly’s Michael Solomonov, one of the country’s top ambassadors of Israeli cuisine, takes over the 1 Hotel South Beach’s flagship restaurant with Aviv, offering a modern, immersive journey through Middle Eastern flavors in a cozy, design-forward setting.

Why we love it: If you remember Solomonov’s beloved Wynwood spot Dizengoff, then you already know the hummus here is next-level. At Aviv, he offers it in several standout versions—topped with mushrooms, swirled with ground beef, and always paired with fresh-baked pita and salatim (a colorful spread of pickled veggies and cold starters). Chef Solomonov takes a few risks worth trying, such as the tuna boreeka with a soft Happy Egg mixed tableside and the halloumi baklava with strawberries and pistachios. Simple works well here, too, I found myself polishing off beef shishlik, a classic beef skewer served with tabbouleh, and a side of buttery rice pilaf. 

Time Out tip: Drink your dessert! The black-and-white cookie drink is a boozy nod to the Jewish deli classic and a surprisingly great way to end the meal.

Address: 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 5–10pm; Thu–Sat 5–11pm

Expect to pay: The $75 tasting menu is a solid way to try all the hits, though it requires participation from the entire table.

What is it? Maple & Ash at Miami Worldcenter is the third outpost of America’s top-grossing steakhouse—and it’s basically a party masquerading as a restaurant. The dining room even doubles as a walk-through wine library.

Why we love it: This place nails the over-the-top steakhouse experience with flair and flavor. The fire-roasted seafood tower is a showstopper (and comes with a pasta course built in). Steaks range from decadent Wagyu to a generously portioned tomahawk, and the cocktails are just as extra—one old-fashioned comes topped with actual gold flakes. 

Time Out tip: Splurge on the “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu ($250 per person) with a group. Your name gets printed on the menu, and the kitchen sends out its greatest hits—zero decisions required.

Address: 699 NE First Ave., 2nd floor, Miami, FL 33132

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 6–11pm; Fri, Sat 6pm–midnight

Expect to pay: This one’s a blowout. Plan on at least $175 to $300 a person if you’re doing it right (and you should).

What is it? Rosemary’s Miami is the Wynwood outpost of a beloved NYC Italian spot, set in a converted shoe warehouse that now feels like a breezy Tuscan garden. 

Why we love it: It’s equal parts charming and delicious. The urban garden isn’t just for show—it supplies herbs and garnishes for much of the menu, which is mostly seasonal. Highlights include the spicy lemon-bomba chili shrimp linguine, the vibrant tuna crudo with garden herb purée, and the mushroom cavatelli. Even the meatballs feel thoughtful, thanks to a generous ricotta ratio.

Time Out tip: Book a sunset table to watch the sun dip behind Wynwood’s ever-growing skyline with a Rosemary’s Spritz in hand. It's a Miami moment you didn’t know you needed.

Address: 322 NW 25th St, 33127

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri 5–11pm; Sat 11am–3:30pm, 5–11pm; Sun 11am–3:30 pm, 5–10 pm

Expect to pay: About $100 a person, all in, for a satisfying meal plus cocktails—a steal these days.

What is it? A bustling pan-Asian import from Philadelphia, serving up a wide-ranging menu of cold and hot plates, sushi rolls, and robata-grilled bites.

Why we love it: The former Wynwood Kitchen space found its perfect successor in Double Knot, a sleek, versatile spot that fits the neighborhood’s high-energy vibe. Whether you’re grabbing happy hour drinks with friends, posting up at the sushi counter, or settling in for a full-blown feast, the space delivers. It’s stylish without trying too hard, and the izakaya menu keeps things interesting across every section.

Time Out tip: Order the Philly cheesesteak bao buns for a true East-meets-West moment. It's one of the most flavorful bites on the menu. It's worth mentioning the cocktail prices too, which hover around the $15 mark for some of the better-priced options in the neighborhood.

Address: 2550 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Most of the menu is made for sharing, with pricing that varies by section (sushi, robata, salads, etc.). Budget anywhere from $50 to $150 per person, depending on how hungry you’re feeling.

What is it? Sunny's was a beacon of light during the pandemic, a casual outdoor spot where we felt safe and snug sipping 'tinis and slurping oysters under the canopy of the banyan tree. Its trajectory from a laid-back pop-up to one of the best new restaurants in Miami is no coincidence. The original superstar team (with some new additions) has remodeled and reopened in Little River. Yes, it's a more "elevated" steakhouse now, but it still brings us back to the friendly service, celebratory vibe and amazing food and drinks we fell in love with. There's a proper indoor dining room and an expanded menu, too, including a solid lineup of fresh pasta.

Why we love it: Sunny’s strikes the rare balance between polished and playful. The elevated dishes and intimate interiors feel grown-up, but the atmosphere never loses its relaxed, come-as-you-are charm. It’s a restaurant that remembers why we go out in the first place—to feel good.

Time Out tip: If you can't get a reservation, try showing up around happy hour. The picnic tables by the bar outside are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are just as much fun.

Address: 7357 NW Miami Ct, Miami, FL 33150

Opening hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu 5:30–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm

Expect to pay: About $200 to $250 per person if you do it right—martinis to start, wine with dinner, plus a healthy mix of crudos, salads, steak and pasta. You go big at Sunny's.