The best new restaurants in Miami you need to try right now

What is it? Named after the Greek goddess of the dawn, this modern Turkish restaurant with Greek and Eastern Mediterranean influences is the latest tenant at the beautifully restored Bay Shore Water Pump House, once an essential part of Miami's early infrastructure.

Why we love it: Chef Halit Avuka (an alum of Miami’s perennial Greek favorite, Mandolin) incorporates the culinary traditions of Greece, Turkey, Anatolia and the Levant into his menu while also embracing South Florida’s abundance of local produce and fresh seafood. Everything we tried was exceptionally fresh, well-balanced and meticulously plated. 

Time Out tip: Do not skip dessert—in this setting, you’ll want to linger. We went with the special, an incredible slow-cooked pumpkin confection topped with nutty tahini and walnuts for crunch. I’ll be back to try the kazandibi, a smooth milk pudding with a gently caramelized base and a subtle toasted sweetness.

Address: 5805 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 4–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 4–11pm

What is it? Clay Conley's famous Palm Beach restaurant has finally opened an outpost south on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

Why we love it: The upscale neighborhood restaurant serves creative, ingredient-driven global cuisine in a sophisticated setting that still manages to feel warm and inviting. Tour the world by way of Thai-inspired chicken, Peruvian-leaning short rib and Cuba's version of a slider, the frita. Pastas are available in half portions—even though ordering Buccan’s famed corn agnolotti as anything less than a full dish would be sacrilege. it's simply that good. 

Time Out tip: The chocolate chip cookies are an if-you-know-you-know dessert—unassuming, perfect and impossible to resist. Even if you’re full, order a batch to go (you’ll get five).

Address: 100 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm

What is it? A diminutive Japanese café from the team behind Michelin-starred omakase restaurant Shingo, serving all kinds of milk bread toasts, sandos, bentos, shio pans and more.

Why we love it: Well-priced bento boxes that make for a wholesome, filling lunch; perfect sandos served on crustless milk bread (the BLT was a standout); and a shio pan stuffed with rich chocolate are just a few of the reasons why we'll stand in line for a meal at STAND. 

Time Out tip: The matcha latte here is strong and calls for a bit of sweetener, or get yours with the house-made strawberry jam to tame some of the bitterness with healthy fruit. 

Address: 98 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8am–4pm

What is it? Located at the base of the luxury NoMad Residences Wynwood, this Italian concept with 10 distinct stations spans nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor dining and outdoor terrace space along the neighborhood’s humming Northwest Second Avenue.

Why we love it: Though it’s designed in the vein of a food hall, the full experience is seamless, from the host who seats you at your table to the server from whom you can order fresh pasta, pizza, sushi, wood-fired meats or selections from any of the other stations. Dishes and drinks arrive speedily, though you'll never feel rushed.

Time Out tip: Need to pick up a present? The Mercato features premium take-home products, including Casa Tua private-label items like pasta, olive oils, chocolates and coffee, plus specialty items sourced from around the world—all of which are perfect for gifting. 

Address: NoMad Residences Wynwood, NW 27th Terrace & NW 2nd Ave, 33127

Opening hours: Daily 9am–11pm

What is it? Slim's is Stephen Starr's latest restaurant, located in the former Makoto space at Bal Harbour Shops, featuring a 1930s-inspired room with checkered marble floors, leather banquettes, brass fixtures, and walls covered in art deco murals by the illustrator behind some of The New Yorker's most recognizable covers. 

Why we love it: For starters, the Christoph Niemann murals and the expansive patio with a view of Bal Harbour's singular cast of characters. The wine-by-the-glass program is broader than most steakhouses, and the dishes, while showy, are actually substantial. Every steak is decadent and well charred; the hardest part is choosing which cut to go with. The sides are also showstoppers. The stuffed hash brown could feed a small family, while the onion rings are enormous and thick-cut. For dessert, the pink champagne cake is the move, and the bananas Foster is a fun tableside production. 

Time Out tip: The $100 cheesesteak, a Starr signature, is meant to be shared. Give yourself extra time in the Bal Harbor Shops garage; construction means parking takes longer than it used to.

Address: 9700 Collins Ave, Suite 101, Bal Harbour, FL 33154

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

What is it? A luxe, contemporary Italian restaurant in the sky—54 floors above Brickell, to be exact.

Why we love it: Seia is built for power lunches, special-occasion dinners and any moment that calls for a lavish Italian meal with spectacular views. The refined, ingredient-driven menu emphasizes seasonality and simplicity. Dishes—much like the calming, neutral-toned space—show a level of restraint that allows each component to shine. You taste the fresh Calabrian oregano brushed atop the sliced wagyu strip steak just as much as the shards of Parmesan scattered over the beef carpaccio. Seia is minimalism done right.

Time Out tip: Less a tip and more a revelation: order the linguine alle vongole. I usually avoid seafood pasta, but the small, flavor-packed Manila clams add just the right amount of salinity to the delicate white wine sauce. Our server even offered to portion it tableside, ensuring every serving was equal and no clam was left behind.

Address: 830 Brickell Plaza, Miami, FL 33131 

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

What is it? Pauline, located inside the gorgeously renovated Shelborne By Proper, serves a coastal-inspired menu that celebrates Miami’s rich Latin, Caribbean and Mediterranean influences in a sexy, midcentury-tinged space.

Why we love it: As the renovated The Shelborne By Proper flagship restaurant, Pauline rises to the occasion, tucked past the soaring lobby in a sultry dining room where couples, creatives and jetsetters converge in a mix of tailored linens and laidback resort looks. The raw bar wows and and makes up the largest portion of the menu here—think conch ceviche, fluke crudo and chilled lobster salad, which is bright, textural and savory with ribbons of jicama, coconut and mint.

Time Out tip: Familiar ingredients belie some surprising preparations and serious culinary technique in Pauline’s tightly curated menu. When in doubt, ask your server for a bit of guidance. After all, each dish here comes with a story, and that’s definitely part of the fun. After dinner, stop in for a nightcap and chilled vinyl sounds at Little Torch, the Shelborne’s cozy cocktail lounge where drinks are mixed up tableside from a roving bar cart.

Address: 1801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6–10pm

What is it? A Mexico City import specializing in Baja-style seafood and shareable plates, Cha Cha Cha brings a laid-back coastal Mexican sensibility to the former Beaker & Gray space.

Why we love it: The fresh seafood shines, from the standout tostada de atún with crispy fried shallots to the deeply flavorful aguachile negro. Add tequila-forward cocktails, housemade tortillas and a warm, understated dining room, and you’ve got a restaurant that works equally well for a solo meal, date night or big group dinner.

Time Out tip: Order the tostada de atún and aguachile negro, then round out the table with the carnitas, salbute de pollo and chopped salad. And yes, get the rice and beans with the carnitas.

Address: 2637 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–9:30pm; Fri 5–10:30pm; Sat noon–3pm, 5–10:30pm; Sun noon–3pm 

What is it? An intimate eight-seat omakase counter in the Design District from acclaimed sushi chef Yasu Tanaka, serving a seasonal “Japan-meets-Miami” tasting menu built around pristine seafood, local produce and top-tier Japanese ingredients.

Why we love it: YASU goes beyond traditional omakase with thoughtful, creative touches that feel both distinctly Japanese and uniquely Miami. Expect impeccably sourced fish, inventive dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients like ramps and rhubarb, and a carefully paced nigiri progression that highlights Tanaka’s technical precision.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the sake or by-the-glass wine selections—rare producers and limited-batch pours are a major part of the experience. And pay attention to the details, from the custom-seasoned rice to the subtle hospitality touches that make the evening feel seamless.

Address: 151 NE 41st, Suite 137, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6pm, 8:30pm seatings