What are the Best Restaurants in South Beach and Miami Area -- 2019

Joe's Stone Crab  (Edinformatics Select )   11 Washington Avenue / South Beach / 305-673-0365
(Zagat rating of 27)Stone crab season runs from October through May and this classic Miami Beach dining room serves the best crabs in town ---don't forget the lyonnaise potatoes, steamy clam chowder and key lime pie that has made Joe's Stone Crab famous. See Restaurant and take-out menus -- see yelp reviews -- This old restaurant remains amount the Best Restaurants in South Beach.

Seagrape  114041 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33140 (786) 708-2731
Seagrape is located inside the Thompson Hotel in Miami Beach and also has a lovely outdoor patio area. Both the restaurant and its botanical namesake find their roots along the coasts of southern Florida and the Caribbean—and that is precisely where the Miami native and James Beard Foundation Award winning Chef Michelle Bernstein draws her inspiration. Focusing on local bounty sourced by land and by sea, she enlists a handful of nearby farmers to do her bidding in the garden. Farm-fresh vegetables, natural reductions and eclectic sauces complement a selection of pedigreed steaks and fresh seafood. . See Restaurant site and Menu -- see yelp reviews -- 

OLA (Edinformatics Select)  Santuary Hotel  1745 James Avenue / South Beach / 305-695-9125
(Zagat rating of 27) Internationally acclaimed Latin Top Chef, Douglas Rodriguez, has brought the vibrant Latin American flavors to OLA Restaurant in Miami Beach. Chef Rodriguez is a master of ceviche using the freshest of ingredients...see menu below for sample ceviches. The restaurant has lots of energy, excellent lighting and a view of the kitchen. Located in the Santuary Hotel with an outdoor terrace is also available for dining. Chef Douglas Rodriguez was named by Newsweek Magazine as" one of the 100 Americans that will influence the coming millennium" and was named by Zagat as "The Most Important Latin Chef". We consider OLA to be on top of our list as one of the best restaurants in South Beach. See Menu --see yelp reviews

(Above Left)Ola's Tuna and Foie Gras Ceviche -Kumquat-yuzu sauce, lemon oil, black pepper, serrano chilies and baby arugula (Above Right)Ola's Lobster Empanada -Squid ink dough filled with maine lobster ad butter, with avocado sauce and salsa rosa

The Bazaar by Jose Andres - SLS Hotel --1701 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 T: 305.455.2999 The Bazaar contains a vibrant mix of sophisticated cuisine and playful indoor and outdoor lounge spaces. Dining transcends into fête extraordinaire with a collection of imaginative culinary experiences that offer pioneering delicacies and delicious libations. The Bazaar menu blends tradition and ingenuity in true Spanish style and mixes them with influences from South Beach’s local Latin flavors and rich history. See Dinner Menu -- 

Los Feugos  (Edinformatics Select) by Francis Mallmann- 201 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 3314 - Phone number (786) 655-5600- Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann creates a contemporary asado experience with an open-fire kitchen, local ingredients and a gaucho’s touch to transform traditional rustic recipes into sophisticated, savory dishes. flavors and rich history. Francis Mallmann is an Argentine celebrity chef, author, and restaurateur who specializes in Argentine, and especially Patagonian cuisine, with a focus on various Patagonian methods of barbecuing food. He has been featured on numerous international television programmes, as well as on the Netflix original series Chef's Table . The restaurant Los Feugos is located in a gorgeous setting in the Faena Hotel. See Website-- 

Hakassan at the Fontainebleau
"This award-winning restaurant has made its US debut at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and offers diners authentic Cantonese fare complimented by a diverse menu of New World wines and sake. The restaurant, located on the fourth floor rooftop, is a seductive enclave of rich textures and hues". There is a long colorful bar where you can sample dishes. ..read more.... Dim Sum is also offered on Saturday and Sunday Lunch. . Dining Menu --see yelp reviews

Toni's Sushi Bar(Edinformatics Select) 1208 Washington Avenue, South Beach -tel. 305-673-9368
(Zagat Rating 25) You can always find excellent fresh sushi at this place that is popular with the locals. It has been on South Beach for many years and remains one of the best places to get sushi on South Beach for fair prices. Daily special fish is always listed over the sushi bar. Don't expect the usual South Beach scene here. See Toni's Menu --see yelp reviews

Yarbirds Southern Table and Bar(Edinformatics Select) 1600 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 538-5220
(Zagat Rating -24) This is one of South Beach newer restaurant that has become a big hit very quickly with lines on the weekend. Food is upscale Southern Style cooking with dishes that include: fried chicken, shrimp and grits and oversized Frogs Legs from the Everglades. The room is filled with butcher-block tables and tractor-seat stools and Yarbirds has a well-stocked bourbon bar. Noise level can be high here. Yarbirds quickly has become one of South Beaches Best Restaurants.

Fried Everglades' Frog Legs with sweet and sour jelly, bacon bits, exobeche mayo. See Yarbirds Menu --see yelp reviews

Scarpetta at the Fontainebleau Hotel-- For reservations, call 877 326 7412. 
(Zagat 25 rating) Scott Conant, former chef from L’Impero and Alto, is in charge of Scarpetta, Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s Italian restaurant. Scarpetta also has a branch in New York City. The restaurant has really nice ocean and poolside views, as well as casual dining areas and a cocktail lounge. --Dinner and Brunch Menus --- see yelp reviews

NEWMICHAEL MINA -74 Edinformatics Select Fontainebleau Miami Beach 4441 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140 Tel: 305.674.4636
This is Michael Mina's latest venture located in the Hotel Fontainbleau in Miami Beach. --Black Cod - White Miso --Grilled Quail with Foie Gras jerk spice, glazed mango, Octopus al la Plancha, and Pompano encrusted with potato slices.--Home Page and Menus --- see yelp reviews

Michael Mina and his talented chef de cuisine, Thomas Griese (formerly of the Setai Lounge) create these wonderful dishes: (top left) Grilled Qual and Foie Gras, jerk spice, glazed mango
quail jus; (top right) Potato-crusted Pompano, crispy cauliflower, romanesco, tamarind brown butter.

Osteria del Teatro    1443 Washington Avenue / South Beach / 305-538-7850 
(Zagat rating of 26) This is a classic 20-year old Miami Beach Restaurant serving Italian cuisine. While the menu is a comprehensive collection of traditional pastas, seafood and meats. The daily specials are posted on the blackboard outside. Excellent daily pasta specials... very oversized so think about splitting. -- Menu -- see yelp reviews

Prime 112    112 Ocean Drive / South Beach / 305-532-8112 
(Zagat rating of 26)This south beach restaurant is part of the group of restaurants owned by Myles Chefetz in including, Prime 112, Prime Italian, and Nemo. Prime 112 is a hot-spot that feeds both a local and international following with huge steaks, lobsters and truffled macaroni and cheese served in a noisy crowded dining room. While the steaks are considered among the best in Florida expect: to pay high prices even though 'tables are pack on top of one another'. The same steaks can be had across the street in their sister restaurant Prime Italian which has a more subdued atmosphere. -- Menu --see yelp reviews

Sardinia Ristorante   Edinformatics Select   1801 Purdy Avenue / South Beach / 305-531-2228
(Zagat 23) Regional Italian cuisine is a fairly new concept in south beach. You will find many Sardinian specialties cooked in an open wood-burning oven—roast suckling pig flavored with rosemary and the Sardinia's myrtle berry liqueur; homemade pasta dishes; salt crust-baked branzino (Mediterranean sea bass); numerous luscious vegetable antipasti (cippolline al forno, brussel sprouts with guanciale, among others). Next door same owners run Cassola's Pizza. -- Menu -- see yelp reviews

Spiga    1228 Collins Ave. /South Beach/ 305-534-0079
(Zagat rating of 26) Romantic front porch and side walkway area. Homemade pastas are excellent --green veal ravioli, sateed with porcini mushrooms.... -- Menu -- see yelp reviews

Fratelli La Buffa  Edinformatics Select    437 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 532-0700
This is a very busy place especially with Italian tourists. Expect a line outside during high season. It is just on the corner of 5th and Washington, so an easy location to get to and there is outdoor seating. There is a large selection of pastas and pizzas. The pizzas are all cooked in a wood oven. The food is simialr to the one in NYC and they have several branches in Italy. For the price and quality of food and good service we rate this one of the best restaurants in South Beach.- see yelp reviews

NEW Bar Crudo 40 South Pointe Drive • Miami Beach - FL, 33139 --305-763-8508 
This is exactly what the name says ... Crudo... nothing is cooked here all raw but very fresh. The place is very small and not good for groups. It is near South Pointe and worth and visit. yelp reviews

Smith and Wollensky    1 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139(305) 673-2800  
This restaurant located at South Pointe is overlooking the water with views of Fisher Island. It is great to just sit at the bar for a drink and some small plates (excellent truffle mac and cheese). There are also tables located outside along the water with great views as boats pass. As you can see we like this place mostly for it's great location and view..... - see yelp reviews

Aventura Mall and North Miami

NEWJ&G Grill -- 9703 Collins Ave Bal Harbour, FL 33154 (305) 993-3333 
Jean Georges latest venture in Miami Beach. This restaurant is located in the St. Regis Hotel in Bal Harbor, with one of the best views of the ocean in Miami. The restaurant has both a prixe fixe lunch and full menus. Classic JGeorge dishes are found here. . -- see Menu -- see yelp reviews

Bourbon Steak -- Michael Mina -- 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura -- 786-279-6600
(Zagat rating 25) Michael Mina Group San Francisco is located right behind the Aventura Mall and only serves dinner. -- see Menu -- see yelp reviews

Hiro's Yakko-San 17044 W Dixie Hwy North Miami Beach, FL 33160 (305) 947-0064
(zagat 26) -- This is the Japanese Restaurant where you will see the chefs eating at night. It's open late and prices are fair. Considered by many to be the best authentic Japanese Restaurant in the Miami area. The restaurant does not take reservations and you can expect a wait. We are expecting the move soon to a larger location at: Inter costal Mall. 3881 NE 163 rd street, North Miami Beach.
See Menu -- yelp reviews.

Design Area and Midtown

If you are interested in good cooking while in Miami and tasting the star chefs of Miami, then several trips to the Design Area are a must. This is where Miami's hot chefs Michelle Bernstein (Sr. Martinez), Michael Schwartz (Michaels Genuine Food and Drink), Jonathan Eismann.(Pacific Time) and Chef Kris Wessel of Red Light do their cooking.

Michael's Genuine Food and Drink   130 NE 40th Street / Miami / 305-573-5550 
(Zagat Rating of 26) Michael Schwartz deserves the credit for transforming the Design Area into a restaurant destination. Michael uses locally sourced entrees. See Menu -- see yelp reviews

Cena-- (Formerly Michy's)  Edinformatics Select   6927 Biscayne Boulevard / Miami / 305-759-2001
(Zagat rating of 27)James Beard Award Winning Chef Michelle Bernstein owns and operates this restaurant with her husband David Martinez managing the dining room is located in an area that used to be Miami's seedy red-light district. The restaurant features Michelle Bernstein's small plate presentations including crisp baby quail, grilled sweetbreads, truffled parmesan polenta . Portions are served in half of full orders Perhaps the top restaurant currently in Miami that reflects cooking from the region.. see Menu -- see yelp reviews

Mandolin Aegean Bistro NEW (305) 576-6066 Design District 4312 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33137 
Mandolin Aegean Bistro dedicates themselves to staying true to the same food philosophy by recreating dishes that are simple, rustic and authentic to the villages of Greece and Turkey. They use seasonal ingredients, local purveyors and growers and freshly caught fish. The menu covers a great selection of vegetarian options and all their food is made with the highest quality extra virgin Greek olive oil. see yelp -- Menu

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill -- NEWEdinformatics Select   --3250 NE 1st Ave Miami, FL 33127 (786) 369-0353
This is a spinoff from the creators of Sushi Samba but food is quite good. Contains a long indoor/outdoor bar. Serves small tapas style plates. Food comes from either a raw bar, the robata or the hot kitchen. Chef is Timon Balloo who worked with Michelle Berstein and Alan Susser and has cooked at the James Beard House twice. Innovative dishes: Lamb sweetbreads with pumpkin puree and a sauce reduction; lobster bisque his way and wonderful bone marrow that has a veal cheek marmalade on top. We find this one of the best restaurants in the new midtown area. . home page -- see yelp reviews.

Downtown 

Zuma Contemporary Japanese Cuisine Edinformatics Select- 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way (in Epic Hotel Lobby) Miami, FL 33131 (305) 577-0277 see yelp --menu -Zuma has superb Black Cod --- Crab dumplings, grilled eggplant -- We rate this as one of the Top Restaurants in Miami.-

db Bistro Moderne --JW Marriott Marquis Miami , 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way Miami, FL 33131 (305) 421-8800 Executive chef IS Jarrod Verbiak, The menu is French bistro with modern American influences. Dining available at bar - small plates. Signature fresh baked madelines served at the end of the meal.--- Menu --yelp reviews

CVI.CHE 105 105 N.E. 3rd Ave. Miami, FL 33132 305.577.3454 -- Many reviewer rate this as the best ceviche restaurant in Miami area. The menu offers dishes prepared by Chef Juan Chipoco, who adds knowledge and experience to every dish he creates. Throughout his culinary journey, he learned to infuse his dishes with a defined style that reflects his passion for peruvian food in which he manages to stamp an incomparable seal of peruvian pride on all his creations. see menu -- see yelp reviews