Alter

Chef Brad Kilgore plays with international flavors at this Wynwood eatery, where standouts include the soft egg with sea scallop foam, chives, truffle pearls and Gruyere—and topped with Beluga at the diner’s request. Also of note is the Okeechobee oyster mushroom with smoked soy glaze.

223 NW 23rd St., Miami
305.573.5996

ama at Kaido

Tucked inside Kaido, chef Brad Kilgore’s Japanese fusion whisky lounge, ama is short for ama-kase (a play on omakase). At only eight seats, ama takes focuses on tasting menus that might offer up beef tartare hand rolls with kimchi capers or enoki mushroom with Iberico ham and duck.

151 NE 41st St., Miami
786.409.5591

Boia De

From the creators of the beloved La Pollita food truck in the Design District, this neighborhood eatery focuses on thoughtful dishes such as potato skin with stracciatella and caviar.

5025 NE Second Ave., Miami
305.967.8866

Bellini Restaurant & Bar

Located at the Mr. C hotel, this rooftop restaurant and lounge has a lot going on: panoramic views of Coconut Grove and Biscayne Bay, a copper pizza oven from which perfect pies come out, and a covered deck from which to enjoy menu highlights such as branzino with tomato concasse or tagliardi with white truffles.

2988 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove
305.800.7672

Boulud Sud Miami

Coastal Mediterranean flavors rule the menu at this establishment by Daniel Boulud. Standout dishes include octopus a la plancha over arugula, Marcona almonds and tahini. The wine list is one of the best in town.

JW Marriott Marquis
255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami
305.421.8800

Bourbon Steak

Michael Mina’s modern steakhouse serves up a sumptuous, modern twist on classic steakhouse fare. Favorites include aged cuts of beef and American wagyu and whole fried organic chicken with truffled mac ’n’ cheese. The large selection of hamburgers at The Tavern (a more casual area) is not to be missed.

Turnberry Isle Miami
19999 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura
786.279.6600

The Capital Grille

This expanded Miami River outpost of the burgeoning national chain offers a consistently sophisticated dining experience that centers around dry-aged steaks, delectable sides and however many martinis it takes to close the deal—business or otherwise.

444 Brickell Ave., Miami
305.374.4500

Cecconi’s

Modeled after the original London location, Cecconi’s restaurant, located on the ground floor of Soho Beach House, serves Italian dishes like wood-roasted scallops with prosciutto and rosemary, Maine lobster with housemade spaghetti and veal osso bucco with gremolata.

4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
786.507.7902

Chotto Matte

With impressive design that includes a retracting roof, this place was made to impress. The menu brings together Japanese and Peruvian cultures with spectacular Nikkei selections. Highlights include a 21-day-aged cowboy steak with a trio of sauces and every sushi roll you can think of.

1664 Lenox Ave., Miami Beach
305.690.0743

Cipriani Downtown Miami

Elegance sets the tone at this Miami outpost of the Venice original. Set amid a decor of nautical influences and art deco touches, the menu here nods to Italian classics, such as carpaccio, eggplant alla Parmigiana and spaghetti with clams. The potato gnocchi is a must for big appetites. And for dessert, look no further than the made-on-the-premises ice creams.

465 Brickell Ave., Miami
786.329.4090

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

This popular steakhouse has the key to cooking a perfect steak: Broil premium fresh meat at 1,600 degrees. Then the staff helps you select a specialty wine.

2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables
305.569.7995

Joe’s Stone Crab

An absolute must for anyone who loves stone crabs, this South Beach icon dates back to 1913. Still a family-owned restaurant, Joe’s has a warm, inviting environment, a sprawling menu with non-seafood choices and, of course, the best stone crabs on the planet. Note: Stone crab season runs from October through May.

15 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
305.673.0365

KYU

Restaurateur Steven Haigh and chef Michael Lewis have given Miami an Asian bistro where the emphasis is on barbecue and grilled dishes, and the city can’t get enough. Every dish here is stellar, but the roasted cauliflower with goat cheese and shishito is a true original.

251 NW 25th St., Miami
786.577.0150

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Long awaited, this latest entry from late chef Joël Robuchon’s team features most of the iconic dishes from other locations, as well as new standouts such as Les Tomatoes et Le Crab Royal, a masterpiece of king crab, zebra tomatoes and fresh basil.

151 NE 41st St., Miami
305.402.9070

Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann

A contemporary take on the traditional Argentine asado (outdoor barbecue) experience, this alfresco restaurant (from one of South America’s most lauded chefs) offers fish and meats grilled or roasted in a custom-built wood oven.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach
3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
786.655.5600

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Set in a 1940s house between the Design District and historic Buena Vista neighborhood, this Aegean restaurant transports diners to the Greek Isles. Be sure to try traditional dishes like kefte (beef and lamb meatballs), spanokopita (spinach and feta pie) and moussaka (eggplant with beef). Fight post-meal lethargy with a potent shot of authentic Turkish coffee.

4312 NE Second Ave., Miami
305.576.6066

Meat Market

There is no doubt about the nature of the food at this posh restaurant, where executive chef Sean Brasel prepares the carnivorous fare. Also above par are the seafood selections, especially the raw bar.

915 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305.532.0088

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

With a James Beard Best Chef: South award under his belt, Michael Schwartz continues to pack this hot spot for dinner and lunch. The deviled eggs are a must. The whole roasted chicken is outstanding.

130 NE 40th St., Miami
305.573.5550

Smith & Wollensky

The Beach’s first upscale steakhouse, S&W still draws them in with classic menu items and an extensive wine collection.

1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
305.673.2800

Swan

The Ken Fulk-designed Swan, from co-owners David Grutman and Pharrell Williams, features a lush atmospheric garden that’s the ideal spot for savory nuggets of ricotta gnudi, seared scallops and Nutella soufflé for dessert. For rainy days, the charming interiors are just as appealing, especially with a smoked salmon tier during Swan’s weekend brunch.

90 NE 39th St., Miami
305.704.0994

The Surf Club Restaurant

Chef Thomas Keller’s ode to fine dining has emerged as one of the most elegant restaurants in Miami. A meal must start with the Caesar salad made tableside. Standout entrees don’t get any better than the lobster thermidor. For dessert, the coconut chiffon cake does not disappoint.

9011 Collins Ave., Surfside
305.768.9440

Stubborn Seed

Chef Jeremy Ford is having a ball with the menu at this South of Fifth casual eatery where highlights include a family-style suckling pig with charred turnips and spiced cherry jam. The cocktails are not to be missed.

101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
786.322.5211

Traymore by Michael Schwartz

Southeast Asian cuisine by Miami’s own Michael Schwartz? You bet! Standouts at this eatery include wok-charred salmon and Korean-style pork tenderloin wrapped in lettuce.

COMO Metropolitan
2445 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
305.695.3555

Truluck’s

Worried about where your seafood comes from? Truluck’s follows Ocean Conservancy guidelines (in season, and not endangered or overfished), sources fresh stone crab claws from its own fisheries in Naples, and serves antibiotic- and hormone-free Niman Ranch meats. The carrot cake is a must when that dessert cart rolls around.

777 Brickell Ave., Miami
305.579.0035

Zuma

At the first U.S. location of Rainer Becker’s Japanese izakaya dining concept, the real star power is found in dishes like scallop tartare with fresh wasabi ponzu, beef skewers and Key lime pie. The venue’s Sunday brunch is a must.

Epic Hotel
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami
305.577.0277