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10 New Restaurants to Visit on Your Next Trip to Miami

Sept. 20, 2016
7 min read
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10 New Restaurants to Visit on Your Next Trip to Miami
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If you haven't been to Miami in the past few months, you'd barely recognize some of the new names gracing its neighborhoods. Each week heralds in a new crop of restaurants everywhere from the street art-centric Wynwood Arts District to the swanky hotel-filled streets lining South Beach. From fine dining eateries to more laid-back local joints, these 10 spots alone are worth the trip. We've made the rounds eating our way from one neighborhood to the next, scouting out the best new restaurants hitting Miami's dining scene (served up here in no particular order).

1. PB STATION

Downtown Miami is going through a bit of a revival, so it's no surprise that the same group that started strong in Sunset Harbour recently moved into the ground floor of The Langford Hotel, a boutique beauty housed in a 1920s Beaux-Arts building that was once a bank.

The American craft eatery's design is inspired by train stations, with black-and-white tiled arches and names of cities like Boston and Baltimore scattered overhead. The menu also takes inspiration from cities across the US with classic dishes like Kansas City Steak 1855 Dry Aged Prime — modernized with bone marrow and smoked Bordelaise — as well as more gourmet spins on sports bar faves like buffalo sweetbreads served with blue cheese dip and pickled carrots.

2. JAYA AT THE SETAI

It seems as if everything The Setai hotel touches turns to gold and its latest restaurant concept, Asian eatery Jaya, is no different. Sanskrit for "victory," Jaya is the brainchild of exec chef and Chopped winner Mathias Gervais and executive sous chef Vijayudu Veena.

You'll still find Setai classics on the menu like Peking Duck and sea bass, in addition to a fusion of Asian dishes influenced by Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Designed as an Asian version of a modern steakhouse, Jaya serves up dishes like Tandoor Chicken Tikka and Lobster Laksa with quail egg, coconut milk, Malaysian spices and rice noodles, prepared at wok stations and in tandoori ovens. Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen or sit al fresco in one of the hotel's main highlights, the serenity pond-lined courtyard.

Jaya
Image courtesy of Jaya at The Setai.

3. THE SARSAPARILLA CLUB

If you're familiar with late-night noodle bar Gigi and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, two members behind these teams — chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth — are back in Miami with their latest concept at the Shelborne Wyndham Grand.

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Named after the root used in both Asian and American cuisines, The Sarsaparilla Club highlights both of these flavors with its comfort food-meets-Cantonese Dim Sum menu that includes mouth-watering small plates like beet and short rib dumplings and housemade steamed buns with pork belly bacon, as well as larger main dishes like green curry fried chicken and rendang curry short rib meatloaf.

The Sarsaparilla Club
Image courtesy of tjphotonotions.com.

4. GLASS & VINE

For Chopped champion and James Beard Award semi-finalist Giorgio Rapicavoli's latest venture, the chef converted the former Coconut Grove Library into a vine ceiling-covered restaurant aptly named Glass & Vine.

The menu is divvied up into three sections — garden, sea and land — with mix-and-match-style shared plates like grilled sweetbreads, charred cauliflower with green tahini, and fish à la plancha with sea urchin butter and Florida grapefruit. Pair your plate with one of the handcrafted cocktails designed by Eddie Fuentes and the Cocktail Cartel, such as the cheeky Miami Incident, a blend of vodka, kaffir lime, strawberry and eucalyptus extract.

Glass & Vine
Image courtesy of Deep Sleep Studio.

5. BACHOUR BAKERY + BISTRO

Former Eating House chef Henry Hané and local pastry genius Antonio Bachour have joined forces to open the new bakery and bistro in Brickell. Breakfast is all about Bachour's freshly baked goodies from croissants served up Miami-style with guava and cheese to more classic treats like Danishes and brioche.

Already a popular spot with the lunch crowd, Lima-born Hané adds an elegant air to salads, soups and sandwiches with dishes like gazpacho with tropical flowers and Bolognese tartine topped with mascarpone and herbs.

Bachour
Image courtesy of Bachour Bakery + Bistro.

6. PLANT FOOD + WINE

The plant-based food trend is slowly starting to make waves in town and one of the movement's star chefs, Matthew Kenney, is leading the way with a Miami outpost of Venice, California's Plant Food + Wine.

Set in The Sacred Space in Wynwood, the eatery makes vegan and raw fare look and taste just as savory as something you'd find in any fine dining spot across the globe. Start with a glass of biodynamic wine and dig into the watermelon poke with macadamia and mint before moving on to main dishes like banana leaf tamales and coconut ceviche tacos with sunflower chorizo.

Plant Food + Wine
Image courtesy of Adrian Mueller.

7. THE CONTINENTAL

A spin-off of the Philadelphia favorite (and restaurateur Stephen Starr's first eatery), The Continental opened up on Miami Beach last year in a revamped Mid-Century modern building by the water.

Think classic Americana with a throwback diner-meets-Hollywood glamour feel. The menu plays on global flavors with recently promoted executive chef, Richard Torres — who has worked alongside Sugarcane's Timon Balloo and "Godfather of Nuevo Latino Cuisine" chef Douglas Rodriguez — adding his own Latin spins to dishes like Gaucho-style grilled short rib empanadas with olive and Colombian aji.

The Continental
Image courtesy of The Continental.

8. LE ZOO

Another one of Starr's spots, Le Zoo, opened up at Bal Harbour Shops last fall, adding French flair to the haute shopping destination. Picture a Parisian terrace transplanted to Miami with a similar brasserie concept that you'd find at a typical sidewalk café in the City of Light.

Take a seat on the patio and start with a platter of oysters served alongside a carafe of vin blanc. Then, move over to French staples like seared foie gras with roasted plums; steak tartare with capers and quail egg; and a decadent mushroom tart topped with truffled pecorino, one of the faves featured on the weekend brunch menu.

Le Zoo
Image courtesy of Le Zoo.

9. B BAR TAPAS & GRILL

Blending the best of Mediterranean, Asian and South American cuisines, this North Miami eatery offers fusion-inspired small plates with dishes like truffle potato octopus, miso-marinated sea bass skewers and Korean baby back ribs.

Tuesday is all about tacos, with more off-the-wall fillings like kimchi chicken salad and pork guava BBQ, while weekends are devoted to brunch. Order bottomless sangria, mimosas or Bloody Marys paired with classic brunch fare served up with a global twist. Think French croquet "Cuban" madame — a Cuban sandwich on Texas toast with a fried egg and Hollandaise sauce — or shredded skirt steak and egg tacos with spicy cream and avocado.

B Bar
Image courtesy of B Bar Tapas & Grill.

10. NAIYARA

Thai chef Piyarat Arreeratn (a.k.a. Chef Bee) brought elements of his country's hawker culture to Sunset Harbour eatery, NaiYaRa. Developed with his mother, Chef Bee crafted a menu heavy on Thai and Japanese styles with dishes like Tom Yum Nam Khon — or creamy ramen soup with prawns — that his grandmother sold at their local village market.

The retro-chic restaurant also takes on the look of a street food scene straight out of Thailand, with tables crafted from reclaimed Indonesian teak, Thai fishing baskets and an art installation of The King of Thailand.

Naiyara Bar
Image courtesy of NaiYaRa.

What are some of your favorite restaurants in Miami? Let us know in the comments below.

TPG featured card

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.