Eight restaurants proving that Miami’s flavour is built on culture
Miami has always been a city that speaks in flavours as much as it speaks in words. You feel it the moment you step into one of its neighbourhoods. The scent of grilled meats drifting from a Jamaican kitchen in Wynwood, the quiet perfume of za’atar and warm pita in Coconut Grove, the sweetness of Cubano coffee handed through a little window in Little Havana. Walk a few blocks and the city shifts accents entirely, as if each street is its own small country with a passport full of stories.
This diversity is not new to Miami, but it feels especially alive right now. Restaurants are leaning deeper into their roots, drawing from regional techniques and the personal histories of chefs who brought pieces of home with them. Israeli chefs are opening bright, modern dining rooms where olive oil and citrus meet Miami’s coastal rhythm. Lebanese restaurants are creating warm, generous spaces that feel like you’ve been invited to a long dinner among friends. Traditional Cuban cooking finds new energy in places where music sets the pace in busy streets. The Caribbean influence is unmistakable too, with kitchens from Jamaica to the Bahamas giving Miami some of its boldest and most joyful dishes.
What makes this moment exciting is the way these cultures coexist within one food scene. You can spend a morning tasting empanadas from a corner bakery, enjoy Peruvian ceviche for lunch, stop for a Mexican snack in the afternoon, and end the evening with dishes that could easily come from homes in Tel Aviv or Beirut. The city makes room for all of it, allowing each community to shape Miami in their own way.
This guide brings together some of the most distinctive spots that showcase this blend of cultures. These restaurants are not grouped because they belong to one tradition, but because they show how varied and expressive Miami’s culinary identity has become.
1. AVIV (Israeli-inspired)
Our editor’s favourite restaurant AVIV, located within the 1 Hotel South Beach, is the Miami outpost of the celebrated Israeli-born chef Michael Solomonov, who, with partner Steve Cook, brings modern Israeli flavours into the light of Miami’s aesthetic.
The space itself invites lingering conversations, mezze shared over cocktails, and the feeling that “spring” (which is the meaning of Aviv in Hebrew) is in the air. Expect dishes rooted in ancient techniques and fresh ingredients, re-imagined with coastal polish and Miami vibrancy. A must-visit for those seeking a refined but warm Israeli dining experience.
2. Amal (Lebanese)
In Coconut Grove, Amal brings a modern Lebanese dining concept to Miami. The name means “hope” in Arabic, and the restaurant strives to capture the Lebanese spirit of sharing food, enjoyment and conviviality. The ambiance is grand, and the food is an absolute delicacy.
With a menu that touches on rich mezze plates and elegant presentations,, Amal is ideal for longer evening gatherings or for introducing friends to Middle Eastern cuisine in a stylish setting.
3. Café La Trova (Cuban)
A must-experience in Miami if you go, Café La Travo, set in the heart of Little Havana, is a tribute to Cuban hospitality, music, and flavour. Mixologist icon Julio Cabrera leads the bar programme, alongside chef Michelle Bernstein’s take on Cuban-style cuisine.
The interior has live music, handcrafted cocktails, and a menu of Cuban-inspired dishes that ground you in the culture. There are sharable plates which makes it the perfect spot to go to with a bunch of friends, too. If you seek an evening that’s less formal, more rhythmic, and full of character, this is definitely your stop.
4. Miami Culinary Tours; Little Havana Food Walk (and Ventanitas, Churros & Empanadas)
For a more immersive food-experience rather than a single restaurant, Miami Culinary Tours offers a curated walk through Little Havana, sampling everything from ventanita-style cafés, churros on the street, and empanadas at hidden gems.
It’s a moment to pause the pace, explore independent food spots, and soak in the neighbourhood’s character while tasting the Cuban diaspora’s culinary footprint. Perfect for a midday excursion or as a contrast to elevated dinner spots.
5. Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen (Jamaican)
In the lively Wynwood district sits Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen, an upscale, full-service Jamaican dining experience combining island-flavour, artful plating, and stylish surroundings. Get low on the couches outside, eat an earthy meal in a more secluded setting, with the jerk stand that gives a nod to street-food origins.
The dining room brings elevated Caribbean cuisine into focus. Whether you’re after bold spice or relaxed island-vibes, Dukunoo offers both.
6. Pisco y Nazca (Modern Peruvian)
While Peruvian cuisine sits slightly outside the Caribbean-Levant focus, Pisco y Nazca adds an important Latin American dimension to the line-up. Inspired by Peru’s famed cevicherías, the restaurant delivers bold flavours, refined cocktails and a trendy environment.
Think fresh ceviche, clean design, and the kind of dishes you’d book a table for — making it a thoughtful pivot in your dining itinerary.
7. Oh! Mexico (Mexican)
Rounding out the list is Oh! Mexico, a long-standing fixture in Miami Beach since 1997. With multiple locations (Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Española Way), it offers approachable, authentic Mexican cuisine and a lively atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where you might rally your group, expect a more casual setting, but still indulge seriously… fresh tortillas, handmade salsas, and margaritas earned.
Each of these spots brings a unique cultural lens to Miami’s food scene: Israeli, Lebanese, Cuban, Jamaican, Peruvian and Mexican. Together they map a journey across continents, into one vibrant city.
Here’s the perfect food day itinireray : start with lunch at Pisco y Nazca, build into an afternoon walk or tour (Little Havana via the food tour), then lean into dinner at Amal or AVIV, followed by late-night Caribbean vibes at Dukunoo.
And if you are in Miami and also looking for a hotel, here are a few amazing options close to the restaurants:
1, Mayfair House in Coconut Grove
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Miami’s Coconut Grove feels more like a lush, design-forward hideaway than a typical city hotel. Tucked into one of the city’s oldest, greenest neighborhoods, the property greets you with a serene garden atrium and interiors that echo the tropics with rich colors, curved details and natural light. Rooms are spacious and thoughtfully detailed, many with private terraces and an effortless blend of comfort and style that makes both downtime and exploration feel easy. The rooftop pool and Sipsip rum bar offer breezy panoramic views and lively evenings under the sky, while on the ground floor, Mayfair Grill serves vibrant, locally inspired cuisine in verdant settings. Just a short stroll away on Main Highway, you’ll find Amal Miami, a modern Lebanese restaurant where mezze, grilled dishes and laid-back hospitality reflect Coconut Grove’s welcoming, walkable dining scene.
2. The Gates Hotel in South Beach
Set on Collins Avenue and overlooking the quiet waters of Lake Pancoast, The Gates Hotel South Beach offers a relaxed take on Miami Beach. The hotel’s rooms are designed for comfort and ease, with clean lines, natural light and views that shift between the city and the canal, making it an easy base for both beach days and exploring the neighbourhood. across the street is the restaurant AVIV, the on-site Israeli restaurant by Chef Michael Solomonov, drawing both hotel guests and locals alike. Beyond dining, guests can unwind by the outdoor pool, enjoy a cocktail by the water, or head out on foot to Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, The Bass Museum and the beach just moments away. With its laid-back energy, thoughtful amenities and a standout culinary address, The Gates captures a modern, easygoing South Beach experience.
3. ARLO in Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood sits at the heart of Miami’s creative pulse, offering an experience-driven stay in the city’s most dynamic arts district. Opened in 2022 as Wynwood’s first hotel, the nine-story property blends an eclectic industrial aesthetic with warm, earthy materials and bold design moments by Meyer Davis, reflecting the neighborhood’s raw energy and curated creativity. Guests can explore nearby dining like Dunkanoo, bringing vibrant Caribbean flavors into the mix, or head downtown and to Miami Beach with ease.
