70 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES 70 NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 BEST CHEF Chef Maria Teresa Gallina Recoveco 6000 SW 74th St., Ste. 1 Miami 33143 recovecorestaurant.com Chef Maria Teresa Gallina, affectionately known as Tere, can easily be described as an “overnight success,” but her journey tells a different story. She spent over a decade hon- ing her craft in kitchens like the lauded Alter before stepping into the spotlight. Today, she’s the driving force behind Recoveco, a standout newcomer in South Miami that she co-owns and operates with her partner, the equally talented Chef Nico Martinez. A proud Venezuelan, Tere is part of the next genera- tion of chefs securing our place in culinary history, recently winning the StarChefs Ris- ing Star Chef Award. Her rise is a testament to what happens when dedication, grit, and undeniable talent come together. Success may not come overnight, but when it does, it’s well-earned. BEST RESTAURANT FOR A FIRST DATE The Gibson Room 2224 SW 22nd St. Miami 33145 thegibsonroommiami.com No one needs full, overhead lighting on a first date. No thank you! A first date calls for a bit of mystery and sensory underload. That’s why the low-lit, cozy Gibson Room is where you need to take your next Tinder match. They’ll identify you as sophisticated because that’s exactly what this restaurant, bar, and musical venue is. Chef Michael Beltran’s menu strikes the balance between familiar comfort and culinary flair with shareable plates that will encourage your hands to touch. The music is never too loud, and the cocktails are strong, making it easy to trans- form this stranger into more than just a friend. You’re guaranteed to score… at the very least a great meal. BEST INEXPENSIVE RESTAURANT El Carajo 2465 SW 17th Ave. Miami 33145 305-856-2424 el-carajo.com When you think of the things you can acquire at a gas station off U.S. 1 on a random night, great Spanish food probably isn’t one of them. But El Carajo, a Spanish restaurant, bakery, and fine wine shop behind a working Mobil, made it possible. This unique spot is less of a well-kept secret and more of a place locals flock for the inexpensive food, an impressive wine selection, and cozy, Epcot-like decor. The tapas, paellas, and cheeses are some of the more authentic Spanish flavors we’ve tasted in Miami. Besides, an after-dinner stroll down the wine shop’s aisles, stocked with a large collection from all over the world, is oh, so very European. BEST RESTAURANT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS PAYING L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon 151 NE 41st St., Ste. 235 Miami 33137 786-376-0830 latelier-miami.com Do you have a fancy parent or friend who rushes to lay down their card when the bill comes to the table? Then give yourself a treat and invite them to L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. This Michelin-starred temple of French fine dining is equal parts art and indulgence, with luxurious ingredients crafted with impeccable technique and a jaw-dropping presentation. From the silky foie gras to the perfectly executed le boeuf wagyu, every bite is an absolute splurge. Its sleek counter seating and open kitchen make the experience as theatrical as it is deliciously expensive. BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT Amara at Paraiso 3101 NE Seventh Ave. Miami 33137 amaraatparaiso.com Amara at Paraiso, with those sweeping Biscayne Bay vistas, sets the the stage for an unforgettable evening with your boo. Get saucy as you dig into the Latin-inspired menu by James Beard Award-winning Chef and restaurateur Michael Schwartz. There’re cocktails with suggestive orchids floating in them and a top-notch wine list to wash away any inhibitions. With all that alcohol, clout, and sea mist, you’ve got a recipe for romance in this Magic City. BEST INTIMATE RESTAURANT The Joyce 448 Española Way Miami Beach 33139 thejoycerestaurant.com Intimacy is such a beautiful thing. While it can look like fighting with your sister and then making up, it can also look like the delightful dining experience at the Joyce. At this Espa- ñola Way restaurant, you’ll find a warm, dimly lit ambiance akin to dining in the living room of someone with great taste, but like if that someone happened to also be a world-class chef. With just a handful of tables and a focus on thoughtful, seasonal dishes, the Joyce is all about quiet conversation, personal touches, and an atmosphere that invites you to linger. BEST WINE LIST Vinya 266 Miracle Mile Coral Gables 33134 305-203-4229 and 328 Crandon Blvd. #122-123 Key Biscayne 33149 954-768-6133 vinyawine.com For times when “whatever red is cheapest” just isn’t going to cut it, Vinya is here to ex- pand your palate. With locations in both Coral Gables and Key Biscayne, Vinya boasts one of the most dynamic wine lists we’ve seen. Award-winning sommelier Allegra An- gelo has curated over 1,000 selections from all over the world, including everything from small, family-owned vineyards to natural wines to rare vintages. Both have great food and very reasonable corkage fees (some days there are none), plus events every week. En- thusiasts and novices alike can also join Vin- ya’s “Drinking Cru,” a subscription box that ships curated wines straight to your door and gives you access to in-store tasting events. BEST NEW RESTAURANT (MIAMI DADE) Recoveco 6000 SW 74th St., Ste. 1 Miami 33143 recovecorestaurant.com Who knew a little nook — recoveco in Spanish — could hold so much flavor? Recoveco is an intimate South Miami restaurant helmed by rising star chefs Maria Teresa Gallina and Nico Martinez. The seasonal menu is refreshingly concise, with just around nine dishes includ- ing dessert. But every single one is a standout, a masterclass in balance and creativity, show- casing bold flavors with elegant restraint. Add in expertly curated wine pours from somme- lier Shannon Gable, and you’ve got a cozy, eclectic space that’s quietly redefining the lo- cal dining scene. Recoveco might be small, but it’s easily one of our favorite newcomers. BEST NEW RESTAURANT (BROWARD) Mykonos 305 S. Andrews Ave., Ste. 123 Fort Lauderdale 33301 954-306-2665 mykonosfl.com Mykonos isn’t just a new restaurant amid many in Fort Lauderdale — it’s an
