76 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES coffee with history @newscafesouthbeach newscafesouthbeach.com 800 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (786) 644 6061 NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 for 15 unforgettable years. Known for its eclectic menu, lively outdoor garden, and the iconic spice of love cocktail, it became the go- to spot for everything from engagement par- ties to birthday brunches. Closing its doors on January 31, 2025, Sugarcane leaves behind a legacy of bold flavors and warm memories that helped put Miami’s dining scene on the map. For longtime fans like us, it’s hard not to feel the sting of loss. BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT Vegan Cuban Cuisine 9640 SW 72nd St. Miami 33173 786-292-0564 vegancubancuisine.com At Vegan Cuban Cuisine near Kendall, a Cu- ban family has done the unthinkable — rec- reated abuela-approved classics like croquetas, pastelitos, and Cubanos with zero meat, dairy, or animal products in sight. What started in a home kitchen grew into a plant-based phenomenon that now serves Miami through a colorful ventanita dishing out gluten-free papa rellenas, jack- fruit lechón, and house-made vegan bread. Every bite bursts with the bold sazón of Cu- ban tradition — only this time, it’s 100% plant-based and somehow still just as com- forting. In a city that loves its croquetas and coladas, Vegan Cuban Cuisine proves that flavor doesn’t have to come at the cost of compassion. BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Flora Plant Kitchen 5580 NE Fourth Ct., #4B Miami 33137 305-456-5018 floraplantkitchen.com Flora Plant Kitchen is the kind of place that makes eating vegetarian feel exciting, not restrictive. Set in a lush, design-forward space in Miami’s Upper East Side, the 5,800-square- foot restaurant merges sustainability with Latin-inspired creativity. Founder Marnie Gelhard and executive chef Fabio Delgado work closely with local, eco-conscious farmers to craft a menu that’s as thoughtful as it is bold. Think charcoaled cactus elotes with chipotle guava aioli, shakshuka with plant- based chorizo and Colombian cheese arepas, and a towering plant-based burger layered with truffle aioli, avocado, and caramelized onions. The drink list is just as inventive, featuring golden turmeric lattes, clarified vegan cocktails, and specialty beverages made with repurposed ingredients like coffee grounds and lemon peels. With recycled teak furnishings, a Brazilian wood pergola, and warm, natural tones throughout, Flora just feels like a breath of fresh air. BEST RESTAURANT TO COME BACK FROM THE DEAD Mai-Kai 3599 N. Federal Hwy. Fort Lauderdale 33308 954-563-3272 maikai.com Rising like a rum-soaked phoenix from the retro ashes, Mai-Kai is back — and more tiki- fabulous than ever. After a years-long renovation that had Fort Lauderdale’s kitsch- loving faithful holding their collective breath, this 1956 Polynesian palace has reopened its bamboo doors, blending midcentury magic with a polished new sheen. It’s still all here: the flaming cocktails, the swaying hula dancers, the waterfalls and the carved totems that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a vintage travel poster. The menu spans from pupu platters to crispy duck and teriyaki sirloin, all served with a wink and a side of hip-shaking spectacle. In the new era, insiders know the real power move: swinging by for happy hour in the Molokai and Bora Bora Bar areas, where the drinks are half-off until 7 p.m. and the vibe is full-on escapism. Call it a comeback, a resurrection or a reawakening — just don’t call yourself a local until you’ve sipped a “zombie” under the torchlight once again. BEST OUTDOOR DINING Gramps Getaway 3301 Rickenbacker Cswy. Key Biscayne 33149 305-465-2482 @grampsgetaway A trip to Gramps Getaway on Virginia Key will make you feel like you squeezed all that was good and pure and beautiful out of Florida. Owner Adam Gersten brought the literal best of Miami to his Chickee hut bar, from the grooviest DJs to elevated seaside “bar foods” and straight up fine dining led by Chef James McNeal. You’ll visit multiple times because there’s no way to shovel in all the deliciousness in one sitting. We’re talk- ing lobster rolls, oysters, a stand-out chicken sandwich, weekend specials like whole yellowtail snapper with ramps, Key lime pie, and well-crafted salads and sides that scream, “eat me!” It’s situated at the old Whiskey Joe’s location at Rickenbacker Marina, so the surroundings are boats and stunning sunsets over the Miami skyline. With that as the backdrop, you’ll want to book a table in advance and plan for selfies. This is a laid-back gathering of people from every corner of the city, from bros to boat folk — and every one of them loves the hell out of it. If it’s raining, go inside and enjoy the stylish renovation and a few games of pinball. BEST FOOD HALL Baoshi 8525 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines 33024 786-898-8868 baoshifoodhall.com Craving a piping hot bowl of ramen or finger- licking Korean fried chicken — or maybe you’re craving both? Welcome to Baoshi, a bold Asian food hall that’s redefining how you eat, drink, and celebrate. Inside this bustling venue, you’ll find a world of flavors — from savory meals and exotic snacks to candies and boba tea. Choose from restaurants like Pinoy Thai Fusion, Golf Marquess, Domi, Temple Street Eatery, and Yip, offering everything from fresh sushi to crave-worthy Cantonese dishes. And because no culinary experience is complete without a great drink, Baoshi’s stylish bar serves up unforgettable cocktails like the Baoshi lycheetini and forbidden pitaya, plus playful specialty shots like the fortune cookie and cherry cheesecake. With weekly events like comedy on Tuesdays, a ladies night, and mixology classes, this is a food hall that doesn’t disappoint on options. BEST STEAKHOUSE Sunny’s 7357 NW Miami Ct. Miami 33150 sunnysmia.com Who’s got the beef? Here in Miami, it’s Sun- ny’s. This best steakhouse used to be a pop-up in a parking lot during the pandemic, but it’s now one of the most celebrated restaurants in the city. It reopened last October in Little River as a classy, go-to spot with Florida charm, an open-air courtyard, and un- matched meats. Unlike more traditional, sometimes stuffy, steakhouses, Sunny’s offers the great outdoors with elegant tables near a towering, twinkle-lit banyan and a stunning indoor, midcentury modern dining room. The team behind the popular and now-shuttered downtown Jaguar Sun offers fragrant wood- fired proteins, handmade pastas, and a “pick your path” martini menu. Highlights include
