84 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 dishes, with jamón as the undisputed star, a fact made clear by the wall of trophy ham legs behind the shop’s main counter. With more than 70 different types of Spanish cured ham in stock, the staff will expertly slice your selection to-go with precision, or serve it in a warm, crusty sandwich for immediate enjoyment. The jamón croquetas are rich and creamy, the wine flows freely, and the service feels like you’ve just been welcomed into a family gathering. Take your time enjoying a board of hand-carved meats and cheeses and a generous pour of rioja on the outdoor patio — in true Spanish style. BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT Tullio 160 Andalusia Ave. Coral Gables 33134 305-926-4208 tulliomiami.com Tullio brings a taste of Venice to the heart of Coral Gables. Founded by the family of Tullio Zanon, known in Italy as the “jeweler of sea- food,” this spot honors his legacy with Medi- terranean dishes that highlight fresh, local ingredients. The menu changes often, but standouts include porcini mushroom ravioli with a wild mushroom and rosemary sauce, swordfish filet with cherry tomatoes and Si- cilian oregano, and a chef’s crudo that varies based on the morning’s catch. There’s also a daily risotto and grilled baby lamb chops with roasted potatoes and mint jelly. Inside, crisp white linens and Murano glass set the scene; outside, the covered patio offers year-round alfresco dining. From the polished service to the expertly curated Italian wine list, every- thing at Tullio is designed to transport you to Venice, no passport required. BEST GREEK RESTAURANT Mandolin Aegean Bistro 4312 NE Second Ave. Miami 33137 305-749-9140 mandolinrestaurant.com Step through the blue gates at Mandolin Ae- gean Bistro and boom — you’re not in Miami anymore. You’re somewhere between Myko- nos and Bodrum, sipping wine under the bou- gainvillea and living your very best Mediterranean daydream. Housed in a lovingly restored 1940s home in the Design District, Mandolin is a sun-drenched escape. Founders Anastasia Koutsioukis and Ahmet Erkaya have bottled up the charm, flavor, and hospitality of the Aegean coast and served it right here in Mi- ami, mezze-style. Think fresh, local ingredi- ents, tried-and-true Greek and Turkish recipes, and a garden patio so perfect you’ll want to move in. Whether you’re a loyal local or a lucky traveler, Mandolin wraps you up in warm Med- iterranean vibes and feeds you like family. It’s not just a meal; it’s a mini vacation. BEST BASQUE RESTAURANT Zeru 1395 Brickell Ave #180 Miami 33131 786-809-1395 zerumiami.com Helmed by Israel Aretxiga and executive chef Gabriela Guitrón, Zeru serves San Sebastian on an elegant platter, one dish at a time. Lo- cated in the AKA Hotel in Brickell, the menu heavily focuses on seafood in the Getaria style and light options ranging from branzino fillet to standout dishes like the socarrat. Comple- menting the culinary artistry is an extensive wine selection boasting over 200 labels. At Zeru, every aspect of the meal, from the pre- sentation to the service, contributes to a truly memorable experience. BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine 9519 S. Dixie Hwy. Pinecrest 33156 786-401-7714 shaddaimiami.com From the Cedars of God to its crystal-clear beaches, Lebanon is a small, stunning country with an ancient history of eating a lot, eating well, and forcing other people to eat until they can eat no more. At Shaddai Fine Leba- nese Cuisine, owners Tony and Elizabeth Sammour bring that enthusiasm for feasting and feeding to their restaurant in a Pinecrest strip mall. Chef Sammour, born in Bethlehem and cooking since he was eight, pours his heart into every dish while his wife Elizabeth keeps the front of the house warm and wel- coming. You can fully indulge in their famed lemon chicken (a must-try!), the tender rack of lamb, and even kibbeh nayeh for those not scared of melt-in-your-mouth raw meat. So gear up your dipping-pita hand and head over to Shaddai. BEST KOSHER-STYLE RESTAURANT Asiatiko 2906 NE 207th St. Aventura 33180 786-786-0626 asiatikomiami.com Kosher dining gets a bold, flame-licked up- grade at Asiatiko, an upscale Japanese steak- house in Aventura that blends robata grilling with refined, kosher-friendly flair. From the minds behind Fresko, Rustiko, and Kosh, this sleek, dimly lit spot redefines what kosher- style can look and taste like. The menu leans heavy on smoke and spectacle: bluefin belly torched tableside, wagyu sliders with truffle yuzu and crispy potato, and dates wrapped in crispy smoked turkey and finished with a tofu-truffle sauce. Even the salmon gets a showy sear with soy glaze and truffle oil. It’s luxurious without being fussy and unmistak- ably modern without losing sight of the ko- sher guidelines that inspired it. Whether you’re strictly kosher or just along for the ride, this place delivers flavor fireworks in every bite. BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT Akash 1435 Alton Rd. Miami Beach 33139 305-397-8846 akashmiamibeach.com If you’ve got the whole crew ready for a feast, head to Alton Road for a taste of modern In- dia. Akash has only been bringing authentic Indian cuisine to Miami Beach since 2019, but the clean, stylish setting makes it a spot where locals and visitors go for a serious meal with a lot of class but no fuss. You’ll want to tuck into their famous Akash curry or tender goat curry. Dip your naan that sauce bursting with bold flavors. Meat doesn’t interest you? They’ve got vegetarian options like the dal tadka or beloved paneers. Whether you’re used to nani’s cooking or just curious about Indian food, Akash won’t disappoint. BEST ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT Sea Siam 12735 S. Dixie Hwy. Miami 33156 305-233-5599 seasiam.com The Pinecrest community has been cele- brating birthdays and first dates at Sea Siam for 40 years. While the restaurant, which also has a sushi bar and lounge, is predominantly Thai and Japanese, the menu con- tains some sprinklings of Vietnamese cuisine. And hear us out, but these folks cracked the code on fried rice, making a fluffy, familiar favorite your new favorite dish. And no Sea Siam meal is complete without an order of the heavenly Golden Bags made with a medley of shrimp, chicken, mushroom, and carrot, wrapped in rice paper and fried, served with a side of light plum sauce. Re- cently, the restaurant also introduced live entertainment, with musicians bringing the lounge to life on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT Fuchai Korean Kitchen 2506 NE Second Ave. Miami 33137 786-655-0888 @fuchaikoreankitchen Fuchai brings comforting Korean flavors to Miami with a cozy, quirky setting to match. The menu is packed with dishes you proba- bly know and love — think spicy kimchi tofu pot soup, sizzling bulgogi, japchae noodles made of sweet potato, and crispy fried chicken wings. As one of the rare Korean res- taurants in the city, it fills a much-needed gap for those who are as obsessed with kimchi as they are with K-pop — and that’s just about everyone with a discerning palate. BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT Tran An 215 NE 82nd St. Miami 33138 786-423-3578 trananmiami.com Tran An qualifies itself as “phine casual.” The Little River eatery draws you in with its stunning interior, with orange lighting and midcentury-but-also-’70s spaceship decor. Named after Chef Jon Nguyen’s grand- mother, the dishes translate not only her in- fluence but the flavors of Hanoi. It’s affordable, so you can order a lot of food, in- cluding a pho burger, vegan pho, the “secret menu” buffalo KFC bánh mì, a colorful Fruity Pebbles-based dessert, and even poke bowls. Don’t dip without grabbing a bottle of the grandma sauce — which, don’t worry, is not made with grandmas — it’s a must-try- on-everything fish sauce condiment. An- other secret: They have happy hour menu specials from 3-6 p.m. during the week, so trying something new is a low-lift situation. BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT MIMI Chinese 1575 Alton Rd., Unit 2 Miami Beach 33139 305-701-3137 mimichinese.com At a time when Miami seems to welcome a new transplant restaurant every day, it’s easy to be skeptical about which ones truly de- serve a Best of Miami nod. But MIMI Chi- nese earned it. Originally from Toronto, now nestled in the heart of South Beach, MIMI’s menu honors the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine while infusing it with fresh, in- novative flair under Execu- tive Chef Braden Chong. Dishes like the house char siu and the dramatic four-foot belt noodle stand out in a dining experience that’s as elegant, with moody dim lighting, as it is memorable for your palate. BEST DIM SUM Kon Chau Chinese Restaurant 8376 SW 40th St. Miami 33155 305-553-7799 konchauchinesefl.com/g8cwav5h/ restaurant/order-online Off Bird Road is Kon Chau Chinese Restau- rant. The strip mall eatery has been a staple in the area, serving its supreme Chinese food for 14 years. The best strategy is to go with a few hungry friends in the early afternoon and mark down many, many dishes. There are to be skeptical about which ones truly de- nese earned it. Originally from Toronto, now nestled in the heart of South Beach, MIMI’s menu honors the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine while infusing it with fresh, in- novative flair under Execu- tive Chef Braden Chong.
