86 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES coal fired cuban cuisine 701 S Miami Ave, 4th Floor Miami, Fl 33131 (786) 598 8012 @maraburestaurant www.maraburestaurant.com NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 sweet pork buns, egg tarts, sticky rice in lotus leaves, soups, dumplings, dumplings, and more dumplings. The key, if not the unspoken rule, is to order more than what you think you’ll need. The servers come by with carts supporting stacks of bamboo steamers and deliver your bounty — a beautiful rotation of the dim sum cycle. With just one bite of a juicy Shanghai soup dumpling, all your prob- lems are slurped away. BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT Matsuri 5759 SW 40th St. Miami 33155 305-663-1615 matsurimiami.com Matsuri has built a cult following as one of the best spots for authentic Japanese cuisine in Miami. Located in a nondescript strip mall, this hidden gem has delighted customers with its fresh sashimi, generous portions, and no-nonsense service for over 30 years. The sushi rolls are masterfully made, the hot dishes are comforting, and the vibe is always buzzing with loyal locals. If you’re looking for top-quality sushi without the flash, Matsuri delivers every single time. BEST SUSHI Midorie 3444 Main Hwy. Coconut Grove 33133 305-775-2233 midoriemiami.com If your TikTok “For You” page is packed with people you don’t know traveling to Tokyo. You can feel jealous for about five seconds, then head to Midorie. In a small courtyard on Main Highway, the authentic, no-frills sushi spot sources fresh seafood daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market for its handrolls, cut rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and donburi bowls. Res- taurateur Alvaro Perez Miranda wanted Mi- dorie to reflect kikubari, the Japanese concept of caring for others, and it shows. You’ll notice mint green walls and a small su- shi bar when you first walk in and a few tables outside. If you don’t know what to order, a fan favorite is the Midorie bowl — with salmon, tuna, blue crab, shiitake mushrooms, cucum- ber, edamame, yuzu avocado, scallions, sea- weed salad, and your choice of base and sauce. The sushi spot is expanding to Palm Beach County with a West Palm Beach post opening this fall. BEST OMAKASE Aoko 2304 NE Second Ave. Miami 33137 305-290-1293 aokomiami.com Here’s a little secret: High-quality and deli- cious omakase in Miami doesn’t need to put you in debt. Aoko’s chef-partners Daniel Vanh, Tomo Ishii Sloane, and Ray Chung are serving masterfully curated fresh seasonal dishes that will delight your senses while not breaking the bank. The Edgewater eatery’s tasting menu starts at $75 for their 10-piece nigiri selection. They also offer an $85 14-piece sashimi selection and a $110 off- menu omakase that comes with their in- sanely craveable uni caviar ikura cha soba salad (say that three times fast). Reserve a ta- ble or sit at the counter for a more traditional experience. BEST RAMEN Ichimi 2330 Salzedo St. Coral Gables 33134 305-960-7016 and 118 Buena Vista Blvd. Miami 33127 786-522-3834 ichimiramenbar.com With nine different types of ramen to choose from, Ichimi is for every lover of the salty, noodle-y soup. This is a build-your-own adventure, so you can experiment every time you return. Play it safe with the signature soul ramen, seafood ramen, or vegetarian garden ramen. If you’re looking for some heat, choose from the black dragon, curry, or spicy miso ramen. Next, the noodles. We suggest the homemade noodles made with Japanese flour. Now, the fun begins: toppings. A must is the perfectly-boiled hanjuku egg, and do not sleep on the wontons or the bean sprouts. Do we sound excited about the toppings? That’s ‘cause we are. BEST BARBECUE Shiver’s BBQ 28001 S. Dixie Hwy. Homestead 33033 305-248-2272 shiversbbq.com Homestead’s Shiver’s (pronounced SHY- vers) BBQ is the best barbecue in South Florida. There, it has been said. The spot has been smoking, frying, baking, and cook- ing for 60 years for Homestead’s populace and those willing to make the more-than- worth-it drive. Let’s start with the meats: juicy, smoked chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs, comically soft brisket that evaporates upon entry into your mouth, succulent burnt ends, coated in a homemade BBQ sauce (sweet and vinegar-based sauces are within arm’s reach). If you’re more of a side person, Shivers can easily feed your crav- ings. The corn on the cob is dipped in butter without any calm. The cornbread soufflé is a sweet, contrasting bite against the rich meat. Beans are stewed like the long sum- mer’s days, and you can end it with Key lime pie. It’s a meaty affair that will hopefully continue for another 60. BEST CHICKEN WINGS Keg South Pinecrest 10417 S. Dixie Hwy. Miami 33156 305-284-9296 Opened in 1968, the chicken wings at Keg South Pinecrest are simply the best (cue Tina Turner here to show we mean it). The special grilled wings, also known as the “Original Keg South wings,” are “often imitated, but never duplicated,” they proudly claim. And they aren’t wrong. Unlike the typical fried variety, these wings are grilled to smoky perfection, delivering a crispy char and a subtle heat that builds with each bite. The consistency and flavor have made them a local favorite. They have a perfect kick at the end, so pair them with bleu cheese or ranch and get ready to savor a wing that kicks all other wings’ feathery butts. BEST PIZZA Eleventh Street Pizza 1035 N. Miami Ave. Miami 33136 786-536-2749 and 9025 SW 72nd Pl. Kendall 33156 786-693-2090 eleventhstreetpizza.com Eleventh Street Pizza isn’t just Miami’s best slice — it’s one of the best on the planet. Liter- ally. Ranked No. 14 on Time Out’s list of the world’s best pizzas, this downtown spot has gone from local favorite to global contender in just a few short years. What started as a pandemic pivot from Fooq’s is now a full-on pizza obsession, thanks to co-owner David Foulquier’s deep dive into sourdough, sourc- ing, and the art of the perfect pie. The classic cheese scored an early 8.2 from Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy, and the wins keep com- ing: the “Wild Shroom” with garlic confit and caramelized onions, or the fan-favorite pep- peroni and hot honey layered with Calabrian chili and Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes. Choose your shape (New York round or Sicilian square) and don’t skip the garlic knots or spicy Caesar. With locations in downtown Miami and Dadeland, Eleventh Street Pizza proves that Miami can throw down with Na- ples and New York alike. BEST HOT DOG Dogma 7030 Biscayne Blvd. Miami 33138 305-759-3433 dogmagrill.com Dogma Grill is an iconic roadside eatery in Miami’s MiMo District, instantly recogniz- able by its neon sign glowing on Biscayne
