94 June 18–24, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES June 18–24, 2026 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES B EST º f M IA M I ® 2 02 6 BEST RESTAURANT TO COME BACK FROM THE DEAD Pizza Tropical 7010 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, 33138 855-732-8992 pizzatropical.com Pizza Tropical’s return feels especially sweet for those still mourning the loss of Gramps, the beloved Wynwood bar that closed in De- cember. For years, this pizza was the perfect pairing to a night out, fueling dance floors and late-night conversations with large slices that earned a cult following. It used to be you could order this ‘za out of a window in the Gramps backyard. Now, Pizza Tropical has its own brick-and-mortar in the Upper East Side. Other than that, the comeback picks up right where things left off, slingin’ pies that hit hard as ever. Some things are too good to stay gone, and thankfully this is one of them. BEST CHEF Chef Misha Macdonald instagram.com/chefmishamacdonald As the force behind MISHA Culinary Events, private chef Misha Macdonald creates be- spoke dining experiences. Each dish balances color, texture and flavor in a way that's deli- cate and striking. His seasonal menus shift around thoughtful pairings, from seafood crudo and caviar-forward bites to deeply lay- ered and composed plates. The food is ele- gant without losing its sense of warmth. Whether it is an intimate dinner or a larger event, Chef Misha delivers something that feels personal, polished and unforgettable. BEST AREPAS Arepa Bar 169 NW 36th St. Miami, 33127 786-570-2581 arepabarmiami.com Some bars serve stiff drinks. Arepa Bar serves comfort with a crispy edge. These thick, grilled-then-baked cornmeal beauties arrive golden on the outside, soft and airy on the in- side, split open and stuffed like they’ve got se- crets to tell. The Reina Pepiada comes lush with avocado chicken salad, while the Pabel- lón piles in beef, beans, sweet plantains and cheese like the culinary equivalent of a per- fect last call decision. The menu doesn’t stop at arepas. There are gooey Tequeños de Nutella, guava-and-cream-cheese tequeños that flirt shamelessly with dessert, buttery cachapas and breakfast-ready Arepa Perico Eggs for mornings that need rescuing. They even stock the beloved Ovomaltina spread for those who know exactly what they came for. At Arepa Bar, every order feels like a little in- toxication of its own, no cocktail required. BEST BAGELS (MIAMI-DADE) Bagel Emporium & Grille 225 Altara Ave. Coral Gables, 33146 305-306-0793 bagelshopmiami.com For more than five decades, Bagel Emporium & Grille has been the go-to deli for University of Miami students, residents and families. The shop moved last year from its longtime location on South Dixie Highway to down- town Coral Gables but still offers the same toasted bagels, matzo ball soup and tuna melts that made the restaurant a staple. The menu is robust, but the New York-style bagels are a true standout. Made in-house daily for the freshest, plumpest, chewiest bite pos- sible, these bagels come in a wide range of flavors, though the multigrain, pumpernickel, and onion bagels are very popular. BEST BAGELS (BROWARD) New York Marina Deli 1453 SE 17th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33316 954-524-3354 nymarinadeli.com People say the best bagels can be found in New York City, and the bagels at New York Marina Deli have brought NYC flavor and texture to Broward residents for decades. In the back of a Fort Lauderdale shopping plaza, this beloved old-school deli turns out warm, perfectly chewy bagels that inspire serious loyalty. Whether piled high with silky Nova lox, paired with eggs and onions, or enjoyed simply with a schmear, every bagel strikes that elusive balance between a crisp exterior and a soft, pillowy interior. Regulars swear there’s nothing else like it in South Florida, while first-time visitors often leave wonder- ing how they stumbled upon such a gem. The atmosphere is refreshingly no-frills, the ser- vice is friendly and the focus remains squarely on doing the basics exceptionally well. In a re- gion filled with breakfast options, New York Marina Deli continues to set the standard for what a truly great bagel should be. BEST BREAD Limoncello 1334 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, 33139 305-397-8226 limoncellomiamibeach.com All customers at Limoncello are greeted with a complimentary, freshly baked, impossible- to-ignore basket of focaccia. Served straight from the oven, its delicious golden crust is the perfect appetizer for any meal. In fact, it kind of steals the spotlight from whatever you ac- tually ordered. Ask nicely, and they might bring you a second basket. BEST BREAKFAST Chug’s Diner 3444 Main Hwy., Ste. 21 Miami, 33133 305-422-9453 chugsdiner.com The moment your eyes crack open and your stomach starts making demands, Chug’s Diner is the answer. This beloved Coconut Grove staple takes the classic diner formula, dips it in Cuban-American flavor and serves it back with buttery swagger. From the smell of cafecito floating through the hall to the comforting clatter of plates hitting tables, Chug’s is the kind of place mornings were made for. The menu leans nostalgic without be- ing stuck in the past. The fa- mous cast iron pancake arrives puffed, golden and dramatic enough to stop con- versations mid-sentence. Croqu- etas come perfectly crisp with creamy centers that melt on contact, while pastelitos crackle beneath layers of flaky pastry stuffed with guava, cheese or sa- vory picadillo. There’s the Cuban-American sandwich, a bold remix of the classic Cubano that includes salami and mustard aioli for a taste both familiar and new. Warm, loud, sat- isfying and unmistakably Miami, Chug’s doesn’t just feed the city. It wakes it up. BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH Ophelia 2140 S Dixie Hwy. Miami, 33133 instagram.com/ophelia.miami Breakfast sandwiches are often overcompli- cated in the pursuit of greatness. Ophelia’s proves you need only master the basics. Op- erating out of a charming, olive-green RV in Coconut Grove, the viral bakery on wheels is home to one of Miami’s most sought-after morning meals thanks to a deceptively sim- ple sandwich built around fluffy scrambled eggs, melty cheddar and flawless execution. Created by award-winning pastry chef Ana De Sa Martins, each component reflects the same attention to detail that earned her ac- claim in fine-dining kitchens. The result is a breakfast sandwich that inspires long lines, repeat visits and word-of-mouth praise. BEST BURGER Cowy Burger 223 NW 23rd St. Miami, 33127 786-678-5353 cowyburger.com Miami takes its burgers seriously — maybe too seriously with the number of spots opening up left and right — but every once in a while, a spot cuts through the endless debate over who has the crispiest edges or the best sauce. For us, that spot is Cowy Burger. What started as a pop-up by three childhood friends from Venezuela has be- come one of Miami’s most obsessive burger destinations, with plenty of options for smash-burger connoisseurs. They’re thin enough to get those lacy, crispy sides but still juicy in the middle. The signature Cowy Burger — layered with American cheese, bacon jam, grilled onions and the danger- ously addictive Cowy sauce — ruins your ability to enjoy anything less. Wash it down with a staff-favorite cookies-and-cream milkshake, and you’ve got yourself a meal. Try for yourself. There’s a reason there’s usually a line out the door. BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH Bro’s Hot Chicken 936 SW 67th Ave. Miami, 33144 786-770-8205 broshotchicken.com As one of the more unassuming food spots in Miami, Bro’s Hot Chicken inhabits a six-ta- ble storefront in a shopping center off SW 67th Avenue. What it may lack in size, it makes up for in flavor. The Nashville chicken shop, owned by brothers-in-law David Adan and Randy Morillo, is a homegrown Miami gem. The signature sandwich features pick- les, homemade coleslaw and a Bro’s Sauce that is simultaneously sweet, tangy and smoky. Bro’s Hot Chicken currently has one location in Coral Terrace, with plans to open a second location in Sweetwater. From the still-oh-so-flavorful No Spice to the waiver- required Fuego, Bro’s has your chicken sand- wich cravings covered. BEST CHICKEN WINGS Chick ’N Jones 9420 NW 41st St. Doral, 33178 305-335-0538 chicknjones.com There are two universally accepted times to enjoy chicken wings: game day or literally whenever you want. Wings are great because they’re versatile. You can dress ‘em up or dress ‘em down, fry ‘em or bake ‘em, crisp ‘em or sauce ‘em. Owned by Chef Amaris Jones, the fast-casual concept known as Chick ‘N Jones has it all. From Lemon Pep- per Parmesan baked wings to a Jones ‘N Hot fried wing bucket, this hormone-free, locally sourced eatery in Doral is changing the game. Our best advice is to come hungry — or leave with leftovers. BEST COOKIE Liger’s ligerscookies.com Baking a chocolate chip cookie is easy. All you need is flour, butter, sugar and chocolate. Still, you have to perfect the combination of these it back with buttery swagger. From the smell of cafecito floating through the hall to the comforting clatter of plates hitting tables, Chug’s is the kind of place mornings were made for. The menu leans nostalgic without be- Eªt & Drink
