11 January 1–7, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | PLAN YOUR WEDDINGS | CORPORATE EVENTS SOCIAL EVENTS Dream Event VIEW OUR EVENT SPACES WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM at 3201 RICKENBACKER CWY, KEY BISCAYNE, FL 33149 | 305.361.3818 BE SOCIAL WITH US! /RUSTYPELICANMIAMI made art on the walls, reinforcing that this is about community, not hype. In a city crowded with flashy pizza concepts, Fratesi’s Pizza stands out by staying true to what made people fall in love in the first place. 69 E. Flagler St., Miami; instagram.com/fratesi_pizza. Ikigai Ikigai has quietly become Brickell Key’s best- kept secret, bringing serious Japanese tech- nique to an island not exactly known for its dining scene. The Mexico City import bal- ances pristine nigiri with inventive house specialties, all executed with precision and restraint that rewards repeat visits. From marinated salmon roe served in lemon to Wagyu nigiri and smoked kampachi finished tableside, the menu feels thoughtful without being showy. With its serene setting, attentive service, and validation-friendly parking, Ikigai is quickly becoming a destination for those in the know. 615 Brickell Key Dr., Miami; 305-456-4582; grupoikigai.com. Las’ Lap Miami Las’ Lap Miami was one of the most exciting new restaurant openings of 2025, delivering a rare combination of atmosphere, intention, and truly memorable food. Highly acclaimed chef-partner Kwame Onwuachi brings Afro- Caribbean depth to the menu, with dishes like escovitch crab claws, Wagyu griot, jerk mushroom yakitori, and roti-paired caviar that feel both playful and deeply rooted in tradition. The cooking is bold and layered, balancing heat, acid, and richness in a way that rewards repeat visits rather than just first impressions. In a year packed with splashy debuts, Las’ Lap Miami stood out for pairing nightlife energy with food that could easily carry the room on its own. 2216 Park Ave., Miami Beach; 786-622-2833; laslapmia.com. Mutra Mutra quietly opened earlier this year in North Miami, bringing a thoughtful, deeply personal take on kosher Israeli cuisine to the neighborhood. The 60-seat restaurant rei- magines the dishes its founder grew up eat- ing, updating family recipes with modern technique while staying rooted in tradition. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, Mutra focuses on precision, seasonality, and a glob- ally informed approach that challenges dated notions of kosher dining. The result is a warm, intimate spot that signals a new chap- ter for Israeli food in Miami, honoring the past while confidently cooking forward. 2188 NE 123rd St., North Miami; 786-860-1213; mutramiami.com. To Be Determined To Be Determined has quietly become one of the best new spots in Miami, bringing an un- expected dose of creativity and intimacy to Coral Way. Tucked behind an unassuming fa- cade, the tiny wine bar and restaurant deliv- ers thoughtful, ever-changing dishes that make every visit feel like a discovery. With chefs Johnny Delgado and Richard Ortega letting seasonality and spontaneity lead the way, the menu keeps diners curious and com- ing back for more. It’s exactly the kind of cool, under-the-radar place that proves To Be Determined is helping redefine what dining along Coral Way can be. 2240 SW 32nd Ave., Miami; 305-747-3661; tobe-determined.com. Pari Pari Handroll Bar Pari Pari has quickly become one of the standout openings of the year, offering a fo- cused and effortlessly cool handroll experi- ence in Wynwood. Led by Michelin- recognized chef Yasuhiro Tanaka, the 24-seat counter keeps things intentionally simple, putting the spotlight on crispy nori, warm rice, and pristine fish delivered handroll by handroll. The menu balances classic and luxurious offerings, featuring salmon and avocado, as well as toro taku and A5 wagyu aburi, alongside uni toro and toro caviar, all expertly executed with preci- sion and restraint. With its Paris-meets- Tokyo sensibility and easygoing, come-as-you-are energy, Pari Pari feels like exactly the kind of modern sushi spot Miami has been craving. 127 NW 27th St., Ste. 105, Miami; 786-536-7134; pariparimiami. com. Shiso Chef Raheem Sealey combines Japanese tech- nique, Caribbean soul, and wood-fired barbe- cue at Shiso, creating a menu that confidently carves out its own niche in Miami’s dining scene. Designed for sharing, the food goes far beyond predictable Asian fusion, with smoked-meat platters and sushi topped with brisket, oxtail, and sticky ribs. Standouts like the “Shiso Chicken Please,” served half smoked and half fried with tangy white barbe- cue sauce, and the indulgent oxtail gunkan showcase Sealey’s creativity and control. Paired with a buzzing two-story space featur- ing graffiti-lined walls, an open kitchen, and a rooftop lounge built for late nights, Shiso has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting new restaurants in Miami this year. 239 NW 28th St., Miami; 786-559-1706; shisomiami.com. Nicole.Lopez-Alvar@MiamiNewTimes Las’ Lap Miami photo The “Escovitch Crab” dish at Las’ Lap Miami.
