18 February 26 - March 4, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Ghee Indian Kitchen East Kendall Michelin-recognized chef Niven Patel brings a personal, farm-to-table lens to Indian cui- sine at Ghee, sourcing much of the restau- rant’s produce from his Homestead farm, Ranch Patel. Inspired by his upbringing and global travels, Patel crafts bold, seasonal dishes rooted in tradition yet distinctly South Florida. “I want our guests to walk into Ghee with the sense of entering my home,” he says — a vision he continues to grow alongside hospitality partner and James Beard semifi- nalist Mohamed Alkassar. Multiple area loca- tions, including 8965 SW 72nd Pl.; East Kendall; 305-968-1850; gheemiami.com. Islas Canarias Cafe, Restaurant, & Bakery Tamiami A beloved Tamiami institution, Islas Canarias is synonymous with classic Cuban comfort. Famous for its croquetas and expansive bak- ery offerings, the restaurant delivers reliable, homestyle dishes from breakfast through din- ner. It’s a go-to for family gatherings, quick cafecitos, and everything in between. 3804 SW 137th Ave.; Tamiami; 305-559-0111; islas- canariasrestaurant.com. Lil Greenhouse Grill Overtown This Overtown staple brings Southern soul to the forefront with bold, comforting flavors and generous portions. From fried seafood and wings to hearty sides and house special- ties, the menu reflects both community pride and culinary passion. It’s vibrant, welcoming, and rooted in neighborhood tradition. 1300 NW Third Ave.; Overtown; 786-277-3582. Lung Yai Thai Tapas Little Havana Tucked into Little Havana, Lung Yai Thai Tapas has earned a cult following for its unapologetically bold Thai fla- vors. The small, bustling space turns out vibrant curries, stir- fries, and noodle dishes that feel straight from the streets of Bangkok. It’s lively, flavorful, and worth the inevitable wait. 1731 SW 8th St.; Little Havana; 786-334-6262; lungyai.com. Madroño Restaurant Fontainebleau Madroño brings elevated Latin-inspired cui- sine to the Fontainebleau area in a polished, contemporary setting. The menu balances re- fined technique with bold flavors, offering a dining experience that feels both celebratory and approachable. It’s a stylish addition to Miami’s ever-evolving culinary landscape. 10780 W. Flagler St., Ste. 17; Fontainebleau; 305-485-3332; madronorestaurant.com. Rusty Pelican Key Biscayne Few restaurants rival Rusty Pelican when it comes to sweeping views of the Miami sky- line and Biscayne Bay. A longtime Key Bis- cayne favorite, it pairs waterfront scenery with seafood-forward dishes, making it a go- to for special occasions. Brunch draws a lively crowd with bottomless mimosas, while weekday happy hour offers one of the city’s most scenic settings to unwind. 3201 Ricken- backer Cwy.; Key Biscayne; 305-361-3818; therustypelican.com. Versailles Restaurant Little Havana Versailles is more than a restaurant; it’s a land- mark. For decades, it has stood as the beating heart of Cuban dining in Miami, with its grand, ballroom-like dining room and an expansive menu that spans from café con leche at break- fast to celebratory dinners late into the night. Whether you’re gathering after a concert, marking a milestone, or simply craving a per- fectly executed Cuban classic, Versailles is the kind of place that’s always there, and always delivers. 3555 SW Eighth St.; Little Havana; 305-444-0240; versaillesrestaurant.com. Low-Key, High-Flavor The strip mall stunners and under-the-radar obsessions. Awash Ethiopian Restaurant Miami Gardens Awash brings the flavors and traditions of Ethi- opia to Miami Gardens in a space that feels both transportive and intimate. Inspired by the Awash River, the restaurant pairs deeply spiced, communal dishes with cultural touches like traditional décor and ceremonial coffee service. It’s a hidden gem that delivers an expe- rience far beyond its strip-mall exterior. 19934 NW Second Ave.; Miami Gar- dens; 305-770-5100; awashmi- ami.com. Bar Bucce Little River From the team behind Mac- chialina, Bar Bucce reimagines the Italian all-day bar for Little River. It’s part café, part wine bar, part neighborhood gath- ering spot — serving espresso and pastries in the morning, pizzas, snacks, and aperitivo into the evening, alongside a curated marketplace of Italian goods. Nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Bar, it proves that a “bar” doesn’t have to look traditional to de- liver one of the city’s most thoughtful, convivial dining experiences. 7220 N. Miami Ave.; Little River; 305-202-2526; barbucce.com. Boia De Little Haiti Tucked inside a modest Buena Vista shopping plaza, Boia De has quietly become one of Mi- ami’s most acclaimed reservations. The inti- mate dining room and chef-driven menu showcase bold, Italian-influenced cooking with inventive twists and standout pastas. Small in size but big on personality, it’s a desti- nation that continues to define Miami’s mod- ern dining scene. 5205 NE Second Ave.; Little Haiti; 786-209-6310; boiaderestaurant.com. T O P RESTAURAN TS
