7 February 26 - March 4, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | February 19-25, 2026 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | For the Big Night Out Where the lights are low, the wine list is deep, the seafood is flown from Japan, and the check is worth it. Claudie Brickell Claudie has quickly cemented itself as one of the year’s stand- out openings, refining its Riviera-inspired menu with indulgent showstoppers like Côte de Boeuf and Wagyu entrecôte with frites that beg you to linger. With live music, breezy outdoor seating, and polished South of France energy in the heart of Mi- ami, it delivers a night out that feels equal parts glamorous and effortless. 1101 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305-990-1101; claudieres- taurant.com. Daniel’s Miami Coral Gables Daniel’s Miami became one of the best things to happen to Coral Gables and Miami in 2025, and the accolades followed fast. Just four months after opening, it ranked ninth on the World’s Best 101 Steak Restaurants – North America list, an extraordinary achievement for such a young restaurant. The recognition only reinforced what diners already knew: Daniel’s Miami impresses with impeccable hospitality, a stunning reimagined space, and a menu that balances a serious steak program with pastas and a raw bar that truly compete with the city’s best. Chef Daniel Ganem brings heart and precision to every plate, creating a res- taurant that feels polished but never pretentious. With a deep, expertly guided wine list and the kind of versatility that works for celebrations, date nights, and business dinners alike, Daniel’s feels destined to become a long-term Gables institution. 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Ga- bles; 305-912-2639; danielssteak.com/miami. Elcielo Brickell When Colombian chef Juan “Juanma” Manuel Bar- rientos brought Elcielo to Miami, he introduced a multisensory tasting journey known as “the Experi- ence,” mirroring his acclaimed restaurants in Bo- gotá and Washington, D.C. From plucking spice-dusted yuca bread off an edible bonsai “Tree of Life” to dipping your hands into melted chocolate during the playful “Chocotherapy” finale, dinner here feels as theatrical as it is deeply personal.31 SE Fifth St., Miami; 786-694-9525; elcielo.com.co. Estiatorio Milos South Beach At Estiatorio Milos in South Beach, Greek cuisine is all about pristine ingredients and unfussy execution, with a daily-chang- ing fish display where the catch is selected by weight and sim- ply prepared to let the seafood shine. From charcoal-broiled octopus drizzled with family-produced olive oil to a textbook Greek salad and impossibly thick housemade yogurt, Milos proves that when it comes to top-tier Mediterranean dining, simplicity reigns supreme. 730 First St., Miami Beach; 305-604- 6800; estiatoriomilos.com. Joe’s Stone Crab South Beach You know Joe’s for the sweet stone crabs and the famously long waits, but what keeps it iconic is the polished, tuxedoed ser- vice, stately dining room, surprising value, and a menu that de- livers from first claw crack to last bite of key lime pie. Whether you brave the Saturday-night line or grab your feast next door at Joe’s Take Away, the experience remains one of Miami’s most enduring and delicious traditions. 11 Washington Ave, Mi- ami Beach; 305- 673-0365; joesstonecrab.com. Le Jardinier Design District Located in the Design District, Le Jardinier is Alain Verzeroli’s pristine Miami outpost, where the former Joël Robuchon pro- tégé channels his Michelin pedigree into a vegetable-forward menu that shifts with the seasons. Though rooted in an “eat your vegetables” ethos, the restaurant balances refinement with indulgence, from elegant produce-driven plates to a per- fectly cooked bavette steak, earning a Michelin star in Florida’s debut guide. 151 NE 41st St., Ste. 135, Miami; 786-376-0830; lejar- dinier-miami.com. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Design District Though Joël Robuchon passed in 2018, his legacy lives on at L’Atelier in the Design District, where the interactive counter seating and tapas-style energy frame a refined take on modern French cuisine. With iconic dishes like the indulgent “Le Burger” and the immersive “Evolution” tasting menu, it’s no wonder this remains the only restaurant in Florida to hold two Michelin stars. 151 NE 41st St., Miami; 305-402-9070; latelier- miami.com. Ogawa Little River At Ogawa in Little River, Miami seems to disappear the mo- ment you step inside, replaced by an intimate kappo-style omakase where chef Masayuki Komatsu guides guests through a deeply immersive, conversation-filled experience. It’s one of the city’s most exclusive and expensive reservations, but once you settle into the sumptuously designed space beside the train tracks, every course makes it clear why it’s worth the splurge. 7223 NW Second Ave., Miami; instagram.com/ogawamiami. Shingo Coral Gables Among Miami’s growing omakase scene, Shingo in Coral Gables rises above, where fourth-generation master chef Shingo E very year, we eat our way through Miami to discover its very best restaurants. From white-tablecloth Mediterranean spots in South Beach and strip mall gems in Little River to legendary spots in Coral Gables, we spend all year experiencing the restaurants that make this city so special. In 2025, a wave of new openings shook up the scene, and we also found ourselves returning to old favorites. But this year, we’re doing things differently. For years, our Top 100 Restaurants list has been a badge of honor and a beast to scroll. So for 2026, we’re tightening the lens. Welcome to the new Top 50 Restaurants list. Why the change? Miami’s dining scene has never been more competitive or more full of res- taurant openings. Between the dozens of new restau- rants that opened in 2025 and brand new dining neigh- borhoods, such as Little River, it was about time New Times created a tried-and- true list of current favorites. Cutting the list from 100 to 50 allows us to be more in- tentional and more discern- ing, and it’s a true snapshot of where to eat right now. It’s also a little less overwhelm- ing for our readers (we know 100 spots was a lot). Additionally, New Times will now update both our restaurant and bar lists twice a year to keep them fresh and reflective of how quickly this city moves. However, that doesn’t mean the list is stacked with only shiny new openings. Miami wouldn’t be where it is today without the incred- ible institutions that laid the groundwork for our dining scene. In this list, you’ll find anniversary- worthy splurges and weeknight go-tos, as well as beloved landmarks that helped shape this city. However, let’s be clear: This list is not a defini- tive ranking carved in stone. “Top” is subjective and always will be. Instead, think of this as a guide to the restaurants we love most in this mo- ment. The places we recommend without hesita- tion to friends who are visiting Miami from out of town — and the ones we book ourselves. One rule applies: Every restaurant included in this list opened by December 2025. Fifty restaurants. Endless cravings. ¡Buen provecho! — Nicole Lopez-Alvar Miami New Times food editor T O P RESTAURAN TS Daniel’s Miami Phto by The Louis Collection
