8 February 26 - March 4, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | February 19-25, 2026 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Akikuni serves pristine fish flown in from Japan with effortless precision at a serene 14- seat counter. With seamless service, graceful sake pours, and a Michelin star earned in 2024, the experience feels less like dinner and more like a quiet teleportation to Osaka. 112 Alhambra Cir., Coral Gables; shingomiami.com. The Surf Club Restaurant Surfside The Surf Club Restaurant marked a pivotal moment in Miami dining when Thomas Keller chose Surfside for his first Florida out- post, bringing his signature precision and polish to the beautifully restored historic property. With its Michelin star and a menu that reimagines Continental classics through a lens of elegance and nostalgia, it remains one of the city’s clearest symbols of timeless refinement. 9011 Collins Ave., Surfside; 305- 768-9440; surfclubrestaurant.com. Zucca Coral Gables Since opening inside Coral Gables’ historic Ho- tel St. Michel in 2017, Zucca has become one of the city’s most beloved Italian restaurants, where chef Manuel Garcia pairs Michelin- trained finesse with classics like veal Parmesan and delicate stuffed zucchini flowers. With a 2,000-bottle wine cellar, polished hospitality, and an upcoming move to Regency Parc in 2026, Zucca continues to define refined Italian dining in the Gables. 162 Alcazar Ave, Coral Ga- bles; 786-580-3731; zuccamiami.com. Where Miami Books a Res The reservation you set a calendar alert for. Ariete Coconut Grove Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete feels like the kind of Coconut Grove restaurant that wraps you in warmth the second you walk in, where French technique meets Cuban soul in a way that feels deeply personal and unmistakably Miami. The Michelin-starred tasting menu, with dishes like fluke topped with conch esca- beche and venison tartare finished with bone marrow sabayon, proves why Ariete remains one of the city’s most confident and defining dining experiences. 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove; 305-640-5862; arietecoconutgrove.com. Cafe La Trova Little Havana Café La Trova stands as one of the defining restaurants of Miami’s 2020s dining era, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein alongside world- renowned cantinero Julio Cabrera. Together, they reimagined Cuban cuisine for a new generation, blending heritage-driven recipes with modern finesse, theatrical cocktails, and live music that channels the spirit of Old Havana. In doing so, they helped elevate Miami’s most nostalgic flavors onto the national stage, proving that tradition and innovation can thrive in the same glass and on the same plate. 971 SW Eighth St., Miami; 786-615-4379; cafelatrova.com. Carbone Vino Coconut Grove Carbone Vino brings Major Food Group’s sig- nature Italian-American glamour to Coconut Grove in a way that feels polished yet refresh- ingly approachable, with a buzzing bar, book- able tables, and even walk-ins welcomed into the fold. With lunch service now in the mix, it has quickly become both a celebration desti- nation and an everyday indulgence for the Grove. 2911 Grand Ave., Ste. 194, Coconut Grove; carbonevino.com/coconut-grove. Cote Miami Design District Simon Kim’s Cote brings its signature fusion of Korean barbecue and classic steakhouse swagger to the Design District, showcasing dry-aged American Wagyu and A5 Japanese Wagyu from Miyazaki, seasoned with a trio of salts and grilled tableside to perfection. With luxe touches like caviar service and a Ariete Russell Film Company
