12 September 18-24, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | September 18-24, 2025 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | and a traditional steakhouse, to the Design District. The restaurant offers a selection of Waygu beef, including American Waygu and A5 Japanese Wagyu — the latter sourced from the Miyazaki prefecture, where true Wagyu are raised. The steaks are dry-aged for a minimum of 45 days in house and then sea- soned with a mixture of British Maldon, Hi- malayan pink, and Korean thousand-day salts before being presented raw and cooked to order tableside. And if you have a taste for primo caviar, Cote has you covered. It came as no surprise in 2022 when Cote Miami earned a Michelin star. Cotoa 12475 NE Sixth Ct., North Miami 786-328-1460 cotoa.rest Cotoa is a breath of fresh air on Miami’s din- ing scene, bringing a level of Ecuadorian cooking the likes of which the city has never seen. Chef Alejandra Espinoza has trans- formed a cozy 24-seat North Miami space into a culinary journey through the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon. From her “Humita de la Abuela” cornbread with palo santo but- ter straight through to a Cotopaxi-inspired chocolate lava cake, every dish feels rooted in heritage yet refined for today. It’s easily the most authentic Ecuadorian restaurant in Mi- ami right now — and one that feels both inti- mate and unforgettable. No wonder Cotoa earned a Michelin star in 2025 — the first such honor bestowed upon an Ecuadorian restaurant. Cvi.che 105 105 NE Third Ave., Miami 305-577-3454 ceviche105.com A fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors meets an immersive atmosphere inspired by gold luxury and the ocean at Cvi.che 105. Chef and owner Juan Chipoco has opened six loca- tions across South Florida, each more popular than the last. New Times editors’ choice for “Best Ceviche” in 2024, the restaurant is also a perennial Readers’ Choice in the same cate- gory. That’s likely due to the menu, which showcases the best flavors of Japanese cuisine melded with Chipoco’s cre- ativity and background in au- thentic Peruvian dishes. Daniel’s Miami 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Gables 305-912-2639 danielssteak.com/miami Daniel’s Miami might have just opened in July 2025, but it quickly locked in a New Times Top 100 spot thanks to its flawless hos- pitality, stunning atmosphere, and chef Dan- iel Ganem’s passion poured into every plate. The Coral Gables newcomer (he also holds down the fort at Daniel’s, a Florida Steak- house, in Fort Lauderdale) took over the for- mer Fiola space, reimagining it with a world-class steak program, knockout pastas, and a raw bar that ranks among the tops in town. It’s swanky but never stuffy; it’s the sort of place that works for date nights, business dinners, or celebrating with friends over a tomahawk and too much tongue-staining wine. In short, Daniel’s isn’t just the new kid on the block; it’s the restaurant Coral Gables and South Miami diners will be bragging about for some time to come. Doce Provisions 541 SW 12th Ave., Miami 786-452-0161 doceprovisions.com Lisetty Llampalla and Justin Sherrer run Doce Provisions, a gastropub that epitomizes Miami in a nutshell: part Cuban, part Ameri- can. The original restaurant, located in the center of bustling Little Havana, seats only about a dozen patrons, who come for this perfect marriage of dishes: Cuban sand- wiches and fried chicken, tostones and disco truffle fries, lechón asado buns and shrimp po’ boy tacos. Doggi’s Arepa Bar 7281 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 786-558-9538 eatdoggis.com Winner of New Times’ Best Arepas honors in 2022, Doggi’s Arepa Bar captures Miami’s unique mix of grit, flavor, and living out the American dream. Founded by Venezuelan immigrants as a humble hot-dog cart in 2010, the family-owned business has blos- somed into a powerhouse arepa destination, now with multiple locations across the Magic City — and nationwide shipping on GoldBelly. The menu highlights true Vene- zuelan comfort food, from its best-selling arepas like the “Santa Bárbara” to indulgent cachapas overflowing with cheese. In a city filled with bold flavors, Doggi’s has set the bar for what real-deal Venezuelan dining in Miami tastes like. Dōma 35 NE 26th St., Miami 786-953-6946 domawynwood.com Tucked into Miami’s ever-evolving Wyn- wood neighborhood, Doma has blended clas- sic Italian flavors with a dash of innovation since opening in 2018. The chic, minimalist ambiance is warmly welcoming, great for a date night, hanging out with friends, or meeting the in-laws. Bucatini ca- cio e pepe, a signature dish, sur- prises with a delicate floral twist from Szechuan black pepper, while the soft egg, a starter, is abetted by a Parmesan foam. Topnotch cuisine and attentive service have earned Doma its rightful spot as a vibrant player in the neigh- borhood, drawing devoted locals and curious newcomers alike. Doya 347 NW 24th St., Miami 305-501-2848 doyarestaurant.com With modern Aegean cuisine hailing from the shores of Greece and Turkey, Doya in- spires with its dishes and its setup. Maybe it’s the bohemian decor, impressive wooden ta- bles, lush patio for dining al fresco, and giant windows that usher in the perfect amount of light from dawn to dusk, but this is one of the most handsome restaurants in Wynwood. And the food is divine. You’re guaranteed to savor both big and small plates, from bran- zino ceviche to the baked feta. Make sure to order meats and veggies prepared over wood fire and coals, lending a distinct flavor that will ship you off mentally to a sea-sprayed, sparkling evening on the Aegean Sea. El Carajo International Tapas & Wine 2465 SW 17th Ave., Coral Gables 305-856-2424 el-carajo.com Some of the best tapas in Miami can be found in a gas station convenience store at the cor- ner of South Dixie Highway and SW 17th Av- enue. Past the shelves of motor oil, sodas, and potato chips, you’ll find El Carajo, a thor- oughly charming wine and tapas bar that of- fers a 2,000-bottle wine list and a roster of tapas and main plates that’s nearly as exten- sive. Even better, wine and food alike are ex- ceptional values. The tabla de carne, an assortment of grilled skirt steak, lamb and pork chops, chicken breast, sausages, pota- toes, and roasted peppers, will easily feed three hungry diners. Finish with a rich, creamy caramel flan. El Mago de las Fritas 5828 SW Eighth St., Miami 305-266-8486 elmagodelasfritas.com Sure, El Mago de las Fritas dispenses diner- like fare from its old-school cafeteria-esque dining room. But you’re not here for just any dish. You’re here for the Cuban hamburgers, AKA fritas. From the orange-hued beef cho- rizo patties to the almost-too-soft Cuban rolls and the topping of handmade potato sticks, El Mago’s frita is one of the best iterations in the Magic City. You can order a basic frita, but se- riously consider a double with cheese. What- ever you do, don’t forget to add a fried egg on top. Look for the “Big Magic” — a Big Mac- like frita with a tostone as the middle bun. Most of the staff members don’t speak Eng- lish, but if you’re uncomfortable ordering in Spanish, just point at what you want on the menu. El Turco Turkish Food 5026 NE Second Ave., Miami 305-846-7510 elturcoturkishfood.com With an outdoor dining room nestled under a hut adorned with swaying straw lanterns, El Turco beckons with a charming Istanbul- meets-Tulum ambiance. The focus isn’t on innovation at this Turkish restaurant nestled off NE Second Avenue in the Upper Buena Vista complex, but rather on familiar, com- forting flavors reminiscent of family meals. If you’re looking to kick-start your day with in- dulgence, opt for an assortment of mezze. In need of something a little more substantial? Graze from the all-day menu, which high- lights small appetizers, enticing “simit’’ sand- wiches on sesame-coated Turkish bagels, and classic dishes like beef kebabs and delicate, meat-filled manti dumplings. Not to be missed: dessert. Try the baked cheese borek — crisp layers of house-made phyllo enfold- ing a gooey interior of Balkan cheese — or pis- tachio-filled baklava delivered each week from Turkey. Elastika 191 NE 40th St., Miami 305-209-3100 elastikamiami.com This sleek, modern space on the first floor of the iconic Moore building in the Design Dis- trict takes its name from the sprawling sculp- ture by Zaha Hadid that looms above. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Elastika brings a Mediterranean twist to American staples, ensuring that you can treat yourself to TOP TOP 100 100 RESTAURANTS Cotoa Photo by Salar Abduaziz
