22 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 | shakshuka, a tangy dish of baked eggs, tomatoes, and peppers served in its skillet with an oversize challah. Fuel up on hibiscus tea or a mimosa and you’ll leave all fueled up for your shopping. For your convenience and delectation, additional Moteks have sprung up in Aventura, Brickell, Coral Gables, South Beach, and Boca Raton. Naoe 661 Brickell Key Dr., Miami 305-947-6263 naoemiami.com Dinner at chef Kevin Cory’s Naoe at the Courvoisier Centre on Brickell Key is an ex- perience you wouldn’t expect to find outside of Tokyo. The restaurant offers two seatings with a maximum of five peo- ple per, and a chef’s-choice menu that might include sil- ver-skinned horse mackerel (aji) glazed with shoyu and plated with pickled wasabi leaves and flowers and freshly grated wasabi root. Salmon wrapped in salted white seaweed; roasted freshwater eel; deep-fried shrimp tamago; rice with shiitake mushrooms and hints of eel — all are meticulously prepared and ut- terly delicious. If you’re still hungry for more, Cory will prepare nigiri sushi. He started his culinary training at age 19 and is a perennial winner of the Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star Award. Naoe is a reserva- tions-only restaurant and doesn’t allow chil- dren under 12. Nor should you expect substitutions — those with allergies to shell- fish, nuts, gluten, etc., should seek suste- nance elsewhere. Niu Kitchen 104 NE Second Ave., Miami 786-717-6711 niukitchen.com In 2017, Katrina Iglesias, Adam Hughes, and chef and Barcelona native Deme Lomas opened Arson two doors down from their first venture, Niu Kitchen. The two restau- rants have since been combined in order to accommodate more outdoor seating. Here, the centerpiece is a Josper — a charcoal- burning grill/oven hybrid that abets Lomas’ gastronomy. Whiffs of Asia and South Amer- ica rise off the menu, including mainstays like charbroiled oysters, chargrilled prawns, and vegan paella. Ogawa 7223 NW Second Ave., Miami ogawamiami.com New Times’ choice for Best Japanese Restau- rant in 2024, Ogawa offers one of Miami’s most authentic Japanese dining experiences, right in the heart of Little River. With seafood flown in from Ja- pan and dishes like otoro, baby sea bream, and A5 Wagyu pre- pared with masterful precision, every bite feels like a revelation. The intimate ten-seat counter, paired with thoughtful Japa- nese design elements, jazz, and even a serene garden, feels straight outta Osaka. One of Miami’s newest Michelin-starred restau- rants, Ogawa is worth every penny of a cov- eted reservation. Old Lisbon Restaurant 1698 Coral Way, Miami 305-854-0039 oldlisbonrestaurants.com Old Lisbon opened its doors in January 1991 with an open-kitchen concept and authentic Portuguese cuisine, and it’s been a staple neighborhood restaurant on Coral Way ever since. An open kitchen accents the modern yet rustic dining room, and dishes such as carne de porco a alentejana give diners a chance to taste the unexpected flavors of Por- tugal so often eclipsed by neighboring Spain. With a wine cellar that features Old World selections, as well as Portuguese beers and exceptional service from the knowledgeable staff, Old Lisbon is here to stay. (Also in South Miami and Aventura.) Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina 1442 SW Eighth St., Miami 786-518-2196 oldshavana.com Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina is located on Calle Ocho of Little Havana and has been a staple for tourists and locals alike. Alongside vintage Cuban decor and Cuban music, Old’s Havana’s authentic Cuban cuisine speaks for itself with the flavors of years of tradition. It takes a lot of confidence for a bar stationed on Little Havana’s historic Calle Ocho to pro- claim itself a “Casa del Mojito,” but at Old’s Havana, that chutzpah is justified. The quint- essential Cuban highball would be nothing without its freshly muddled mint and high- quality rum, and that’s what Old’s Havana is more than prepared to offer its patrons each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (midnight on week- ends). If you’re in the mood for the authentic old-school flavor, consider asking that your mojito be prepared with an aged rum. Old’s Havana stocks 29 options of aged rum at the bar. Or, if you’re the sort who likes to go rogue, you can try your luck with one of five flavored mojitos, which range from raspberry to coconut to passionfruit. Omakai Sushi 2107 NW Second Ave., Miami 786-579-9995 omakaisushi.com The Magic City is showing an impressive penchant for sushi, attracting world-re- nowned chefs and a growing number of elite omakase experiences. In Miami, a standout is Omakai, founded by four friends who la- mented the area’s dearth of reasonably priced sushi. To offer a more affordable omakase ex- perience, guests can choose three multi- course options that begin with seasonal-themed appetizers and sashimi, fol- lowed by an assortment of sushi and hand rolls. We suggest guests go with the “Oma De- luxe” ($40 at lunch, $50 at dinner), a ten- course progression that goes down even better when paired with one of the restau- rant’s four seasonal sake flights. Pro tip: The attractively boxed “Homeakase” menu offers a delivery option that brings Omakai’s chef- curated experience to you. Pastor at Pascal 2611 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables 305-444-2024 pastoratpascal.net Pastor at Pascal — formerly Pascal’s on Ponce — proves that a beloved classic can evolve without losing its soul. The new Basque chef wisely kept Pascal Oudin’s legendary French staples after he retired in 2024, like the Gru- yère soufflé and the duck confit, while weav- ing in Spanish hits such as Galician octopus and Iberian pork. The seamless blend of French finesse and Spanish boldness makes every dish a star. In 2025, with a refreshed dining room and the same loyal staff, Pastor at Pascal re-emerged as one of Coral Gables’ most wonderful dining spots at the ripe old age of 25. Phuc Yea 7100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305-602-3710 phucyea.com Phuc Yea is a grand 110-seater filled with the sounds of ‘90s hip-hop and the scent of Viet- nam’s ubiquitous fish sauce. That irresistible combo earned Cesar Zapata and Ani Mein- hold’s Upper East Side mainstay a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in 2022. Try the green papaya salad, in which chilies, garlic, dried shrimp and squid, and Vietnamese cori- ander are pulverized into a potent paste that’s tossed with toothsome papaya threads, car- rots, and sweet cherry tomatoes, then crowned with banana blossom ribbons, shal- lots, and herbs. The P.Y. noodles — tossed with garlic butter, oyster sauce, and Parmesan cheese — are soulful comfort food, as is a pho made with rich broth. On Sundays, indulge in Phuc Yea’s spirited brunch. Puerto Sagua 700 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305-673-1115 Puerto Sagua has been a South Beach staple since 1962, timelessly serving timeless Cuban comfort food without the frills. From ropa vieja to masitas de puerco, everything on the menu tastes like abuela just carried it to the table from her kitchen. Open daily from early morning to 11 at night, it’s the kind of spot where locals and tourists gather shoulder to TOP TOP 100 100 RESTAURANTS Ogawa Ogawa photo Pastor at Pascal Pastor at Pascal photo
