South Florida Restaurant Guide

Miami has truly established itself as a trendy city in recent years, offering arguably as much as LA or NYC would to a tourist (especially if you’re trying to be touristy while still being cool). Thankfully, I get to call Miami my home having grown up just a mere sixteen miles up north on I-95. There’s always something new to do, somewhere new to try, and someone willing to do it all with me. If you come to Miami for the weather, you’ll probably stay for the food, the vibes, and the endless opportunities to spend time outside. 

I have a hard time trying new restaurants when I’m home or even leaving my neighborhood since I already have my ride or die spots (I’m also lazy and work full-time). But now that I’m putting more time and energy into my blog, I made it a priority to try some new spots and explore this amazing city even more than I usually do. Keep reading to learn more about restaurants I’ve recently discovered in SoFlo.

If you’re in Aventura, try Reunion Ktchn right on Biscayne Blvd, just south of the Aventura Mall. This local restaurant boasts an extensive menu with global dishes served tapas-style. I think my favorite section of the menu is the drinks - fruity, strong, and special, everything you need in a good cocktail. I’d suggest going to Reunion Ktch with four to six people so you can try and share more dishes. Each dish on the menu also includes a size reference, so you can gauge what you want to order based on the dish sizes. I still found that all the dishes, regardless of the size, could be shared between two to three people. I went with a friend for dinner and we barely made a dent in most of our dishes. If you go, definitely order the tuna tartar and the pear pizza. We also ordered the fish crispy rice, burrata, cauliflower, and a salad.

If you’re in the mood for Latin American eats in Aventura, make sure to check out Novecento for brunch on the weekends (or for any meal at any time, really). I’ve now been multiple times to this fabulous Argentinian steak house and can safely nothing beats their brunch menu. Novecento has something for everyone, whether you like sweet, savory, meats, or salads. They even have a bottomless mimosa add-on that lets you have unlimited drinks for the entirety of your meal. I usually order the bloody mary as my cocktail, the empanadas as an appetizer, the chorizo scramble for my main course, and try my best to resist the desert. Which never works. Someone always has to get the dulce de leche french toast or the bacon pancakes. You can’t go wrong here. 

If you’re in Coral Gables, try Tur Kitchen. This beautifully decorated, semi-fancy restaurant blew me away with one of the most innovative menus and dishes I’ve tried in years. I love any excuse to dress up and you can definitely do so when going to Tur Kitchen. I loved that there were people of all ages and backgrounds dining alongside us enjoying the incredible March Miami weather. Each plate we ordered was better and more different than the next. Start your meal with the pides (like a flatbread but better) and the squid appetizer, leave some room to enjoy the pork loin as your entree, and finish the meal with the kunafa, which is their award-winning walnut, pistachio, and rose pastry. The whole experience blew me away, from the soft tropical house music playing the whole night, to the way a strip mall local was transformed into a Mediterranean oasis. Tur Kitchen is a MUST when in Miami.

If you’re in Fort Lauderdale, try Taco Craft on US-1 and Broward Blvd. This popular Mexican taco spot usually has a long wait and a crowd ready to feast, so either plan accordingly or stop by on a weeknight as I did. On Mondays, they do $5 margaritas to my surprise. My friends and I all ordered the taco platter for $18 - three tacos and a side of rice and beans. There were so many tacos to choose from but I went with my usual strategy which is one veggie and two meat tacos. All the tacos were made with homemade corn tortillas and very fresh-tasting ingredients. Taco Craft is the perfect spot to grab dinner with friends if you’re looking to stay within budget and have a good time. 

If you’re still in FTL but looking to try a different cuisine in a fancier atmosphere, check out Takato on the beach right off of Sunrise Blvd and A1A. It’s a new Asian fusion restaurant with predominantly Japanese cuisine, similar to Makoto with a bit more spice. The outdoor space is large, spacious, and has one of the best views ground-level ocean views I’ve seen at a South Florida restaurant. I’d highly recommend ordering the fried chicken, the duck bao buns, and the spicy tuna crispy rice. I’d also recommend going with at least three people so you can share the dishes. They are on the smaller side but still filling and satisfying. 

If you’re in Miami Beach, visit Pura Vida for healthy wraps, bowls, and juices. With locations all over Miami and expanding up north, soon everyone will be asking you to grab lunch on the weekends at Pura Vida. I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting their Miami Beach location, which has a cute outside seating area with low couches, square tables, and large white umbrellas to keep you out of the scorching sun. It feels very Soho House but make it non-exclusive (lol). I ordered the vegan lentil bowl and loved it until I saw the spicy tuna bowl which I will definitely order next time. I also had a delicious oat milk latte that felt borderline unhealthy from how creamy it was. But none of that is possible at a health food restaurant, right? If you want to try to pretend like you’re in LA, check out Pura Vida.

If you’re still in the Miami Beach area craving something healthy but way boujee-er, check out Dave Grutman’s vegan restaurant Planta. Located in the worst area possible with the worst parking in the entire world lies this overpriced, it’s a trendy spot I felt obliged to try. Overall, the experience was fine. The food was great, the service was below average, and the outdoor seating was weak compared to the beautiful indoor dining space. Would I return? No. But I’d still tell you to go try it out. Definitely get the sushi - we ordered the watermelon nigiri and it was quite deceiving. The pizza and tofu lettuce wraps were great but nothing special. Next time I’m in Miami, I want to try Swan, another one of Dave Grutman’s restaurants. 

If you’re looking to dine in the Wynwood area, make a reservation at Bakan. This beautiful indoor/outdoor restaurant has one of the best corners of Wynwood in terms of real estate. It’s far enough from the heart of Wynwood where you don’t feel like everyone walking on the street is looking at you, but close enough where you can walk to the Wynwood boutiques and bars before or after dinner. This was my second time at Bakan and can say the food is consistent, seasoned to perfection, and accompanied by delicious sides always. I’d also recommend insisting on not being the DD because the drinks are amazing - it’s hard to just have one. I’d recommend sharing any of the tacos and the NY strip with someone else for your meal. 

Stay tuned for part two with recommendations on what to do in Miami!