10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Miami

Makoto specialises in Edomae-style sushi, which uses fish that's marinated and preserved for several days rather than fresh. Talented chef Makoto Okuwa has elevated this classic Japanese dish to modern standards with flavours you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. 

You can enjoy quality ingredients such as premium beef (both Japanese and American), served as grilled skewers. The restaurant itself offers dark sophistication that's both relaxing and elegant.

Surf Club Restaurant is an excellent choice if you're looking for a place that combines excellent local food with Miami's art deco architecture and retro styling.

The restaurant's style notably evokes imagery of the '50s and '60s, while its food consists of continental and contemporary American cuisine. Standouts include steaks, Caesar salad, lobster thermidor, and lemon tarts. Surf Club Restaurant has a smart casual dress code, so make sure to visit in your best outfit. 

Le Sirenuse Miami is one of the top spots for Mediterranean cuisine in Miami. Specifically, head chef Antonio Mermolia brings in authentic southern Italian cuisine to the city's dining scene. 

Hailing from the Amalfi Coast, these classic dishes are crafted with top-quality ingredients to ensure maximum flavours. The restaurant is right along the shore, so you can enjoy the coastal setting while navigating the numerous course menus. Pair your meal with your choice of bottomless prosecco, rose, or champagne.

Taquiza specialises in authentic Mexican dishes in Miami. This traditional taqueria is best known for using certified organic blue corn for all their homemade tortillas and chips. It's ground daily, so you can always count on freshness every time you visit.

Besides tacos, you'll find a wide variety of Mexican offerings, though tacos remain a speciality of Taquiza. Imported Mexican beer and local Florida brews are part of the extensive drinks menu.

Phuc Yea serves innovative Vietnamese staples in an industrial-style space in Miami. While there's certainly an aura of authenticity emanating from these family-rooted recipes, you'll find some interesting additions to their menu. 

These include spicy and Cajun flavours along with American-inspired breakfast options. The atmosphere is fun as well, as Phuc Yea frequently serenades its patrons with '90s hip-hop music.

Itamae offers an interesting selection of Nikkei dishes, which are a unique combination of Japanese and Peruvian flavours. Not every item on the menu is strictly both Japanese and Peruvian, as you'll also find a wide selection of sushi rolls. 

Standouts include the Kochi (salmon, red caviar, serrano peppers, sesame seeds, and nori-ponzu) and Kirby roll (salmon and avocado topped with coriander sauce, salmon tartare, and nori chips). You can find Itamae in the Miami Design District, an upscale complex of modern restaurants, designer shops, and art galleries.