Jay
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Le Bouchon is a French place in the Grove that we just adore that we look forward to going back to someday. In terms of Mexican food, Talavera, in Coral Gables is really outstanding and authentic Mexican food. We were so excited to discover that place.
Jason
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Ghee in Downtown Dadeland. I like the lentil fritters. Their vegetarian dishes are great. Plant Food and Wine in Wynwood. I appreciate what they are doing.
Galia
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
We're so spoiled in Coral Gables and South Miami. The Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove just opened up a new restaurant called Isabelle's - It's fantastic. Doc B's is a new restaurant, sort of like Hillstone's, that is good and close by. They have an angry meatball that is delicious. And, Bombay Darbar or Strada in the Grove. I've recently started going back to Christie's steakhouse, which is ironic because of course that's where I grew up going for special occasions. It's so special to walk in there and it's so familiar. The service is great. The food is great.
Michael
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
When Sarah and I arrived in Miami, and we didn't have anything in the house but an air mattress, we found the Asian Fusion Cafe in Palmetto Bay. They're very unpretentious with very good Asian food. They're not very expensive and super friendly.
Daniella
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
In South Miami – No Name Chinese has fantastic tastes. My Ceviche – it’s part of a chain but really good and fast. Old Lisbon for Portuguese food. And, Marhaba for Arabic food. For special occasions: In my district, we go to a wonderful Italian place called Alaine’s Osterilla on 168th and Old Cutler.
Sharon and Jeff
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Trattoria Luna (next to Roasters) is our family go to. They will literally make you anything - whether it’s on the menu or not. I usually get the tuna steak or tortellini. Also, we’re boaters - so we go often to Boaters Grill which is at the end of Key Biscayne – in a place called No Name Harbor. They have the most amazing fish and rice – with ceviche, tostones and frijoles – my kids eat ceviche because of that place.
Sasha
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
27 is a unique place in Miami. When people are in town, it’s where we go. It’s a fun, cozy – not fancy, they have great cocktails. I am pretty simple – I really like Lucali for pizza on Sunset Harbor. I would be happy to go there for my birthday and just have a pizza. I also think what Jeremy Ford is doing at Stubborn Seedis beautifully plated and tasty and good for a special occasion.
Maria
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I used to be a restaurant critic at age 19. I'm serious. I had a food blog when nobody was doing it, but that was 20 years ago. I really don't do a lot of restaurants here. If we want to go out in Weston, we go to two places. Pizza Lovers - he's Italian and makes very thin crust pizza. And there's a sushi place called KEUH. In Miami, I love Mandolin, the Greek restaurant. And, Motek, which serves Israeli food. In Little Havana there's a place called El Sanguich, for Cuban sandwiches. I love it.
Luis and Natalia
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
For Thai:Bangkok City – everything is good. Especially the fried rice and the peanut sauce. The peanut salad is incredible. Origins on the Key is also great. They have a bunch of different cuisines - Thai, Malaysian, Japanese – but it’s not fusion. They have different dishes from each style. The Malaysian roti is really good. For Tacos: El Toro Taco – we get everything, it’s all well made, and you can’t go wrong. Las Carnitas – the mole is real. You would never pull over and think to eat there. It is a little window with seating on 8th street. You need to be taken there.
Chris
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Hate Mondays. I just ask Carl every time I go there, ‘what do you think I should get today?’ He gives me a recommendation, and if it doesn't sound appealing to me, he says how he can switch it up with this or that. He really goes the extra mile to make sure you're eating what you like. I like Kampai on Sunset and 87th avenue. Even their Thai food is amazing. But, The Biltmore brunch is hands down my number one recommendation. It's not your regular buffet.