Super 7: South Beach Restaurants
Yes, There’s Actually Great Food in South Beach
Aviv
If you're looking for somewhere to dine with a group that won't break the bank but still feels genuinely impressive, Aviv is it. Inside the 1 Hotel, this Israeli concept from the Zahav team serves up its signature creamy hummus, Yemenite saluf, and smoky grilled mains. The Tayim tasting menu ($85 per person) is built for sharing and includes mezze, salatim, rice pilaf, dessert, and more.
Pro Tip: Go all-in on Tayim, then wrap up the meal it off with a cocktail on the rooftop facing the ocean. The hotel’s elevator takes you straight up.// 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach // @aviv.miami
Joe’s Stone Crab
As a native Miamian, I’ll never not be a Joe’s stan. And after more than 100 years in and still no notes. Joe’s is Miami’s answer to the question, “What if a tourist trap actually earned it?” Everyone talks stone crab (as they should), but the $9 fried chicken and hash browns are the real insiders’ play. Come stone crab season, it gets wild—so skip the white-tablecloths and hit the Take Away restaurant next door.
Pro Tip: No shame in skipping the claws entirely. Chicken, sides, and key lime pie are a perfect lunch combo.// 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach @joesstonecrab
Macchialina
This longtime favorite still sets the standard for Italian in Miami Beach. Chef Michael Pirolo’s house-made pastas—like the cavatelli with porchetta ragu or beet mezzaluna—are rich, rustic, and reliably excellent. The $70 tasting menu is a smart way to do it, but you’ll need to book in advance. Bonus: their original dining room is now Fluke, a moody martini-and-crudo bar next door.
Pro Tip: Reserve Macchialina for dinner, but start at Fluke with a ice-cold martini and a seafood tower. Best one-two punch in town. // @macchialina, 820 Alton Rd., Miami Beach
Paya
Chef Niven Patel’s first South Beach restaurant is a flavor trip through Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond, boasting produce from his Homestead farm. The ten-course tasting menu includes hits like truffle brie grilled cheese, tamarind lamb chops, and coconut wahoo ceviche. It's $75 any night ($50 on Monday!), and certainly a steal — especially for South Beach standards.
Pro Tip: After dessert do a nightcap around the corner at Brother’s Keeper. Great cocktails, chill vibe, no scene. // @payamiami, 1209 17th St., Miami Beach
Stubborn Seed
Jeremy Ford’s Michelin-starred tasting menu is one of the city’s most consistent high-end experiences. The eight courses rotate constantly, but always lean into unique flavors: think wagyu striploin with fermented greens or scallop aguachile. Finish with dessert from pastry chef Leiti Gonzalez, like the corn cream reverie with toasted corn ice cream and miso panna cotta.
Pro Tip: Splurge on the caviar or $90 wine pairing if you're celebrating. Or just pretend you are. // @stubborn_seed, 101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
Sweet Liberty
Sure, it might be better known as a bar, but the food at Sweet Liberty is no afterthought. Michelle Bernstein’s cauliflower nachos are delicious and certainly feed a crowd, and the Liberty Burger stacks up against just about any in town. Drinks are top-tier, the crowd’s a mix of locals and tourists, and the kitchen stays open until 4 a.m.
Pro Tip: Get the burger and a daiquiri before midnight, then hang until the DJ comes on and regret nothing. // @sweetlibertymia, 237 20th St., Suite B, Miami Beach
True Loaf Bakery
Miami’s best almond croissant lives here. Self-taught baker Tomas Strulovic turned a career in finance into a cult bakery known for laminated pastries, crusty sourdough, and seasonal sweets that actually change with the seasons. It’s tiny, it’s packed, and it’s always worth the wait.
Pro Tip: Thursdays and Fridays are pizza days. Ask if there’s any of their square Detroit-style left, and buy whatever just came out of the oven. // @trueloafbakery, 1894 Bay Rd., Miami Beach