Cool Restaurants in Miami

Miami is a coastal city known for its beauty, warmth, and beaches. When most people picture Miami, they see large groups of swimsuit clad people enjoying the sun on the beach. Going to the beach is surely a prominent activity in Miami where the land is surrounded by sand and sea, but there is also a lot to do outside the beaches. Visiting restaurants is especially a great thing to do when you visit Miami. Miami has some of the best restaurants in the world within its city limits. Many of them also happen to offer really cool options, venues, and values. Here are some of the coolest restaurants you can visit in Miami!

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CVI.CHE 105

The menu at this restaurant is diverse and full of Peruvian culture. 

105 NE 3rd Ave | Miami | ceviche105.com

CVI.CHE 105 is an award winning Peruvian restaurant with a few different locations. They are known for their vast collection of fresh and creative ceviches along with several other traditional Peruvian dishes. What sets them apart from other restaurants is their commitment to crafting the most delicious food experience for their customers to enjoy. They are consistent in crafting excellence with their passion and striving for the best. 

The menu includes a wide array of foods. There is a section for appetizers, ceviches, tiraditos, traditional, from the sea, and plenty more. They have six different kinds of ceviches mixed with different varieties of seafood, a traditional portion with different chicken and beef dishes, and a specialties menu with all kinds of seafood offerings. 

“Amazing meal as always! I had not been to this location in some years and I'm super impressed with all of the renovations that have taken place. Staff is super friendly and the drinks are delicious. Strongly recommend, I'm definitely a repeat offender!”–Yelp Review

Yardbird Table & Bar 

This restaurant serves decadent comfort food with a side of bourbon. 

1600 Lenox Ave | Miami | runchickenrun.com/miami

Yardbird is a cool restaurant that brings people together with craveable classic American foods. It takes its guests on a culinary journey through a menu filled with indulgent dishes. And Yardbird is completely unapologetic about just how decadent their dishes are. If you want a night of complete indulgence, this is the place to have dinner!

This restaurant has been serving up comfort food for over a decade. And that food is nationally acclaimed. Yardbird has earned praises from James Beard and Bon Appetit, and for very good reasons. They have a brunch menu that includes chicken and waffles and Maine lobster benedict, and a lunch and dinner menu that offers shrimp and grits along with St. Louis ribs. They also have a dynamic bourbon collection because at Yardbird, bourbon is king!

“I've been here several times over the years. I came for lunch on Wednesday with a co-worker and we were both blown away. The service was outstanding. We had the yardbird chicken sandwich, deviled eggs, biscuits, desserts... all great!  But it was the service that made this so special. Thank you!”–Yelp Review

Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina

This restaurant makes you feel like you are back in time in the heart of Havana. 

1442 SW 8th St | Miami | oldshavana.com

Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina is a restaurant located in Little Havana. It is right inside of the famous “Calle Ocho” that is often visited by tourists for its authentic Cuban restaurants, bakeries, and festivals. The restaurant’s decor takes customers to pre-revolutionary Havana, when Cuba had a spirit that was lighthearted and passionate. Their cuisine brings forth years of delicious Cuban tradition. 

This restaurant feels like an escape to Havana. It has Cuban food, Cuban drinks, and Cuban sounds. They have live Cuban music playing there on a regular basis. They serve cool drinks from the famous Cuban mojito to Hemmingway’s beloved daiquiri. All of this can be enjoyed in the indoor dining room or the comfortable outdoor terrace. 

“Delicious food & drinks and great service! We walked right in and we're seated right away. Gipsia served us and was so attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Highly recommend the Cubano sandwich and the empanadas. And you have to get a mojito! Will definitely come back for great Cuban food when I'm in Miami!”–Yelp Review

Whisk Gourmet

This restaurant will offer you a good dose of southern hospitality. 

7382 SW 56th Ave | Miami | whiskgourmet.com

Wish gourmet is all about providing amazing food alongside some southern hospitality. They prepare home style meals made with high quality foods that are organic and locally grown. They have daily lunch and dinner specials that are always bound to be great. They even provide gourmet picnic lunch and sandwich platters for meetings and gatherings. Pre-made dinners for nights you can’t be bothered to cook can also be found at Whisk. 

This restaurant has been featured and praised in various publications. Some of those places are Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Food Network, and the Miami Eater along with several more. Their varied menu that changes with the seasons is loved by their customers. During brunch you can order chicken and waffles and pulled pork eggs benedict, and for lunch and dinner you can order pan roasted snapper filet and shrimp mac and cheese with bacon. 

“Whisk is an American food place just 10 minutes away from UMiami. This food was outstanding. Everything about this meal was beyond perfect. I would recommend and give this place a 10/10. The drinks were also pretty strong. Must try!”–Yelp Review

Komodo

This restaurant serves cool and creative Asian fusion food. 

801 Brickell Ave | Miami | komodomiami.com

Komodo is a cool Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. They share with everyone the regional flairs and flavors of Southeast Asia. The decor is fun and inviting. Komodo has three different stories that feature 300 tabletops, booths, and bar seats. Patrons are taken into a sleek wood-paneled interior or through that into a tropical covered terrace. 

This restaurant’s menu includes a variety of options. You’ll find a list of small plates, which includes Thai beef jerky, cereal rock shrimp, and salmon tacos. The nigiri/sashimi menu includes king salmon belly, steak and eggs, and sea urchin. And for plates, they offer Korean fried chicken, wagyu skirt steak, and Chilean Sea Bass. They also have great selections of cocktails and desserts. 

“Went here on a Thursday night, the place was packed. Service was great, we ordered the lobster dynamite (10/10) , great flavors, KFC chicken (loved that it was boneless, Komodo roll and Brussel sprouts. All the dishes were amazing, there was nothing I didn't like. Overall great place, fantastic food , service and drinks! Will be going again when we are back in town!”–Yelp Review

KYU

The food offered at this restaurant is unique and creative. 

251 NW 25th St | Miami | kyurestaurants.com

KYU is a unique restaurant that offers a diverse menu with an array of flavors that are inspired by the executive chef’s global travel adventures. The chef uses the Japanese barbeque grilling practice, Yakiniku. And from this technique, you’ll get to enjoy the wonderfully smoky and charred taste of food straight off a wood fired grill. You can also enjoy a refreshing and chilled crudo on the other end. 

This restaurant is considered to be one of the best in the country. It has received a number of accolades because of its quality. It was voted TIME Magazine’s best restaurant in Florida and became a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for best new restaurant in 2017. The menu offers snacks, salad, chilled foods, and smoked foods among others. This restaurant will be sure to give you an exciting experience. 

“Ordered the Kyu Experience (dinner) which was 9 rounds of fantastic food. My favorites were Korean Chicken, sweet potato, Crispy Ribs, stone pot rice, and Coconut Cake. They even managed to make kale and cauliflower delicious. Not a single course disappointed and many of them were quite unique. 10/10 worth it if you are looking to have your taste buds blown and eat a lot of food.”–Yelp Review

Crazy About You

This unique restaurant provides a super cool atmosphere. 

1155 Brickell Bay Dr Ste 101 | Miami | crazyaboutyourestaurant.com

Crazy About You is a restaurant with a unique lounge setting, warm decor, and a prestigious dining room next to a picturesque waterfront. It is one of Brickell’s most upscale and coveted restaurants. VIsiting this restaurant is not an experience that should not be missed if you are in Miami. Whether you’re dining in the lounge or out on the front terrace, you are sure to enjoy your time. 

This restaurant has a brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. On the lunch menu, you’ll find chicken and waffles, sunny side brunch pizza, and angus steak and eggs for entrees. For appetizers, you’ll find smoked mahi mahi fish dip, tostones & bruschetta, and homemade lentil soup with chorizo. For dinner entrees, you can get Mexican oxtail tacos, Hawaiian tuna poke bowl, slow cooked boneless ribs. 

“This place is crazy good in every aspect. The interior is funky in a unique way, the outdoor patio has an incredible view, and the food is absolutely PHENOMENAL. Best restaurant in Miami, hands down.”–Yelp Review

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

This restaurant creates a food experience that combines cultures. 

4312 NE 2nd Ave | Miami | mandolinmiami.com

Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a restaurant that transports you to the tavernas along Aegean coastal towns. These are where Greek islands meet the Turkish coast. The restaurant workers will greet you with genuine Mediterranean hospitality that will make you feel at home as you enjoy the taste of Aegean traditions. This restaurant was opened by a couple in 2009. It is inside a restored 1940s home with notable outdoor space. 

This restaurant uses local ingredients while incorporating Aegean tradition in the creation of their food. They are also inspired by the traditional recipes and seasonality of Greek and Turkish cuisine. This is more than just a restaurant, it's a way of life. It encourages an effortless way to enjoy eating along with the simple pleasures in life. 

“Exceptional. Truly the best octopus and grilled prawns we've had, and we eat out a lot and live in NYC.. The Turkish sampler with vegetables is a must. We had a bottle of French wine that blew us away and was super well priced. Make a reservation. It's tough to walk in because it's the place everyone wants to be.”–Yelp Review

Miami is a vibrant city filled with all kinds of cool restaurants that attract customers from all over. Make sure you make time to get to one the next time you’re in the city!