TOP TEN
As I've indicated in the past, this list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.
The influx of quality new restaurants has made the rankings even more difficult. But I put a lot of meals and thought into these rankings in order to provide you with an accurate assessment of the current restaurant scene in town.
There have been a lot of recent openings with several more on the way. Thus, I am going to be updating this page often so make sure to check back to stay current.
I limited the list this time to the Top Ten in order to pay tribute to the chefs and restaurants that are doing outstanding jobs.
These are the Best of the Best in town.
**** Oolite & Khong River House are closed ****
**** Tongue & Cheek closed. The Cypress Room now Cypress Tavern****
1.
Naoe
1a.
Bourbon Steak
3.
Makoto
4.
The Bazaar
5.
The Dutch *chef left
6.
Macchialina
7.
Michael Mina 74 *chef left
8.
Vagabond
9.
Proof Pizza & Pasta
10.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
10.
Edge Steak & Bar
10.
Pubbelly
Missed the Top Ten but are highly recommend.
Joe's Stone Crab,
Lucali,
27,
Hakkasan,
db Bistro Moderne,
Corsair,
Mignonette,
La Mar,
MC Kitchen,
Yakko-San,
Milos,
Mandolin,
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill,
Timo,
Momi,
Sushi Deli, Panya Thai, King Palace Chinese BBQ,
NIU Kitchen,
Blue Collar,
Salumeria 104,
Sardinia,
Wolfgang's,
The River Oyster Bar,
Meat Market,
Petit Rouge,
Basil Park,
Macaluso's,
The Forge
New and To Do -
Cena by Michy, Coya,
Seagrape,
Morimoto (closed), Matador Room, Beach Craft, Cleo, Stripsteak,
Quality Meats,
El Cielo, Klima, Fooq's, Fresh American Bistro, Magic Garden, Bistro Casis, Bagatelle, Taquiza, Beachcraft, Byblos, The Golden Fig, The Continental, Red Ginger, Midtown Oyster Bar, Soho Bay, Driftwood Room, Cypress Tavern, Beaker & Gray. OY!!!!!
Prominent and potentially rank worthy but not visited or need to get back Zuma, The Setai, Lure, The Federal, Verde, Eating House and Palme d'Or.
Need to return and re-rank because of chef changes - Scarpetta, Michael Mina 74, Bocce, J&G Grill, Azul & Toscana Divino.
Coming Soon - Izzy's (open), PB Station, BaZi (open), Talde (open) Le Zoo (open), Jaya (open) Los Fuegos, Pao at the Dome.
Cross the border(s) recommendations- Buccan, Cafe Boulud, Pizzeria Oceano, Hot & Soul, Blue Willy's, Valentino's.
Best of Breed and highly recommended.
Pizza Parlor NY Slice - Kings County
Pizza - Lucali
Stone Crabs - Joe's duh
Charcuterie - db Bistro Moderne & Quality Meats
Pasta - Macchialina (hat tip Proof Pizza)
Bagel - Bagel Cove (but drive the extra 10 minutes and cross the border to Sage)
Chinese - King Palace Chinese BBQ & Hakkasan.
Thai - Panya
Sushi - See rankings. *Neighborhood spot - Sushi Deli.
Healthy - Basil Park
Juice - Raw Republic & Jugo Fresh
Mexican - Cheen Huaye (cross the border to Chapultepec)
Japanese Izikaya - Yakko-San
Oysters - River Oyster Bar, Mignonette & The Dutch
Meatballs - Macaluso's
Calzone - Lucali
Coffee - Panther (hat tip Alaska Roasting Company)
Butcher - Proper Sausages
Falafel - Pita Plus (on the border Falafel Benny's)
Israeli - Etzel Itzik
Fast Casual - gastroPod & My Ceviche
Fast Food Burger - Shake Shack
Restaurant Burger - MM74 & Bourbon Steak
Fast Casual Burger - gastropod & Pincho Factory
Dim Sum - Hakkasan
Best Steak - Bourbon Steak
Dessert - The Dutch & J&G Grill
Filipino - Lutong Pinoy
Uzbekistani - Chayhana Oasis
Vietnamese - Cross the border to Pho 78. Basilic comin soon to N Miami Beach
Banh Mi - Cross the border to Pho 78 & 545 Banh Mi Cafe
Cocktails - Bourbon Steak & 27
Roti - LC Roti Shop
Ramen - Momi
Pastrami - Michael's Genuine & Josh's Deli
Fries - Bourbon Steak
Arepas - Avila Bistro
Chicharron - El Palacio de los Jugos
Ceviche - My Ceviche & La Mar
Catalan - NIU Kitchen
Sausage - My pants hat tip to Proper Sausages
Subs - Cross the border to La Spada or Genco hat tip Le Sandwicherie
Korean - Cross the border Myung Ga.
French Bistro - Petit Rouge & Gourmet Diner
Special Occasion -
The Cypress Room Bourbon Steak
Service - Bourbon Steak
Best Staple Dishes -
BBQ Shrimp @ Oolite, Lil Oyster Sandwiches @ The Dutch, Chicken Liver Crostini @ Michael's Genuine Food & Drink.
Brunch - fuck brunch