Don’t miss a meal at Five-Star NAOE.
NAOE
Home to nearly 10,000 restaurants, Miami is a dynamic culinary destination. Still, it can be difficult to find a table among the popular places run by great chefs and those that draw crowds with their scene.
To discover Miami’s lesser-known gems, we turned to Andiago, an app that recommends trending restaurants based on real experiences. From Little Havana to Little Haiti, from fine dining to fast casual, these restaurants are worth a visit.
It’s easy to overlook this Japanese gem with its nondescript Brickell Key exterior. But it’s one of Miami’s most exclusive dining experiences. The five-star Forbes Travel Guide restaurant accommodates just four diners per seat, ensuring plenty of one-on-one time with chef/owner Kevin Cory.
What to order: The omakase menu is the only option, but that’s all you’ll need. Leave the exquisite multi-course meal in Cory’s talented hands.
Extra bite: Cory makes everything he serves, including the soy sauce.
Savor Italian cuisine.
Adam Del Giudice
The bustle of the streets of New York meets the splendor of the Amalfi Coast at this atmospheric 60-seat Italian restaurant. Sample rustic Italian recipes in the brick-walled trattoria or alfresco in the garden or on the sidewalk.
What to order: Homemade mezzaluna and creamy polenta with a ragout of wild mushrooms.
Extra bite: Leave room for dessert – you don’t want to miss the beloved bread pudding.
At this intimate Little Havana spot, sit at the charming little wooden tables on the patio lit by fairy lights and savor some of the best authentic Thai cuisine in town.
What to order: Khao se (egg noodles with yellow curry, cilantro, red onions and your choice of protein) or anything else listed as ‘chef’s recommendation’.
Extra bite: Next, sip drinks at the Ball & Chain, an iconic 1950s Cuban-style nightclub that’s a four-minute walk from the restaurant.
Order a natural sourdough pizza.
The Natural
At Little River, you’ll find natural wine and naturally sourdough pizza, veggie-based plates, and a casual, organic atmosphere.
What to order: Japanese pizza with sweet potato, oyster mushrooms and burrata, served with a bottle of juicy pét-nat natural sparkling, or natural sparkling wine).
Extra bite: If you need help diving into the world of natural wine, your server will be happy to guide you through the evening.
Taste natural wine.
Margot Natural Wine Bar
Created by the team at Broken Shakers, this cozy bar uncorks unique and exciting wines in the historic Ingraham building, decorated with warm Scandinavian wood accents, minimalist furnishings and high ceilings.
What to order: The salmon crudo pairs wonderfully with anything from the natural wine list or one of the bar’s low-alcohol cocktails.
Extra bite: Expect top-notch musical accompaniment courtesy of carefully curated soundtracks played through the bar’s vintage sound system.
Eat sushi at this downtown spot.
Mr. Omakase
This downtown sushi bar offers both set menus and a la carte options. The limited seating at the counter and the mellow ambience of the bar create an intimate dining experience.
What to order: The 10, 14 and 18 course dinners are all winners.
Extra bite: Walk around the block to the Margot Natural Wine Bar for a nightcap.
Order a drink.
Jaguar Sun
Pull back the curtains and find a cool cocktail bar serving unforgettable drinks accompanied by delicious pasta dishes.
What to order: Hot parkerhouse and agnolotti rolls stuffed with corn, blue crab, saffron and marcona almonds.
Extra bite: Drop by between 5-7pm for a very happy hour (or hours) with oysters and “tiny tinis” with gin or vodka.
Sit near the water.
Pati Laylle
Inspired by Argentinian culture and cuisine, this restaurant and bar features a beautiful green interior and waterside seating.
What to order: Flan with dulce de leche, steak and eggs (on the Sunday brunch menu) and buñuelos (beignets with chard, kale and old gouda).
Extra bite: The waterside patio is adjacent to a manatee sanctuary, which provides entertainment at mealtimes.
Immerse yourself in the modern American kitchen.
Boia De
Tucked away in a strip mall in Little Haiti, Boia De offers modern American cuisine with an emphasis on Italian, resulting in irresistible pasta. The dining experience is as quaint as the neon sign that hangs outside the front door.
What to order: Start with favorites like chopped salad and potato skins raised with caviar. Then move on to pasta, such as the sweet corn agnolotti, the tagliolino nero with king crab and the gnocchi with pieces of sausage.
Extra bite: Attach an outdoor seat. Tables are perched along a small canal with a peaceful, secluded vibe.
