It’s December and you know what that means: lists, lists, and more lists.

What a difference a year makes! South Florida saw way too many restaurant closures this year. Only now does it seem like the tide is starting to turn and new restaurants are popping up everywhere you look. This list (different than my other ongoing, everyday favorites list posted here for Dade and here for Broward) features ONLY my choices for Top Ten Restaurants of 2015. I know what you are thinking; just ten? It hate leaving out so many great restaurants. It would have probably been much easier to do a Top Twelve or Top Fifteen list. The restaurants on this list all have one thing in common; they consistently deliver good service and top-notch food year round. Brownie points? Though not part of the criteria to make my list, chances are their interiors are not too shabby either. You might be surprised at some of the additions and deletions (especially when compared to the 2013 and 2014 rankings). Here we go!

Miami- Dade County Top Ten Restaurants

10. Pied à Terre

9. La Mar

8. MC Kitchen

7. Scarpetta

6. Bourbon Steak

5. TIE: Bazaar and Hakkasan 

4. Quality Meats

3. NAOE

2. Alter

1. DB Bistro *

Broward County Top Ten Restaurants

10. Cafe Seville

9. Mustard Seed Bistro

8. Cafe Vico

7. Eduardo De San Angel

6. Ireland’s Steakhouse

5. Tavolino della Nonna

4. TIE: Sardelli Italian Steakhouse and Valentino Cucina Italiana

3. Kuro

2. Casa D’ Angelo

1. Steak 954

Congratulations to these fine restaurants. It’s not easy being this good. Impressive!

As always, remember to check out my ongoing list of favorites HERE for year-round options and the answer to “Bren, can you recommend a restaurant?”

Thank you so much for your continued support! Remember to also follow The Whet Palette on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Read and come back often.

Life is my palette. The Whet Palette.

*12/1/2015 Executive Chef Jason Pringle to depart next month