GUEST POST by Lawrence P.

This is a list of my favorite Miami-Dade County restaurants for 2024. This is not a list of the county’s best restaurants. I am not The Whet Palette. I don’t have the necessary “street cred” to arrive at such conclusions. 

Because I love my vino, wine “service/prices/selection/corkage fee” will play a big part in my rankings. Value matters as well because we pay the check. I realize we can go to any of these restaurants and spend half of what we usually spend by sitting at the bar for a glass of red, an appetizer, a shared entrée, and a shared dessert. But… hello… have you met The Whet Palette? Having said that, Miami restaurant prices continue to rise to somewhat comical levels, though I realize that the cost of rent, product, ingredients, and labor has increased. It is unfortunate, but due to some of these price points, I cannot enjoy them as much as I would prefer, and many have now become more of ‘Special Occasion’ restaurants.

Before I get to my list, I have some quick notes on some restaurants not on my Top 24 this year. Despite three visits in 2024 and serving some of the best pasta in Miami-Dade County, Macchialina, a Whet Palette favorite, doesn’t make my list for 2024. There is plenty of good pasta on my list (i.e., see Erba, Fiola), and traveling to Alton Rd with no real parking options is not enticing enough for me. Moreover, I kind of liked the old space. I realize they had to get bigger, but it has lost some of those home-feel vibes. Cote Steakhouse is another Whet Palette favorite that doesn’t make my list. Nothing is wrong with it, but I do not particularly like the sides they fill the table with, and the whole “we cook your meat at the table” has lost its luster with me. That insane wine list markup doesn’t help matters either. Another one not on the list is Boia De. I feel like everyone demands that I must love this place. There is nothing wrong with Boia De, except their menu has gotten a little bit stale. Although I love how the small dining room feels, it simply does not make my Top 24 for this year. Tam Tam is another I feel people demand love for. Sorry, I’m not feeling it. Finally, much like in 2023, Miami’s only 2 Michelin-starred establishment, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, is once again not. Are they one of the Top 24 restaurants in Miami? Of course, they are. Are they one of my favorite 24? Nope, and there are many reasons for this. Primarily, the menu has remained the same for a very long time, their price point is high, and the wine markup (no outside wine allowed) is too high, in my opinion… not to mention their wine list is missing vintage-appropriate bottles.

Lastly, I have been instructed by The Whet Palette that this list must be for restaurants only in Miami-Dade. If not limited to the 3-0-5, I can tell you Chef Ryan Ratino’s Omo by Jont (Orlando) and Chef Jacob Bickelhaupt’s Konro (Palm Beach) would be sitting at #1 and #2, respectively. These were the two premier experiences for me in 2024. Others, such as Jeremy Ford’s Butcher’s Club (Palm Beach), Ryan Ratino’s Maass (Ft Lauderdale), and Daniel Ganem’s Daniel’s Florida Steakhouse (Ft Lauderdale), would be on my list as well. In terms of Omo and Konro, in my humble opinion, these are the only 2-MICHELIN-Starred-worthy restaurants in Florida. Anything short of two would be an embarrassment for the MICHELIN Guide. And, in my opinion, with a few adjustments, Ariete and Stubborn Seed could also reach that second tier.

Here we go!

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24 The Gibson Room

In essence, a bar with live jazz and a chef from a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant behind it all. Chef/Owner Michael Beltran’s menu really shines as the food is at a level not expected for a restaurant/bar. Three visits in 2024 and would be there monthly if I lived closer.

23 La Fresa Francesa/Silverlake Bistro

Chef Benoit has been busy in 2024. Lots going on as chef expands his enterprises, but his establishments have stayed consistent. I love both Fresa and Silverlake equally. Both present outstanding value while providing their guests with an elevated menu at a solid price point. And Benoit knows his wines too, so the lists are always solid. (Hint: Ask for the private stash; he usually keeps some bottles aside) Six visits to these two restaurants in 2024.

22 Casa Mariano

Located in Doral, Florida, this is a heck of a spot at a great value! With easy parking, a large menu with something for everyone, a solid seafood game, the best balcarce strawberry cake anywhere, and a heck of a price point, this will always be a favorite. Not the best wine list, but a very affordable corkage fee. Note: I almost always get the black ink seafood risotto and the balcarce of course—three visits in 2024.

21 Ghee Indian Kitchen

Led by Chef Niven Patel, this is the best Indian restaurant experience for me. I don’t know how traditional it is, but I don’t care. It’s so easy to support Niven and business partner Mo. Four visits in 2024, all with tasting menus!

20 Elastika

A stunning space serving the best chicken entrée in South Florida: half grilled and half fried… need I say more? Three visits in 2024.

19 Sunny’s Steakhouse

It may be a steakhouse, but their pasta game is on point… led by the blue crab agnolotti… which is simply stunning! I had a nice ribeye on my last visit. If I have to be completely honest, I enjoyed all of the rest (i.e. pastas, parker house rolls, and chicken liver mousse) just a little bit more. 

18 EntreNos

Locally farmed and sourced ingredients seem to be all they use, and it shows in their perfectly presented dishes. What a great addition to the Miami culinary scene at a time when the last thing Miami needs is a new restaurant opening. Three visits in 2024.

17 Sereia

A newcomer in 2024, the very talented and detail-oriented Chef Miguel Massens is doing something special at this beautiful spot in Coral Gables. Talented and attentive, Miguel has also opened my eyes to some very affordable yet stellar Portuguese wines on his menu!  Three visits in 2024 and looking for more.

16 Klaw

Absolutely beautiful dining room, the best Norwegian King Crabs anywhere in Florida, a solid steak menu, phenomenal service, and a knack for attention to detail. Klaw is undoubtedly worth more than my single visit in 2024. Except, this one has become one of those special occasion spots. 

15 Shingo

Supporting Chef Shingo Akikuni comes easily to me. He is a phenomenal and very talented omakase chef but is even a better person and I will support him every chance I get. Serving some of the best omakase of 2024, we visited Shingo four times in 2024.

14 Erba

When I was told Chef Niven of Ghee was opening an Italian restaurant, I couldn’t wait to try it. Niven knows flavors, and I knew his pastas would follow that tradition. And did they ever! With a beautiful dining room, fantastic pasta and overall menu, an affordable corkage fee, solid service, and easy parking, we went to Erba five times in 2024 (and sent countless couples). Everyone, including myself, has fallen in love with this one!

13 Bourbon Steak

Probably the very best service Miami-Dade County (Aventura) has to offer, it is a traditional steakhouse with some very unique and not-so-traditional menu items. Outstanding wine service, a ridiculous management team that is on top of anything and everything, this team’s attention to detail is impressive. My Cheers, where everyone knows my name and remembers my likes (NY Strip, beets, corks) and dislikes (topping off wine glasses too soon). Four more visits in 2024, certainly a favorite of mine. 

12 Sushi by Scratch

The three-person team behind the counter can get a bit… interesting at times, but I truly love their omakase-tasting menu. I get that it is not a traditional menu. But it is so well put together I could be a regular if I was able to afford it. Outstanding sake cocktails too. Only two visits in 2024 due to price point. 

11 La Mar & Amano by Oka 

Four visits to La Mar and one to Chef Diego Oka’s new concept, Amano. Each experience has been a blast. A solid a la carte menu, wine list, and sommelier make La Mar a favorite of mine. Not to mention, the dedication of Chef Oka who seems to always be present as he interacts with his guests while presenting a delightful Peruvian infused menu with every visit. If you have not, give Amano a try.

10 The Surf Club Restaurant

One of the all-time Whet Palette’s favorite restaurants Florida, the MICHELIN-Starred Surf Club continues to deliver one of the more consistent dinner experiences in Miami-Dade County. We’ve now dined here at least 30 times, and we have never, not once, had a bad or even average overall experience. Not a single hiccup. From the host to table service to the food and wine experience, this establishment has delivered, without exaggeration, every single time. On one of our latest visits, we even chatted with Thomas Keller himself! Some negatives, however, are the unavailability of older vintages on their wine list at an approachable price, valet parking prices, steep wine markup, and an industry-high $150 corkage fee. Four more visits in 2024 to this special occasion beauty! 

9 Phuc Yea

I have been a fan of Chef Cesar Zapata since the beginning. Not only is the menu vast and flavorful, but it is also very affordable and paired with some of the better cocktails around. Solid playlist too!  Only two visits in 2024, though. We will have to fix that in 2025!

8 Maty’s

I can’t get enough of Chef Valerie Chang’s simple yet elegant dishes. I was desperate to find a Miami spot that was affordable yet exciting, led by a chef with some pedigree, all presented in a modern and appealing space. Enter Maty’s. Perfect execution. Five visits in 2024, including last night, and many more to come, I am sure. 

7 Itamae AO

I can tell you, without a doubt, that this is my favorite counter experience in Miami. Chef/Owner Nando Chang has created an exciting tasting menu with outstanding service and the best damn playlist of any restaurant I have been to. Sorry, Ryan…  Omo by Jont’s playlist comes in at a close second—four visits in 2024, plus a collaboration dinner with Pujol. 

6 Kojin 2.0

Three outstanding visits in 2024.  Chef/Owner Pedro Mederos is knocking it out of the park with his advanced and refined cuisine, his very reasonable and well-priced (for Miami) tasting menu, a unique and well thought-after wine menu, and his interactive approach with his guests. More chefs should understand the importance of this last one. PS: The best damn squab anywhere!

5 Ariete

Not surprisingly, we have dined at Ariete, a Whet Palette favorite, more than twice as many times as the next most frequented restaurant! Chef/Owner Michael Beltran is not just a ridiculously talented Chef and businessman, he is just so damn easy to like and support. There is no b.s. with this guy, and his tasting menu at Ariete is as flavorful and unique as its owner. With another four visits in 2024, Ariete has become a favorite of ours and we will continue to support Michael until the end of time.

4 Brasserie Laurel

Another establishment powered by the one and only, Chef/Owner Michael Beltran. Wow, that’s the third on my list this year! I can’t get enough of Laurel. Five visits in 2024, with every one of those better than the previous one. Just a beautiful dining room with outstanding service, a unique sommelier, a solid tasting menu, and a la carte options. I did read a rumor that this restaurant’s owner is boring and wears a three-piece suit… can’t confirm or deny but I can say with 100% certainty that Infatuation Miami is a clown show in need of better friends.

3 Fiola

My #1 restaurant the last two years, Fiola is still one of my absolute favorite experiences in Miami. Thomas Angelo (owner), Chef Danny Ganem, and wine director Daniel Bishop continue to make Fiola a spectacular overall experience. This upscale Italian restaurant, located in Coral Gables, has it all. From the very creative menu to the upscale ambiance, to its outstanding servers, to one of the best wine lists and service anywhere; it’s the total package. It has been a pleasure to see, with my own two eyes, how freaking talented Chef Ganem is—five visits in 2024 and looking for more this upcoming year.

2 Stubborn Seed

We visited Stubborn Seed four times in 2024. Chef Jeremy Ford and his team delivered a flawless, well-timed, delicious experience time and time again. This establishment’s tasting menu now incorporates many of the ingredients that Jeremy is growing at his own farm located in Homestead. Talk about a true (Jeremy’s) farm-to-table experience! The farm is a game changer for Jeremy and his staff, and I see 2-MICHELIN stars in his future. It has also been a blast following Jeremy’s IG videos as he navigates a farmer’s life with such joy and enthusiasm. 

1 Zitz Zum

In 2023, I said I would eat at Zitz as often as The Whet Palette would let me. In 2024, I did…a record nine visits! Not to mention, an additional catered dinner at a private home where Chef/Owner Pablo Zitzmann displayed meticulous execution both in flavors, presentation, and service. In 2024, I could not get enough of Zitz’ very reasonably priced and ever-changing tasting menus. I can’t wait to see what Chef Pablo does next! 

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