Industry Experts Describe the 2019 Miami Restaurant Scene in One Word

As we put a cap on 2019, Eater surveyed a group of friends, writers, and all around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them nine questions: from top standbys to top newcomers, from best meals to restaurants they’ve broken up with. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the 2019. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Responses do not necessarily reflect the views of Eater and Eater Miami.

Amber Love Bond (Eater Miami contributor): Nonstop

Jenny Starr Perez (Indulge Miami): Omakase

Giovanny Gutierrez (Chat Chow TV/Eater Miami photographer): Pavlova

Curt “Big Daddy” Hollingsworth (Thrillist Miami): Bubbled

Becky Randel (Freelance restaurant writer): Underwhelming

David Rosendorf (Food For Thought): “Small-scale!” (Is it one word if it’s hyphenated?) OK, maybe it’s my own personal bias, and not all of the places that stood out in 2019 necessarily fit the description - but I’m rooting for a trend toward modest restaurants that don’t make a huge capital investment and instead focus on the food, drinks, service and vibe. One of the reasons Boia De is able to do its own thing and thrive is because it’s a modest, 28-seat space. Balloo is a world apart from the big box spots Timon has opened the past decade, and is a deeply personal project. I was happy to see this happening in 2019 and hope it continues.

Stacy Moya (Eater Miami Contributor): Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Virginia Gil (Time Out Miami): Omakase

Alona Martinez (Eater Miami Contributor): Instagrammable

Sara Liss (Miami.com): Foodstagrammers

Jennifer Agress (Freelance restaurant writer): ...surprising. (In a good way.)

Kelly Blanco (NBC 6): Progress

Olee Fowler (Eater Miami): Improving