Arguably one of New York’s most successful restaurants has unveiled its first Florida location.  Avra Estiatorio, which originally debuted in New York City nearly 22 years ago, has debuted its chic Greek dining room — complete with ocean views — inside the Estates at Acqualina. On the menu are many popular items like the Greek salad, classics like octopus and saganaki, an extensive raw bar, local grilled fish like red snapper, and Wagyu ribeye and grilled lamb chops are on the menu for those who prefer meat.

Created by Top Chef alum and chef-partner CJ Jacobson and executive partner Marc Jacobs, Chicago-import Aba’s menu showcases flavors from across the Mediterranean with dishes like carrot and sunflower dip, the everything Jerusalem bagel served with smoked salmon spread, hamachi, and  shawarma spiced skirt steak. Located inside the chic Bal Harbour shops, in the former Makoto space, the airy 250-seat restaurant keeps with the Mediterranean theme with olive trees, climbing ivy, and vintage lighting, including original Parisian street lamps and gold Moroccan fixtures. 

Housed inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, this intimate fine dining restaurant serves a six-course tasting-menu filled with modern takes on classic French cuisine with Asian influences from Tristan Brandt. The menu rotates frequently, but diners can expect dishes like thinly sliced scallops marinated in brown butter and curry spices served with cauliflower puree, roasted cauliflower, with a lobster, tarragon, and saffron sauce poured tableside. As for beverages, Tambourine Room is currently wine only, as Brandt believes the menus are best served with wine. A variety of vintages are available by the bottle and glass or diners may choose to add a wine pairing for $55 (6 p.m. seating) or $135 (8:30 p.m. seating).

Award-winning chef and MasterChef Israel winner Tom Aviv has debuted his first U.S. restaurant, Branja, inside Miami’s Upper Buena Vista complex. It features dishes reflective of Aviv’s Israeli background in an industrial, vintage setting. Diners will find unique takes on classics like Fishwarma, made with a spiced fish mix that emulates classic shawarma, and the Krouv (cabbage) which mimics a slow-cooked short rib. Make sure to snag a seat at the 12-seat Chef’s Table to get a slice of retro Miami — the table is made from the iconic bar that was originally from the Delano Hotel’s Florida Room and designed by Lenny Kravitz,

The latest creation from the Major Food Group team (Carbone, Sadelle’s, and Dirty French) is a swanky, two-story restaurant in the Miami Design District focused on Northern Italian cuisine. Dine on decadent portions of pasta, hearty Italian entrees like grilled branzino and veal Milanese, and take in the “Lake Como circa 1960” vibes complete with jewel-toned Art Deco marble floor, Italian Murano light fixtures, and plenty of people watching. 

Get a taste of New Orleans flavor on South Beach at newcomer Joliet, the latest restaurant from Lost Boy & Co., the team behind places like Lost Boy Dry Goods, Tropezon, and Fox’s Lounge. Expect plenty of seafood fare with Southern flavors like shrimp Po’Boy sandwiches, cornmeal fried Florida yellowtail, and a daily Gumbo in an eclectic and properly artsy space.

One of Miami’s most unique omakase experiences is tucked away inside the Esme Hotel. Led by one of the country’s only female omakase chefs, Ambrely Ouimette, diners feast on a 17-course meal that let’s the “chef decide.” Expect contemporary nigiri enhanced with ferments, salts, koshos, and unique condiments. While the menu will shift almost daily, expect unique items like aged bluefin akami with dehydrated red miso, bagel spice, and the Hokkaido scallop with white truffle salt shaved black truffle, and spherified truffle caviar.

Everyone’s favorite 24-hour “ultra club,” E11even now features a rooftop restaurant and lounge merging Asian, Mediterranean, and French cuisines. The opulent space overlooks Downtown Miami on its fully covered rooftop patio serves dishes like truffle toast, pork ribs, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon, and a flaming lobster thermidor. A six-course tasting menu is also available for those who can’t decide.

The Paris Theater — the Miami landmark featured in album covers and videos by artists like Madonna and Jennifer Lopez — is now home to Queen Miami Beach, an over-the-top Japanese restaurant and lounge by the Mr. Hospitality team. Certainly, a place to see and be seen, it's designed in a way that is described as “over-the-top 21st-century splendor,” guests can dine on Japanese wagyu, grass-fed beef, and various sushi options. The restaurant’s extensive cocktail program highlights wines and champagnes from around the world, Japanese spirits, and even a “unique partnership” with Louis XIII.

Popular Coral Gables restaurant Eating House is back with brand new digs, blocks from its original location. A considerably more grown-up version of the longtime restaurant with a larger, sleek interior complete with a full bar and private dining room, it also serves new takes on many of its favorite dishes like the cavatelli ‘carbonara’ with egg yolk, bacon, black truffle, and ‘carbon’ breadcrumbs and an updated take on the beloved dirt cup.

The team behind Coconut Grove staple Ariete has taken over the former Mighty location to transform it into a new spot serving up American-tavern-style fare in a nostalgic setting complete with a grand piano, taxidermy on the wall, and nods to its neighborhood found throughout. The decadent double Smashburger and grilled oysters topped with plenty of garlic butter pair perfectly with the well-crafted cocktails on the menu.

Jeremy Ford’s latest restaurant with local restaurant group Grove Bay Hospitality Group, focuses on American cuisine with global flavors weaved throughout the menu. Taking over the former Public Square space, the American-leaning menu focuses on seasonal fare with a strong emphasis on its in-house dry-aging program featuring a Wagyu Tomahawk for the table, served with all the fixings; a 48-hour smoked beef rib; and Florida red snapper highlight the butcher aspect of the restaurant.