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Barley, an American Brasserie
Barley, an American Brasserie
Giovanny Gutierrez/Chat Chow TV

18 Must-Try Kendall Restaurants

Yes, good food can be found in the suburbs too.

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Barley, an American Brasserie
| Giovanny Gutierrez/Chat Chow TV

Kendall has come a long way, baby. What was once a quiet suburb has changed dramatically in the past few years and the culinary scene is taking the front seat. From the hustling and bustling Downtown Dadeland to the vibrantly diverse, up-and-coming West Kendall, new locally owned eateries are showing up on almost every corner in the Kendall area.

The tried and true restaurants are getting stronger and better incorporating fusion and chefs' inspired creations into the mix to keep patrons enticed while still offering the delicious plates that initially made them favorites. And what was once a sea of chain restaurants diners can now find restaurants serving up everything from farm-to-table cuisine, to organic, vegetarian, vegan and dietary restriction friendly options.

Below are 18 different restaurants that have helped put Kendall on the map, listed in alphabetical order for your dining pleasure. So go ahead and venture south to Kendall and your taste buds will be surprised at how much things have changed.

— Written by Stacy Moya

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Amici's Trattoria Italiana

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A West Kendall staple since the late 1990s, Amici's is a go-to spot for many locals craving Italian fare. Amici's offers something for everyone from pizza by the slice to sandwiches to full-on Italian, home style pasta dinners.

Amici's Trattoria Italiana

Antojitos Mexicanos Tenorio

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A true hole-in-the-wall with some of the best — and cheapest — authentic Mexican food in Kendall. Antojitos is a casual, mom and pop taqueria with large servings of Mexican fare with all the trimmings and a taste that will keeping you coming back for more.

Backpackers.com

Bangkok Bangkok

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Chinese and Indian traditions blend in to bring taste tantalizing Thai cuisine to Kendall at Bangkok Bangkok. Unique and bold ingredients like fresh coriander leaf and root, lemon grass, kaffir lime, and the hottest chillies that stimulate your taste sensations are what make Thai dining an exciting experience and that's what you'll find here.

ChefsFeed.com

Barley, an American Brasserie

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Barley serves up rustic Americana comfort food with Latin, Asian and Italian influences using ingredients sourced from local farmers, purveyors and fisheries. Customers flock to Barley for its daily rotating Mac ‘n Cheese, which includes varieties like the BAE (bacon, egg, and cheese) and Croqueta mac, and inventive dishes like popcorn bisque and lechon hash that go well with one of its many cocktails on tap.

Giovanny Gutierrez/Chat Chow TV

Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

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Transport yourself to Napa Valley at this dimly lit restaurant and wine bar, which has made a name for itself over the years for its bold use of flavors. The brainchild of owner Chef Adrianne, its menu showcases a variety of classic and not-so-classic dishes that showcase unique ingredients and techniques to give dishes an extra kick like slow roasted pork drizzled with guava sauce, 24-hour braised short ribs, crispy panko-covered goat cheese.

Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

Dr. Limon

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The doctor is in and serving locally sourced Peruvian cuisine with flair. Along with his partners, co-owner and chef Carlos Brescia is always conjuring up new spins on the traditional and authentic dishes native to Peru. Much like a visit to the doctor's office, expect a wait because Dr. Limon is a customer favorite in Kendall but you can always grab a seat at its bar and sip on classic Peruvian cocktails and beers while you wait.

Finka Table & Tap

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Finka serves up generous portions of Cuban, Korean and Peruvian fusion dishes from appetizers and wood-burning pizzas — some even include Isla Canarias croquetas — to eclectic entrees and sides. The mixologists take pride in creating and pouring the quirky named cocktails made with fresh herbs and spices from their vertical garden as well as craft beers, wine and sangria.

MiamiNewTimes.com

Mr. & Mrs. Bun

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A quaint, casual sandwich shop with Peruvian twists and modern American influences opened in lieu of a lavish wedding by Vanessa Rivera and Gian Carlo Accinell. At Mr. & Mrs. Bun, you'll find comfort food ranging from homemade soups and empanadas to flavor packed sandwiches on house-made bread derived from a combination of foccacia, baguette, and ciabatta for a crusty crunch.

Off The Grille

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Just because you may be on a diet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste. The motto at Off The Grille is “Clean Eating, Smart Living,” and it is the place to eat for health and weight conscious food lovers. OTG also specializes in paleo and vegetarian friendly meals and even offers weekly meal plans for adults and kids.

MiamiNewTimes.com

Pisco Y Nazca

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A ceviche gastrobar at Palms at Town & Country from the team behind Bulla Gastropub, it serves up a bevy of Peruvian cuisine like casuas, chafua, lomo saltado, and of course, plenty of ceviche. And if you can’t choose just one ceviche — there are seven in total — opt for the sampler and try three of Pisco’s most popular options.

Pisco Y Nazca

Secreto

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A cozy, local artists' art lined restaurant inside the Crossroads Shopping Center specializing in Italian fare with Latin flair. Secreto is perfect for couples and families alike featuring flavorful dishes with the true essence of Italian cuisine blended with exotic flavors only found in Miami.

Shibui Japanese Restaurant

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Since opening in 1981, family owned and operated Shibui has been serving traditional Japanese and fusion cuisine to the masses in Kendall. Its décor veers traditional Japanese complete with floor pillows for seating if you so choose. Shibui's authentic and extensive menu offers a variety of appetizers, noodles, soups, and specialty rolls, as well as complete sashimi, sushi, teriyaki, stir fry, combination, katsu and sukiyaki dinners. And little known fact: Shibui is the original creator of the Louisiana, Caliente and Margy Rolls that you've probably had at other places.

Yelp/Gloria P.

Sports Grill Kendall

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From the outside Sports Grill might look like your run of the mill watering hole, but inside serves arguably some of the best wings in town. Offered in seven varieties from the classic special grilled to the Miami appropriate “dale style” and even a tangy garlic variety, it has been the go-to wing spot for those in the know for years.

Sports Grill Kendall

Tacos & Tattoos

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This family owned and operated eatery offers a unique twist on new American cuisine by fusing Southwest and Caribbean to create a menu with dishes ranging from the namesake tacos to churasso and patacones, all washed back by plenty of craft beer. Channeling a Wynwood vibe, the restaurant’s walls and tables are adorned with art by local artists and plenty of entertainment is always on hand like live music, karaoke and stand-up comedy.

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Amici's Trattoria Italiana

A West Kendall staple since the late 1990s, Amici's is a go-to spot for many locals craving Italian fare. Amici's offers something for everyone from pizza by the slice to sandwiches to full-on Italian, home style pasta dinners.

Amici's Trattoria Italiana

Antojitos Mexicanos Tenorio

A true hole-in-the-wall with some of the best — and cheapest — authentic Mexican food in Kendall. Antojitos is a casual, mom and pop taqueria with large servings of Mexican fare with all the trimmings and a taste that will keeping you coming back for more.

Backpackers.com

Bangkok Bangkok

Chinese and Indian traditions blend in to bring taste tantalizing Thai cuisine to Kendall at Bangkok Bangkok. Unique and bold ingredients like fresh coriander leaf and root, lemon grass, kaffir lime, and the hottest chillies that stimulate your taste sensations are what make Thai dining an exciting experience and that's what you'll find here.

ChefsFeed.com

Barley, an American Brasserie

Barley serves up rustic Americana comfort food with Latin, Asian and Italian influences using ingredients sourced from local farmers, purveyors and fisheries. Customers flock to Barley for its daily rotating Mac ‘n Cheese, which includes varieties like the BAE (bacon, egg, and cheese) and Croqueta mac, and inventive dishes like popcorn bisque and lechon hash that go well with one of its many cocktails on tap.

Giovanny Gutierrez/Chat Chow TV

Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

Transport yourself to Napa Valley at this dimly lit restaurant and wine bar, which has made a name for itself over the years for its bold use of flavors. The brainchild of owner Chef Adrianne, its menu showcases a variety of classic and not-so-classic dishes that showcase unique ingredients and techniques to give dishes an extra kick like slow roasted pork drizzled with guava sauce, 24-hour braised short ribs, crispy panko-covered goat cheese.

Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

Dr. Limon

The doctor is in and serving locally sourced Peruvian cuisine with flair. Along with his partners, co-owner and chef Carlos Brescia is always conjuring up new spins on the traditional and authentic dishes native to Peru. Much like a visit to the doctor's office, expect a wait because Dr. Limon is a customer favorite in Kendall but you can always grab a seat at its bar and sip on classic Peruvian cocktails and beers while you wait.

Finka Table & Tap

Finka serves up generous portions of Cuban, Korean and Peruvian fusion dishes from appetizers and wood-burning pizzas — some even include Isla Canarias croquetas — to eclectic entrees and sides. The mixologists take pride in creating and pouring the quirky named cocktails made with fresh herbs and spices from their vertical garden as well as craft beers, wine and sangria.

MiamiNewTimes.com

Mr. & Mrs. Bun

A quaint, casual sandwich shop with Peruvian twists and modern American influences opened in lieu of a lavish wedding by Vanessa Rivera and Gian Carlo Accinell. At Mr. & Mrs. Bun, you'll find comfort food ranging from homemade soups and empanadas to flavor packed sandwiches on house-made bread derived from a combination of foccacia, baguette, and ciabatta for a crusty crunch.

Off The Grille

Just because you may be on a diet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste. The motto at Off The Grille is “Clean Eating, Smart Living,” and it is the place to eat for health and weight conscious food lovers. OTG also specializes in paleo and vegetarian friendly meals and even offers weekly meal plans for adults and kids.

MiamiNewTimes.com

Pisco Y Nazca

A ceviche gastrobar at Palms at Town & Country from the team behind Bulla Gastropub, it serves up a bevy of Peruvian cuisine like casuas, chafua, lomo saltado, and of course, plenty of ceviche. And if you can’t choose just one ceviche — there are seven in total — opt for the sampler and try three of Pisco’s most popular options.

Pisco Y Nazca

Secreto

A cozy, local artists' art lined restaurant inside the Crossroads Shopping Center specializing in Italian fare with Latin flair. Secreto is perfect for couples and families alike featuring flavorful dishes with the true essence of Italian cuisine blended with exotic flavors only found in Miami.

Shibui Japanese Restaurant

Since opening in 1981, family owned and operated Shibui has been serving traditional Japanese and fusion cuisine to the masses in Kendall. Its décor veers traditional Japanese complete with floor pillows for seating if you so choose. Shibui's authentic and extensive menu offers a variety of appetizers, noodles, soups, and specialty rolls, as well as complete sashimi, sushi, teriyaki, stir fry, combination, katsu and sukiyaki dinners. And little known fact: Shibui is the original creator of the Louisiana, Caliente and Margy Rolls that you've probably had at other places.

Yelp/Gloria P.

Sports Grill Kendall

From the outside Sports Grill might look like your run of the mill watering hole, but inside serves arguably some of the best wings in town. Offered in seven varieties from the classic special grilled to the Miami appropriate “dale style” and even a tangy garlic variety, it has been the go-to wing spot for those in the know for years.

Sports Grill Kendall

Tacos & Tattoos

This family owned and operated eatery offers a unique twist on new American cuisine by fusing Southwest and Caribbean to create a menu with dishes ranging from the namesake tacos to churasso and patacones, all washed back by plenty of craft beer. Channeling a Wynwood vibe, the restaurant’s walls and tables are adorned with art by local artists and plenty of entertainment is always on hand like live music, karaoke and stand-up comedy.

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