The Best Italian Restaurants in Miami
Covering our favorite pasta, pizza, gnocchi, and more
Apr
09
2025
Keep this guide handy when you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants in Miami.
There are sooo many Italian restaurants in Miami and they don’t stop popping up. So this guide is our opinion, based on consistency, quality of food, and hospitality. We’re covering Italian restaurants on the traditional side as well as some that have a modern take on Italian dishes. We’ll highlight what occasions to go to for each, as well as our favorite dishes from each restaurant.
Of course, we didn’t get to every Italian restaurant in Miami, so if we’re missing one that you love, let us know HERE. We’ll be updating this list as we go and as we try new and delicious Italian restaurants.
BAR BUCCE
Address: 7220 N Miami Ave
Cuisine: Italian, pizza, wine bar
Within a week of opening, we’ve already been twice to Bar Bucce—which should tell you everything you need to know. It’s quickly become one of our favorite new spots in Miami, so of course it earned a spot on our list of best restaurants in/near Little River. We’ve been craving more casual places like Bar Bucce, and we’re so glad the team behind Macchialina knew exactly how to read our minds.
Bar Bucce is a lot of things. It’s a marketplace where you can pick up ready-to-heat Baked Zitis, scratch-made pasta sauces, and an incredible wine selection curated by co-owner Jacqueline Pirolo. (Take a bottle to go or pop it open there for a $20 corkage fee.) You’ll also find rare olive oils, Italian Galeffi Effervescent Antacid, and fun snacks perfect for hosting at home.
It’s also a casual counter-service restaurant where you order at the register and choose your seat. There are limited tables inside and a lively, spacious outdoor patio. If you sit at the indoor/outdoor bar, the team will take your order from there.
Chef Michael Pirolo has crafted a fun menu featuring antipasti, grilled dishes, pizzas, salumi & cheese, and a little gelato for dessert. Start with the house-made Porchetta di Casa—paper thin and full of flavor—and the Blu di Capra, an Italian goat milk cheese served with hazelnuts and mostarda jam. Don’t skip the Shrimp Pie topped with tomato, cream, rock shrimp, sweet onion, and stracciatella. Pair it with the Zucchini Scapece with garlic, mint, and white balsamic, or the Grilled Shrooms with chickpeas, jalapeño, artichokes, and pickled eggplant.
The best part? You don’t need a reservation. Bar Bucce is fully walk-in, casual, and exactly what the neighborhood needs.
JON & VINNY’S
Neighborhood: Allapattah
Address: 1100 NW 23rd St
Good for: outdoor seating, big groups, date night, dinner with friends, kid-friendly
Jon & Vinny’s, the iconic Los Angeles restaurant, has arrived at the Rubell Museum in Allapattah, bringing its playful take on American-Italian cuisine. Created by the fun-loving duo Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, the very green (think Elphaba green) restaurant offers a casual, family-friendly vibe with a great outdoor setup. Coloring placemats and crayons add a playful touch for kids and adults, making the wait for food a fun part of the experience. Green wooden booths and branded pizza boxes tie the theme together, creating a space that’s laid back and eclectic.
The menu centers around northeast/Connecticut-style pizzas, with over 15 options to choose from. Standouts for us include the simple Jersey Marinara — just tomato, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and basil. It might sound like a weird choice since there’s no cheese, but honestly, it’s so good. Just the right amount of sauce and the most delicious garlicky finish. We’d also order White Lightning, a crispy, cheesy favorite that’s also a delivery hit. Pasta lovers will want to try the famous Spicy Fusilli and the Spaghetti Limone with parmesan and bread crumbs. And don’t skip the Wood-Grilled Broccolini — it’s our current favorite broccolini in Miami with golden raisins, almonds, and a lemon chili vinaigrette. For dessert, the kid-sized soft serve is a perfect way to wrap up the meal. They also have a full bar and coffee beverages.
Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, a date night, or a family meal, Jon & Vinny’s is a great move for a casual meal that’s really good.
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PASTA
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 124 NW 28th St
Good for: dinner with friends, eating with friends, date night, big groups
There’s a new spot you need to add that is doing delicious pasta. You’re never going to believe it, but the place is called: PASTA. Located in Wynwood, this marks the first U.S. location for Peruvian chefs Juan Manuel Umbert and Janice Buraschi, following the success of their original restaurant in Lima.
This spot features an open kitchen and a pasta bar that allows diners to see all the action. The menu focuses on homemade pasta, offering traditional Italian comfort and inventive combinations.
Start your meal with the Razor Clams, paired with nduja and salsa verde. Then, spoon those pillowy Agnolotti di Funghi, with butter and 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano. And for the Cacio e Pepe skeptics (like us), PASTA gets it. The Pici pasta, a Tuscan-style thick spaghetti, is cooked just right with a rich, cheesy sauce and the toasted pepper. PASTA is open for Ldinner Wednesday through Sunday and lunch Saturday and Sunday.
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MIKA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 3005 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 248
Good for: eating out with suegros, date night, birthdays, dinner with friends, clients
Chef Michael White, known for his six Michelin stars and James Beard Award, has opened MIKA in Coral Gables. Located in The Plaza Coral Gables, the restaurant draws inspiration from the coasts of Italy and France, blending those influences with his signature style of cooking. The menu features crudos, house-made pasta, and standout dishes like Langoustine Carpaccio, Fusilli with Octopus and Bone Marrow, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
We can’t get enough of their Fusilli with red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow, as well as the Spaghetti with blue crab, caviar, and lemon butter. Some of their pastas come in very generous half sizes, which we loved.
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VICEVERSA APERITIVO BAR
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 398 NE 5th St
Good for: birthdays, date nights, eating alone, drinks and bites, eating at the bar, happy hour
Allora!! The team behind our favorite Miami bar, Jaguar Sun (now closed), opened a second bar in collaboration with one of the city’s most talented bartenders, Valentino Longo. Located inside The Elser Hotel in Downtown, ViceVersa is a funky Italian aperitivo bar offering classic Italian cocktails made with Italian spirits and Miami’s seasonal ingredients. Longo, known for his work at The Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons, has crafted a list of drinks divided into Negroni Family, Martinis, and Signature Cocktails. So, come here if you want to nerd out about Negronis, Americanos, and basically any vermouth-forward Italian cocktail.
The menu, designed by Jaguar Sun’s chefs Carey Hynes and Justin Flit, includes raw bar offerings like the most delicious Scallops and neo-Neapolitan pizzas. Our favorite so far is the white sauce Clam Pizza with middleneck clams, lemons, and scallions; and the Sungold Tomato Pizza with guanciale and pecorino.
Oh, and if the seasonal Mango or Passion Fruit Gelato is available, get it. But honestly, all their homemade gelatos are incredible. Shout out to the team for adding a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt to our scoops. ViceVersa is open every day from 5 PM to Midnight. Don’t have a reservation, the bar is a great seat if you’re looking for less food and more drinks. Also, they serve one of the best burgers in Miami, but it’s only available on Mondays in limited quantities.
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LUCALI
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 1930 Bay Rd
Good for: big groups, birthdays, date night, dinner with friends
The original and famed Lucali is located in Brooklyn, New York. And we’re okay with having the second one in the nation. You’re bringing your New York friends here when they’re missing home. They’ll go and say, “It’s not the same,” but trust us, this is better than no Lucali. Remind them of where they live, “Look around… you’re in Miami Beach.” Also, non-existent is the 2-hour line you have to make in Brooklyn. Just saying. The menu includes appetizers and salads that pair nicely with the main pizza event. We’d get an order of the Chicken Wings and the Kale Salad, which is one of our favorite salads with the biggest and cheesiest croutons. We also love their simple yet spicy fusilli in a vodka sauce. As far as pizza toppings go, we love beef pepperoni, Italian artichoke hearts with stems, and hot peppers. Also on our list is the delicious, creamy Calzone with Lucali’s signature tomato sauce.
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WALRUS RODEO
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 5143 NE 2nd Avenue
Good for: big groups, birthdays, date night, eating at the bar, happy hour, dinner with friends
There are three things you need to remember about Walrus Rodeo: porchetta, pizza, and green mustard lasagna.
Walrus Rodeo, Boia De’s sister restaurant located in the same Little Haiti shopping center, is one of our favorite spots for wine, pizza, and Italian-esque dishes. It’s def not traditional Italian, but there is a modern Italian take throughout the dishes.
The menu theme is “charred”. They’re all about those wood-fired oven flavors with dishes like the Charbroiled Island Creek Oyster and Charred Bone Marrow. From the pizza selection (a.k.a Za’s), don’t skip the Nonno Za with speck, mascarpone, and basil. We need you to order the Beef Carpaccio with tomato vinaigrette, spinach, and mushroom, and the Kale Salad with chickpeas, walnut vinaigrette, and pecorino picante (just trust us and then tell us what you think).
Finally, if you go to Walrus Rodeo and don’t order their signature Mustard Green Lasagna with lamb ragu, grana padano, and stracchino, then did you even go to Walrus Rodeo? This is truly the most unique lasagna we’ve ever had in Miami.
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PORTOSOLE
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2530 Ponce de Leon
Good for: big groups, clients, outdoor seating
Portosole is one of the best restaurants in Coral Gables. Half the guests are Italian, which is always a good sign. Here you will feel important & well taken care of in a brightly lit, white tablecloth setting (yes, it’s a Coral Gables thing).
We love it for a bright lunch with los suegros. It’s also great for clients or a cute day dress situation with your amigas.
Make sure you order one of the best Melanzane alla Parmigiana we’ve had in Miami, Ravioli di Ossobuco allo Zafferano for those who love saffron, and the classic and traditionally executed Tonnarelli al Cacio e Pepe.
Get the Sgroppino Veneziano, a dessert cocktail made with Prosecco, vanilla ice cream, and vodka. Finished off with lemon zest and ground coffee. Trust us.
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BOIA DE
Neighborhood: Little Haiti
Address: 5205 NE 2nd Ave
Good for: date night, eating at the bar, eating alone, special occasions, dinner with friends
If you’ve driven past an unassuming strip mall and seen a glowing pink exclamation point, then you have found your destination. Since 2019, Boia De has consistently delivered some of the best food in the city, making it one of the best restaurants in Miami. So naturally, it’s challenging to score a table at Boia De. However, if being flexible and/or spontaneous is your thing, keep this restaurant in mind.
Yes, you will find a tiramisu on the menu, however, this isn’t a traditional Italian restaurant, Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer are adding their modern take to the menu.
Of course, all the pastas are made from scratch, but here you aren’t getting your typical Italian food. At Boia, they are pushing the boundaries of what you would expect. There is a depth in flavor and you can taste the creativity.
Order the Potato Skins with Stracciatella, hard egg, and caviar, or Luci’s Chopped Salad to start. Work yourself down to the pasta section and try out the Bufala Ricotta Gnocchi Pomodoro and the Tagliolini Nero (served cold) with king crab, vin juane, truffle, and herbs. End the meal with a Crispy Tiramisu or Carrot Cake. They’re constantly adding new dishes to the menu, so make sure to ask for what’s new.
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SAPORE DI MARE
Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
Address: 3111 Grand Ave
Good for: date night, birthdays, classics, out-of-towners, dinner with friends, kid-friendly
The cutest, most picturesque Italian seafood spot in Coconut Grove is, of course, the beloved Sapore di Mare. Locals have been coming here since 2014, but honestly, it feels like it’s been longer. It’s a great spot for a cute rom-com dinner scene or a lunch spot para hechar el chisme. If you don’t have a reservation and are trying to go for dinner, you’ll wait a while. Luckily for you, Cudas (Barracudas) is just a street over, ready with a nice cold beer pitcher.
Anyways, if you’re coming here because of the Cacio e Pepe post you saw on Instagram, that’s perfect because it’s as good as it looks. However, we’d also like to note that they offer daily specials that are worth ordering. During our most recent visit, we had the Ravioli di Ossobuco with Braised ossobuco meat ravioli in a tomato, butter & sage sauce. We’d get it again.
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SOYA E POMODORO
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 120 NE 1st St #2502
Good for: date night, classics, dinner with friends
Our content creator, Gaby Valdano stopped by Soya e Pomodoro for what she thought would be a typical night out. But little did she know, her life would be forever changed by a gnocchi dish at this classic Downtown restaurant.
Soya e Pomodoro is a neighborhood gem all about nostalgia and classic Italian dishes. It offers a kitschy dining experience with unmatched vintage furniture, family photos, and even a random snowman mascot that is part of the decor year-round.
During the day, we’d bring a hip client, and during the night, we’d bring a date. Both will fall in love with Soya e Pomodoro’s quirky ways.
Order the Fusillo Fresco Affumicato with homemade fusilli with sautéed arugula, mushrooms & smoked mozzarella in fresh tomato sauce. And of course, the mind-altering gnocchi that made Gaby reassess her relationship with this potato dish. At Soya, the gnocchi are made by hand and are prepared alla Sorrentina, in a fresh tomato sauce, with mozzarella & basil.
CASA ISOLA OSTERIA
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 1418 20th St
Good for: date night, birthdays, out-of-towners, dinner with friends
Chef Jose Mendin highlights Italian and Asian flavors under one roof at Casa Isola in Sunset Harbor. This neighborhood spot is for those who love red sauce Italian and those who appreciate inventive Italian dishes with an Asian influence. Casa Isola is casual and will surprise you with dishes you can’t find at a traditional Italian restaurant. You must try the Corn Gyoza “Agnolotti” with beef soy broth and parmesan foam, as well as the Meatball Dumplings with tomato vin, shiso pesto, and Calabrian chili crisp. They also have our favorite Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka in all of Miami.
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LUCA OSTERIA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 116 Giralda Ave
Good for: birthdays, date night, eating at the bar, outdoor seating
Luca Osteria is the second restaurant by Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli. Tapping into his Italian background, Rapicavoli has created a fresh and inventive menu where every ingredient has a purpose. If you’re dining with one other person, we recommend a seat at the bar. We also love sitting outside, especially when the weather is nice and we can people-watch.
Expect to order half of the antipasti on the menu. Start with the Patate Fritte. It’s their soft potato balls/bites covered in Parmigiano fondue, egg yolk, and black truffle specks. The Grilled Wild Mushroom should also be at the center of the table. These mushrooms are served with Bagna Cauda, a sauce from Piedmont with garlic, salted anchovies, lemon, and a fancy olive oil drizzle. And if you have to pick one more appetizer, go with the crowd favorite: the Tuna ‘Caprese’ with preserved tomato, aged balsamic, basic and fior di latte cheese. We’d share a few of the pasta dishes, including the Pasta al Limone with 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano and the Pasta al Pesto.
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MACCHIALINA
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 820 Alton Road
Good for: date night, birthdays, classics, out-of-towners, dinner with friends
Macchialina is that rustic Italian restaurant we have loved since 2012, a rare find in Miami Beach. They’ve always stayed true to who they are and have consistently prepared some of the most flavorful Italian dishes in Miami.
Stop by, of course, for all our favorite red sauce pasta like the Cavatelli Macchialina and the Spaghetti Pomodoro. We also can’t get enough of their specials, which change often. Oh, and if you love a little vino with dinner, they’ve always had an excellent wine program. They also have a full bar if you’re looking for a stiff cocktail.
For dessert, don’t skip the most refreshing Tiramisu you’ve had. It’s made with dulce de leche and an espresso granita, giving it an additional texture that is not usual when eating tiramisu. Make sure you dive in deep with your spoon.
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SALUMERIA 104
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 117 Miracle Mile
Good for: big groups, birthdays, dinner with friends, kid-friendly
What we love about Salumeria 104, above all, is the consistency. We’ve probably tried every single dish, and we can say with certainty that they are delicious. It’s also nice to know that you can come here with a big group and not spend a ridiculous amount of money.
Both locations in Midtown Miami and Coral Gables fuse the Italian trattoria and neighborhood salumi shop concepts. Salumeria is great for a quaint Italian meal. You can dress up or dress down.
Some of our favorites include the Vitello Tonnato, thinly sliced roasted veal covered with creamy tuna sauce and fried capers; Spaghetti alla Bottarga with Gragnano spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and bottarga; and the Ravioli del Salumiere with house-made prosciutto ravioli with brown butter and sage sauce.
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CAFFE ABBRACCI
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 318 Aragon Ave
Good for: classics, big groups, clients, eating out with suegros, special occasions, out-of-towners
You’re going to want to binge the Sopranos after dinner at Caffe Abbracci in Coral Gables. This Northern Italian restaurant has been serving delicious and oversized pasta dishes since 1989.
When you step inside Abbracci, it’s like stepping inside a time capsule back to the 90s. It seems like nothing has really changed.
The friendly team has remained pretty much the same. And it’s always a good sign of hospitality when most of the staff have been around for 10 to 30 plus years.
Stop by with the mindset of sharing large plates. We recommend the thinly sliced Vitello Tonnato, the oven-baked Bocconcino Baci with mozzarella, and a porcini mushrooms and capers sauce from the appetizer section. Followed by the Linguine with Clams, Penne della Nonna with eggplant and marinara sauce, and the Veal Scaloppine “Piccata” with a side of fries (yes, do it).
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ZUCCA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 162 Alcazar Ave
Good for: clients, big groups, dinner with friends
In Coral Gables, there are a large number of Italian restaurants. And in this guide, we’ll talk about the ones worth your time. If you’re looking for a white tablecloth situation, great for lunch with clients, stop by Zucca. It’s also parent & grandparent-friendly, so bring your abuelita, mom, dad, and suegros.
The indoor restaurant has a classic vibe with beige booths, white orchids, and columns covered in green foliage. You’re passing by Zucca if you want to wine and dine someone in a traditional Coral Gables way.
The menu is influenced by flavors from Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. The first thing you need to order is the Fiori Di Zucca, the restaurant’s signature dish. These are fried zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese, sprinkled with truffle honey. Our recommendation is to order at least two pastas. Make sure to ask for the specials, they usually have one with a ragú sauce that feels like home.
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DŌMA
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 35 NE 26th St
Good for: date night, birthdays, out-of-towners, dinner with friends
One of Wynwood’s first Italian restaurants on this list made it here for a reason. Doma brings unique Mediterranean Southern Italian cuisine to life in an industrial restaurant with an open kitchen and minimalistic patio.
Some of our favorite dishes include the soft egg with seasonal mushrooms, parmesan cheese espuma, crispy potato, and shaved black truffle; the simple bucatini ‘Cacio e Pepe’ with Pecorino romano cheese, and Sichuan black pepper, and the non-traditional yellowfin tuna tataki served with cous cous, diced vegetables, and pistachio dust.
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LIDO RESTAURANT AT THE SURF CLUB
Neighborhood: Surfside
Address: 9011 Collins Ave
Good for: date night, birthdays, out-of-towners, dinner with friends, special occasions, big groups, eating at the bar, outdoor seating, ambiente
Lido at the Surf Club, inside the Four Seasons in Surfside, has an important place in Miami Beach’s history. Since it opened its doors on New Year’s Day in 1930, it has been a destination for Italian Mediterranean dining and retro glamour.
The Lido Restaurant is in the Surf Club’s legendary ballroom and adjacent oceanfront terrace. Lido is where you go when you want to feel like you’re in Sicily this summer.
The menu highlights simple Mediterranean cuisine. We recommend stopping by for dinner and sitting in the main dining room. Some of our favorite dishes include the Ricciola, sliced yellowtail tiradito with fennel and pecorino; Vitello Tonnato, thinly sliced veal, tonnato sauce, crispy capers, and Aged Balsamic; the Agnolotti al Ragu Genovese with onion demi glaze, pecorino di fossa fondue; and the Cotoletta alla Milanese.
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