
Keep this guide handy when looking for where to eat during the Latin Grammys.
Miami is getting busy. As the high season of our dynamic city returns, what better way to kick it off than with the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 14, 2024, at the Kaseya Center. We’ve partnered with Warner Music Latina to bring you the best local restaurants. If you want to stay close to the action, check out our favorite restaurants near the venue.
MATY’S
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 3255 NE 1st Ave
Cuisine: Peruvian
Chef Valerie Chang of Itamae and B-Side opened Maty’s in Midtown in 2023 and it quickly became one of our favorites.
Maty’s is Val’s first solo project as Executive Chef/Owner. Still, the restaurant is a true team effort, developed in cooperation with the team behind Itamae and B-Side at 1-800-Lucky, including Chefs Nando and Papa Chang.
The menu celebrates Peruvian cuisine while honoring both of Val’s grandmothers, who taught her how to cook. There’s a certain warmth we feel every time we eat at Maty’s. It’s elevated yet homey and we truly feel like Chef Val is cooking in the back with her abuelitas.
The menu is always evolving. Start with the Grouper Cebiche with red onion, cancha, the most delicious ají limo leche de tigre; and the Oysters with aji amarillo leche de tigre. The Oxtail Saltado will blow any lomo saltado out of the water and the whole roasted Dorade with ají amarillo beurre blanc (that’s fancy delicious butter)is what all the pescatarians won’t shut up about (and rightfully so). For dessert, get the simple Strawberries with lucuma dulce de leche, and susprio foam.
VICEVERSA APERITIVO BAR
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 398 NE 5th St
Cuisine: Italian, pizza, aperitivo bar
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, 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.
We’re coming here with friends and lovers who 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 p.m. to Midnight. They are also offering lunch, on Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 2 PM. If you don’t have a reservation, the bar is a great seat if you’re looking for less food and more drinks.
KAORI
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 871 S Miami Ave
Cuisine: Modern Asian
Kaori is a modern Asian restaurant that is a literal gem in Brickell. More people need to know about this place. They also have an excellent cocktail program that pairs well with the vinyl-listening jams they host Thursday – Saturday on the ground floor.
The menu is exciting and we can honestly taste the evolution of flavors since they first opened. Take the Beef Tartare, an unexpected dish in terms of flavor with yuzu kosho, avocado mousse, gochujang, roasted cashews, and black rice cracker. Same goes for the Wagyu & Foie Gras Gyozas with a salty & slightly sweet doubanjiang sauce and creamy sesame goma dare. As an entree, we loved the Seared Scallops with green pea and wasabi puree but if you go with more than two friends and they have it on the menu, please order the Kurobuta Kan-Kan Pork Chop, it’s a huge platter with grilled pork belly, it comes with Ssäm Sauce, their homemade kimchi, salsa verde, and steamed bao buns for you to make your own pork belly buns.
MAMO
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 931 Brickell Ave
Cuisine: Italian
Mamo is where you want to go in Brickell and feel lux but not overwhelmed. It’s an intimate, brightly lit dining room with a beautiful beige bar. So yes, the aesthetic is classic Italian with white tablecloth and earth tones. Service is 10/10 and the food hits the spot.
You’re going to stop by with a big group that loves to wine and dine and share a little bit of everything. We recommend the Fried Artichoke seasoned with cacio e pepe, and the beef steak tartare with tomatoes, olives, capers, and lime mayo. Their specialty is truffle dishes so make sure you get the Raviolini with Fresh Truffle. We also enjoyed the non-traditional La Nostra Cacio & Pepe with fresh Calabrian maccheroni, cheese, black pepper, lemon, sage; and the Maltagliati Verdi alla Bolognese. Something we appreciated about Mamo is that they offer half orders of the pasta dishes, allowing you to sample a variety or opt for a lighter meal if you’re planning to stay out late.
LPM RESTAURANT & BAR
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: French, Mediterranean
LPM stands out for its unique French Mediterranean and Nicoise cuisine and beautiful decor inspired by the French Riviera. It’s a crisp, clean, and consistent choice for those who love to dress up, eat well, and have some cocktail knowledge.
They serve delicious pasta, seafood, and meat dishes using fresh Mediterranean produce such as lemons, artichokes, and olives. It has impeccable service, ambiance, and food.
Start your meal with a Tomatini (it’s a cherry tomato in drink form). Once you’ve enjoyed your drink, move on to the Warm Prawns with olive oil and lemon juice and Escargots with garlic butter and parsley. For your main course, we recommend the slow-cooked coquelet au citron confit. This Marinated Baby Chicken is probably one of the best chicken dishes we’ve had. We’re never one to order chicken at a restaurant, but this one is worth it. Please order the Gâteau au Fromage Frais, which is the vanilla cheesecake with berry compote. It’s delicate, smooth, creamy, and will melt in your mouth.
OSAKA
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: Nikkei
Osaka is the first North American location of an internationally acclaimed Nikkei restaurant known for its Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. The menu features ceviche, tiraditos, makimono, nigiris, and Peruvian izakaya. The restaurant is sleek and upscale – a great spot for those who love a loungey vibe, but don’t feel the need to venture to Miami Beach.
Some of our favorite dishes include the Osk Ceviche with tuna, crispy quinoa, kyuri, yuzu ponzu sauce; Carpassion, salmon carpaccio with passion fruit honey, watercress, and crispy strips; and the Chirashi Causa made with yellow potato, topped with tuna tataki, crab salad, ikura, dresses with acevichada sauce. From the nigiri section, we’d get the Inca with cured tuna, aji amarillo, chalaquita, black quinoa; the Katsu with salmon belly, lemon zest, white truffle oil; and the Hotate Truffle with Hokkaido scallop, truffle butter, and lime.
TÂM TÂM
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 97 NW 1st St
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Tâm Tâm, a lively Vietnamese spot that went from pop-up to permanent restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Miami. Drawing inspiration from the concept of “quán nhậu,” which represents the joy of gathering with friends while enjoying food and drinks, Tam Tam has mastered the art of creating an atmosphere that honestly is good for fun vibes with friends.
Start with their Shimeji Mushroom creation, where earthy mushrooms take center stage in a savory La Vong sauce with scallions and peanuts. And make sure to save room for their Tamarind Glazed Pork Ribs: tender and juicy pork ribs, meticulously cooked, with a beautifully caramelized glaze infused with the bold flavors of tamarind. As you take your first bite, the meat effortlessly falls off the bone, revealing sweet, tangy, and savory notes dancing on your palate. And no meal is complete without a touch of sweetness, order Isabel’s Cheesecake and thank us later. Oh and if you are into karaoke, make sure to visit the bathroom.
MANGROVE
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 103 NW 1st Ave
Cuisine: Jamaican, Caribbean
Mangrove is a Caribbean restaurant, bar, and lounge in Downtown aiming to unite food, music, and community. Here, Chef Wayne Sharpe stays true to and honors Caribbean and Jamaican flavors, while sprinkling in his family traditions and the diverse culture of Miami.
With an eclectic and fun menu, a curated vinyl selection, bar stools, booths, and mix-matched glassware–you kind of feel like you’re in a retro film with all your best friends, in the best way. On their menu, you can find dishes like Jerk Mac and Cheese, Half Jerk Chicken (or a whole if you’re sharing), Rasta Pasta with pepper bechamel, and a Vegan Coconut Cheesecake to end on a sweet note. We highly recommend the flavorful Curry Oxtail served with your choice of side. We went for the Coconut Rice & Peas.
You’re going to want to come here Thursday – Saturday for a more lively dinner that could turn into some dancing once they start playing the music louder. Follow them on Instagram for more info on their DJ lineup.
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MIAMI SLICE
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 1335 NE Miami Ct
Cuisine: American, pizza
Miami Slice is one of the best, if not the best pizza experiences you will have in Miami. Truly ahead of its time. It also recently won the number 5 spot on the 50 Top Pizza Slice USA list in 2024.
When you think of a slice shop, you may think of an NYC dollar slice shop (which has its purpose and of course no longer $1). However, you’ve never been to a slice shop, like Miami Slice.
The best seat is at the front bar where you can see all the pizzas being finished and topped with the highest quality ingredients. You can order by the slice or a whole pie. Ask for the “kicks” which are “IYKYK” type of add-ons like stracciatella and other good stuff to pimp your slice. Our recommendations include La Salsera with a kick of stracciatella and the Leeks on Bacon. But they’re honestly all good and you’ve never had a simple Margherita, this good.
We recommend arriving at 4:45 to be the first one at the bar. Keep your party small, this will make the wait time less. Their operating hours are Wednesday – Monday from 5 PM – 11 PM. They also have takeout available.
MR. OMAKASE
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 163 SE 1st St
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi, omakase
We’ve got the inside scoop on the ultimate sushi counter experience at Mr. Omakase. This spot is all about edgy, yet casual vibes and unpretentious charm, but don’t be fooled—prepare to be blown away by an elevated and intimate sushi outing. And here’s the dream team behind it all: the dynamic trio—Andrew Mayer and Ryan Leto, the minds behind Poke OG, alongside the sushi master himself, Chef Ryo Nato, previously of the Myumi sushi food truck. Expect top-quality nigiri enhanced with Chef Ryo’s spin, all while keeping the balance, essence, and true flavor of each fish.
Now, let’s talk about choices because these guys have ensured there is something for everyone. Starting with an entry-level Omakase, you can dive into 10 courses at just $89 per person. Feeling a bit more daring? Level up to 14 courses for $109. Now, we ran the numbers and did a little math for you as we recently stopped by not once, but twice (can you tell we love this spot?). Our final verdict?
Go all out for the full 18-course experience at $149. Why? Because adding by the piece (which you will, no arguments here) will turn out to be more expensive than committing to the worthwhile 18 courses. Look at the bright side, you won’t have to think, just sit back, relax, and let them take you on this culinary adventure.
We had uni, chu-toro, kama-toro,
OMAKAI HAND ROLL BAR
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 186 SE 12th Terrace Cu-2
Cuisine: Japanese, hand rolls
Omakai Hand Roll Bar, Miami’s first-ever hand-roll bar, has opened in Brickell, expanding the sushi empire created by the team behind Omakai Sushi. With a cozy 27-seat counterbar, this spot focuses on consistency, and quality hand rolls in a casual setting. Open for walk-ins only, guests can stop by seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Once seated, diners can enjoy a quick meal in under 15 minutes.
Happy Hour is available from 3 PM to 6 PM and includes Maine Lobster, Negi-Toro, and Bay Scallop hand rolls. This location is just the first, with plans for more, including an upcoming site in Downtown Miami.
THE B100M
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 100 Biscayne Blvd Suite 104
Cuisine: Japanese, Ecuadorian, American, food hall
There’s a new food hall and we’re not mad about it. Designed by the MIA Market team, The B100M at 100 Biscayne Boulevard is a sleek venue, beautifully designed, that transitions from an artisanal coffee bar to an upscale fast-casual restaurant and a reservation-only chef’s table. Stop by for Chef Alejandra Espinoza Ecuadorian flavors or Chef Yasu Tanaka’s sushi platters.
Espinoza, one of Ecuador’s most acclaimed chefs, launched Cotoa, bringing the vibrant flavors of her homeland. Don’t miss the Manicero ceviche, inspired by the traditional ceviche from the city of Jipijapa. It’s Mahi Mahi with a coconut base, dressed with ginger, cucumber, avocado, and peanuts.
If you’ve been to the Mia Market, you’re familiar with Yasu Tanaka, known for some of Miami’s best sushi. Everything he makes is exceptional. If you haven’t tried his sushi yet, head to The B100M for his expanded nigiri-focused sushi bar.
ELEVENTH STREET PIZZA
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 1035 N Miami Ave
Cuisine: American, pizza
Eleventh Street Pizza, located in Downtown, is the ultimate late-night destination for Sicilian-style slices. It’s the perfect pit stop on your way to or from a concert at the Kaseya Center or after a night out. Whether you’re craving a bite to go, looking for delivery, or want to dine in, Eleventh Street has you covered.
Try the Wild Shroom with crimini mushrooms, thyme, and caramelized onions; or the Pepperoni & Hot Honey, a spicy-sweet twist with Calabrian chili and honey for those who want a bold, classic flavor with a kick.
FELICE
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1450 Brickell Ave Suite 110
Cuisine: Italian
Felice should be your go-to spot for anything client-related. They have a great prix-fixe lunch menu with an appetizer and a main course for $34 available Monday to Friday.
We recommend the Arancini sticks stuffed with rice, tomato, and mozzarella, paired with tartar sauce; as well as the Tuna Carpaccio dressed in olive oil, grated tomato, Taggiasche olives, and capers. Some of our favorite main dishes include the Mafalde Limone with plenty of lemon zest, ricotta, and red onion; the Fusilli Ferretto with roasted cherry tomato Pomarola sauce, local burrata, & crunchy croutons; and the crispiest Pollo Frito with a buttermilk yogurt marinade, and spicy caper aioli, served with grilled lemon. Oh and do not leave without trying their Pistachio Almond Cake.