For the first time, Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Miami
For nearly a century, the Michelin Guide has awarded stars to exquisite cuisines across the globe. Recipients of this award are recognized for their outstanding cooking. As the guide claims, Michelin restaurants are evaluated by “harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed in their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both over time and across the entire menu”. Needless to say, these establishments serve delicious food.
Earlier this June, the guide recognized outstanding restaurants in Miami for the first time. 11 restaurants in the city were awarded Michelin Stars, something unprecedented in Florida before this year. One special hotspot received two stars and the rest followed with one.
For this special event, we have put together the list of these eleven dining novelties and a short snippet of the marvels that you can expect to encounter in them.
The only restaurant in Florida with two Michelin stars, L’Atelier is powered by protégées of chef Joël Robuchon, who, in his lifetime, earned 32 Michelin stars. The French cuisine offers prix fixe and a-la-carte menus, experts advising guests to let themselves be surprised with the former of the two. All about enhancing simple dishes and creating something extraordinary with pure ingredients, L’Atelier carries its simple elegance from its dishes to its modern, red-on-black space.
L’Atelier - Modern French - Miami Design Distict
Chef Michael Beltran takes contemporary American cuisine to a whole new level by blending Miami’s Cuban American heritage with French technique. The establishment’s innovative dishes follow the seasons and use locally sourced ingredients. Its exquisite food is accompanied with a warm and friendly atmosphere that keeps guests and families returning to Ariete.
Ariete - Contemporary American - Coconut Grove
This now Michelin-starred spot was once a food truck led by its current chefs, Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer; its success so big that a food truck was simply not enough. The restaurant offers innovative Italian cuisine, celebrating Tuscan recipes with a modern twist. The beef tartare with garlic-shallot crumble, crispy tiramisu, and caviar-crowned fried potato skins all evidence of how inventive Boia De’s offerings are.
Boia De - Italian - Buena Vista
A Manhattan original, Cote Miami brings its gorgeously marbled beef home. The stunning establishment joins the underground vibe of a Korean supper club with the regality of an American steakhouse. Its 45-day aged beef and assortment of Korean sides - like the alleged, mouthwatering egg soufflé - are completely deserving of its Michelin recognition.
Cote Miami - Korean - Design District
The Den offers an intimate experience with its dishes in an omakase-style dinner. The fish served is imported weekly and served in the most minimal yet expert manner, glorifying its ingredients. A hidden yet exclusive space, The Den is home to authentic Japanese cuisine and unforgettable encounters with its offerings.
The Den - Japanese - South of Fifth
Colombian Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos is internationally known for serving simply art-like dishes. El Cielo is often referred to as an experience, not an ordinary restaurant. Wide water views and alluring decor are accompanied by special moments - the establishment’s Chocola therapy or hand washing with chocolate allowing you to enjoy food through all your senses. Its farm-to-meal plates are not only aesthetically gorgeous but also avant-garde and filled with fresh ingredients.
El Cielo - Colombian - Brickell
What western cultures would call a speakeasy, Hiden is accessed through the backdoor of a Wynwood taco stand. Reservations are quite hard to obtain - meaning months of work before you get the secret door code. Nevertheless, the omakase restaurant makes up for it with Japan-sourced ingredients, seasonal and eccentric plates, and a fifteen-course menu of plates from diverse Japanese regions.
Hiden - Japanese - Wynwood
A stylish yet casual greenhouse at the heart of Miami Design District. Like L’Atelier, this spot hosts chefs from the renowned Robuchon legacy and is famous for its seasonal vegetables, high-quality ingredients and modern yet vibrant interior.
Le Jardinier - French - Design District
Chef Sebastian Vargas provides an authentic experience of Mexican cuisine. Seeking perfectionism in every step of the dish, Los Felix offers carefully-pressed tortillas, flavor-oozing carnitas, and everything from salsas to sides to toppings in an extremely well-thought-out manner.
Los Felix - Mexican - Coconut Grove
With a hard to beat tasting menu, Chef Jeremy Ford prepares meticulous dishes and craving-satisfying flavors. The elegance in this place extends to its shiny industrial interior and sleek appearance.
Stubborn Seed - American Creative - South of Fifth
Chef Thomas Keller has won seven Michelin stars and one of them pertains to The Surf Club Restaurant. Its continental plates are served to a modern audience, which praises the spot’s top talent with sauces and seafood. Some of its most recommended plates are the Maine lobster Thermidore with sauce Américaine and the Oysters Rockefeller - accompanied, of course, by a Martini.
The Surf Club - American - Surfside
I don’t know about you, but visiting as many of these fine-dine and experiential establishments has become part of my goals and my Miami bucket list.
