This revitalization is being driven by people who love what they do and want to give Miami something special. Take Miami Slice, which started as a humble pop-up and is now pulling in pizza pilgrims from across the city (and Vegas!), or Fratesi’s Pizza, where nostalgic tavern-style pies are served alongside pitchers of beer in a dining room decorated with friends’ artwork. Motek's original location still charms with its baked shakshuka and pillowy challah, while Bali Café brings rare Indonesian flavors to the heart of downtown, plating up nasi goreng and rendang beef with a side of warmth and affordability that's hard to come by in this city. These spots aren’t cookie-cutter concepts; they're labors of love that reflect the energy and culture of the people behind them.
The coolest part? Downtown's restaurant scene finally feels like it belongs to Miamians, not just developers and office workers. It's a neighborhood where you can grab a cocktail that would make Milan jealous, eat pizza that rivals Naples, and end the night with sambal-spiked fried rice or late-night jerk chicken and reggae vibes at Mangrove. A dining destination has emerged here, one that celebrates community, culture, and the kind of cool, independent spirit that makes you proud to say, "Meet me in downtown for dinner."
Bali Cafe
109 NE Second Ave., Miami305-358-5751
balicafemiami.comWinner of New Times' Best Restaurant (Downtown) in 2024, Bali Cafe combines the simple pleasures of a reasonably priced neighborhood restaurant with the bold flavors of Indonesian food, a rare cuisine in this city. The lure is as much its interior, decorated with Barong masks and ephemera, as its delicious and artfully plated food. The nasi goreng platter, delivering several small dishes like shrimp crackers, rendang beef, and the namesake fried rice in a sumptuous bento box, is a beautiful signature.
Eleventh Street Pizza
1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami786-536-2749
eleventhstreetpizza.comIf you know me, you know I don't throw around the phrase "best pizza" lightly, but Eleventh Street Pizza has receipts to back it up, winning New Times' Best Pizza 2025. What started as a little pandemic side hustle has turned into full-blown pizza mania, with pies like the pepperoni and hot honey or that dreamy "Wild Shroom making me question every slice I’ve ever loved before. Between the blistered New York rounds, the fluffy Sicilian squares, and those garlic knots that deserve their own fan club, Eleventh Street proves Miami can hang with Naples, Italy, and New York, no problem.
Popular COVID pop-up Fratesi's Pizza has just secured its first permanent home in downtown Miami.
Fratesi's Pizza photo
Fratesi's Pizza
69 E. Flagler St., Miami305-456-1155
fratesispizza.comFratesi's Pizza has officially staked its claim as one of downtown Miami's best restaurants, transforming a beloved Sunday pop-up into a full-time tavern-style pizza joint at 69 E. Flagler St. The ultra-thin, edge-to-edge pies, like the pepperoni-loaded "Demon Pig Boy" or the classic Carmalita, hit that perfect nostalgic note, served with pitchers of beer and a vibe straight out of your childhood pizza parlor dreams. With a no-delivery, dine-in-only philosophy and a dining room decorated with art made by friends and family, Fratesi's feels personal, homegrown, and already like a downtown institution in the making.
Giselle Miami
15 NE 11th St., Miami305-358-9848
gisellemiami.comAlthough a "clubstaurant," it's one of the best in downtown for those looking to celebrate a friend's birthday in a fun and party-like setting. Giselle pairs the city's nightlife energy with a rooftop restaurant that feels as glamorous as the club below. With a retractable roof, marble-accented bar, top DJs, and a menu split into cheeky sections like "Seaduction" and "Finer Things," it's the ultimate supper club experience. From a flaming Wagyu tomahawk built for sharing to cocktails served in stiletto-shaped glasses, Giselle delivers high-energy dining that's as unforgettable as the afterparty.
Mangrove
103 NW First Ave., Miami305-614-2736
mangrove.miamiWinner of New Times' Best New Restaurant 2024, Mangrove, the sister spot of the fast-casual Jamaican restaurant Jrk! next door, transforms at night into a full-service, speakeasy-style Jamaican restaurant with awesome vibes. With retro decor, DJs spinning all night, cocktails inspired by reggae anthems, and delicious Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and griot with pikliz, it's a true flavor-packed experience. Bringing culture, community, and Caribbean soul to the city's dining scene, Mangrove fills a gap Miami truly needed.
Miami Slice
1335 NE Miami Ct., Miami305-217-5423
miamislicepizza.comMiami Slice has become a standout in downtown Miami's pizza scene, earning New Times' 2024 "Best Pizza" award for its ultra-thin, artisan New York-style slices that deliver perfectly crisp crusts and bubbling cheese. Its viral pop‑up roots in the La Latina kitchen have morphed into this full-fledged shop where loyal fans line up early for their fix. The menu offers five slices that can be gussied up with a choice of four "extras," including hot honey, a red sauce, three-cheese dip, or a few dollops of creamy stracciatella. With each slice combining refined technique and bold flavor, Miami Slice proves that downtown Miami is a true top contender in the city's booming pizza scene. (It gained so much popularity that there's even a location in Vegas.)
Motek (Original Location)
36 NE First St., Miami786-953-7689
motekcafe.comAlthough there are now Motek restaurants across Miami, the restaurant located inside the historic Seybold building is the "OG," and truly has a charm and flavor unlike the rest. The menu is stacked with Mediterranean and Israeli favorites like creamy hummus, fresh kebabs, housemade challah bread, and crisp Israeli salad, but the stars are the tangy, skillet-baked shakshuka served with pillowy challah, the chicken schnitzel, and the "Arayes" burger. Paired with a hibiscus tea or a bubbly mimosa, Motek turns any meal into the perfect downtown escape.
Mr. Omakase
163 SE First St., Miamimromakase.comMr. Omakase's founders, Andrew Mayer and Ryan Leto, partnered together to offer Miami a quality, yet affordable, omakase option. Three different menus make it easy to decide what price you'd like. At the eight-seat sushi counter, executive chef Ryo Kato, formerly of 1-800-Lucky's Myumi, offers guests their choice of entry-level or experienced meals. It starts with the $60 per person option for ten courses and continues with a 14-course meal for $109 per person. If you're ready for more, an 18-course experience is priced at $149 per person, which features premium sushi like chūtoro, Japanese uni, and A5 Wagyu.
Niu Kitchen
104 NE Second Ave., Miami786-717-6711
niukitchen.comNiu Kitchen consistently ranks among downtown Miami's finest thanks to its inventive Spanish‑Catalan tapas and seafood dishes executed with precision and flair, from charbroiled oysters flamed tableside to branzino tartare. The elegant yet relaxed space, with concrete floors, dim lighting, and come‑as‑you‑are service, is the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening out. Add in a thoughtfully curated natural‑wine list and attentive service, and Niu Kitchen delivers a sophisticated, deeply satisfying dining experience that feels both intimate and exciting.
Over Under
151 E. Flagler St., Miami786-247-9851
overundermiami.comWinner of New Times' Best Chicken Sandwich 2025, no bar in Miami embraces its home state of Florida quite like Over Under. From the neon mosquito drinking a martini to the fried alligator bites on the menu, every detail of this cool spot reminds imbibers exactly where they are. Whether it's karaoke and fruity drinks or a beer and a shot paired with one of the best cheeseburgers in town, Over Under can match the vibe and then some. It's one of those places where timing is everything because the mood changes over the course of an evening, but you can always expect to have a good time without having to get all glammed up.
Soya e Pomodoro
20 NE First St., Ste. 2502, Miami305-381-9511
soyaepomodoro.comSoya brings a warm, unpretentious charm to downtown Miami, reminiscent of a rustic Venetian trattoria tucked away on a cobblestone street. Its "simple food made with love" philosophy shines in dishes like melanzane alla parmigiana, porcini-filled ravioli, and spinach-and-ricotta crepes. With every bite, from tender steaks to fresh handmade pasta, Soya delivers soulful Italian cooking that feels both timeless and heartfelt.
Tâm Tâm
99 NW First St., Miami786-933-6378
tam-tam-mia.comFounded by husband-and-husband team chef Tam Pham and sommelier Harrison Ramhofer, Tâm Tâm has quickly grown from a supper club pop-up for those in the know to a full-service restaurant serving devoted customers. In April 2024, Tâm Tâm was designated a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. Just a few days later, it added the Florida Michelin Guide's "Young Chef Award" to its résumé. For a chef with no formal chef training, this is an incredible honor. The menu features traditional Vietnamese dishes with a twist, focusing on bold flavors and often requiring minimal silverware for a communal dining experience. Plus, the atmosphere is lots of fun (the karaoke bathroom is a must-visit).
ViceVersa serves cocktails alongside Italian bites like neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Photo by Cleveland Jennings
ViceVersa
98 NE Fifth St., Miamiviceversamia.comViceVersa, the Italian aperitivo bar that took downtown Miami by storm in 2024, is shaking (and stirring) up the city's cocktail scene. Helmed by celebrated bartender Valentino Longo, those slinging drinks know how to expertly craft plenty of cocktails, but don't miss their balanced Negronis. Every cocktail is paired with neo-Neapolitan pizzas made from daily-stretched mozzarella and slow-fermented dough, proving this spot isn't just about the drinks, it's about the full Italian experience. Whether you're a classic Campari lover or a sparkling sbagliato enthusiast, ViceVersa is where Miami's most unforgettable cocktails and Italian-style pizzas are born.
