Miami’s 5 Best New Restaurants to Try

Inspired by the shores of Lebanon, this restaurant, dressed in soft pinks and pastel blues, comes from the same group behind South Beach’s beloved Byblos. Amal, which means “hope” in Arabic, opened in June, and offers modern interpretations of dishes one would find on a Lebanese dinner table. Meant to be devoured family-style, the menu consists of dips, salads, skewers—the pistachio kebab, made with minced beef, lamb, and a house spice blend, is a must-try—hot mezze dishes, fish, and hearty meats, such as lamb chops. The cocktail menu features light and fun concoctions like the secret garden, made with vodka, orange-flavored liqueur, lime juice, pomegranate juice, cucumber, and rose water. There’s also an extensive wine list with several, straight-from-Lebanon options. Stay tuned for a massive rooftop bar with Biscayne Bay views, which Amal plans to debut above the restaurant later this year.

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Zuma, the first American outpost of the London-based restaurant, underwent an extensive facelift and emerged in January. Though the menu still boasts the familiar sushi and robata bites the restaurant is known for, new additions include a slew of Miami-inspired cocktails. Zuma 2.0. is a bonafide nightlife destination, decked with a live edge reception desk and a new DJ booth crafted from tree trunks, sourced from Indonesia; as part of Zuma’s launch into the clubstaurant scene, it will feature creative programming, such as guest bartender popups and a weekly DJ series. If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up and treat yourself, this is the reservation to make.