Miami

This Miami institution is a must. There is lobster, shrimp, and fish, as well as the signature stone crab and surprisingly popular fried chicken. — DK Eyewitness

The bistro focuses on simple—but by no means unrefined—food with a casual vibe. Try the pan-roasted chicken with bitter greens and mustard sauce. — Departures

The Michelin star restaurant offers diners a diverse menu of New World wines and sake to complement Yau’s inventive Chinese fare. — Where

Top Chef contestant Jeff McInnis brings a helluva lot of Southern lovin' (from the Lowcountry to South Beach) to this lively and funky spot. — Fodor's

"Super sexy" yet "serious", this South Beach surf 'n' turfer dishes up "monstrous" portions of "amazing" food, but it's just as well known for hosting the "scene of scenes". — Zagat

Chef Kevin Cory ‘s eight-seat sushi haven has received rave reviews from award-winning chefs and the sternest critics. — Travel + Leisure

A mirror-walled "glassbox" entrance and 12-foot ceilings immediately serve notice that this trendy steakhouse designed by Tony Chi is not your traditional men's-clubby bastion of beef. — Gayot

Celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein has fashioned a similarly playful menu, a brave mix of Latin, Southern, French and comfort food. — Time Out

Miami Beach's very own version of the wildly popular NYC Italian restaurant of the same name, Scarpetta has consistently been one of the city's hottest reservations. — Frommer's

At this "swanky" seafooder atop Downtown's EPIC Hotel, chef E. Michael Reidt prepares "delicious" "local and sustainable" fish. — Zagat

With a Mediterranean menu that’s divided into mezes, salads, sandwiches, mains, and sides, the restaurant makes it easy to indulge in as much—or as little—as you feel like — Condé Nast Traveler

Since its debut, towering Cap’n Crunch pancakes slathered in condensed milk syrup and piled with candied cereal have been the main attraction at the Wakin-n-Bacon Brunch. — Travel + Leisure

Charming waterfront café where Spanish is the lingua franca, with ramshackle wooden benches and superb, fresh fish dishes. — Rough Guide

This plush dining room is home to a cuisine that actually befits such a regal establishment. — Gayot

Every day more good restaurants open in Miami, but very few places are pushing the city’s dining scene the way that Alter is with their inventive tasting menus — The Infatuation

Make sure you’re sitting down when the bill comes—the total could make you a little woozy. — Time Out

Midpriced pizzas and pastas compete for attention with a young, good-looking crowd of diners and waiters. — Zagat

Small and large plates with an Asian flair, but is really known for its way with (and love for) all things porcine: Chef José Mendín’s pork belly draws diners from all corners of the city. — Departures

Best bet in terms of both reliable taste and value is a Mediterranean plate of hummus, baba ghanouj and tabbouleh that could feed a small family. — Gayot

"If Willy Wonka owned a restaurant" it would be this "whimsical" SoBe fantasia known for its "over-the-top presentations" of New American comfort fare and "science-experiment" drinks. — Zagat