A Complete List Of Michelin-Starred Restaurants In Miami This Year

 
Ladies and gentlemen, it is officially that time of year again. The Michelin Guide has released its 2023 recipients of the coveted Michelin Stars and once again, Miami’s culinary scene does not disappoint. We are proud to have twelve local eateries to be honored in the 2023 Michelin Guide and one restaurant receiving two stars. Given the prestige of this award, to have twelve recipients in one city is quite an accomplishment and we are proud of each one.

Here is the list of Miami’s Michelin Star recipients, broken down by community:

Coconut Grove

Once again, two restaurants in the Grove hold onto their stars as diners hold onto their hats. Both Ariete and Los Felix have retained their standings, not to anyone’s surprise but we are proud nonetheless.

1 – Ariete (3540 Main Highway): The Michelin reviewers were impressed by the versatility of Ariete, guests can fit in wearing business casual indoors or flip flops out on the patio just the same. And let’s face it, you don’t necessarily have to be dressed to the nine’s to enjoy a top-notch meal. Ariete was the brainchild of Chef Michael Beltran, who weaves together new American and classic French fare. Chef Beltran’s creative combinations and excellent sauces are highlighted on the tasting menu, which is recommended for first-time guests.

Some of the standout dishes the reviewers noted were the Florida Orange, which features a creamy chicken foie mousse, duck and sour orange pâté, chocolate dirt, mint, white bread. They also thoroughly enjoyed the conch and wild mushrooms with lobster demi-glace, which is a riff on beef Bourguignon.

2 – Los Felix (3413 Main Highway): Don’t ask for cheese enchiladas at this Mexican outpost, the menu is far more thoughtful than that. The bright atmosphere is incredibly colorful and the menu is highly creative and designed to send guests on a gustatory trip. All of the ingredients match the vibe, modern, organic and youthful. Even the ambiance is designed to fit every mood.

The menu does change depending upon what is seasonally available, and at the time when Michelin reviewers visited they were impressed with the servers’ knowledge about the provenance of each ingredient. They particularly enjoyed the pork cheek carnitas with different salsas, snapper crudo with jicama shavings and avocado aīoli, and grilled octopus with beetroot mole.

Again Los Felix is not exactly traditional, but for me it is evocative of visiting a special restaurant in Mexico City, who also has a thriving culinary scene.

Elcielo Colombian Restaurant Brickell | Photo Credit: Facebook/Elcielo Miami

Brickell

The Brickell Financial District is also home to a restaurant with a legacy star. El Cielo is routinely honored by the Michelin Guide and the sole recipient in the bustling neighborhood.

3 – El Cielo (31 Southeast 5th Street): El Cielo Miami By Juan Manuel Barrientos is a hidden gem that will soon be less hidden when Baccarat Residences opens, also opening a new stretch of Riverfront Baywalk in Brickell. It is currently tucked away on the river side of Brickell on the River’s north tower and also routinely makes the list of “Most Romantic Places” in Miami.

What sets El Cielo apart is the fact that it is less restaurant and more Experience. The Experience is a 20-course tasting menu that pays homage to Colombian cuisine. Each course is designed to transport you to a portion of Colombia, from the beaches of Cartagena to the mysterious corners of the Amazon jungle. Offering 2 seatings each night Wednesday – Saturday and one dinner seating on Sunday, this is not the restaurant to pop in for an appetizer and cocktail before venturing off to another destination. This is the destination, and you must get a reservation.

Cote Miami Design District Tasting Menu | Photo Credit: Facebook/Cote Miami

Miami Design District

Known for its posh retail and restaurant scene, we sort of expect the Design District to rake up a significant amount of accolades, and they understood the assignment with four award-winning restaurants in the guide.

4 – Boia De (5205 Northeast 2nd Avenue): This contemporary Italian eatery thrives upon juxtaposition. Situated between a laundromat and a medical center, you would never expect to see a gourmet restaurant in this Buena Vista shopping center. But there is the neon-pink exclamation point, glowing above the front door, beckoning guests to come in for a ride.

Michelin reviewers were amused by the surprise factor of this “Italian” restaurant. The fried potato skins were cradling stracciatella and topped with caviar, beef tartare was embellished with tonnato-style gravy and garlic-shallot crumble. They were also impressed with the tagliolini pero tossed with king crab and vin jaune and served chilled. Expect the unexpected here.

5 – Cote (3900 Northeast 2nd Avenue): We have all heard of cultures who worship cows, but Cote feels like a temple to worship the consumption of beef. Cote is a highly stylized Korean steakhouse and offers beautifully marbled and aged beef, that is on display in an adjacent room.

Hailing form New York, owner Simon Kim offers top-quality ingredients, astutely seasoned dishes and engaging staff to fully button up the dining experience. Michelin reviewers suggest the butcher’s feast, which is a generous tasting menu that includes an assortment of banchan, an array of cuts of beef and two stews. They also do not want you to forget the kimchi Wagyu paella, calling it a marvel on its own.

6 – Le Jardinier (151 Northeast 41st Street): Executive chef Max McCarthy is a protege of famed chef Joël Robuchon and offers a menu elegant contemporary French/American fusion. Designed for special occasions and outdoor dining, there is both a lush outdoor dining patio and a rooftop garden to enjoy the approachable yet refined vegetable-driven menu. Carnivores need not worry, the local, seasonable fruits and vegetables are complemented by wild and sustainable fish, meat, and poultry.

7 – L’ Altelier de Joël Robuchon (151 Northeast 41st Street): Staying on-brand with the Paris, New York and Tokyo outposts of Joël Robuchon’s famed eatery, the Miami outpost certainly does not disappoint. The ambiance is highlighted with an open kitchen, rosewood walls and leather chairs, and L’Altelier is also the only restaurant in Miami to receive two Michelin Stars.

Despite the fact that both tasting portions and large plates are available, reviewers suggest the seasonal prix fixe for maximum experience. They were impressed with the opening bread basket followed by a French adventure that includes seared sea scallops with toasted spices, Tuna sashimi in warm vinaigrette made from brown butter, mustard and makrut. After these, they were presented with artichokes served under a glass dome and floating in chickpea and turmeric “cappuccino”. The meal was concluded with le chocolat sensation, which lived up to its name with a balance of textures and tastes.

Hiden Chef Seijun Okano Miami Wynwood | Photo Credit: Facebook/Hiden Miami

Wynwood

With its artsy and bohemian vibe, Wynwood is honored for its hidden gem by the same name.

8 – Hiden (313 Northwest 25th Street): Hiden is in fact hidden. If you aren’t sure where you’re going, you should ask. This sushi counter is in the midst of busy Wynwood, but once found, the front door slides open with a time-sensitive passcode.

Once inside, Chef Seijun Okano offers a finely tuned omakase for those who are fortunate enough to land a reservation to sit at his counter. He flies fresh fish from Japan multiple times per week and handles them with precision. Conversation flows as easily as the cocktails and Chef Okano welcomes questions about his art. The experience is well-paced to the tune of an upbeat playlist and leaves you wondering if those who have never entered the secret room know what they’ve missed.

Tambourine Room MIami Beach | Photo credit: Facebook/The Tambourine Room

Miami Beach

So many newcomers to Miami do not realize that Miami Beach and mainland Miami are in fact not the same. For the purposes of this list, we’ll not argue with that as both areas have thriving culinary scenes. Miami Beach has been recognized for three local eateries.

9 – The Den (161 Ocean Drive): Hidden within Azabu Miami Beach, The Den is another exclusive hidden omakase room that specializes in the art of Edomae Sushi. This transformative experience takes place at an 18-seat counter that enforces strict rules in order for guests to enjoy the full experience. All guests must have pre-paid reservations and understand that raw fish will be consumed. With that being said, I’m not sure I’ve heard of anyone entering a sushi restaurant and not be ok with raw fish. That is sort of the drill at a sushi restaurant.

The meals are multi-course menus without a la carte options as the sushi chefs have thoughtfully curated the culinary experience. Most of the ingredients have been flown directly from the Toyosu fish market in Tokyo in order to preserve the freshness and authenticity you would receive should you be dining at a counter in Japan.

10 – Stubborn Seed (101 Washington Avenue): Another repeat recipient of a Michelin Star is Stubborn Seed in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood. Chef Jeremy Ford is a previous James Beard Award Semi-Finalist and the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 13. His inspiration for Stubborn Seed is elevating honest ingredients by unearthing cravings of the palate with constructing a reward in each bite. It seems like a lofty goal, but he is clearly there with it.

Stubborn seed is a tasting menu only restaurant, as the dining experience is highly curated. Michelin reviewers did not elaborate on which courses stood out to them, but as the menu fluctuates based upon the availability of seasonal ingredients, we suggest you visit their website to see what is currently available.

11 – Tambourine Room (6801 Collins Avenue): Jaunting north to 68th and Collins, the Tambourine Room is nestled inside the Carillion Miami Wellness Resort. It is here that Chef Tristan Brandt and Timo Steubing deliver a colorful, multicourse tasting menu that is inspired by French cuisine with Asian influences. This seems like an ambitious combination but it is well executed, delivering rich, hold sauces and ambitious foams made of parmesan, lobster and saffron. Ginger turbocharges everything from tomatoes to scallops to wagyu. The atmosphere is as understated as the menu is bold, and reviewers suggest the second evening seating for a longer menu.

The Surf Club Restaurant Photo credit: Facebook/The Surf Club Restaurant

Surfside

I’m not sure what kind of list this would be if Thomas Keller’s The Surf Club Restaurant was not included. Thankfully the Michelin Guide also recognizes this and included the eatery on the list for another year.

12 – The Surf Club Restaurant (9011 Collins Avenue): We are not going to sit here and pretend to be surprised about this. Everyone knew that Thomas Keller’s elegantly restored landmark restaurant was going to be on this list. Situated in the historic-yet-modern The Surf Club Four Seasons Residences along the beach in Surfside, the restaurant evokes the style and elegance of a private members-only restaurant from the days of Gatsby-esque opulence and Art Deco glamour.

While enjoying the dining experience at Surf Club, Michelin reviewers noted the sharp-suited servers who were effortlessly professional. The impressive Continental cooking was helmed by the elegant sauces, starting with scallop crudo with buttermilk-basil dressing, then a brilliantly reimagined Maine lobster thermidor with sauce Américaine. The finale was a coconut chiffon cake with lime-flecked crème anglaise and every bite was noteworthy.

We hope that you venture out to try any or all of these delectable restaurants throughout the year. Each offers an experience unique to its own style, inspiration and history. Let us know which one you enjoy the most!

Photo Credit: Facebook/The Surf Club Restaurant