The Miami New Times Honors Four Coconut Grove Eateries In This Year’s Top 100 Miami Restaurants List

 
It is that time of year again. The Miami New Times has released it’s list of “Required Eating, The Top 100 Restaurants In Miami.” Choosing where to go out to eat is never easy, especially in a city as culinary-rich as Miami. We were named the “Food City of the Year” by Bon Apetit, after all.

It seems like there is a new restaurant to try every week, especially in a neighborhood as culturally diverse and in the midst of a renaissance like Coconut Grove.  As Coconut Grove residents and real estate specialists, we were elated to see four local favorites on this year’s Top 100. Here are the ones who made this year’s list. If you click on the restaurant’s name, you will be directed to their website:

Ariete Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Ariete

Ariete – 3540 Main Highway

This Coconut Grove restaurant is no stranger to being featured on our local lists. One of the more notable places it has shown up is on our list of this year’s local restaurants that were honored with a Michelin Star. Bringing a sense of refinement into Coconut Grove, this Michael Beltran-founded establishment offers artfully crafted dishes that blend a hint of French-style cuisine with Cuban flare.

Although the menu is quite elegant, in proper Coconut Grove form the attire can flex between chic and casual, or casually chic as the case may be. There is a welcoming patio or a trendy indoor dining area that are both highly recommended.

The menu rotates depending upon what is seasonally available, so you will want to check the website often to browse what’s offered.

Some of my favorites from the current menu are the Fluke Crudo for an appetizer, which is seasoned and dressed with coconut, pickled green papaya, lychee leche de tigre. It is very refreshing on a hot day. For an entree, I am a fan of the Pastrami-Style Short Rib with red pepper-beef jus, gem and fennel caesar, oyster & short rib croquette and it is hard for me to leave without ending with the Mango and Passionfruit Sherbet to reset my palate.

Bombay Darbar Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Bombay Darbar

Bombay Darbar – 2901 Florida Avenue

Another repeat feature on our lists is Bombay Darbar, as they were included in the 2019 Miami Times ‘Best Of Miami’ List. In the beginning, they were a small eatery that held only 30 seats but have since expanded to an all-encompassing Indian adventure.

The Vegetable Samosas are suggested as an appetizer, but my favorite is the Tandoori Chicken Wings. Anything Tandoori is something I will be a fan of. Both the Mango Chutney and Dal Soup (lentil soup) are sure to be winners, and for the entrees the Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Chop Masala (pictured above) with Basmanti rice the soft homemade Naan and Tandoori breads are sure to hit the spot.

The dishes are shareable and they offer many different levels of heat from mild to super-spicy hot. To cool down afterward, the Pistachio Kulfi (pistachio ice cream) hits the spot.

Chug’s Diner | Photo Credit: Facebook/ChugsDiner

Chug’s Diner – 3444 Main Highway

Next up, we have yet another multi-featured Coconut Grove restaurant. Chug’s Diner is the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand award this year and was also took a spot on our list of featured Miami Spice restaurants. With just over a week left in September, the special Miami Spice menu is still available and is highly recommended.

Chug’s is another creation from Chef Michael Beltran and is named after a nickname he received as a teen because of his love of chocolate milk. The restaurant is a combination of a modern Cuban Ventanita combined with an American Diner, and the menu reflects that.

The restaurant is open early for breakfast until late night, just as a diner would be. The menu is extensive with both Cuban favorites and traditional American diner food, but also has some of Chef Beltran’s inspired creations such as the Short Rib Boliche that is so rich and savory. The Quiche with maduros, carmelized onions and mixed greens tends to sell out every day and of course there is an extensive list of milkshakes to honor his love of chocolate milk.

If you are in a hurry, you can swipe some pastelitos, croquetas, or Cuban sandwiches from Chug’s Express and be on your way in a flash. There’s no reason to starve on a busy day.

Krüs Kitchen Coconut Grove | Photo Credit: Vanessa Diaz

Krüs Kitchen – 3413 Main Highway

Krüs Kitchen is making its debut on our features of Coconut Grove restaurants lists, and they certainly deserve it! It is the sister restaurant, located in an airy spot above the Michelin-Starred Los Felix in Cocowalk. Krüs also has a Michelin pedigree, with Chef Stephen Vargas earned his chops at two Michelin-Starred restaurants, one in Italy and one in New York.

The restaurant and attached wine market and offers a revolving and evolving menu for both dinner service and weekly brunch. For brunch, the Grass-Fed Vintage Burger (pictured above) is a standout, and for dinner it has been said that you have not lived until you have tried the Grilled Prawn that is served with saffron sabayon, lime caviar and sumac.

Of course, these are not the only amazing restaurant choices in Coconut Grove. We have been blessed with such an amazing culinary scene. Make sure to try out these four restaurants, but also stay tuned as we make additional suggestions from our experience as Coconut Grove residents and real estate specialists.