Known for its bourbon selection and menu of classic Southern dishes — fried chicken and watermelon, shrimp and grits — this restaurant wows with contemporary décor and crafty cocktails served in Ball jars.

Order: Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken. A crowd favorite, this dish comes with half a chicken and a side of lip-smacking honey hot sauce (and maybe some leftovers). It goes nicely with the skillet cornbread, packing jalapeños on the inside and sweet butter on top. To drink, try the Southern Revival, a refreshing mix of bourbon and passion fruit.

This authentic diner might not look like anything special to passersby, but its traditional Cuban food has been a staple in Miami Beach since 1968.

Order: Ropa vieja. Don’t be fooled by the name of this dish, which translates literally to “old clothes.”  Expect big flavors in the tender shredded meat served over white rice, along with a sweetness from the “maduros” (fried plantains).

This trendy Miami Beach restaurant is the sushi bar counterpart to the vaunted Pubbelly by José Mendín — the chef who created Food Republic for Norwegian Escape. The Latin vibe carries over to both the food and the atmosphere. Signature rolls are creative and memorable; think BBQ pork belly in your roll.

Order: Yellowtail roll. If you usually gravitate toward yellowtail, try this take on the classic, jazzed up with a healthy dose of truffle oil. For an appetizer, the lightly fried plantain chips of the tostones con ceviche make sharing easy.

Zagat put this new Southern restaurant on their “Top 50 Restaurants in Miami” list for good reason: The popular South Miami brunch and dinner spot serves up elevated comfort food in a lively atmosphere. The menu changes nightly based on chef specials, but all the classics are here, from fried green tomatoes to chicken and biscuits. 

Order: Beer-braised baby back ribs and crispy Brussels sprouts. Though you can't go wrong with brunch — they have killer pancakes topped with praline butter — we’ll remember Whisk for its fall-off-the-bone baby backs and game-changing side of Brussels sprouts at dinner. A close second: the pulled pork sliders.

With a history as old as Miami Beach itself, this family-owned seafood restaurant is an elegant classic and a must-try for any first-time visitor.

Order: Stone crabs (duh!) and Key lime pie. Joe’s has been dishing out these quintessentially Floridian dishes since the place opened over a century ago, so if it’s your first time in the area, it just seems wrong to order anything else.

The owners of this rustic, upscale pizza joint are Brooklyn transplants, so you know it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pie. The menu is incredibly simple — just a few toppings to choose from — which we think is a testament to the quality and stand-alone flavor of the ingredients.

Order: A plain pie. It’s anything but plain — trust us. Order with your choice of toppings, like artichoke hearts, garlic, basil, and red peppers.

Walking distance from Lincoln Road, this Pan-Latin restaurant serves up a mix of Spanish, Caribbean, and Cuban flavors in a chic setting.

Order: Ceviche. Best known for their variety of unique takes of this classic Peruvian dish, Ola serves up a version with just about every type of seafood. Try the Fire & Ice ceviche for cobia marinated in sour orange with jalapeño over pear granita, or the corvina with crispy corn and tiger’s milk, a citrus-based marinade. Not a seafood fan? You can’t go wrong with the roast Cuban pork, either.

There are few better ways to take in South Beach than al fresco dining along its main drag, Ocean Drive. That's exactly what you get at this restaurant, where candlelit outdoor seating makes for great people watching and upscale seafood dishes are crowd-pleasers.

Order: Orzo seafood paella. A spin on the traditional dish made with lobster, shrimp, scallops, and saffron-roasted tomato broth, this variety uses orzo instead of rice, which helps keep the dish from drying out.