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Miami Named Best Food City in the World

Is Miami the ‘Best Food City of the Year’ in the Country? Bon Appétit Thinks So

Miami Named Best Food City in the World

Miami is experiencing a dining moment with its 11 Michelin-starred restaurants, renowned wine and food festival, multiple James Beard Award semi-finalists, and an average of one new restaurant opening every 15 seconds.

Now, another celebration is in order! Miami has been hailed as the “food city of the year” by Bon Appétit magazine in its most recent issue.

While editors toured the nation in search of daring new restaurants, they agreed that Miami was the one city they kept wanting to visit, according to editor-in-chief Dawn Davis.

According to Davis, “The always-evolving city is buzzing with opportunity, and a wave of creative chefs and restaurateurs have picked up on that air of possibility. It’s led to a spate of daring, exciting restaurants that are contributing to the city’s rich culinary history while bringing entirely new dimensions to the dining scene.”

Numerous popular eateries in Miami have been singled out by the magazine as “restaurants we fell for.” Itamae, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant in Miami’s Design District that was recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand (a restaurant that offers exceptional value) last year, came in first place on the list. The restaurant, which began as a seller in the previous St. Roch food hall, was where the magazine’s cover photo of seafood was taken which is now called MIA Market.

Other establishments applauded by Bon Appétit writers include Suite Habana Café in Wynwood, El Turco Turkish Restaurant in Upper Buena Vista, Rosie’s in Little River, a favorite for Southern brunch, Zak the Baker in Wynwood, Broken Shaker cocktail bar at the Freehand Hotel in Miami Beach, which was named one of the 50 best North American bars in 2022, Paradis Books & Bread wine bar and pizza restaurant in North Miami Beach, and Jaguar Sun in Miami.

In 2022, the Michelin guide also named El Turco and Zak the Baker as Bib Gourmands.

The magazine also gives Chef Sebastian Vargas accolades for opening Krüs Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand restaurant, and Los Félix, a Michelin-starred establishment, under one roof in Coconut Grove.

La Canita Opens its Doors in Miami

James Beard Award-Winning Chef Opens Caribbean Restaurant in Miami

La Canita Opens its Doors in Miami
Photo Credit: La Cañita

You may have heard of chef, Michelle Bernstein. If you haven’t, it’s time to get her on your radar. She is a Miami native who was awarded the James Beard Award, which recognizes culinary professionals in the United States.

Not only is she known for this outstanding achievement, but she is also an expert in Latin American cooking and is responsible for Café La Trova, and Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company.

Just last week, Bernstein opened up a new restaurant located at the Bayside Marketplace called La Cañita. Bernstein partnered with her husband, David Martinez, as well as David Borgia and Orestes Pajon on this Latin American and Caribbean-infused restaurant.

She has incorporated cuisines from Tobago, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Cuba as well as other South American recipes. Her signatures include chicken fricassee, custom sandwiches, and empanadas. One of the most popular desserts is the 305 rum cake. La Cañita also offers an expansive rum-centered cocktail menu.

La Cañita plays on an indoor and outdoor design emphasizing the waterfront views. The tropical painted foliage, wood-grain tones throughout, and painted copper pipes create the perfect distillery vibe.

Although Bernstein isn’t the chef of La Cañita, she created the menu as well as trained the current staff. According to her husband, Martinez, “We are so fortunate to have this melting pot of cultural and culinary influences in this city, and we hope to put them front-and-center with our new concept-driven restaurant.”

La Canita's Outdoor View
Photo Credit: La Cañita