The 13 most exciting restaurants to try right now in Wynwood, Miami

Wynwood, Miami, just north of Downtown, once teemed with warehouses integral to the city's garment district. Then came recording studios, galleries, and street artists. These days, Wynwood is Magic City's creative heart, bursting with craft breweries, taquerias, and food halls. Translation: there's a meal for every mood.

Dig into freshly made tortillas at a bustling Mexican spot. Opt for omakase at a homey but chic Japanese restaurant steered by a James Beard Award winner. Feast on Southern Italian pasta as you gaze into a lively open kitchen. Or soak in tropical, late-night vibes at an award-winning burger place.

Come for the murals, but stay for the restaurants. Wynwood's dining scene is an extension of its whimsical and artistic soul. These are the 13 neighborhood hotspots worth booking right now.

Uchi

This James Beard Award-winning Austin transplant by chef Tyson Cole became one of Wynwood's hottest 2021 openings. Dishes offer edgy riffs on Japanese standards. Uchi (which means "house") is a place as suited for a special date night as it is for a laidback weeknight hang with friends. Opt to sit outside on its lush patio, in the cozy dining room booths, or at the sushi bar amidst all the action. Enjoy a happy hour of nigiri and crispy rice with broccoli and salsa macha. Or go for the full-fledged omakase experience with the option of six or ten courses.

Momosan Wynwood

Although Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's casual Japanese spot opened in the height of the pandemic, it quickly gained popularity. The menu features ramen, grilled skewers, and izakaya fare. There's also a diverse selection of sake (including Morimoto's signature blend complete with his face on the label), beer, and Japanese whisky. Fan favorites include the tonkotsu ramen with pork broth, Kakuni pork, and a spicy yuzu miso; the bulgogi beef bap rice bowl, a mix of sauteed beef, pickled vegetables, and egg yolk is served in a hot stone bowl and seared tableside.

Love Life Cafe

Owned and operated by Veronica Menin and Diego Tosoni, partners in business (and in life), Love Life Cafe is a popular plant-based eatery. The cafe is steered by the belief that eating healthy is an act of self love and a social responsibility. The menu will satisfy even the most die-hard carnivores with items including pizza, sushi, tacos, and arepas. Love Life's award-winning burger was crowned the "Best Veggie Burger in America" by SEED Food & Winein 2016.

Bakan

This massive Mexican restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating on one of Wynwood's most bustling corners. Plus, guests can watch tortillas being freshly made in the open kitchen. Dishes, such as the queso fundido, tuna ceviche, and seabass covered in green mole, are meant for sharing. Wash your meal down with a delicious tequila or mezcal cocktail- Bakan boasts one of the largest agave selections in Miami.

World Famous House of Mac - Overtown

Once upon a time, Derrick Turton was manager to the rapper Pitbull. But Turton, who attended culinary school, was also known in the music biz for his famous macaroni and cheese. Fast forward to 2019 when he opened three brick-and-mortar restaurants serving up various styles of the cheesy comfort food classic in Miami. The Wynwood outpost, Turton's OG location, features hearty portions that are full of flavor, served in incarnations including jerk shrimp and buffalo chicken.

R House Wynwood

R House's menu is a love letter to multicultural Miami. The contemporary restaurant and bar dishes up standout starters such as arepas with coffee-braised short rib, pico de gallo, cilantro crema and crispy onions and empanadas with mojo pork, roasted maize and feta. In the larger plates department, short rib ropa vieja and Peruvian aji-roasted chicken steal the show. Speaking of shows, R House's weekend drag brunch is one of the best in town-and not just because there are bottomless mimosas.

Beaker & Gray

A longtime staple in this ever-changing neighborhood, Beaker & Gray is a versatile place equally suited for lunch, dinner, brunch, and even happy hour. Big, bold flavors take center stage here, most apparent in the cheeseburger croquettes, green papaya salad, and pumpkin gnocchi. Bonus points for the award-winning bar program (the cocktails change almost monthly). Stop for happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday through Sunday for a special menu filled with bites and beverages that start at $5.

Doya

Doya is a modern Aegean spot renowned for its meze; it was recently awarded a Bib Gourmand by the MICHELIN Guide. Pairing simple ingredients and bold flavors, dishes such as roasted cauliflower, octopus, and a range of kabobs are prepared on a wood fire. There's also a playful cocktail menu with beverages including the meze martini made with gin, dry vermouth, a Moscato-based aperitif wine, bergamot and lemon; the sultan features rye, amaro, mezcal, coffee liqueur, demerara syrup, absinthe, and lemon.

Zak the Baker

Easily one of the best bakeries in Miami, Zak the Baker often has lines out the door. Once people make their way inside, they're greeted by freshly made croissants, cookies, loaves of bread, and Jewish baked goods such as babka and challah bread. Visit for breakfast or lunch and enjoy a bagel sandwich or tuna melt, which go great with Zak's housemade soups. Or pop in for a snack and take plenty of extra goodies home for later.

Le Chick

Le Chick, inspired by a Dutch restaurant known for stellar rotisserie chicken and burgers, is all about tropical, late-night vibes. The vibrant hotspot is home to a beloved happy hour that features $7 cocktails and $5 beers, several delicious bites, such as street corn and fried chicken, and the infamous $10 royale with cheese: dry-aged brisket double patties, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, house pickles, and secret sauce with skin-on fries, spiced sweet potato fries, or coleslaw. The cocktail menu is full of summery drinks such as sangria, Spanish gin and tonics, and frozen margaritas.

Doma

An intimate, elegant spot with tall ceilings and an open kitchen, Doma serves standout Southern Italian cuisine. The menu features both traditional and modern dishes with a large focus on seafood and housemade pastas. Popular plates include a seared hamachi served with butternut squash cream, black truffle, zucchini flower with ricotta and 'nduja served over macaron amaretto with yogurt; and a whole Maine lobster served with pasta or risotto.

Kush Wynwood

A homegrown Miami institution, this small gastropub punches far above its weight. It's the perfect place for beer lovers, featuring a rotating collection of brews (including a secret stash of reserve options). In true pub fashion, the menu highlights burgers, fried-chicken sandwiches, and salads. Locally accented options include crispy alligator tacos and pie made with corn chips, chile, cheddar cheese, white onions, and scallions.

Manta Wynwood

Manta, a casual Peruvian restaurant that opened in 2021, imports its ingredients straight from the homeland. As a throwback to Wynwood's early days, the space is warehouse-esque, adorned with hanging plants and a large open kitchen. Feast on traditional dishes such as tostones with ceviche, papa a la huancaina (potatoes in a yellow pepper sauce), and lomo saltado (a steak dish made with onions, tomatoes, and French fries in a soy sauce mixture over white rice).

Amber Love Bondis a Miami-based food + beverage writer who can typically be found somewhere delicious with her laptop in tow and a cocktail in hand. See what she's sipping and follow her adventures on Instagram.

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