Call three weeks ahead for a weekend table at Casa Tua, one of the hardest reservations to land in this restaurant-besotted city. Here diners relish delicate Italian dishes (try the gnocchi in a burrata, cream and tomato sauce) while seated in a candlelit room that showcases rotating art exhibitions, including photography by Albert Watson.

Celebrity chef Francis Mallmann chose Miami’s Baz Luhrmann–designed Faena Hotel for his first restaurant in the United States, a fitting pick considering his tendency for the eccentric. The Argentine, who owns some of the world’s best restaurants (Garzón and Patagonia Sur, to name a few), is famous for his asado (outdoor barbeque) cooking. Los Fuegos serves open-fire Argentine specialties including succulent beef empanadas, grilled octopus and wagyu steak with domino potatoes, alongside grilled vegetables and excellent craft cocktails and wines. Seating options include the buzzy, glamorous, over-the-top dining room and a more casual, covered outdoor patio. The adjacent bar, The Living Room, can become quite lively in the evenings, feels old Hollywood meets Miami, with leopard print banquets and touches of red spread throughout.

Housed in a tiny, early 20th-century house in the Design District, this charming restaurant channels the Greek isles with simple, white and blue décor and a romantic patio space that is lit with flickering lights at dusk. The dining room features blue ceramic plates along its walls and cushioned seating, where patrons can feast on fresh Greek-Turkish fare like marinated gilled octopus and an excellent sampler of Mediterranean dips that is perfect for sharing.

This 2015 newcomer quickly became one of Miami’s most popular restaurants—and an instant classic in the downtown area, which has not historically been a destination for visiting foodies. In addition to a proper restaurant, the stylish French brasserie boasts a market and a bakery, which churns out freshly baked bread and pastries like madelines and tarts (and are included on the 28-item dessert menu). The whimsical interiors feature French lace curtains and classic brasserie furniture by Parisian manufacturer Drucker, and the menu includes such classic bistro cuisine as sea bream crudo, wild arugula salad and a whole roasted rotisserie chicken for two.

The bottom of the menu at Michael’s Genuine explains their philosophy in just a few short words: “genuine: authentic; real; free from pretense.” That theme is evident throughout the cozy restaurant. Dishes make use of fresh local produce and the atmosphere is decidedly down-to-earth. The welcoming Design District bistro is perfect for any meal (all of which should include “pop-t’s,” the homemade pop tarts that both remind and banish all thoughts of the commercialized childhood snack), and is loved by diners of all ages.

A fun and casual oyster bar, Mignonette is known for its rotating mollusks selection along with lobster and crudo. For dessert, don't miss the heath bar bread pudding.

A taste of Buenos Aires in Miami Beach, Orilla serves Argentine classics—house-pastas, grilled steaks, chicken Milanese—in a stylish, indoor-outdoor dining room with sexy banquette seating, lush plantings and vibey music. Unlike many Miami “hot spots,” however, Orilla isn’t too loud or sceney to enjoy the food or the company, service is friendly and prices aren’t outrageous.

At Miami’s Baz Luhrmann–designed Faena Hotel, Chef Paul Qui's innovative approach to blending ingredients from different culinary traditions (including Filipino, Spanish, Japanese and French) results in dishes that are both visually stunning and delightfully flavorful. The main centerpiece of the room, Damien Hirst's "Unicorn," brings the room to life and compliments the fun and unique atmosphere throughout the space.

Peter Vauthy’s beloved restaurant was rated one of the top five best steakhouses by Esquire in 2005, and the food is deserving. The fine-dining spot is more sophisticated than your typical red-meat establishments, with elegant interiors and only the best cuts of beef. The rest of the menu, from the hearty sides to the delicate pasta dishes, is as impressive.

At Miami’s Baz Luhrmann–designed Faena Hotel, Veranda offers a more casual and relaxed dining option (it's the patio extension of Francis Mallmann's all-day restaurant Los Fuegos). The restaurant features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and simple, flavorful preparations. With its poolside location and open-air seating, Veranda provides a serene setting for enjoying breakfast by the water.

Set in what can only be called an industrial farmhouse, Yardbird offers a range of comfort foods including fried chicken with watermelon and waffles, buttermilk biscuits with homemade jam and a classic macaroni and cheese. The cocktails are equally delicious, especially the blackberry bourbon lemonade.