My boyfriend, Patrick, and I love Miami. We visit at least once a year, if not more. To us, there is nothing better than a long day at the pool or beach, sipping rose and watching the sunset, followed by a shower, nap and then a late dinner. 

Miami has always had iconic restaurants and in recent years has emerged as a real player in great food. As such, I spend a lot of time researching where we should eat before every trip. With so many choices and a history of visiting Miami for years, we have favorites we love to revisit and some new spots that we loved to try!

Special + High-End

• I am a HUGE fan of The Bazaar by José Andrés. This much-respected chef makes his home in Washington, D.C., where I live, and I just adore his food, his designs and the general vibe of his restaurants. The Bazaar is simply incredible. This is a culinary adventure unlike any other. One of my favorite dishes is the "bagel and lox" which consists of salmon roe and dill cream cheese in an everything bagel-flavored bite-sized cone. The Piquillo Relleno de Caña de Cabra is unreal, featuring goat cheese and plantains. Have a drink outside on the back veranda of the SLS hotel before dinner. Lastly, the newer Bazaar Mar is apparently equally as good and a simply stunning property. I want the "funnel cake" more than anything.
• La Petite Maison is high on my list for our next trip. I've been told the Sea Bream entree is to die for and the decor is stunning.
• The black wood, deep lighting and rich fabrics make Hakkasan a super sexy joint, and the food isn't half bad either. Actually, the food is unbelievably good. I am partial to the crispy rosemary Chilean sea bass in lemon sauce myself.

Hip + Cool (and oftentimes casual)

• You have to really look for the entrance of Drunken Dragon, as it's in a nondescript strip mall on Alton Road. (Look for the red neon "market" sign and blacked-out windows.) But the search is worth it. Once you enter, the smells and hissing sounds of food cooking on the tabletop Korean BBQs will increase you hunger pains ten-fold. You can't go wrong with the food menu or the tiki cocktails.
• I don't understand how anyone goes to Yardbird and doesn't order the fried chicken (with honey hot sauce) and the biscuits. This is Southern food at its best. Also great for lunch or brunch!
• Located in the design district, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink is always a great spot. I first went years ago with my sister and each return visit delivers the same great quality and terrific service. I really like that the dinner menu is organized by size of dish - small, medium, large and extra large! The tuno crudo is a must. Michael's is also great for lunch or a weekend brunch.
• Nobu Miami used to be located in The Shore Club (one of my favorite hotels in South Beach) but has moved into a glorious space at the Eden Roc Hotel. Like in Malibu, it has a beautiful outdoor terrace. When we don't have a huge appetite, we pop in here to grab yellowtail sashimi, miso cod and rock shrimp tempura.
• Zuma is a really popular Japanese restaurant with outposts in Dubai, Hong Kong and London as well as in Miami. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a modern and clean design. Located in the Epic hotel, dining al fresco on the patio and sitting above the Intracoastal Waterway is just lovely on a warm Miami night.
• My next trip to Miami will include dinner at Fooq's. A mesh of Persian and French, the menu changes all the time but is a guaranteed adventure.
• In full transparency, I have only been to the Nusr-et in Dubai. But I hear the new Miami outpost is terrific and just as fun (maybe more?) as its original Middle East location. Their speciality is meat, so be sure that's your thing if you go!
• If you like the art deco vibes of Miami, you'd also like the Matador Room at the Editions Hotel. The decor harkens back to the 1950's and the Jean-Georges Vongerichten menu is Spanish-, Latin-, South American-inspired. I think it's very chic.

Classic Miami

• If you've never been to Joe's Stone Crab, this is a must. Full stop. I never understood the obsession with stone crab until I ate one at Joe's. Now I am obsessed.
• Prime 112 in the Browns hotel is one of our favorites. Think sexy, upscale vibe matched to a classic steakhouse menu. Throw in celebrities who are often there and it's a see and be seen place! 
• Talk to a Miami local and The Forge might always be on their recommendations list. One of the earliest to pioneer the farm-to-table theme, both the steak and seafood offerings are mouth-watering. This is definitely pricey but worth it.