Miami is best known for its weather, Miami Beach nightlife, and Cuban and Latin cuisine. But when I set out to find the best Italian restaurants in Miami, I was genuinely surprised by how many standout options there are. Even more impressive is that new Italian restaurants continue to open at a steady pace.
The atmosphere varies widely across the city. Some restaurants feel like a slice of Capri, others are hidden in unassuming shopping plazas, and a few operate out of food halls. Of course, Miami also delivers plenty of stylish and upscale Italian dining rooms.
For reasons that still surprise me, Coral Gables has become a hotbed for some of Miami’s best Italian restaurants. The concentration of disposable income likely plays a role. That said, my top pick sits outside the usual Italian dining neighborhoods, drawing national attention from Little Haiti.
Below is my personal list of the best Italian restaurants in Miami, based on firsthand visits, consistency, and overall dining experience.
My Top Italian Restaurants in Miami
#1. Boia De
Boia De describes itself as an American restaurant with Italian influence, which makes this an intentionally controversial top pick. That said, the pasta here may be the best in Miami.
Located in a small shopping plaza in Little Haiti, Boia De is one of my favorite restaurants in the city regardless of cuisine. It is easy to miss, with minimal signage beyond its name on the window. The fact that it sits beneath a neon pink exclamation point next to a coin laundromat only adds to its character.
Chef partners Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer lead the kitchen, offering a menu designed for sharing in a cozy and eclectic space. Their sourcing philosophy is deeply community-focused, from freshly baked bread to custom-made plates created by local collaborators.
Boia De has earned a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking, recognition that reflects the precision, creativity, and consistency of the experience. While not traditional, it is an essential stop for Italian-inspired dining in Miami.
#2. Doma
Doma brings a stylish and sophisticated take on southern Italian cuisine to Wynwood. The menu balances classic Mediterranean flavors with modern presentation in a space that feels polished but not overly formal.
Starters like zucchini flowers tempura and black truffle beef tartare set the tone. For something more inventive, the soft egg with broccoli rabe, parmesan espuma, carasau bread, and black truffle is a standout.
For main courses, the New Zealand lamb chops confit, Maine lobster risotto, and veal ossobuco all deliver. If you prefer simplicity, the bucatini cacio e pepe is consistently excellent.
#3. Portosole
Coral Gables is home to several top-tier Italian restaurants, and Portosole stands among the very best. Named after a small marina in Italy, the restaurant focuses on coastal Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood.
Owner Lucio Zanon grew up in Venice and spent decades working at Harry’s Bar before joining the Cipriani Group and eventually opening Portosole in Miami. His background shows in the authenticity and restraint of the menu.
Dishes range from antipasti and crudi to fresh pastas and expertly prepared seafood. Highlights include ravioli ai funghi porcini, tonnarelli cacio e pepe, grilled branzino, and Dover sole. My ideal meal here starts with the octopus appetizer and ends with spaghetti and zucchini.
#4. Luca Osteria
Luca Osteria is led by Chopped champion Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli, who reinterprets Italian classics through lighter, more tropical flavors while maintaining respect for tradition.
The atmosphere is cozy and rustic, making it an inviting place for a relaxed but refined Italian meal. This is a strong option in Coral Gables for diners who appreciate thoughtful updates to familiar dishes.
#5. Macchialina
Macchialina is a family-owned Italian restaurant serving some of the best pasta in Miami. Executive Chef Michael Pirolo was raised and trained in Italy, and together with his wife and sister, he has created a rustic and consistently acclaimed restaurant just off the South Beach strip.
Everything on the menu is executed well, but the tasting menu with optional wine pairing is the best way to experience the kitchen. Whether for a romantic dinner, group meal, or a serious pasta craving, Macchialina remains one of the top Italian restaurants in Miami Beach.
Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening, group dining, or simply craving an incredible meal, Macchialina is a top Italian restaurant in Miami Beach.
#6. Zucca
Zucca is another standout Italian restaurant in Coral Gables and one of the more formal dining rooms on this list. Located inside the historic Hotel St. Michel, the restaurant features white tablecloths, dim lighting, and an old-world European feel.
Despite the formal setting, the experience remains approachable. The menu covers homemade pastas, risottos, seafood, and desserts, all executed with consistency.
Zucca also boasts an award-winning wine cellar, making it an excellent choice for wine-focused dinners, particularly when the expense account is not your own.
#7. Sapore di Mare
What do you get when you combine an interior decorator from Naples with a former bartender from Florence? Apparently, you get one of Miami’s best Italian restaurants. At least that’s what happened when the husband-and-wife duo of Giorgia Calabrese and Matteo Paderni opened Sapore di Mare in Coconut Grove.
This small Italian restaurant specializes in seafood and is furnished to feel like a boat, using the familiar colors of Capri and the Amalfi Coast. You can start with branzino carpaccio or share the fried seafood platter with the table, which usually includes mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, and baby octopus. From there, the spaghetti with clams, seafood risotto, or lobster ravioli all make excellent main courses.
There are plenty of non-seafood options as well. In fact, the signature dish here is the cacio e pepe, made tableside by tossing the pasta in a massive parmesan wheel. You can even add truffles to it, at an extra cost of course. This might be the most popular dish in Coconut Grove, and at least one person at your table should probably order it.
#8. Borti Pasta Bar
Borti Pasta Bar operates out of the Citadel food hall in Little River. While unconventional for a list like this, it earns its place. And so, I stand by my choice.
Fresh pasta is made and cooked to order in front of guests, and prices remain remarkably reasonable. The rigatoni alla carbonara is excellent, but the tagliatelle bolognese is one of my favorite dishes in Miami, especially given its price point.
Grab a drink from the adjacent bar or head to the rooftop in the evening and have your food delivered.
#9. Casa Isola Osteria
Casa Isola Osteria is a distinguished Italian restaurant started by five-time James Beard Award nominee Jose Mendin. It opened in 2021 in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbor, just around the corner from Lucali, which serves some of Miami’s best pizza.
Known for its charming ambiance and slightly romantic setting, the restaurant offers a menu centered on Italian classics, along with dishes inspired by Mendin’s prior restaurant, Pubbelly Noodle Bar. That concept was known for combining Asian cuisine with Latin influences, and as a result, Casa Isola has a few items on the menu that are unique and won’t be found at any other Italian restaurant on this list.
The arancini in pomodoro and the house-made focaccia should be automatic orders if you’re dining with a group, while the meatball dumplings and sweetbreads offer something a bit more unexpected.
For main dishes, the spicy rigatoni is a consistent favorite, and the ravioli bianconeri made with short rib and truffles is a sure winner. If you want to lean into the Asian-inspired side of the menu, try the corn gyoza agnolotti, Italian ramen, or udon carbonara.
They also have an excellent happy hour, where you can try smaller portions of several dishes at a lower price. And if you happen to visit on a day when they’re serving Sunday Sauce, this traditional eight-hour–cooked rib and sausage red sauce over pasta is reminiscent of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
Located inside Saks Fifth Avenue at Brickell City Centre, Casa Tua Cucina is a casual Italian food hall concept that feels like a scaled-down Eataly.
Guests can order handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, seafood, and desserts, or purchase fresh pasta, sauces, and Italian goods from the market. The concept originated with Casa Tua Miami Beach and has since expanded to Aspen and New York.
#11. Caffe Abbraci
Caffe Abbracci is an Italian restaurant that has been a staple of Coral Gables since 1989. I honestly can’t tell if there have been any updates to the interior since it opened, but when you walk through the door, you are transported into a different world. And that’s exactly what makes it special.
The entire restaurant is a mix of elegance and simplicity. Two ornate chandeliers provide sophistication, as well as much of the light, in the windowless dining room. It’s an intimate setting that creates a secluded and quiet environment for dining.
The bar room then features an absolutely amazing stained-glass ceiling above what feels like a smoking lounge from the 1970s. It oozes character.
The northern Italian menu includes a selection of meat and fish, with veal featured heavily in dishes like piccata, porcini, chop, Milanese, and even a rumored off-menu veal parm. The pasta section focuses on classics such as fettuccine bolognese, lasagna, and the house favorite cannelloni.
When in Coral Gables, if you want trendy, go to Portosole. If you want upscale, go to Zucca. But if you want classic old-school Italian, come here to Caffe Abbracci.
#12. Soya e Pomodoro
Soya e Pomodoro is one of the most character-filled Italian restaurants in downtown Miami. The eclectic interior, jazz music, and strong pasta program make it a compelling reason to dine downtown.
If you work or live nearby, this is a place you could return to regularly without getting bored.
#13. Ristorante Fratelli Milano
Ristorante Fratelli Milano, run by brothers Chef Roberto and Chef Emanuele Bearzi, is an award-winning Italian restaurant located in downtown Miami. In its elegant, candlelit dining room, you can enjoy a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring their mother’s authentic Northern Italian recipes, such as bruschette prosciutto e capra and pasta agnolotti di pollo. From fresh seafood to well-executed pasta dishes, this is a solid choice for Italian food in downtown Miami.
#14. Salumeria 104
Salumeria 104 is an Italian restaurant and deli with locations in Midtown and Coral Gables. It is a great place to for groups to share cured meats and artisanal cheeses over wine. But in addition to their selection of charcuterie, they serve a variety of homemade pastas, sandwiches, and other Italian specialties.
While there are some fantastic Italian restaurants in Coral Gables, this is a great choice for something more casual with friends. The one in Midtown is a great choice for a meal before walking over to indulge in more wine at Lagniappe.
Others That Just Miss the Cut
Pane & Vino
If you’re in Miami Beach and want to escape the party scene without going too far, head over to Pane & Vino. It’s located in a touristy area near Española Way, but feels much homier and more welcoming once you’re inside. It’s a small spot that fills up quickly, so making a reservation is a good idea.
Cecconi's Miami Beach
Situated within the Soho Beach House, Cecconi’s Miami Beach is open to both members and non-members. It has an elegant and relaxed atmosphere, with a beautiful courtyard setting. But let’s face it, it’s more a “see-and-be-seen” spot more than a culinary destination. But hey, it’s Miami Beach so it’s a fun spot that can be hard to get a table.
Il Gabbiano
Il Gabbiano is a long-standing Italian restaurant in Miami known for its elegant ambiance and stunning waterfront views. The restaurant offers an extensive menu that includes fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and meat dishes. Attentive service and classic preparations like filetto farcito and scaloppine alla pizzaiola make Il Gabbiano a solid choice for a refined Italian dining experience. That said, you are paying as much for the atmosphere and view as you are for the food. It’s a convenient and reliable option if you’re staying in downtown Miami and want to avoid eating at Bayside Marketplace.
Petralunga
I’m actually proud of myself that I even know Petralunga exists. Because unless you live in North Bay Village or across the causeway in Normandy Shores, you probably aren’t stumbling upon it. It’s an inconvenient place to go. But if you want to “find” a place with a choice of very thin Roman style or a thicker gourmet pizza along with outdoor seating that has a great view, then this is a place to stop.
Miami’s Italian restaurant scene is deeper and more diverse than most people expect, ranging from old-school neighborhood spots to modern kitchens pushing Italian food in new directions. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out, a serious pasta meal, or a casual place to return to again and again, there’s no shortage of great Italian food in Miami.
This list reflects my personal experiences eating across the city, and it’s one I’ll continue to update as restaurants evolve and new spots open. If you have a favorite Italian restaurant in Miami that I missed, chances are it’s already on my radar or will be soon.
