Where to eat in Miami

Alter: Creative tasting menus full of tiny, pricey dishes and wine pairings are the name of the game in a hip, warehouselike space; altermiami.com

Byblos: Spain meets Africa meets Greece at this Miami Beach looker sporting duck kibbeh, lamb ribs and octopus; byblosmiami.com

Makoto: Lodged in a high-end shopping center, this Japanese restaurant transports diners with pristine sushi and small dishes; makotorestaurant.me

Bodega: Party in the front, bigger party in the back — an Airstream-converted taco shop with stellar queso fundido gives way to a nightclub behind an unassuming door; bodega southbeach.com

The Broken Shaker: Nothing says you've made it to Miami like lounging by a pool, sipping tiki drinks. There's a daily punch and a small food menu, too; freehandhotels.com/miami/broken-shaker

Doggi's Arepa Bar: Once a simple food cart, this Latin American gem has grown into a two-location operation sporting its signature corn masa sandwiches; eatdoggis.com

Á La Folie: A Parisian bistro atmosphere is the setting for cappuccinos, crêpes and other light fare; alafoliecafe.com

Sweet Liberty: Sit at the bar and enjoy inventive cocktails with names like Beast of Bourbon and She Said Yes, concocted from a towering wall of bottles; mysweetliberty.com

Panther Coffee: Grab a cup of high-quality java from the world over and sit inside or at the sprawling patio area; panthercoffee.com

Amelia Rayno