Central Fare at Virgin MiamiCentral {600 Northwest 1st Avenue, 2nd Floor, Miami; 305.521.4837}

The most central and connected food hub in Miami just debuted in the heart of Downtown: Central Fare at Virgin MiamiCentral brings together a variety of delicious eateries within steps from Brightline, soon-to-be Virgin Trains USA, the metro mover, Metrorail, and future Tri-Rail.

Central Fare offers exactly what you’re craving, whenever you crave it. This diverse food hall brings together known Miami favorites and new concepts under one roof, including World Famous House of Mac; CAO Bakery & Cafe; PF by Delicatessen Patagonia; Rosetta Bakery; Bucks Crepes; and, anchor restaurant, La Estación American Brasserie by Juvia Group. Not to mention the amazing eateries coming soon: Art de Vivre, Kuenko, 800° Woodfired Kitchen, and more. No matter where you’re going, Central Fare is always the perfect stop.

centralfare.com

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Debuts Feugo Y Mar {1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 786.276.4000}

The much-anticipated reopening of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is finally here—and it brings an exciting new dining option: Fuego Y Mar. Having a name that translates to “fire and sea,” this concept taps into Miami’s dynamic reputation as a cultural melting pot. The stars of the show? The best meat and seafood torched to perfection, and core flavors and dishes from places like Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia. The genius behind this concept is none other than French-born Executive Chef Anthony Le Pape, who worked in some of the top kitchens in Europe, on Disney Cruise Lines, throughout the Las Vegas hotel scene, and at Marriotts all over the world before helming the kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

At Fuego Y Mar, Chef Le Pape shocks diners with innovative twists on breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites. And no matter what they order, guests can expect a distinctly Latin-Miami flair. Think: the Guava Waffles Pastelito with whipped cream cheese, Lobster Guacamole with queso fresco, Sugarcane-Guava-Glazed Heritage Pork Belly with a tangerine habañero mojo, and even a Mojito Cuban Flan served with Bacardi rum cake and caramelized plantain wafers. Pair the exceptional food with the hotel’s pool and Atlantic Ocean views (seen directly from your seat at Fuego Y Mar), and needless to say—your night will be pretty, well, fuego.

ritzcarlton.com

Lido Bayside Grill does Izakaya {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.245.0880}

The Standard Spa, Miami Beach is sacred ground. It has the best happy hour, there’s a co-ed spa with a Turkish-style hammam, and it has a Belle Isle location that makes it feel decidedly remote—making it a top spot to hob-nob with Miami’s trendsetters. Enjoy a relaxing day on Biscayne Bay, or simply drink frosé by a bayfront pool, unbothered, all year long. If that’s not enough to draw you in, go for the food. Just in time for fall, The Standard has unveiled an exciting new restaurant concept centered around the Japanese tradition of the izakaya.

Following the success of a series of culinary pop-ups, like The Standard’s popular ramen pop-up this past spring, the resort’s signature restaurant, Lido Bayside Grill, has been reimagined as a limited-run izakaya residency that will stay open through the end of 2019. Often compared to a Japanese tavern, izakaya represents a style of dining where friends and family gather together, share drinks, and enjoy a smorgasbord of umami-packed Japanese bites or tapas served family-style. The operation is led by Executive Chef Daniel Herget, who has overseen the Lido Bayside kitchen since 2018 and who is no stranger to Japanese cuisine. In fact, before coming to Miami, Herget opened Nashville’s critically-acclaimed Otaku Ramen, and after that, Little Octopus; the latter of which fused Japanese, Caribbean, and Latin American flavors.

Inspired by The Standard’s spa-like ethos and idyllic waterside views, the izakaya menu is packed with locally-sourced, seasonal fish and ingredients, including an extensive raw bar and seafood-centric dishes that are chilled, fried, steamed, grilled, and more. And while this pop-up might be new and different for the immediate area, The Standard still wants guests to come to the restaurant and do what they’ve been doing there for years: eat good food, drink good drinks, watch beautiful sunsets, and live their best lives with their favorite people.

lidobayside.com

By Jennifer Agress, a contributing writer