The best new Miami restaurants for 2022

Lee Brian Schrager, founder and director of the Food Network South Beach and New York City Wine & Food festivals, dishes on the best new spots to dine during Art Basel.

After launching in Toronto, Sofia has made its way south to Miami’s sunny Design District, aiming to become Palm Court’s latest signature restaurant.

It offers both contemporary and nostalgic Italian classics like beef carpaccio (below), grilled octopus and rigatoni alla vodka.

Sip elegant, Italy-inspired cocktails (such as the Nights of Cabiria and Sorrentino) or hard-to-find vino while enjoying live entertainment in Sofia’s glammed out, flamingo-pink spaces.

Gekkō, 8 SE 8th St.

Superstar rapper Bad Bunny and restaurant-nightlife mogul David Grutman (of Groot Hospitality) are the duo behind this Japanese-inspired steakhouse in Brickell.

Gekkō, meaning “moonlight,” immerses guests in a luxe and dramatic ambience: velvety banquettes, dragon motifs, rich wall coverings and rope-like draperies, across indoor and outdoor spaces. If the celeb sightings and Wagyu skirt steak aren’t extra enough, order the 24K Otoro — sushi sprinkled with glimmering edible gold.

Following an extensive revamping, the historic Mayfair House Hotel & Garden has reopened its doors in Coconut Grove.

The hotel’s namesake Mayfair Grill restaurant serves up wood-fired cuisine with Southwestern flavors from veteran Miami chef Sean Bernal. The wide-ranging menu includes blazing dishes like fire-roasted squash, aguachile, wood-oven cheese, braised lamb shank and Navajo breads.

Contessa, 111 NE 41st St.

Wine and dine your favolosi friends in this glamorous new Northern Italian concept from Major Food Group. With Art Deco and Venetian twists, the restaurant evokes Lake Como, circa 1960.

Kick off your meal with a variety of antipasti starters, followed by a selection of pasta — maybe the decadent spicy lobster capellini or the rigatoni carbonara. Then dive into grilled branzino or a 40-ounce dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina for two before satisfying your sweet tooth with a scoop of homemade gelato or a slice of chocolate-hazelnut cake (above).

This brasserie, offering contemporary American cuisine that spotlights Miami’s cultural diversity, has just opened in the heart of Wynwood.

A collaboration between chef Brad Kilgore and Broken Shaker’s Elad Zvi and Gabe Orta, MaryGold’s menu will offer both eclectic cocktails, like the Plum & Pink Peppercorn (above), and exciting dishes. Introduce your taste buds to brioche beignets topped with jerk oxtail ragout and, for dessert, a Floridian spin on baked Alaska toasted tableside, with hints of citrus and spice-infused Haitian rum.

Klaw, 1737 N. Bayshore Drive

Located in the 95-year-old Woman’s Club building, Klaw mesmerizes diners with its Spanish Renaissance architecture and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay.

As for the food, entrepreneur Sasha Krilov and London-based restaurateur Mikhail “Misha” Zelman have introduced a new wave of luxe surf and turf. Norwegian king crab (above) and bluefin tuna share plates with meat originating from Nebraska ranchers, all sourced by chef Michael Paley, with seasonal dishes rounding out the menu.

Helmed by one of the country’s only female omakase chefs, Ambrely Ouimette, this beloved Austin, Texas, restaurant has now arrived at Miami Beach’s Esmé hotel.

With only three nightly seatings for 12 guests to indulge in a 17-course meal, it’s no wonder the spot mustered a 20,000-person-long waiting list during its pop-up era. As Ouimette told Time Out Miami: “If traditional sushi is considered an art form, I want Sushi | Bar to be looked at as the Banksy of the industry — illustrious, impactful and cutting edge.”

Avra, 17945 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach

Step inside and transport yourself to the coastal Greek village of Nafpaktos, the birthplace of Avra’s co-founder Nick Tsoulos. Avra, which has had success with three Manhattan locations, is keen on creating Greek dishes made with the best ingredients and incredibly fresh seafood (which gets just a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of herbs before heading to the table). Finish your meal with a treat of karidopita (walnut cake) or baklava.

Aba, 9700 Collins Ave.

The team behind Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is making its Floridian debut at the Bal Harbour Shops with Aba, a Mediterranean concept influenced by “Top Chef” alum CJ Jacobson’s Californian roots. The meze-style menu also incorporates flavors and inspiration from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. Toast a successful shopping day with a cocktail and Hamachi crudo and smokey garlic hummus.

Star chef Donatella Arpaia, a Food Network judge whose previous restaurants have been showered with Michelin stars and James Beard nods, has just launched this buzzy, beachy hot spot in Coral Gables’ lush Matheson Hammock Park. Enjoy enchanting water views from Noma’s al fresco dining area (reserve a VIP cabana if you’re feeling extra splashy) or the restaurant’s rooftop (which can host private gatherings for up to 90 guests) while sipping strawberry Negronis or noshing on oysters and “caviar cannoli crudo.” Then devour Arpaia’s coastal Italian cuisine — from Neapolitan pizza with sea urchin and burrata to homemade pastas and the chef’s famous veal braised meatballs. Mangia!