Looking for your next great Latin American meal in Miami? These three new spots will satisfy all your cravings. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for Latin American food.
Amara at Paraiso
3101 NE 7th Ave., Wynwood
Billed as a "love letter to Miami," Amara at Paraiso is the latest project from James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Schwartz. The restaurant takes its cues from its location along the shore and offers waterfront views for diners.
On the menu, which highlights "bold Latin American flavors," look for offerings like the crispy octopus with braised yucca and smoked paprika aioli, grilled mahi with a golden raisin chimichurri, and the shareable amara feijoada, a Portuguese stew with pork belly, chorizo, short rib, marinated kale and grilled orange.
There's also an extensive libations list featuring beers and wine from South America. (Look for the full menu here.)
Amara at Paraiso currently holds four stars out of 35 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Cristin R., who has been to the restaurant three times since it opened, wrote: "Each time, I have not been able to resist ordering the following items, because I dream about them and crave them when I'm not here. These items include the yucca puffs, the whipped carrots, and the chocolate dessert with passion fruit."
And Daniella S. wrote: "So very exotic, nostalgic, contemporary in its intent and it is all that, plus so very Miami/Latino. It pays homage to all the magic that comprises the mix of cultures, flavors and colors that make up this great magic city that I call home."
Amara at Paraiso is open Monday–Thursday from 6pm–11pm, Friday and Saturday from 6pm–midnight, and Sunday from 11am–4pm.
Bocas Grill Brickell
2525 SW 3 Ave., Coral Way
Located in the former Bistro CloClo space, Venezuelan spot Bocas Grill Brickell has recently expanded with a new location in the neighborhood. It has two other locations in Miami, and one in Orlando.
Taking as its motto, "In Arepa We Trust," the restaurant serves "a fusion of Latin contemporary food, full of flavor to make you feel as if you were home," it writes on its website.
The wide-ranging menu offers everything from breakfast fare (including a create-your-own breakfast option) to Latin American-style rice and fried green plantains. But reflecting its motto, arepas—grilled corn flour cakes—are the star of the show here.
Look for signature arepas with shredded beef, sweet plantain, black beans and shredded white cheese; carne asada with avocado and soft white cheese; or wok-smoked lomo steak topped with a poached egg. (You can see the full menu here.)
Bocas Grill Brickell's current Yelp rating of four stars out of six reviews indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days.
Yelper Michelle J., who reviewed Bocas Grill Brickell on January 14th, wrote: "Came here for a 'linner' with the family to celebrate a birthday. The staff was very accommodating for our group. Ligia was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. All dishes were fresh."
Kristina G. noted: "The food was absolutely spectacular. We started with tostones topped with shrimp, which tasted fantastic. My husband got the truffle burger and it was OMG amazing."
Bocas Grill Brickell is open Friday and Saturday from 8am–midnight, and Sunday–Thursday from 8am–11pm.
Pincho Factory
9251 W. Flagler St.
Specializing in Latin American-inflected burgers and pinchos (kebabs and small eats), the local fast-casual chain Pincho Factory recently opened its latest location on Flagler Street. The eatery also intends to open another location in North Miami soon.
Burger options include the eponymous "Pincho Burger," topped with cheese, potato sticks and a "secret" pink sauce; the "Fritanga Burger" with fried white cheese, cabbage slaw and crema; and the "Toston Burger," which as two fried plantains for buns and is topped with jack cheese and homemade cilantro sauce.
For pinchos, customers can build their own entrées, selecting a pita wrap, rice bowl or salad as their base; then picking out a protein (beef, shrimp or chicken) and then a sauce. (You can see the full menu here.)
Yelp users are generally positive about Pincho Factory, which currently holds four stars out of 46 reviews on the site.
Yelper Leslye L., who was one of the first users to visit Pincho Factory on February 3rd, wrote: "After my first experience coming to this location, I am truthfully the happiest person on the planet! Great service, everyone was very nice and kind and of course, amazing food."
And Angelique G. wrote: "I have to say my boyfriend and I were super impressed! The food, the service—everything was great."
Pincho Factory is open Friday and Saturday from 11am–11pm, and Sunday–Thursday from 11am–10pm.
