Miami’s Upper East Side might not be the first neighborhood to come to mind when you’re thinking of where to eat, but did you know that this charming retro area is home to some of the city’s best culinary gems? From the Michelin-starred Boia De to the most authentic omakase at Ogawa and unparalleled Turkish food at El Turco, UES is giving the rest of the 305 some heavy competition.
Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza
While Battubelin is new on the Upper East Side dining scene, it has already earned itself quite a few loyal followers who know a thing or two about quality Italian food. The ambiance blends rustic charm with modern touches, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date night. With its dim lighting and exclusive dinner service, it sets just the right mood.
Everything here is crafted from scratch, from the puffy wood-fired pizzas to the handmade pasta. While all the dishes are exceptional, the fresh pasta stands out as a favorite. Diners can select from over a dozen freshly made noodle varieties, including ravioli, gnocchi, and even gluten-free chickpea pasta. Pair your choice with one of the restaurant’s sauces, with the fresh pesto being a unanimous favorite. If pizza is your craving, you have three options: the Napoletana, Romana, or Pinsa, all topped with mouthwatering ingredients like burrata and Parma ham. Oof. Lastly, make sure to leave room for dessert as Battubelin dishes out arguably the best tiramisu in town, including a Nutella tiramisu option if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Battubelin is located at 749 NE 79th St, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
Boia De
Fiorito is a cozy Argentine gem that serves up mouthwatering specialties straight from the motherland. If you’re a fan of meat and dairy, this is your paradise—think juicy cuts and rich, creamy delights that’ll leave you craving more. But Fiorito is more than just an Argentine haven. This small, family-owned spot surprises with an impressive menu that also brings Spanish and Italian flavors to the table.
To start we recommend an order of the pulpo a la plancha, a perfectly tender yet crispy octopus served with Catalonian romesco sauce, escabeche, and mint chimichurri. Then, get ready to move on to the meats. To start, the provoleta con chorizo is an incredibly satisfying dish of melted provolone cheese and chorizo served in a cast iron pan with plenty of tomatoes and basil on top to balance out the oleaginous goodness. Finally, for the main dish, don’t miss Argentina’s specialty—the churrasco skirt steak grilled to perfection and served with home-cut fries and chimichurri. All you need is a glass of red to round it all off.
Fiorito is located at 555 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
Ironside Pizza
For a taste of Naples right in the Upper East Side, Ironside Pizza is where you need to be. This laid-back pizzeria dishes out top-tier Italian fare in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that feels like home. At Ironside, it’s all about keeping it real—fresh, local ingredients sourced from nearby farms and their own garden make every bite as authentic as it gets.
The menu is a love letter to Italy, featuring antipasti boards, saucy polpette, and killer mortadella & pesto panini. But the true headliners are the wood-fired pizzas and calzones, each emerging from the oven with a perfectly puffed crust, kissed by the subtle smokiness of Florida pine. Whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or just love a good slice, the diverse pizza menu has you covered. The classic Margherita is the showstopper, though, topped with creamy mozzarella fior di latte, housemade San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil, and a rich drizzle of olive oil—a timeless masterpiece. Bonus tip: Ironside is BYOB-friendly, so grab your favorite bottle and settle in their lush patio.
Ogawa
Pinch Kitchen has been keeping Miami’s foodies buzzing since its first landing in 2015. Don’t let the “new American” label fool you—this spot will keep you on your toes with every bite.
The restaurant has a plethora of Pinch Bites to share, so we recommend rolling deep with your crew and digging into some musts: the guava BBQ pork belly served with mojo onions for that perfectly balanced bite, oh, and let’s not forget the K-town guac made with house kimchi for a kick of Korean heat. When it’s time to go solo, go with the Black Angus skirt steak. Let’s just say it’s giving the city’s best steakhouses some heavy competition. Those spicy Brussels sprouts and Brazilian vinaigrette steak salsa are the perfect accompaniment. Last but not least, the Pinch Bar brings customers’ happiness bars to a full 100 with their craft cocktails, boutique wines, and seasonally rotated craft beers on tap.
Pinch Kitchen and Bar is located at 8601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
Wabi Sabi
Step off 79th Street and slip into Wabi Sabi, where the rush of the city fades into a tranquil oasis of cool, curated by the culinary visionary Alvaro Perez Miranda (of Ogawa). Imagine a space where tradition meets modern vibes—delicate origami cranes float above while kokedama plants adorn the tables, adding a touch of zen to the natural minimalist decor. It’s the ideal space in the Upper East Side for those looking for a slice of repose with affordable sushi of the highest quality.
The short and sweet menu is all about balance and big flavors. Enthusiasts of Japanese cuisine can choose between customizable donburi loaded with the day’s freshest fish (or veggie) offerings, affordable omakase going from $50-100, or a variety of maki, nigiri, temaki, and sashimi with rare options like saltwater eel, botan ebi, and A5 wagyu with otoro. For a perfect finish to the meal, don’t skip dessert. The mango panna cotta and the green tea mochi ice cream are perfection.
Zoi
Nestled within the coral-rock walls of Miami’s Upper East Side, dating all the way back to 1923, ZOI effortlessly blends timeless charm with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. The name “Zoi” means life in Greek, and here, every detail is designed to celebrate the joy of living. Step into a lush outdoor garden where koi fish glide through tranquil ponds, setting the stage for a culinary journey crafted from the earth’s finest ingredients.
The menu is brimming with Mediterranean delicacies from mezze hot and cold to fresh salads and smoky proteins straight off the grill. Start with the octopus ceviche, which features roasted octopus with onions, peppers, and plenty of fresh herbs. Then, move on to the gooey cheese saganaki, an utmost satisfying dish of fried golden brown cheese with a dash of lemon and ouzo (a Greek anise-based liquor). As for the mains, the char-grilled smokey chicken shish with herbs and spices and the juicy char-grilled lamb chops are showstoppers. Zoi also has hookah service and live belly dance performances, making it your new favorite Friday night hangout.
Zoi is located at 5808 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, head to their official website.