AltaMar

1223 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-532-3061

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Fresh, premium seafood and European preparation techniques distinguish this Lincoln Road restaurant. Situated in a discrete location west of the neighborhood's tourist hoopla, AltaMar features a quaint interior accented with black and white photographs and an adjoining patio. Specialties such as softshell crab, prepared with olive oil, lemon and herb or ravioli stuffed with salmon draw diners to this unpretentious spot. If you're planning to catch a movie after dinner, the economical pre-theater menu includes a salad, soup, main dish and dessert for $33.
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Barolo Ristorante

444 Ocean Dr, Ocean Five Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-532-5511

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Adjoining Ocean Five Hotel, this chic restaurant features outdoor dining and an attractive cocktail bar. A delectable calamari trio of buttermilk fried calamari, grilled squid and baby octopus cocktail kicks provides a satisfying introduction to Barolo's cuisine. When it comes to the main course, diners have their pick of homemade pastas, tender steak and chops or a delicate seafood dish. Try the goat cheese gnocchi with sweet garlic, forest mushrooms, baby broccoli and roasted tomatoes, or the pan seared grouper wrapped in prosciutto with green pea risotto and roasted red peppers.
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Bella Luna

19575 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura Mall, Aventura, FL 33180 305-792-9330

Description: AVENTURA. Housed in Aventura mall, this Italian dining room provides a convenient break for shoppers, but is also worthy of an evening out. Dinner specials might include lobster Fradiavlo (mussels, clams, and shrimp) with pasta and marinara sauce, or grilled lamb chops with porcini and Barolo wine sauce. You may also choose among several pizzas, baked in a wood-burning oven, and over 15 tempting pastas. If the weather allows, enjoy your meal on the patio.
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Cafe Prima Pasta

414 71st St, Miami Beach, FL 33141-3016 305-867-0106

Description: MIAMI BEACH. A relaxing departure from the oft-times overwhelming SoBe restaurant circuit, this comfortable restaurant is ideal for those looking to enjoy a quiet evening, friendly service, and superb homestyle Italian cuisine. Chef Arturo Cea's innovative menu boasts such fabulous dishes as Linguine Putanesca Bianca with black olives, capers, and anchovies; Gnocchi Formaggio with a selection of different cheeses; sautéed Vitello Chef Arturo with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula; and Corvina Capesante sautéed with shrimp and scallops. For dessert ­ and missing dessert at this Italian gem would be a mistake of the highest order ­ make sure to save room for Papa Arturo's Tiramisu, Flan with Dulce de Leche, and strawberry-stuffed Profiteroles. Reservations are strongly recommended.
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Café Ragazzi

9500 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154-2502 305-866-4495

Description: SURFSIDE. Friendly confines and first-rate service are the trademarks of this unpretentious Italian eatery, located north of Miami Beach. Start off your meal with one of their irresistible appetizers: from steamed mussels to carpaccio, you can't choose unwisely. Then titillate your taste buds with the likes of breaded veal scallopine, grilled salmon with radicchio and rosemary, garlicky penne putanesca, and what many regard as the area's top osso bucco. Of course, you'd be remiss not to save room for one of their homemade desserts ... besides, is it really ever a good idea to pass on tiramisu? Since the secret is out on this family-owned restaurant, you can expect to wait for a table, especially on weekends. Reservations suggested for a party of 3 or more.
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Casa Tua

1700 James Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-1010

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Located in an Italian-style villa, this restaurant's distinguishable only by an open gate and diners seated at elegant outdoor tables. Start off with bay scallops with fresh herbs and olive oil or red wine-marinated beef carpaccio before progressing to an adventurous selection of pastas such as pumpkin and hazelnut ravioli or lobster and artichoke lasagna. Tantalizing main dish offerings include veal marinated in lime juice, seared beef tenderloin with foie gras, and scaloppine with wild mushrooms. After dinner, cleanse your palate with frozen champagne soup and fresh fruit salad.
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Escopazzo

1311 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-674-9450

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This Italian restaurant, whose name translates as "a little crazy," is a popular dinner spot. They are just a little bit different in a lot of ways. The place is small, but leaves a large impression with its bold, sophisticated decor. The menu features some of the finest Italian cuisine in South Beach: homemade pastas, authentic Old World style risottos and wonderful seafood dishes. An indulgent dessert menu, great wines and plenty of authentic Italian ambience make this a romantic place for two or a fun place for a group. Reservations recommended. A parking valet is available.
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Grazie Cafe

701 Washington Ave, Suniland Plaza, Miami Beach, FL 33156 305-673-1312

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This intimate, elegant establishment, formerly of Pinecrest, now boasts more high-profile digs in South Beach. Unassuming in its gracious welcome and accomplished in cuisine, Grazie takes great pride in its service, ambience, and menu. Start with exquisitely prepared tuna or beef carpaccio before venturing to black fettuccine with shrimp, seafood-stuffed ravioli, sauteed chicken with porcinis, or any of the variations of veal scallopine. A full bar is available; reservations recommended.
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La Loggia

68 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130-1804 305-373-4800

Description: DOWNTOWN. Located in the heart of downtown, this Italian gem is popular with those who do business at the main courthouse as well as those who have business there. La Loggia draws favor for its terrific, homestyle pasta dishes and its oft-packed happy hour (one of the only ones on Flagler Street). The beautiful waitstaff darts to and fro, making sure that each table is enjoying its hearty Northern Italian fare.
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Mario the Baker

13695 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami, FL 33161-3829 305-891-7641

Description: NORTH MIAMI. Mario's has been around for a while, and it has the kind of ambience that can only result from years of steady business ­ worn booths, simple decor, old-fashioned posters and a friendly staff that knows the regular patrons by name. The pizza here is also made the old-fashioned way, with hand-tossed thin crusts and plenty of great toppings that add up to an incredibly tasty New York-style pie. Other menu options include Italian classics like lasagna and baked ziti. While you wait for your pizza to emerge from the oven, you'll be distracted by a basket full of Miami's best garlic rolls. Popular among people of all ages and all walks of life.
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Osteria del Teatro

1443 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139-4111 305-538-7850

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Everything is homemade at this award-winner tucked inside the stylish Art Deco District of South Beach. The tiny, intimate dining room is comfortable and elegant in a rustic sort of way, and the small size makes you feel like you have made a special secret discovery ­ even though there is always a wait thanks to a loyal roster of regulars. But the excellent staff will never make you feel rushed, as you enjoy succulent seafood, fresh al dente pasta, tongue-tingling sauces and hearty just-baked bread. Superb Italian wines, rich cappuccino and stellar desserts complete the picture. Reservations recommended. Business casual attire.
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Pelican Cafe

826 Ocean Dr, Pelican Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-1000

Description: SOUTH BEACH. If you're halfway through the day and still have a taste for breakfast, it's available here until late afternoon. The extensive breakfast menu runs the gamut from toast and pastries to elaborate omelets and fruit-topped waffles. The cafe is also a great place to kick back and do some serious people-watching ­ especially at one of the outdoor tables ­ with a Bloody Mary in hand. The funky industrial decor is reflected throughout the hotel, which is owned by the Diesel clothing company. Lunch and dinner menus feature tasty Italian-Mediterranean cuisine in ample portions.
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Perricone's Marketplace & Cafe

15 SE 10th St, Miami, FL 33131 305-374-9693

Description: DOWNTOWN. This popular gathering place is a favorite among local professionals, who flock here for quick lunches and upscale dinners. The deli selection is particularly popular at midday, when tasty sandwiches composed of the finest meats and cheeses from around the world are offered. At dinnertime, it's a pleasure to linger in the screened-in dining room, which was constructed with parts of an old barn. The rustic, lived-in decor creates a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying Italian and American favorites like Caesar salad, ravioli, mahi mahi on a bed of fresh greens or eggplant Parmesan. Creamy gelato is a decadent finish. The menu features an impressive assortment of upscale Italian fare, including linguini with sautéed jumbo shrimp and fresh asparagus.
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Piola

1625 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-674-1660

Description: SOUTH BEACH. The Miami branch of this international chain, hailing from Italy, lures diners with its signature thin-crust pizzas and casually hip atmosphere.
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Quattro Gastronomia Italiana

1014 Lincoln Rd S, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-531-4833

Description: SOUTH BEACH. You never know who you might run into at Quattro ­ beautiful folks like Jessica Alba and Paris Hilton have visited this stylish dining room. Artful creations, inspired by the cuisine of Northern Italy, include delish numbers like house-made Fontina ravioli drizzled with white truffle oil. Patrons may choose from 300 varieties of Italian wine to enjoy with their meal, or they may choose to indulge in conversation and cocktails at the striking marble-topped bar.
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Romeo's Cafe

2257 Coral Way, Coral Gables, FL 33145 305-859-2228

Description: CORAL GABLES. Romeo Majano's forte is homestyle Northern Italian cuisine, and it's a solemn truth that he never fails to impress. After being seated in the cozy dining room, patrons are greeted in Old Country style by Chef Majano. He converses with them, gets to know their tastes and needs, and then creatively fashions a three-course lunch or six-course dinner tailored to each diner's tastes. The result is terrific, personalized food and a relationship with the chef that regulars find endearing. Prix fixe menu is $30 for lunch and $75 for dinner.
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Rosinella

1040 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130 305-372-5756

Description: DOWNTOWN. Rosinella is a stylish downtown Italian eatery that attracts a steady crowd of Italian transplants ­ a sure compliment to the authenticity of the cuisine. Of course it's authentic ­ Mamma Rosinella makes sure of that, and she is from Italy herself. Her homemade pastas melt in the mouth and are satisfying bases for her sauces, which can be delicate and light or spicy and hearty. The pizzas feature thin, light crusts and the highest-quality toppings. Dine outdoors on the sunny patio.
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Sara's Kosher Restaurant

2214 NE 123rd St, Miami, FL 33181 305-891-3312

Description: NORTH MIAMI. This is the place to go for authentic Middle Eastern and Jewish food. Everything at this friendly kosher deli is homemade with the finest and freshest ingredients available. Try Sara's Special Breakfast, which features the works: scrambled eggs, French toast, home fries, chalee roll and baygels (that's how they spell it), juice and coffee. Satisfy your a.m. sweet tooth with fabulous mini-Danishes, challah or traditional rugelach, an authentic kosher pastry. Or go with classic baygels spread with cream cheese and hand-sliced Norwegian salmon. The casual environment and quirky sense of humor have made this a local favorite.
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Spris

721 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-2020

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Bask in the sun and scope out the foot traffic as you lounge al fresco at casual, affordable Spris. Impossibly thin-crusted pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven are the draw, topped with broccoli, capers, marinated eggplant, calamari, artichoke hearts, prosciutto, mozzarella and sausage. Calzones and panini are reliably hearty as well. Although creative salads appeal to vigilant figure-watchers, the tiramisu is worthy of a little diet digression.
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The Palm

9650 E Bay Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor Island, FL 33154 305-868-7256

Description: BAY HARBOR ISLANDS. Everything is BIG here, so make sure you show up with a hearty appetite. This New York-style chophouse has fashioned itself after the famous steakhouse in Manhattan. The fun, nostalgic decor includes clubby dark woods, comfortable booths and caricatures adorning the walls. Steak is the focus here, but the jumbo-sized Maine lobster tail is also one of the more popular menu options. They don't boast of being fancy, everything is plain and simple. But rest assured ­ the reputation has created legions of loyal followers who care more about savoring strip steak than spotting supermodels.
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