For decades, Miami has lured vacationers for its dynamic hotels, wild nightlife, myriad water activities and, of course, the sprawling, sublime beaches. But America’s favorite beach town has muscled its way to the top for something atypically Miami: its ever-expanding, notable dining scene. Never associated with top cuisine, top chefs the world over have recently been drawn to Miami’s allure, opening hot new restaurants in the past few years and putting Miami on the map for unforgettable culinary adventures. Miami is now easily one of the top contender’s for best food cities in America, and we rounded up the best new spots for memorable dining.

Dolce

A true testament to Miami’s thriving restaurant scene is Dolce Italian at the The Gale, opened to a handsome three stars from the Miami Herald in 2013. Thanks to its amazing, homemade Italian food, back-bending service and infectious ambiance, Dolce took home the title of Best New Restauranton the hit Bravo series of the same name this past April. Chef Paolo Dorigato – who has worked in top Michelin-starred restaurants includingLe Cirque — dishes out memorable plates of pasta (in addition to fresh seafood like local snapper and roasted branzino), destined to make you a carb-lover for life. They have even prepared a Best New Restaurant tasting, where diners can enjoy some of the dishes featured on the show (like the now-famous ricotta cavatelli).

Matador Room

Legendary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten may be behind memorable restaurants across the globe, but his new Matador Room is truly one for the books. It’s his first venture in Miami, and he went over the top with the design, staff, menu and atmosphere. Unlike his other restaurants that are often formal and elegant, Jean-Georges (teaming up with hotelier Ian Schrager) went for something different with Matador Room – an edgy, oval-shaped dining room that’s glammed-up with light wood-paneled walls and a seriously expensive chandelier as the centerpiece. Diners may feel they’ve entered a time warp back to the glamorous ’20s, though there’s nothing old-school about the dishes. Latin cuisine is inspired by modern-day Spanish, Caribbean and South American flavors that are ambitious and bold, from fresh-spiced fish to fresh-cut meats. The restaurant has become a favorite for locals, who double as barflies (and rightfully so) at the adjacent, chic Matador Bar.

Seagrape

Celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein is unarguably Miami’s busiest restauranteur. Not only does she helm popular spots including Cena by Michy, she also appears on shows like Melting Pot on the Food Network and Iron Chef America, and curates meals for Delta Air Lines’ Business Elite and First Classes. As if that was not enough, she also recently openedSeagrape at Thompson Miami Beach, and critics say its her most notable venture yet. The restaurant’s decor is inspired by Miami’s Art Deco history, though the real attraction is the menu. The Florida brasserie features plates heavy on bold flavor with strictly regional influences, so farm-to-table fans are in for a treat. Some ingredients are exclusive to Michelle (via her farmer network) like crisp veal sweetbreads, and seafood lovers go wild for fresh local fish ceviche, octopus, and whole Florida snapper with paella rice cake.

Morimoto

Dining at a Morimoto is a popular, special occasion experience for well-heeled diners but the new Morimoto at Shelbourne has become the everyday stomping ground for affluent locals and repeat visitors alike. Famed Masaharu Morimoto has racked up awards by James Beard Foundation, Zagat and New York magazine (to name a few) for his innovative and masterful work in the kitchen, elevating the fine art of Japanese cuisine. His specialties are a must, including the tuna pizza and hamachi tacos, but the new restaurant in Miami allows him to utilize locally grown fruits and vegetables, not to mention fresh seafood sourced straight from the local waters. What makes this Morimoto truly unique is the new dishes exclusive to the Miami menu, including an elegant ceviche prepared with local seafood and yuzo koshi oil. Seating is both indoor and outdoor, so diners can catch that ocean breeze for an iconic dining experience.

Coya

The newest restaurant to open in Miami has been all a-buzz, thanks to its perfect location in burgeoning Brickell—and, of course, unforgettable dishes. Peruvian cuisine is noted by critics as one of the top ten in the world, and is often regarded as one of the most underrated styles of cooking. Thankfully, Coya brings amazing Peruvian flavours stateside in a gorgeous, rustic-chic, Latin-inspired restaurant that feels more like a stately home than a dining venue. Diners can expect all the best Peruvian dishes and flavors with a contemporary twist, like fresh salmon and snapper ceviche, Peruvian bean and beet salads, fresh seafood like Chilean sea bass with aji amarillo, and spicy tenderloin beef filet with aji rocoto, star anise and cazuelas (a traditional dish with dried potatoes, wild mushroom and truffles). The outdoor terrace is the preferred dining spot, lit up magically at night.