FOUND's best of 2025
Restaurants of the year, best new restaurant openings, getaways of the year
At FOUND, we capture the restaurant (and bar) scene via three primary lenses — short narrative pieces relaying our experiences dining in the field (First Person, First Word & FOUND Table), distilled lists of recommendations (The Nines), and interviews with the city’s movers, shakers, and industry insiders of taste (Routines).
FOUND is fascinated with what’s new, reporting regularly on just-opened spots before the rush. Just as interesting to us: those places that haven’t received their just acclaim, and old favorites that reward return visits. And while we will spend $350 per person for an extraordinary experience, we are equally at home at an exemplary neighborhood bistro.
Across the breadth of our coverage, we’re as focused on the room and the vibe — the way the restaurant makes you feel — as we are the food. We’re also obsessed with the movements and trends shaping the dining scene. And finally, our coverage reaches beyond the city and into weekend getaway markets (i.e., “surrounds”).
Here now (after a word from our sponsor), two Nines of our favorite restaurants of 2025 (restaurants of the year and best new openings) and a bonus list of our favorite getaways this year, with links through to our coverage.
CULTURE & LEISURE • FOUNDLISTING
New Year’s resolution: more fabulous nights out
Rhapsody in Blue and Ellington’s Nutcracker
Start 2026 with a bucket-list evening of jazz works for orchestra.
For one night only, hear Rhapsody in Blue as you’ve never heard it before. Joined by a full orchestra, the Marcus Roberts Trio transforms George Gershwin’s masterpiece through improvisation.
Conductor Andrew Grams leads New World Symphony in Duke Ellington’s swinging, jazz interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite, followed by Black, Brown and Beige, a landmark work that Wynton Marsalis has said “sits alone in the history of jazz.
→ Rhapsody in Blue (Miami Beach) • 1300 Biscayne Blvd • Sat 01/10 @ 8p [spon]
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Restaurants of the year, 2025
Daniel’s (Coral Gables, above), prodigal son Danny Ganem brings outpost of hit Fort Lauderdale steakhouse home to Miami
The Joyce (South Beach), exclusive Espanola Way spot for American classics by lauded Chicago chef James Taylor w/ museum-quality art collection
Aviv (South Beach), chef Michael Solomonov’s generous Tayim Israeli-Mediterranean sampler menu at 1 Hotel
Claudie (Brickell), Riviera Dining Group does French Riviera
Las’ Lap (South Beach), supernova chef Kwame Onwuachi brings his talents to South Beach w/ Caribbean restaurant & rum bar
Bistro 8 (Little Havana), creative Mexican-French fusion by CDMX heavyweight chef Pancho Ibáñez in funky space
Shiso (Wynwood), artsy smokehouse-meets-izakaya hideaway by chef Raheem Sealey, a KYU and Drinking Pig alum
Maple & Ash (Downtown), for the “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu and excess beneath a palm-shaped chandelier dripping in crystals
San Lorenzo (Upper East Side), Cotoletta team expands north w/ charming no menu Italian spot
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Notable openings, 2025
Aguasal & Bar Centro (Mid Beach), José Andrés takes Andaz Miami Beach w/ upscale Mediterranean restaurant & molecular cocktail bar; Bazaar Meat on horizon
River House Wine & Bar (Little Havana), eclectic riverside wine garden occupying historic inn
Omawei (Mid Beach), 10-seat omakase residency at historic Bath Club by NYC’s Sushi Nakazawa alum chef Wei Chen
Oro (South Beach, above), long live the clubby, over-the-top South Beach restaurant dripping in gold
La Specialità (Design District), chic pizzeria by way of Milan
3190 (Coconut Grove), destination for lasagna by the team behind Cotoletta and San Lorenzo
Uchiko (South Beach), Austin import Uchi’s li’l sis in Sunset Harbour
Double Knot (Wynwood), opulent izakaya den in former Wynwood Kitchen & Bar space by Philly-based Michael Schulson
Presidente (Wynwood), Buenos Aires staple on 50 Best Bars in the World list lands in Wynwood
GETAWAYS • The Nines
Getaways of the year, 2025
A sampling of the year’s best getaways, from Miami’s beaches to South America
The Shelborne by Proper (South Beach), Art Deco grand dame reemerges refreshed and rejuvenated
The Colony (Palm Beach, above), pink paradise better than ever w/ new guard ownership
Palm House (Palm Beach), Palm Beach’s newest hotel is also its most luxe; onsite Dining Room serves excellent upscale Japanese
Hawks Cay (Duck Key), Lower Keys escape worth it for chef Jeremy Ford’s Salt + Ash alone
Key West Historic Inns (Key West), collection of 5 charming b&b-style inns for living la vida local
Palm Heights (Grand Cayman), stylish Seven Mile Beach hideaway lives up to hype
Four Seasons Resort & Residences Anguilla (Anguilla), White Lotus-worthy luxury escape
Rosewood Le Guanahani (St. Barths), private cottage-style accommodations
Fasano Angra dos Reis (Rio de Janeiro), sublime seaside tropical modern resort on Costa Verde