Zuma

Zuma is the Miami home of the global contemporary-Japanese izakaya, set on the Miami River in Brickell with a sleek dining room, a sushi and robata counter and a terrace over the water. It has been a cornerstone of Brickell’s dining and social scene for years, equally at home for a business lunch, a long dinner or a buzzy weekend brunch.

The room is polished and energetic, designed around the open robata grill and sushi counter, with a busy bar and a stylish, international crowd. It manages to be both a serious restaurant and a social hub, and the riverside terrace is one of the most pleasant places to eat in the neighbourhood.

The menu is modern izakaya, designed for sharing: sashimi and sushi, robata-grilled meats and fish, and signature dishes like the miso-marinated black cod and the spicy beef tenderloin, paired with an extensive sake and cocktail list. Order across the table and graze through the meal.

Zuma is ideal for groups, couples and business dinners that want quality and atmosphere together; it is upscale and consistently busy, so book ahead, especially for weekend brunch. It is about a fifteen-to-twenty-minute drive from the residence across the bay in Brickell, an easy trip for one of the area’s best tables.