Miami Italian Restaurants

Cioppino Restaurant, located in the Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne, features authentic Tuscan style cuisine. Chef Carlos Sernaglia, originally from Caracas, incorporates his Italian roots of Liguria and Piedmont into his style of cooking. The outdoor terrace of this Miami Italian restaurant offers views of the ocean. If you already have plans for lunch and dinner, Cioppino Restaurant serves an exquisite brunch on Sundays.

Cioppino’s Menu: If you want to get a good feeling for the Tuscan style cuisine, try the Zuppa di Verdura alla Toscana, which is an appetizer soup, or the Carpaccio di Manzo. For the second course, our recommendation is the 14 oz. Veal Chop with sautéed spinach and balsamic sauce or the Costata d Abbacchio, which is a baby rack of lamb with a side of rosemary potatoes and spinach.

Escopazzo Restaurant, located on South Beach, is owned by Chef Pino Bodoni. Chef Bodoni can be seen intermingling with patrons at his family fun restaurant. It is always a pleasure to eat at Escopazzo when it is known that the owner/chef takes so much pride in his work, importing the majority of his products and keeping on hand over 170 cases of wines from Italy. If you ever wondered who owns a restaurant or where is the mystifying chef that magically combines an array of ingredients to make something so delectable, you will not have this problem at Escopazzo Restaurant in Miami.

Escopazzo’s Menu: When you dine at this fine Italian restaurant in Miami, make sure to try the New Zealand Mussels, which is served “with a ragout of baby artichokes, garlic, lemon essence and mint over crispy polenta sticks”, or the Carpaccio di Pesce, which consists of a swordfish loin and big eye tuna. For pasta lovers, there is a pumpkin and amaretto filled ravioli, which is a unique combination that arouses the taste buds. The Quail Filled Ravioli with asparagus is our favorite pasta. We recommend the Pepper Crusted Boneless Ribeye for steak lovers as it is tenderly prepared.

Anacapri Restaurant, located in Pinecrest, is a fine Italian restaurant that serves excellent food at great prices. Anacapri also doubles as an authentic Italian market where you can find your imported Italian products without having to jump on a plane. Anacapri has a second location in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile.

Anacapri’s Menu: Anacapri keeps its menu simple. For $8.00, you can get the Mozzarella Anacapri appetizer, which is fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, basil, and sundried tomatoes. Unlike some of the more expensive Italian restaurants in Miami Beach, the Veal Pizzaiola or Piccata is moderately priced at $20. If you are in the mood for seafood, Snapper Francese, Marechiara, or Della Casa are always delicious.

Trattoria Sole is a relatively inexpensive Italian restaurant in South Miami. This local spot can get busy so a reservation is recommended. If you are in the mood for outdoor dining, this restaurant it is worth the wait.

Trattoria Sole’s Menu: Skipping straight to the dessert menu, the Coconut Flan is one reason to try Trattoria Sole. Other reasons to try this Italian restaurant include their wide selection of pastas, seafood entrees, and veal dishes.

Peppy’s in the Gables is a cornerstone of Italian eateries in Miami. Serving Miami restaurant Patrons for over 14 years, Peppy’s is surely doing something right. This restaurant is not the most chic of restaurants, but it is surely one of the more savory Italian restaurants.

Peppy’s in the Gables Menu: If you are a fan of homemade bruschetta served with fresh tomatoes and scallions, Peppy’s is for you. If you are not a bruchetta fan, you simply cannot turn away their plump mussels in a tarragon broth. Peppy’s has a large selection of entrees; it may be difficult to decide on just one. I would recommend sharing some of their dishes such as the Veal Marsala ($17.95) and Scampi ($19.50) with others at your table, in order to taste what this Miami restaurant has to offer.