Giotto Maestro della Pizza has been considered one of Miami Beach’s most cherished Italian destinations by locals and tourists alike. For over a decade, Giotto has been known for its commitment to traditional Italian cuisine and warm, family-driven hospitality.

True to its name—Giotto Maestro della Pizza, meaning “Giotto, Master of the Pizza”—the restaurant reflects a deep dedication to the craft of traditional pizza-making. Originally a humble neighborhood pizzeria, the restaurant was thoughtfully elevated in 2019 when Silvia Accatino and her son, Giovanni Moretti, moved from Torino, Italy to take over the space. They preserved the restaurant’s neighborhood charm while infusing it with their culinary heritage and focus on authenticity.

“We’ve always believed Italian dining doesn’t have to be formal or expensive to be meaningful,” says Giovanni Moretti. “We wanted to show the South Beach community that authenticity comes from tradition, hospitality, and quality—not from formality or flash.”

Central to this vision is Silvia Accatino, Giovanni’s mother, who oversees the culinary program and brings generations of family recipes to life. Her hands-on approach ensures each dish reflects the nuances and techniques passed down through generations.

“Authentic Italian dining is about far more than the recipes on paper,” Silvia says. “It’s in the small gestures, the techniques, and the care passed down through generations. Every family has its own touch—which makes every dish completely unique.”

We were delighted by Silvia’s warmth and hospitality as she shared the care she takes in selecting the beautifully colored plates, tiles, and décor throughout the restaurant. She was so enchanting that we would have loved for her to sit down and share a meal with us.

The menu offers a comprehensive journey through Italian cuisine, from over a dozen pizzas like Capricciosa, Sfiziosa and our favorite, Truffle Marbella, to carefully selected pastas and signature kitchen favorites. Silvia prepares Giotto’s lasagna, which takes two full days to make; one of the best eggplant parms we’ve ever tasted, and all desserts from scratch, including tiramisu, ensuring every dish carries the authenticity, care, and warmth that define the restaurant.

Giotto also offers beer, wine, and spritz selections, perfect for pairing with any meal. Guests can enjoy happy hour Monday–Saturday, featuring specialty-priced bites alongside beer, wine, and spritzes. On Tuesdays, the restaurant highlights a Margherita pizza special for only $10, adding another reason to gather with friends or family midweek.

With just 35 seats, Giotto’s intimate setting fosters a sense of familiarity between guests and staff, creating an atmosphere more akin to an Italian home than a restaurant. Reservations are available by phone only, emphasizing the personal connection with the local community.

Giotto is available for private events, offering both indoor and outdoor seating during business hours or after hours, making it ideal for intimate gatherings, celebrations, and culinary experiences.

Since Silvia and Giovanni took over, Giotto has become a bridge between Italy’s rich culinary heritage and South Beach’s vibrant local community. It remains a unique place in a dynamic city where quality and authenticity are requisite to a restaurant’s longstanding success.

For more information, visit: https://giottomaestrodellapizza.com

(305) 532-1138

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

959 West Avenue, Suite #2

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Ocean Drive recently got a little louder — and a lot more flavorful. Michelle Bernstein and husband/hospitality partner David Martinez have officially opened La Cañita Miami Beach at 1200 Ocean Drive in the heart of the Art Deco District. The duo — also behind Miami favorites Café La Trova, Sra. Martínez and Sweet Liberty — bring their signature Cuban-Caribbean energy to South Beach. Already a hit at Bayside Marketplace and Kendall, the South Beach outpost turns up the volume with live Cuban music, vibrant interiors by Nicolette Bernstein, and a rum-forward bar that feels like a sun-drenched island escape.

La Cañita was born from the partners’ dreams of bringing together Cuban music, Cuban-Caribbean food and lifestyle, as well as a love and appreciation of rum culture. La Cañita means “little sugarcane,” the plant whose distillation creates the delicious spirit that La Cañita proudly features and the heart and soul of the restaurant. It’s an homage to the spirit that defines the bar program and the Caribbean lifestyle that inspires the menu. Drawing flavors from Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Puerto Rico and beyond, the restaurant blends Bernstein’s award-winning cuisine with a lively, music-filled atmosphere that preserves Miami’s rich Latin-Caribbean influences.

Under Bernstein’s direction, La Cañita Miami Beach offers a dynamic and vibrant menu for lunch and dinner, including handhelds, snacks, Caribbean classics and South Florida signatures.

Let’s begin with the Serrano ham croquetas- golden, crisp, impossibly creamy — easily the best in Miami. They’re the kind of bite that stops the table mid-conversation and makes you order another couple of rounds. The shrimp scampi croquetas are a close runner up. The menu travels through Caribbean classics, from conch fritters dusted in sweet cayenne to, empanadas, a wahoo fish dip, lechón asado with mojo and Michelle’s nostalgic arroz con pollo. It’s vibrant, supremely flavorful and unmistakably Miami.

Behind the 40-seat bar, more than 100 rums fuel mojitos in multiple variations and bold house cocktails, but the espresso martini quietly steals the spotlight — rich, frothy, and one of the best on Miami Beach.

The live, full- piece Cuban band is outstanding. Talented Cuban musicians turn dinner into a dance floor nightly, filling the room — and spilling onto the sidewalk — with irresistible rhythm. Grab a sidewalk table and you’ve got prime views of Miami Beach: palm trees swaying, turquoise waves, and Ocean Drive buzzing around you.

“In Miami, the islands aren’t offshore, they’re in our hearts, our kitchens, our rum glasses. Island heritage dining taught us that warmth isn’t just in the weather, it’s in the welcome. Every meal is an invitation to feel at home, no matter where you come from,” says Bernstein. “We are so excited to make our mark on Ocean Drive, the Art Deco icon of South Florida, and create a new home for both locals and visitors to the beach.” 

It comes as no surprise that at this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Michelle Bernstein was honored at the Tribute Dinner, recognizing her trailblazing impact on Latin-inspired cuisine and her role as one of Miami’s most influential culinary voices, her legacy as a James Beard Award–winning chef and champion of South Florida’s culinary scene. The standing ovation underscored her lasting impact on the industry, her mentorship of rising talent, and her role in shaping the very spirit of SOBEWFF.

La Cañita Miami Beach is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from noon to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 a.m. Daily happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a reverse happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit LaCanitaMiami.com or book via OpenTable. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @lacanitamiami and @lacanitabeach for live music schedules, happy hour updates, and upcoming events.

At Casa Gianna golden-hour cocktails, flawless service, and unforgettable pasta make every meal feel like a celebration.

Tucked inside the chic Gale Miami Hotel and Residences, brings a touch of Italian glamour to the heart of Downtown Miami, with its golden glow, elegant bar, impeccable service — and a vibe that hits that perfect note between sophisticated and social. 

The moment you walk in, you feel it: the hum of conversation drifting from the marble bar, the smooth rhythm of clinking martini glasses, the warmth of a team that knows exactly what hospitality means. The management here sets the tone — gracious, polished, and genuinely attentive — the kind of service that turns dinner into an experience.

The dishes are generous, flavorful, and unapologetically delicious. The fennel meatballs are pure perfection — tender, saucy, with just enough fennel to supercharge the taste. The grilled octopus arrives well-charred , smoky and soft, brushed with olive oil and lemon. For something rich and decadent, the Pappardelle a la Rosa de Ricotta: lemon pappardelle with pistachio and truffle cream is a star — velvety ribbons of pasta layered with indulgence and just enough brightness to balance it out. For the main we recommend the pistachio-crusted lamb chops- cooked to perfection and simply outstanding.

The dinner menu as a whole is indulgence done right: chicken parm that’s crisp and comforting, several specialty home-made pasta dishes and a number of wood-fired pizzas that bridge Italian tradition and Miami flair. For those craving something heartier, the steak selections impress with prime cuts grilled to order. The branzino and other seasonal fish dishes bring a lighter touch, as do the specialty salads. The menu moves effortlessly from simple to refined.

Casa Gianna is glamorous without trying too hard — a restaurant that makes you want to stay for dessert and maybe one more round.

Aperitivo Hour: Italian Tradition

The bar alone is worth a visit — a gleaming statement of style and substance, with spritzes, Negronis, and cocktails crafted with precision. It’s the ideal setting for a pre-dinner drink, a post-work rendezvous, or an entire evening spent at the counter, soaking in the scene.

Weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays), aperitivo hour brings an authentic slice of Italy to Downtown. Expect well-priced wines, handcrafted cocktails, and small bites designed for grazing and gossip. It’s effortlessly cool — a place to unwind, flirt, and fall in love with the art of lingering.

When night falls, Casa Gianna becomes cinematic — candle-lit tables, glimmering wine glasses, and the kind of energy that makes for a fantastic evening.

Brunch: La Dolce Morning

Weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Casa Gianna transforms into a sunlit sanctuary of leisure. Think golden-hour lighting, laid-back elegance, and a menu that celebrates Italian comfort. Guests are encouraged to relax and sip espresso martinis and Mimosas, savoring dishes like eggs al forno, crisp salads, and — of course — those signature meatballs that somehow taste even better before noon.

With its flawless dishes, magnetic atmosphere, and genuine hospitality, Casa Gianna is more than just a dining destination— it’s an experience. The kind that lingers long after the last sip of limoncello.

Casa Gianna

601 Northeast 1st Ave,
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 605-2272
info@casagianna.com

https://www.galehotelmiami.com/dining#casa-gianna-italian-ristorante

Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.  Aperitivo Hour: Monday–Thursday 4–7 p.m.; Friday 4–6 p.m.  Lunch: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.  Dinner: Nightly from 5 p.m. 

Step inside, sip something sparkling, and settle in — because at Casa Gianna, every hour is golden hour.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Kendall is getting a sizzling new addition just in time for the holidays: Lala’s Burgers, the cult-favorite concept born from Miami’s Apocalypse BBQ, is opening its first full-fledged restaurant on December 12 at 13750 SW 88th Street.

What began as a Tuesday pop-up has expanded into a full-service, 70-seat  neighborhood gem. Now, guests can enjoy all the classics—The Lala, The Bacon, and those addictive double-fried seasoned fries—alongside a delicious menu featuring chicken sandwiches, hot dogs on house-baked buns, onion rings, brownie à la mode, that will have you singing “lalalala…you make me feel good” all the way home.

The new location debuts a curated craft beer list spotlighting Miami favorites like Tripping Animals’ Everhaze IPA, La Playita, La Rubia, and rarer finds from Lost City and Rocketeer(woot woot), plus wine and soft drinks.

Lala’s includes a dine-in experience with full service, first-come-first-served seating, and bagged takeout. Coming soon: a vinyl listening section—an homage to Apocalypse BBQ—plus board and table games to make the space a true neighborhood hangout.

The opening marks a major milestone for Jeff and Laura “Lala” Bud, whose backyard-born Apocalypse BBQ has grown into a Kendall staple with multiple concepts under the Day One Hospitality umbrella. After outgrowing its early pop-up days and wrapping up its run at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co., Lala’s Burgers officially calls Kendall home.

“This isn’t just another viral burger joint,” says Lala. “It’s our way of serving the Kendall community with bold flavors and a welcoming environment. What started as a backyard project has become something extraordinary.”

Lala’s Burgers hours (starting Dec. 12, 2025):

Tue–Thu: 11 am–9 pm

Fri–Sat: 11 am–11 pm

Sun: 11 am–9 pm

Follow @lalasburgers on Instagram for more information.

This October, ¡Salud! will spotlight Miami’s vibrant cocktail scene with a month-long lineup of drink specials and events in the city’s most lively neighborhoods. The series will kick off with three happy hours for ¡Salud! members, featuring complimentary cocktails while supplies last: Wednesday, October 1st at Dead Flamingo, Thursday, October 2nd at ViceVersa from 5 to 7 PM, and Friday, October 3rd at Brother’s Keeper from 5 to 7 PM.

The series is designed to bring locals together to revisit local bars for a drink, offering affordable, high-quality cocktails, neighborhood-centered experiences, and a citywide sense of community. To attend, guests must register on the ¡Salud! website, which provides access to the bar directory, a guide to the featured cocktails throughout the month, and the full calendar of programming and events for the ¡Salud! community.

In its first year, ¡Salud! will team up with Miami’s top bars and emerging hotspots to offer month-long drink deals, memorable nights highlighting expertly made cocktails, and neighborhood adventures. Focusing on affordability and accessibility, ¡Salud! aims to invite everyone back to the bar, showcasing those who shake it, move it, and celebrate it. 

The team behind ¡Salud! is deeply connected to Miami’s hospitality landscape: Gabriel Urrutia is a nationally recognized spirits educator and award-winning author known for promoting Miami’s bar scene; Joshua Wagner is a seasoned hospitality executive who has launched and advised some of South Florida’s most talked-about venues; and POPLIFE, a brand experience agency headquartered in Miami, has curated some of the city’s most celebrated cultural and nightlife experiences. 

POPLIFE has been a part of great moments across Miami for many years. When Josh and Gabe approached us with the idea behind ¡Salud!, it felt like a natural opportunity to get involved,” says LP Steele, POPLIFE CEO. “It’s a chance for us to co-create a community-focused initiative with the team and a number of great brand sponsors, inviting Miamians to come together and socialize at the best bars in town. Our mantra is, ‘Life’s Better with Friends,’ and this is our invitation to join us, celebrate the Miami cocktail scene, and make new friends.”  

Supported by top spirits brands like 400 Conejos Mezcal, Aperol, Cointreau, Del Maguey Mezcal, Diplomatico Rum, Espolon Tequila, Fords  Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Mount Gay Rum, Peroni, Patron Tequila, Santa Teresa Rum, and Westland Whiskey, ¡Salud! will showcase signature cocktails and exclusive creations designed specifically for the series, offering guests the chance to experience Miami’s best bartending talent. Additional sponsors include Google, Virgin Voyages, Toast, Filthy Foods, Sweat 440, and Anatomy gym.

¡Salud! participants include the following:

• Aguasal by José Andrés 
• American Social 
• ARCANO – Sabores de Esencia Hispana 
• Bar Centro by José Andrés
• Basement Bowl & Skate
• Bay Club
• Bayshore Club
• Beauty & the Butcher
• Blackbird Ordinary
• Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
• Broken Shaker
• Brother’s Keeper Bar 
• Catch Miami
• Contessa Ristorante
• Dante’s HiFi
• DiLido Beach Bar
• Dirty French Steakhouse
• Drift
• Fox’s Lounge
• Ghee Wynwood
• Glass & Vine
• Gramps Getaway
• Joia Beach
• Kaori
• Kill Your Idol
• Lapidus 
• La Otra Wynwood
• Las Rosas
• Le Jardinier
• Lost Boy Dry Goods
• Lost Weekend
• Lucali
• Magie Wine Bar
• Mama Tried
• Maple & Ash
• Matador Bar
• Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge
• Mi Chini
• Paya
• Ray’s Hometown Bar
• River House Wine & Bar
• Stiltsville Fish Bar
• Stubborn Seed
• Sunny’s Steakhouse
• Sweet Liberty
• Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery
• Tacombi
• The Corner
• The Scapegoat
• The Shelbourne 
• The Sylvester
• The Tips Golf
• Tipsy Flamingo
• Tomorrowland 
• Tropezon
• Tropicalia 
• ViceVersa 
• Zaytinya

For more information on ¡Salud! and details about each partner, please visit www.salud-miami.com.

Chef Richard Sandoval is once again bringing his renowned Día de los Muertos celebration to Toro Toro, the Pan-Latin steakhouse at the InterContinental Miami. From October 1 through November 3, guests can feast on a month-long sensory journey that honors Sandoval’s Mexican heritage and blurs the line between the living and the spiritual.

This year’s theme is all about the moon—a powerful symbol of cycles, memory, and connection in Latin culture. The restaurant will be serving an exclusive, a la carte menu of culturally significant dishes and cocktails inspired by the moon’s phases.

Dishes include the Pozole De Langosta ($54), featuring lobster, hominy corn, and guajillo chili, and the Ofrenda De Cempasúchil ($57), with tender lamb, purple potato mash, and a smoky chipotle hibiscus sauce. For a sweet finale, indulge in the Calabaza En Tacha ($24), a slow-cooked candied squash with cinnamon ice cream.

To complement the meal, sip on specialty cocktails like the Mythic Essence ($20), a blend of Sotol, tangerine, and honey, or the Moon’s Embrace ($22), with Mexican whiskey, bourbon, and notes of coffee and rose.

Reservations are highly encouraged through OpenTable and at torotoromiami.com.

Toro Toro Miami is located at the InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza.

Instagram: @ToroToroMiami

Phone: (305) 372-4710