Macchialina

Macchialina Taverna Rustica has been a South Beach neighborhood favorite since 2012, serving rustic Italian fare from James Beard Semifinalist Chef Michael Pirolo. Tucked into the residential west side of South Beach on Alton Road, the 70-seat dining room mixes antique brick walls, tufted leather banquettes and handcrafted wood tables for a warm, New York-inspired feel, with a covered patio for outdoor dining.

The kitchen is built around house-made pasta: think cavatelli with baby meatballs and pecorino, spaghetti pomodoro, and tagliolini with abalone mushrooms, alongside classics like veal parmigiana and Mediterranean branzino. An almost all-Italian wine list and house-infused grappa round out the bar program, plus Fluke, a martini and crudo bar tucked inside the space.

With entrees generally in the $20-40 range and reservations recommended, Macchialina draws locals, tourists and critics alike for date nights, group dinners and Miami Beach's most reliable Italian comfort food.