Pao by Paul Qui

Inside the gold-domed dining room of the Faena Hotel, Pao by Paul Qui brings bold, smoke-kissed Asian cuisine to Miami Beach's Mid-Beach corridor. Chef Paul Qui, born in Manila and trained in French and Japanese techniques, fuses Filipino, Spanish, Japanese, and French influences into dishes finished over charcoal, from Wagyu short rib bao to whole roasted branzino.

The oval room, centered beneath a golden dome with a Damien Hirst sculpture overhead, pairs theatrical décor with ocean views and an extensive wine and sake program. Expect fine dining prices, a polished dress code, and live music from local artists every Friday and Saturday starting at 7pm.

It's a Michelin-recommended favorite for special occasions, anniversaries, and milestone dinners, drawing both Miami Beach locals and hotel guests who want a memorable night built around sashimi, fried chicken, and sea urchin dishes that regularly get called out by returning visitors.