When it comes to Miami, seafood is some of the best around. After all, it's coming in fresh. For me, nothing is more exciting and reassuring than when I see a “catch of the day” option at a seafood restaurant. In Miami, it’s in almost every one you'll visit, which is amazing. But for the purpose of this article, I have chosen 5 seafood places in particular that stood above the rest and that you must try for yourself.

Divino Ceviche

Photo by Divino Ceviche

What makes Divino Ceviche so spectacular and unique is their strong demand for discovering new flavors to satisfy customers with high standards. The excellent chefs put all of their efforts into serving traditional Peruvian Cuisine, with a twist of originality to really push their flavor over the edge. Something else I enjoyed was their use of local ingredients to ensure that their food and flavors were all fresh.

A couple dishes that I would recommend you try are the Ceviche Mixto (Fish & Seafood) and the Tacu Tacu Banado Con Mariscos En Salsa A Lo Macho. The Ceviche Mixto (Fish & Seafood) is made with ceviche, fish, shrimp, octopus, squid, and scallops. All of which are lightly marinated in lime juice, Peruvian limo chili, fresh cilantro, and onion then garnished with sweet potato and choclo (Peruvian giant corn).  The Tacu Tacu Banado Con Mariscos En Salsa A Lo Macho is made with soft Peruvian canario beans, mixed with rice, then seasoned with garlic, Peruvian yellow pepper, cilantro, and onions. To finish it off it is elegantly served with a delicious seafood sauce filled with fresh octopus, prawns, squid, and scallops.

Taverna Opa

For your traditional Greek, Mediterranean experience, Taverna Opa is the go-to spot. Along with serving their delicious Greek food, Taverna Opa frequently holds belly-dancing performances to really make your experience eating their fun and full of cultural entertainment. This is definitely the restaurant to go to if you are looking for a night full of entertainment and culture, along with one of Miami’s freshest Mediterranean cuisines.

A couple dishes I would recommend trying are the Opa Shrimp and an item off the Catch of the Day- the Lavraki (Bronzino). The Opa Shrimp is something that you can never go wrong with because it is fresh, but doesn’t have too much flavor, which can sometimes turn people away. The Opa Shrimp is served with roasted tomato sauce, garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, white wine, and goat cheese. As for one of my favorites- an item coming off of the Catch of the Day selection- I found the Lavraki (Bronzino) to be of the best. Lavraki (Bronzino), an imported Mediterranean seabass from Greece. It is a lean, mild, and moist white fish that is caught in Greece. At Tavern Opa they top the fish with ladolemono, and serve it with wild rice and greens. If you are a fish lover, you must try the Lavraki (Bronzino) from Taverna Opa, the fish paired with the selected sides really brings out the mild taste and texture of this Grecian catch.

Le Bistro

With it’s classic French cuisine and extensive wine list, Le Bistro is definitely a place to check out if you are seeking something more intimate. Through blending flavors and ingredients from around the world, Le Bistro does a fantastic job at updating their classical cuisines into something unforgettable. Le Bistro puts a focus on healthful world influences, while making an enjoyable menu that satisfies all tastes. Also, something that makes them really well-known is their cooking classes, where you can learn to make these healthful, colorful, and worldly dishes.

A couple menu items that I recommend trying are the Grouper Tempura and the Dover Sole Meuniere. The grouper is not only an excellent fish, but it’s a popular fish that Florida is well-known for, and I promise you’ll enjoy every bite. Le Bistro’s Grouper Tempura is served with market green vegetable medley, tomato dressing, and lemon to enhance all the flavors of the fish and really make it light and flavorful. The Dover Sole Meuniere dish comes with the whole dover sole fish, in which it is roasted and served with garden vegetables, fingerling potatoes, and a butter sauce. The dover sole is a remarkable fish to try if you have a taste for a more meaty, succulent fish, but with a delicate flavor.

Dr Limon Ceviche Bar

If you are looking for a unique, world-friendly spot to eat and soak up the flavors, then you must try Dr Limon Ceviche Bar. The chefs are known for their hard work and dedication in creating and maintaining a one-of-a-kind taste in their cuisines. To make this experience even better, Dr Limon Ceviche Bar only uses the freshest ingredients available to them, as well as helping their local farmers and product providers. They also make their plates accessible to every type of food enthusiast, such as vegetarian, vegan, meat, and fish lovers.

A couple dishes I’d recommend trying here are the Causas Maki- Salmon and the Causas Maki- Crab. In a way they are similar, however, vary in flavor due to their differences in protein. The Causas Maki- Salmon is a great dish to try because the fish itself is very popular, with a tender, delicious taste. It is served with avocado, cheese, and a passion fruit yellow pepper glaze. As for the Causas Maki- Crab, I found the texture and flavor to be extremely fresh and light. It also comes served with avocado, cream cheese, and yellow pepper sauce.

Poseidon Greek Restaurant

With a modern Greek atmosphere and cuisine, the Poseidon Greek Restaurant bases their entire menu on extra virgin Kalamata olive oil, krocus kozanis (a golden spice of Hellas), Greek yogurt, pure honey, and natural ingredients like oregano, rosemary, thyme. All of which are grown on the Taygetos Mountain of Kalamata, pure Chios masticha (the teardrop of the Skinos tree), along with Mediterranean sea salt, fragrant ground pepper, the Messinian Bay delicacy, a wild fish caviar, and last but not least, fresh fish imported from the Aegean Sea of Greece. If healthy, delicious, and unique are what you look for when deciding on where to eat out, then you must try Poseidon Greek Restaurant.

A couple dishes I would recommend trying are the Seafood Pasta and the Seafood Risotto. I am a huge fan of pasta, and the combination of pasta and seafood makes the whole dish more flavorful. The Seafood Pasta is made with homemade tagliatelle, red shrimps, sea scallops, calamari, mussels, and fine herbs. What really pushed this dish over the edge for me was that the tagliatelle pasta is homemade. As for the Seafood Risotto, it is made with crocus kozanis saffron, mussels, calamari, shrimps, and sea scallops. When all these flavors combine, they create a very light and tasty dish.

While in Miami it is important to swim, tan, and of course eat. With these seafood places in mind, your stay in Miami will be memorable and flavorful the whole way through. You can also find these restaurants on Foodboss, and have any dish delivered right to your door. Consider this option if you aren’t feeling up to going out after a long day of fun in the sun.

Written By: Maxine Kasznia

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Author bio: Maxine is a Chicago Native and UCLA grad. She has a passion for sustainable eating and loves to find the best environmentally friendly spots in every city she visits. After living in both Chicago and LA, she has an appreciation for local cuisines and continues to look for ways to expand her palate.