1. Sunny's, Miami

Stepping out of the car in Miami’s Little River neighborhood and onto a street lined by low-slung unmarked buildings with seemingly no restaurant in sight, it’s hard not to think you’ve taken a wrong turn. But the crowd gathering outside an ivy-covered wall while G-Wagens and Range Rovers come and go around them reassure you that you’re in the right place. Cross the threshold and you’re transported to a new world. The courtyard is anchored by a lush banyan tree, and a resplendent Art Deco dining room and bar encircle the boisterous patrons outdoors.

Inside, the vibes are immaculate. But here’s the problem with so many restaurants this fun: The food can almost feel like an afterthought to the ambiance. That’s not the case at Sunny’s. Chef Aaron Brooks and team execute a modern steakhouse menu with care. The beef is cooked over a live-oak fire; the raw seafood is gorgeous; platonic ideals of sides like creamed spinach emerge from the kitchen; ethereal Parker House rolls with honey butter are far from filler; and pastas such as agnolotti with corn and blue crab swimming in a saffron broth could entice you to skip the steak altogether. This is how Miami does a steakhouse. But we’d welcome this restaurant anywhere. See the full list