Upland is where to go to escape the clubs and chain steakhouses of South of Fifth, while also enjoying some good pizza and pasta.

Downtown’s Jaguar Sun is an excellent cocktail bar that’s also a very good restaurant. Come here for pasta and cocktails with a date or some friends.

Swan in the Design District is overpriced and incredibly pink, but can be useful for certain situations, like seeing a celebrity.

Macchialina is a small Italian spot in Miami Beach with some of the best pasta in the city, which is the biggest reason to come here.

Strada is a below-average Italian restaurant in Coconut Grove that’s too expensive and not good for much.

Sylvano is a neighborhood Italian spot in South Beach with some outdoor seating and decent pasta.

Soya e Pomodoro is a charming Italian restaurant in Downtown heavily decorated with random things and hosts occasional live jazz.

The Alley is an Italian restaurant - and quite possibly the only place worth sitting down and eating on Ocean Drive.

Osteria Baiocco is an Italian restaurant in MiMo that serves some of Miami’s best pasta.

Via Emilia 9 is a relatively quiet Italian spot in South Beach good for fresh pasta and some wine.