The Chinese restaurant owned by Pablo Zitzmann is full of inventive flavor combinations that dazzle the senses. That bao bun is the first topic we need to discuss with Zitz Sum. We guess it's similar to other Chinese buns you've had. But just better—in every aspect. The incredibly sensitive brisket in the middle is where it all begins. The bun is next, cooked till it resembles the crackly top of a crème brûlée, served with a side of pickled vegetables to balance the richness and a sweet, acidic, spicy hoisin sauce. You want to call someone after eating this dish to tell them about it.

Then the second dish is served, and it is exactly the same: a bizarre confluence of flavors that you had no idea could exist. You immediately want to recommend it to everyone you know. At its foundation, Zitz Sum is a crazy experiment that evolved into something absolutely unique.

Pablo Zitzmann, a chef whose background took him to this point, is the person who made everything make sense. He relocated to Miami after completing culinary school in Bogota, Colombia, and started a career that included working for Thomas Buckley, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Michelle Bernstein. He visited remote locations and worked in kitchens in Honolulu and Hong Kong before returning to Miami in an effort to learn more about Asian cuisine. He oversaw the cooking at No Name Chinese, which was consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in the area, until it closed in 2019. During the pandemic, he then opened a pop-up business selling dim sum out of his home.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Address: 396 Alhambra CirSuite 155Miami33134
Phone: 786-409-6920
Opening hours: Tue–The 5–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm
Website: https://www.zitzsum.com/

In Brickell, the upscale Chinese restaurant Hutong opens its second branch in the United States. The posh restaurant, which is already well-known in Hong Kong, is set to become well-known in Miami, where expensive Asian cuisine already does well in eateries like Novikov and Komodo. However, Hutong doesn't draw the same clientele as its rivals, where supper is typically a scene. You can concentrate on the food because of the place's quiet atmosphere and older, undoubtedly more courteous patrons. Additionally, speaking to someone across the table won't require shouting. No of your age, that's also good.

Hutong showcases its culinary skills with Peking duck, just like the majority of eateries of its kind. The 24-hour-long specialty meal is cut at the table and served two ways. First, thin sesame pancakes, matchstick onions, and cucumbers are served with slices of the succulent, crispy breast. The second course includes the carcass, which is luckily not prepared at the table and is served with lettuce cups for making your own wraps along with a wonderful sautéed mélange.

The remainder of the northern Chinese menu consists of Shanghai-sourced seafood, a selection of noodle and rice dishes, and an abundance of dim sum to split among the table. Although there is a lot of emphasis on shellfish on the menu, nothing is more mouthwatering or visually stunning than the basket of fried soft-shell crab lying on a bed of dried whole chiles. The second-best dish is the halibut floating in a red Sichuan pepper soup. Both dishes, as well as many other items on the menu, are spicy, yet the heat is moderated such that the flavors may stand out without being overpowering. The cocktails work wonderfully on the tongue if you need anything additional to ease your taste buds.

Google Rating: 3.9/5.0
Address: 600 Brickell AveMiami33131
Phone: 786-388-0805
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 6–11pm; Fri, Sat 6pm–midnight; Sun 6–10pm
Website:www.hutong-miami.com

Chinese restaurant Palmar, whose name is Spanish for palm grove, tends to confound customers in the same way as New York's Barrio Chino—whose name implies Chinatown—and other restaurants' misleading names have in the past. Although its pink exterior, wicker lamps, and salsa music aren't your traditional characteristics of a restaurant serving dim sum and noodles, co-owner Javier Ramirez purposefully handpicked them to make the Wynwood eatery feel more Miami—and it succeeds.

This is more of a Saturday night hangout than a location to get Chinese food to cure a hangover due to the music, dim lighting, big wine list, and variety of attractively prepared dim sum. Regarding carbohydrates, the egg fried rice with cured duck egg yolk from Palmar is a straightforward yet delicious dish that shouldn't be missed. For the ideal Chinese lunch, order it with a portion of Mongolian beef (you can leave the steak's side of white rice for another day) and mochi balls for dessert.

Google Rating: 4.2/5.0
Address: 180 NW 29th StMiami33127
Phone: 305-542-0532
Opening hours: Tue–Fri 6–11pm; Sat, Sun noon–11pm
Website: www.palmarmiami.com

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel's upscale Chinese restaurant has the appearance of a seductive Asian parlor, but it's much less sinister (unless it's late at night, in which case everything goes). Thoughts of crispy duck salad and jamine-tea-smoked beef short ribs come to mind as examples of the meal, which is an ethical experience of well prepared Cantonese delicacies with a twist. Weekends bring a traditional dim sum meal, featuring dumplings such wok-fried soft shell crabs and steamed squid ink har gau with caviar.

In 2009, the storied hotel welcomed the first American outpost of the much more storied London restaurant, making eating at the Fontainebleau an even more luxurious experience. Dining here is only for high rollers because even a small number of appetizers costs more than $100. Reservations are still difficult to secure. You won't regret it, though, if you can afford to splash out. Chef de cuisine Jian Heng Loo makes excellent use of the restaurant's $1 million kitchen behind the scenes to produce superbly executed Cantonese classics like crispy duck salad and jasmine tea-smoked ribs. Weekends bring a traditional dim sum meal, featuring dumplings such wok-fried soft shell crabs and steamed squid ink har gau with caviar.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Address: Fontainebleau4441 Collins AveMiami
Phone: 305-276-1388
Opening hours:Sun-Thu 6-11pm; Fri, Sat 6pm-midnight
Website:www.fontainebleau.com

With a celebrity-frequented hotel branch of an international company and a rather enigmatic figure at the center of it all, it sounds like it might be a shitshow by definition. Instead, Mr. Chow is a restaurant with a magnificent dining room that serves family-sized dishes of Beijing cuisine and is a place to be seen (and also seen). Expect freshly made noodles and almost likely something new, or perhaps simply an improved version of a dish you've had a thousand times, like the restaurant's famous chicken satay. Who are we to disagree with Mr. Chow, alias Michael Chow, when he brags that the restaurant serves "the greatest prepared Beijing Duck in the world"?

This international upmarket business, a favorite among celebrities, is likely better known for its glitterati crowds and extravagant decor than for its cuisine. Part of the blame lies with the titular Chow, a colorful man about town and professional interior decorator. However, Mr. Chow's renowned chicken satay, hand-pulled Singaporean-style noodles, and crispy duck—all of which come with a steep price tag—remain the subject of considerable discussion.

Google Rating: 3.2/5.0
Address: W South Beach2201 Collins AveMiami
Phone: 305-695-1695
Opening hours:Sun–Thu 5:45–11pm; Fri, Sat 5:45pm–midnight
Website: www.mrchow.com

At any given time, David Grutman's luxury Asian eatery is packed with celebrities, which helps explain in part why he can charge a premium for dishes like Peking duck, wagyu beef dumplings, and Chilean seabass skewers. The scene-y place delivers in terms of flavor and quality if a party is what you're after. Even if the Komodo Old Pal drink is not a buddy at all (especially after more than two), it is nonetheless very alluring.

After a night of heavy drinking, Chinese food in Miami is what you used to crave, but Komodo came along and transformed this popular hangover treatment into something of a contrast for a night of partying. The Brickell hotspot is run by nightlife tycoon David Grutman, well known for Miami Beach's LIV and Story nightclubs. However, cuisine is not neglected at this establishment. Traditional Chinese foods like dim sum and Peking duck are offered on the menu (which hang roasted by the entrance). In addition to reduced beverages, happy hour (Mon-Fri, 4-7pm) offers the chance to try some more creative dishes such the pastrami egg roll.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 801 Brickell AveMiami
Phone: 305-534-2211
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am-11pm; Thu, Fri 11:30am-midnight; Sat 6pm-midnight; Sun 6-11pm
Website:www.komodomiami.com

Two great Chinese restaurants can be found in Wynwood's too cool for school food court, including the Miami location of Broward OG Chinese restaurant Gold Marquess, which features swollen dumplings that are prepared to order and delivered in traditional bamboo steamer baskets. A Chinese chicken sandwich, a variety of dumplings, and bao buns with everything from shrimp to dulce de leche are all on the menu at Yip, so be sure to save room for them.

This ten thousand square foot indoor/outdoor complex is the brainchild of Alan Drummond and Sven Vogtland of Coyo Taco. In addition to Lucky Records, the sole record shop in Wynwood, Seven different food vendors selling a range of cuisines can be found in the Asian market at 1-800-Lucky, from Chinese barbeque to ice cream cones in the shape of fish. Additionally, 1-800-Lucky offers a small theater for special events as well as a karaoke bar. Oh, and don't overlook the nearby convenience store, which offers all the necessities for a petrol station, like cigarettes, Red Bull, and other items.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 143 NW 23rd StMiami33127
Phone: +13057689826
Opening hours: Daily 6pm–3am
Website:www.1-800-lucky.com

You're hungover, it's a Sunday, and whatever you're wearing right now will have to do. You decide to go to Kon Chau, a dim sum restaurant in a strip mall that appears to have been set up for $40. It is unadorned, with just a few tables and chairs beneath a drop ceiling. The dim meal, which avoids the chaos of moving trolleys, is what you came for. Instead, you may choose what you want from a picture-book-style menu that features dishes like well-fried potstickers, chicken feet, and real beef tripe, which you might be tempted to eat with the remains of your roast pork bun.

Even though it's not particularly attractive, how can you go wrong with real dim sum for less than $15? Choose from a lengthy paper menu rather than pointing at items on a cart with small plates as is typical when ordering shrimp dumplings, sticky rice, lotus buns, and other items by the dozen. Choose from the classic lo mein, chop suey, and fried rice dishes for a full meal.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 8376 Bird RdMiami
Phone: 305-553-7799
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–9:45pm; Sun 10am–9:30pm
Website:www.konchauchinese.com

A chic, well-known Chinese-Japanese concept, Novikov is well-known for its vibrant seafood and vegetable market display. Visitors are encouraged to hand-select the freshest ingredients from a daily assortment of seasonal ingredients that are obtained internationally.

This popular Chinese-Japanese eatery from friends across the pond draws flamboyant and stylish diners from Miami. The waterfront restaurant offers expensive Chinese and Japanese meals that are served with truffles, caviar, and quail eggs. From noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, savor a hearty three-course brunch for $23, as well as a brand-new trolley service with a chic dim sum cart stuffed to the gills with delicious Siu Mai dumplings (think king crab and wagyu) made tableside.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Address:300 S Biscayne BlvdMiami33131
Phone: 305-489-1000
Opening hours:Sun–Wed 6pm–11pm; Thu–Sat 6pm–midnight
Website:www.novikovmiami.com

The best dim sum west of the Palmetto can be found at Tropical Chinese, a family-run restaurant that has been serving the community for more than 30 years. Although it is bustling throughout of the day, the lunch rush is unmatched in terms of crowd size and options. At that time, servers round the dining area with pushcarts filled with dim sum, including everything from Chinese pastries to fried meals and steamer crates.

The doughy sesame balls are a must-have. Finding good Chinese food in this city isn't always simple, but if you follow the local Chinese-American families south, you'll find some at a run-down strip mall. Lunchtime means roving dim sum carts packed with fried foods, steamer crates, and even desserts—don't miss the doughy sesame balls. This is the case seven days a week.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 7991 SW 40th StMiami
Phone: 305-262-7576
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm; Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10:30am-10pm
Website: www.tropicalchinesemiami.com