Ariete

Ariete is a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in Coconut Grove, Miami, led by Chef Michael Beltran — a Miami native whose cooking is shaped by both the classical French culinary tradition and the Cuban-American culture and flavors that are fundamental to his personal and culinary identity. The restaurant takes its name from the Ariete neighborhood of Havana, and the presence of Cuban culinary heritage in the cooking is genuine and personal rather than superficial or commercial: sofrito, mojo, plantain, black beans, and the aromatic profiles of Cuban and Caribbean cooking inform dishes that are simultaneously technically accomplished contemporary American cuisine and deeply connected to the chef’s roots. Beltran’s approach demonstrates the kind of creative synthesis that makes American regional cooking at its best so compelling — he draws on classical training, personal memory, and the exceptional produce of South Florida to create a menu that is truly his own and rooted in a specific place and culture. The convivial dining room in Coconut Grove creates a warm, neighborhood-focused atmosphere that suits the personal character of the cooking while maintaining the culinary ambition that has earned the restaurant its Michelin star and sustained national recognition. Service is genuine and warmly attentive. The wine program is well-chosen and reflects Beltran’s eclectic culinary sensibility. Ariete is one of Miami’s most important and distinctive fine dining destinations.