This Miami restaurant just ranked among the best pizza in the world
Miami's pizza scene has officially hit the world stage. La Natural, the beloved Little River pizzeria known for its funky vibes and sourdough pies, just landed at No. 35 on The Best Pizza Awards 2025 —the only Florida spot to crack the global top 50.
The honor caps a remarkable journey for Venezuelan-born Javier Ramirez, a former corporate-finance exec who traded spreadsheets for sourdough. After launching Miami favorites like Alter and Palmar, Ramirez returned to a more personal passion: backyard pizza nights with his wife and creative partner, Andreina Matos. 'I started in my backyard. Every week I'd try a different flour ratio, a different method, until I came up with what we have today,' he told Resy earlier this year.
That process evolved into La Natural, where each pie begins with a 48-hour naturally fermented dough that strikes the perfect balance between chew and char. Toppings skew both classic and playful—think basil-tomato, wild mushroom with parsley or burrata with chili oil—and pair perfectly with Matos's curated lineup of natural wines. '[Sourdough is] equal parts art, science and animal husbandry,' Ramirez said. 'You gotta pet it, feed it at the right time… it's like a science fair project.'
But La Natural is more than just dough. Designed by Matos to evoke a breezy Mediterranean home, the space features a roll-up façade, ceiling fans and vinyl spinning Afrobeat and reggae. It's casual, convivial and always packed. Add in seasonal small plates from chef Diego Moya (of New York's Racines and Margot) and it's no wonder the restaurant also earned a spot in the Michelin Guide.
This year's Best Pizza Awards ceremony—held in Milan, Italy on Wednesday, June 25—honored pizzaiolos from more than 30 countries. While Italian greats like Francesco Martucci and Franco Pepe topped the list, La Natural's inclusion underscores something bigger: World-class pizza doesn't have to come from Naples. Sometimes, it starts in a backyard in Miami.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Gemma Atkinson shares heartbreaking message one year on from devastating loss
Gemma Atkinson has shared a poignant yet uplifting message as she commemorated one year since the painful farewell of her dogs. Followers of Gemma on social media will know how heartbroken she was by the loss of her beloved dogs, Norman and Ollie, who both passed away within six months of each other last year. Announcing Norman's passing last summer, just days before her daughter Mia's fifth birthday, Gemma expressed: "My beautiful boy Norman has passed away." READ MORE - The Queen's steadfast 'antisocial' breakfast habit she refused to change READ MORE - BBC viewers gobsmacked by a bold moment in JADE's Glastonbury performance She added, "My heart is broken," and posted an emotional video with snapshots and footage of him throughout the years with her and Ollie, as well as fiancé Gorka Marquez and their two children, Mia and one year old Thiago. Then, on December 10, Gemma, aged 40, revealed that Ollie had joined Norman, leaving her shattered. In a video filled with memories over the years featuring Ollie and Norman, the Bury-born actress shared with her two million followers: "Sleep well beautiful Ollie..", reports the Manchester Evening News. She continued, "The sadness of losing you both so close together is a lot, but I know you're both somewhere running free in long grass or on a beach chasing the tide carefree, pain-free and happy. That's what I'm taking comfort in right now. I'll remember you for the rest of my life. Norman and Ollie. My two best boys. Reunited." It was this Saturday (June 28) that Gemma took a moment to look back on the 12 months since Norman's death. She turned to Instagram with a touching video that captured the cherished moments she spent with Norman. In an emotional post shared with her 2.1 million followers, she wrote: "A year since we said goodbye to Norman... It's passed by so quickly. "I still get a lot of DMs from people who've recently lost their companion asking how I coped and in all honesty I still a year on have the odd day where it hits me out of nowhere and I miss both Norman and Ollie SO much. I see a man most days walking with a spaniel the spitting image of Ollie and I always smile to myself. "Until you've experienced pet loss it's hard to explain how hard it is. To some they are "just a dog" or "just a pet" and I guess in a way that's what makes us owners so lucky. We know they are so much more than that, because we've experienced the unconditional love and loyalty. "The no judgment regardless of our situation. Those morning stretches and longing looks from them knowing you're their human, and you are the most important loved person every single day of their life. It's the most wonderful feeling you can imagine. I count myself lucky that from age 2 I've had that joy. In Fergie, Norman, Ollie and now Benji." Benji is the new goldendoodle puppy that Gemma and her fiance Gorka Marquez welcomed into their lives last month. She continued: "I know Norm and Ollie played a part in sending him to us. Even from another realm they knew we needed him. Especially Mia. She was struggling and they helped her heal. Benji has helped her heal. "So to those who ask me about losing a pet, I say the pain never truly fades, but I believe it's because they take a small piece of our heart with them - a little memento reminding us that we're their human, and just as we remember and talk about them, they do the same about us." This emotional post sparked an outpouring of love and support. @life_with_hope2023 commented: "Tears are rolling... your words, so true, so beautiful, so poignant. Rest in paradise to all of our soul dogs." @66northgirl replied: "Thank you for that post. Only 6 weeks into the pain of losing my 'furbaby' and still so incredibly raw. Sending love and thoughts to your family." @lucymaygoodwin said: "Never 'just a dog', 'just a cat', 'just a pet'. They are all part of our family and leave a paw print on our hearts for life. Sending you lots of love today." @wrightiesan10 wrote: "What an amazing video. So beautiful. Hope Norman is having the best time at rainbow bridge." @tracyfrostlewis posted: "Oh boy. So beautifully written and so very true. Tears here. Thank you." @tracy. grayson added: "Oh Gemma. This got me. So well take a bit of our hearts."
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I tried kids clothing as a size 10 with DD's to see if I could really save money while still looking stylish
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. KID YOU NOT I tried kids clothing as a size 10 with DD's to see if I could really save money while still looking stylish Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEING chronically online means I'm inundated with all of the latest trends - whether it's the latest must-have accessory or ways to save on cash. And like everyone else, I'm trying to keep to a budget during the cost of living crisis without missing out on the latest styles. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 I tried kids' clothing to see just how much money it can save you Credit: Leane Hall In recent months, fashionistas on social media have sworn by buying from the kids' clothing section to save cash on their summer wardrobe. Paige Joanna, a size 12, revealed she regularly shops Next kids' clothing, while Regan Ellis, a size 10 to 12, swears by Primark's clothing line for children. In the UK, clothing for children is VAT so in theory, it should be cheaper than adult sizes, which have the tax added. And savvy shoppers have spotted that sizes 15-16 for girls often fit women of a size 12, with Next sizing guides even promoting it on their sizing chart. At 5ft 6" and a size 10 with DD's and a need to update my wardrobe whenever the season changes, I decided to give it a go myself to see if it was cheaper, on trend and if they really fit. Next The British store is widely loved by parents for its quality baby clothes. So I decided to see if the kids' clothes were any good as well. I picked up this on-trend sardine T-shirt in a kid's size 16 for £15 and was pleasantly surprised. I assumed it would be a tight fit, but it was actually oversized and was a whole £5 cheaper than the women's version. I then tried on a dress as I assumed it would be harder for a woman with DD's to fit into and was correct. I tried the fitted Pink Mesh Flower Sequin Party Dress that was £31, but it was super ill-fitting and tight around the arms. It also wasn't much cheaper than other event dresses in the women's section, like this pretty pink bandeu number that's £36. 9 Some pieces fit perfectly, but dresses were 50/50 Credit: Leane Hall I'm a size 14 and did the best Tesco summer haul - run before new co-ord sells out Primark 9 These barrel jeans were the perfect fit Credit: Leane Hall 9 This dress wouldn't even go past my shoulders Credit: Leane Hall My next stop was Primark and I was hoping to see some much more affordable prices. The clothes sizing in Primark stops slightly younger at 14-15 years old but it didn't put me off grabbing a selection to try. The first was an adorable Lemon Print Bubble Hem Dress for £12, which honed in on the Mediterranean trend, but I never found out how it looked on as I couldn't get it over my shoulders. A similar puffball dress from the ladies' collection was £25. Next was a pair of trendy barrel leg jeans in grey for £14 compared to the women's £16 version. The trousers were a perfect fit, as well as saving you a couple of quid, so I'd call it a win. Next was a striped shirred cami top for just £4, it fit perfectly and actually was a little big in some places. The price was an absolute steal compared to the Gingham Shirred Top in the women's section, which was £13. Last but not least was a knitted button-up waistcoat from the girls' range that was £8. It wasn't quite the right fit around the chest, but I could only get it in a size 11-12 years so a couple of sizes up would have been perfect, and yet again was a bargain compared to the Rita Ora Knitted Waistcoat that was £13. 9 The shirred cami was a bargain and perfect for summer Credit: Leane Hall 9 The knitted waistcoat was also a trendy option Credit: Leane Hall New Look 9 This dress is perfect for hot weather, but wasn't much of a bargain Credit: Leane Hall 9 The jeans were half the price of the women's and on trend Credit: Leane Hall The last place on my shopping spree was New Look where I got a range of items. First, I tried the Yellow Ditsy Print Tiered Mini Dress in a size 15 for £22.99. After the last two dresses failed to fit, I figured this would be the same but because of its stretch cotton material it fit like a glove. It was slightly cheaper than the women's yellow mini dress on offer which is £25. I also picked up these on-trend cow print barrel leg jeans that are on sale for £16.79, These were a tight fit but I loved the unique print. Plus, they were half the price of the leopard print jeans in the women's section for £32. I tried a blue striped bandeau top for £12.99 which did fit but the women's version was actually cheaper at £7.99. Then there was the denim skort which again was a tight fit and cost £19.99 compared to the grown up tailored version that was £29. 9 The skort was a little tight and the bandeau was pricier Credit: Leane Hall Final Thoughts While some of the clothes fit perfectly, others, clearly, did not. You can save some cash shopping in the kids' section but not enough to make me start shopping there all the time. I'd also steer away from shopping online, as you want to try the pieces on before buying.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Surprising 'banned' ingredients in Royal Family kitchens
Former royal chef Darren McGrady - who cooked for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Prince William - has revealed which ingredients were often 'banned' from the kitchen for certain family members They may dine on golden platters with silver cutlery, but when it comes to what actually went into the food at Buckingham Palace, there were some surprising red lines set by senior members of the Royal Family. According to a former royal chef who spent over a decade cooking for the late Queen Elizabeth II and her family, Her Majesty had very particular culinary preferences - and strong-smelling ingredients didn't make the cut. 'The Queen didn't like garlic or strong onions, viewing them as antisocial,' former royal chef Darren McGrady told Heart Bingo. 'So we didn't use garlic in her meals.' It wasn't a hard-and-fast royal law, but it might as well have been. That meant classics like garlic bread or spiced curries were off the menu — at least for the Queen. But not everyone agreed with her tastes. ' Prince Philip, however, loved garlic and would have it at his dinner parties,' the chef added, hinting at a more flavourful divide in royal dinner preferences. The Queen may have ruled over an empire, but her taste buds were famously down-to-earth. 'She was very frugal, likely due to her wartime upbringing,' the chef said. Lobster, foie gras and caviar were reserved for state banquets only. On regular days, the monarch was more than happy with comfort food. 'We cooked meals like cottage pie.' Breakfast was also surprisingly basic. 'The Queen's breakfast was at 9am, served in her room. She'd help herself to cereal from a Tupperware container - especially Special K - even though there were 20 chefs available to cook anything,' the chef recalled. That same restraint didn't apply to her sweet tooth. 'She loved dark chocolate, especially anything over 60 percent cocoa. Any dessert with chocolate on the menu was sure to be chosen,' the chef shared. Her birthday cake was a rich chocolate ganache recipe passed down from Queen Victoria's chef. Prince William, it seems, inherited the craving. 'When I worked for the Queen, William loved dark chocolate and asked for chocolate ice cream.' While the Queen avoided garlic, she didn't shy away from other ingredients people wrongly assume were forbidden. 'The idea that the Queen didn't eat seafood while traveling isn't true - we regularly cooked scallops and shrimp for her,' the chef said. Other royals had their own tastes. 'Prince Charles, now King Charles, was the most adventurous. He brought organic food into the royal kitchens long before it became mainstream,' the chef recalled. He also introduced Mediterranean and Italian fare, even foraging wild mushrooms at Sandringham for the chefs to cook. But when it came to guests, there were no custom orders. 'During my 11 years with the Queen, we didn't have a single vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-intolerant guest,' the chef said. 'If you dined with the Queen, you ate what the Queen ate. If you didn't like it, you'd stop for a McDonald's on the way home.' And yes, even royals sometimes did stop for fast food. Princess Diana once cancelled lunch plans for young William and Harry, saying: 'I'm taking them out.' When asked where, she replied: 'McDonald's.' The chef protested: 'I can do burgers better than McDonald's,' to which Diana quipped, 'I know that Darren, but they want the toys in the Happy Meal.'
