A radiating metamaterial antenna including at least two metamaterial unit cells formed from a metamaterial layer. Each metamaterial unit cell includes: (i) a first metal portion disposed on the metamaterial layer, the first metal portion including an interior perimeter that surrounds an aperture defined by the first metal portion, and (ii) a second metal portion disposed within the aperture, wherein a perimeter of the second metal portion has a separation from the interior perimeter of the first metal portion. The radiating metamaterial antenna further includes a feed that is configured to excite one or more of the at least two metamaterial unit cells with an electromagnetic signal to cause the at least two metamaterial unit cells to radiate electromagnetic energy.