When you’re in a place for more than 2 weeks straight and don’t have a single bad meal, you know the restaurant scene is off the chain. Miami as a city is already diverse so you can only imagine the food scene. The coastal location means Latin influences and fresh seafood everywhere. Being in America you can also expect great portion sizes. In this post I will list my top places to eat in Miami.
EDGE Miami
Sunday Brunch at Four Seasons is rated as one of the best brunches in America. EDGE Miami serves the brunch of all brunches. For $75 you’ll have unlimited mimosas, cocktails, sparkling wine and beer. Most importantly, the food selection is outstanding. The large variety of options along with the consistency in quality made this one the best brunches I’ve ever had. Help yourself to a DIY taco bar, asado grill and a seafood stand with stone crabs, oysters and lobsters. On top of the buffet there’s an A La Carte menu to choose from as well. Find the whole selection here and you’ll immediately know why you need to visit. If you feel like going the extra mile in treating yourself, Four Seasons offers access to their pool via Resort Pass starting from $40.
Recommended: Ribs at the Asado grill and everything at the seafood stand.
Four Seasons, 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131
Phone number: 305-381-3190
The Dutch
Located inside of the W Hotel on South Beach, award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini offers a modern twist to traditional seafood dishes. The ambiance at The Dutch is upscale yet casual and relaxed. The food as well as service at The Dutch is excellent. Unfortunately the pool area is only available for guests, but if you’re lucky enough to stay at the W then be sure to spend some time at WET. As a guest you have access to their pool as well as private beach.
Recommended: The Biscayne Platter (Dozen Oysters, Little Necks Clams, Peel n’ Eat Shrimp, Scallop Crudo, Corvina Ceviche, Tuna Poke).
W South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone number: 305-938-3111
Nikki Beach
This beach club and restaurant located on Miami Beach is the perfect place for a lunch with a fun atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. The motto at Nikki Beach is to dine, drink, dance and soak up the Miami sunshine. The music is great and so is the food. The best day to visit is on a Sunday where the brunch buffet starts at 11AM and the party goes on until 3AM. No wonder the brunch party is called Amazing Sundays.
Recommended: Burrata Caprese, Tempura Shrimp Tacos and Calamari.
One Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Fl 33139
Phone number: 305-538-1111
Verde
Museum Park by Biscane Bay brings in visitors from all over the world daily. A whole day can be spent at this beautiful park with so many famous museums nearby such as Pérez Art Museum Miami and Philipp and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science). While browsing it’s only natural to stop for a lunch to refuel your energy before continuing. Luckily there’s a great restaurant called Verde at PAMM which serves light American cuisine with lots of healthy options. Verde offers both indoor and outdoor seating with beautiful views of the bay.
Recommended: Pan Seared Salmon and Spiced Apple Dessert.
1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Phone number: 305-375-8282
La Mar by Gaston Acurio
Gaston Acurio is one of Peru’s most renowned chefs. He brings world class Peruvian food, ceviche in particular, right to the heart of Miami. The restaurant located at Mandarin Oriental offers both indoor as well as outside seating overlooking Biscane Bay and Downtown Miami. Given the beautiful views it’s best to visit at night or on a Sunday for their famous all you can eat and drink brunch ($95). We’re talking about everything from signature ceviches, robata skewers and BBQ pork buns to brunch cocktails and champagne.
Recommended: Carretillero and Classic Ceviche as well as Whole Fish Nikkei.
Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell, Key Drive, Miami, Florida 33131
Phone number: 305-913-8358
El Tucán
Dinner at El Tucan is a dinner to be remembered. As you dine you get to watch a sexy but classy Cabaret show. Each show ends with a live DJ set where you can get up and dance. It’s a lot of fun I can promise you that. Menu prices start from $55. It’s hard to decide what’s better, the food or the eye candy. You’ll just have to decide for yourself. The show is only available on Fridays and Saturdays with the first dinner seating being at 7:30PM and second one at 10:30PM.
Address: 1111 SW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33130
Phone number: 305-535-0065
Tapas y Tintos
Entertainment while dining is a big thing in Miami and that’s no exception at Tapas Y Tintos where you can watch a Flamenco show during your dinner. Located on Española Way, a visit to Tapas Y Tintos will make you feel like you’re in Spain. They offer a great selection of tapas, excellent music and very nice Sangria. You can catch the live flamenco show on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9PM and on Sundays at 8.30PM.
448 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone number: 305-538-8272
Estefan Kitchen
Estefan Kitchen is a fine dining Cuban restaurant opened by none other than Emilio & Gloria Estefan. This restaurant offers a modern twist to traditional Cuban cuisine. It’s located in the heart of Miami Design District surrounded by designer shops. Estefan Kitchen is very chic with swanky interiors, in true Miami fashion.
Recommended food: Ceviche, Empanadas and Lechon Flatbread.
140 NE 39 Street, Palm Court, Miami Design District, FL 33137
Phone number: 786-843-3880
The travel writer in me loves to explore and write about fine dining, but my backpacker heart always leads me to seek out local authentic budget options as well. So here are my top 5 cheaper places to eat in Miami.
MIAMI MEALS UNDER $10
Las Olas Cafe
Las Olas Cafe is very popular with the locals and offers Cuban cuisine in the form of street food – all day breakfast, deliciously crispy empanadas and great Cuban coffee. It’s quick and very affordable. The cafe is quite small and unassuming, so seating space could be limited if you come during peak times.
Recommended: Empanadas ($1.85) and Cuban Coffee (from $1.69).
Adress: 644 6th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
COYO Tacos
You’ll find tacos almost everywhere in Miami but there aren’t many places that do them as good as COYO in Wynwood. With a consistent hype and delicious tacos, this is a spot not to miss. The best thing is that they have a “hidden” bar at night. Imagine drinking and eating tacos while you’re tipsy. It sounds better than kebab to me. It’s a very relaxed place with a take away kind of atmosphere but they do also have a nice outdoor seating area. 2 tacos cost around $7.50-9.
Recommended: Shrimp Tacos with mango slaw and chipotle aioli.
Address 2300 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Salty Donut
Salty Donut brought me one of the best donuts I’ve tried in my life. The donuts here are made fresh daily and when they sell out they are gone, so you better come early. Some donuts change weekly and some are fixed in the menu. Luckily the one I tried is a fixed menu item for $4 with traditional ones starting from $2.25 (I know it’s not a meal and it’s not necessarily cheap in donut standards but I had to include it in the below $10 list because it’s that good).
Recommended: White chocolate tres leches – a 24 hour brioche with a white chocolate bottom and torched meringue top.
50 NW 23rd St #112, Miami, FL 33127
My Ceviche
This tiny little take away shop serves surprisingly good ceviche. It’s another unassuming place but don’t be fooled by its looks. The portion size and amount of fish in the ceviche are generous for $9.95. It’s also served with a corncob and popcorn on the side. The ceviche was extremely fresh with the perfect amount of lime taste. Note that this isn’t your traditional Peruvian style ceviche but this doesn’t make it any less delicious. Take it to the beach and enjoy.
Tip: check in on Yelp to get free chips and guacamole.
235 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
La Sandwicherie
La Sandwicherie is located right off Collins Avenue and is a relaxed open air eatery with counter style seating. The first thing that I noticed at this place were the portions. The chicken croissant I ordered ($8) was the size of my head, stuffed with delicious fillings to the point of the sandwich almost falling apart. You’ll also find hot sandwiches, toasties, salads and healthy smoothies here. From 9-11AM they have a breakfast deal where you can have one of their breakfast sandwiches, juice and a coffee for $9.90.
229 14th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phew! Now after writing all of this I’m hungry again. Where are your top places to eat in Miami?
Wow, a lot of work has gone into this as well as a lot of eating. Great write up and good guide should we ever go to Miami
Ever since seeing the movie Chef, I’ve had this strong desire to go to Miami purely for the food!
http://www.eatwearwander.com