A Miami Dining Guide to the Food & Drink Scene

Miami is a city of contrasts. It’s a sun-baked concrete jungle with swaying palm trees, towering skyscrapers, and enviable beaches. It’s also a melting pot of cultures, with a vibrant restaurant scene that reflects its diverse population, with locals showcasing their backgrounds in the meals they create, adding a layer of depth and history to our cuisine that is hard to find elsewhere.

The culinary offerings in South Florida are as diverse as its inhabitants — from Cuban food to Peruvian ceviche to Japanese sushi, Miami has something for everyone. And with our warm weather year-round, there’s no wrong time to visit. Use this guide to find the places that matter the most in Miami.

Welcome to the Melting Pot

It’s hard to deny the Latin American and Caribbean influences found throughout the city. Cuban flavors reign supreme, but influences from all over are making their presence known in the best of ways. Think delicacies from everywhere, from South America to the islands of Haiti and Puerto Rico. The flavor combinations are as refreshing and as vibrant as the city itself.

For a quick Miami culinary snapshot, don’t miss the stone crabs (and sides) at Joe’s Stone Crab, a frita at El Rey de las Fritas, any of the bread or baked goods at Zak the Baker, croquetas from Islas Canarias, and a milkshake from Robert is Here.

Where to Start on Eater Miami’s Best Maps

There is a cornucopia of maps on Eater Miami, detailing everywhere to eat and drink in the Magic City. Below are the top destinations on the site’s most popular maps to help time-starved eaters prioritize which spots to visit.

Hot Restaurant:

Miami diners are always on the hunt for the latest and greatest new restaurant, and the city rarely disappoints. A slew of fun new bars have debuted including a Key Biscayne, waterfront version of Wynwood’s beloved Gramps called Gramps Getaway, Italian aperitivo-focused ViceVersa, and kitschy retro-Miami (but in a good way, promise) Brother’s Keeper. Plus, all have fantastic food options to go alongside their drinks. For those looking for something less bar, more food, options like omakase counter Itamae AO and Jamaican restaurant Catch Miami Beach have the city talking. For a full breakdown of Miami’s hottest restaurants, updated monthly, check out the Eater Miami Heatmap.

Essential Restaurant: No restaurant on Eater 38 will disappoint, but when trying to narrow the list, here are some suggestions: the tasting menu at Stubborn Seed, created by a Top Chef winner, is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. Or stop by for a meal at Boia De, tucked away in an unassuming strip mall; it serves up some of the most creative dishes in the Magic City. Local Isreali-Meditterean concept Motek is popping up with gorgeous locations throughout the city, including in Aventura, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and Brickell, serving up some of the best hummus and chicken schnitzel in South Florida.

Bar: Miami’s nightlife is known worldwide for a reason. Mainstays like the Broken Shaker and Sweet Liberty are still worth a visit. Late-night hotspots like The Corner, Mama Tried, Swizzle, and Medium Cool are open until at least 3 a.m. or later most evenings, serving solid cocktails with a side of debauchery. Check out all the essential bars in Miami here while you can find the hot newcomers here.

Brunch: Miami’s all about the brunch life. Blue Collar, which just a debuted a brand new space, offers well-priced hearty classics for something laidback, while the MiMo location of Caracas Bakery has a unique selection of pastries and breakfast items. Looking for a more luxe experience? Opt for the free-flowing cocktails and opulent brunch stations at Edge Brasserie and Cocktail Bar, or head to La Mar for a decadent brunch overlooking Biscayne Bay. For the best brunch newcomers in the city, and there are always many, check out the brunch heatmap here.

Iconic: Miami embraces nostalgia, and the city’s most iconic dishes are iconic for a reason. Longstanding classics are still some of the best places in the city, including fish sandwich pros La Camaronera, old-school Cuban diner Rio Cristal, and barbecue staple Shorty’s.

Daniel Zalkus

Waterfront: Let’s face it: Miami’s got some killer views, and plenty of restaurants in this city have them. Smith & Wollensky, Michael Schwartz’s Amara at Paraiso, Rusty Pelican, and Lido have the most beat. Find the complete list here.

Pizza: Miami Slice and Lucali are the standouts on the pizza map. For a quick bite with many flavors Miami’s Best and Steve’s Pizza serve up delicious, classic pies that satisfy any pizza craving. Want something very Miami? Then head to Frankie’s or Sir Pizza, both stalwarts of Miami’s pizza scene. Check out the best pizza spots in Miami here.

Miami’s so much more than the beach nowadays. And while the beach is still worth a culinary visit, neighborhoods off the beach and into the mainland have been booming with delicious activity.

Wynwood:

This unique artsy neighborhood is on everyone’s radar. While exploring the graffiti-filled walls, grab a freshly made pastry at Zak the Baker or Yann Couvreur Cafe, a cup of coffee at the original Panther Coffee, a Cuban sandwich at Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, a slice of pie at Fireman Derek’s or a doughnut at The Salty. Choose chic French brasserie Pastis, Mediterranean hotspot Doya, or the newly reopened KYU for a heartier meal. Asian dominates the neighborhood with options for pristine sushi from Uchi, Hiden, OMAKAI, B-Side, or Hiyakawa; ramen from Iron Chef Morimoto’s Momosan; a variety of fare from the Wynwood’s Asian food hall, 1-800-LUCKY or outdoor food hall and entertainment spot Oasis. Keep up with the most exciting new restaurants in the neighborhood with this map.

Photo by Marc Fanelli-Isla on Unsplash

South Beach:

Yes, there are tourist traps aplenty in the neighborhood that started it all. Do yourself a favor and avoid restaurants on Ocean Drive, which will charge about double for mediocre food and sugary drinks. Instead, locally-owned and operated restaurants are the way to go. For a quick bite, try sandwich masters La Sandwicherie for late-night fare or grab a classic Cuban meal from Las Olas Cafe’s “ventanita,” a small window selling Cuban-style coffee drinks to-go. For a sit-down meal, check out pasta kings Macchialina (with a newly renovated dining room to boot), Mediterranean cuisine from mega-chef José Andrés at Zaytinya, sexy South American steakhouse Orilla Bar & Grill, chic Greek spot Milos, the always buzzy Carbone, the Israeli-inspired Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen, and Spanish fare at Tropezon. Find all of the top picks in South Beach here.

Coconut Grove:

This is probably Miami’s fastest-growing culinary neighborhood. The area was overrun with chain restaurants for years, but the tides have turned with plenty of local restauranteurs popping up all over the ‘hood. Local musts include the area’s Michelin-starred spots, including Ariete, serving high-end American fare with a Cuban twist, and Los Felix, a Mexico City-inspired restaurant. Breakfast is a favorite meal in the neighborhood, with abundant options like New York-style outpost Sadelle’s, Cuban diner Chug’s, brunch go-to Greenstreet Cafe, or grab-and-go bagel option El Bagel. But plenty of tried-and-true staples remain, like intimate French brasserie Le Bouchon du Grove, perfect lunch spot Jaguar Ceviche, and burger outpost Lokal. If in a rush, go for the al pastor tacos at El Taquito or the red curry at Asian Thai Kitchen, hidden inside a local Kwik Stop. And don’t forget to grab a waterfront drink at Monty’s or Regatta Grove, both equipped with excellent marina views. You can find a comprehensive guide here.

Little Havana:

This is the epicenter of Cuban cuisine in Miami, where many Miami-adopted specialties can be found. The most famous Cuban eatery is Versailles, with a Cuban sandwich that is still one of the best in town, but if you are in the market for a more modern take on the classic sandwich, stop at Sanguich de Miami. Spending a day eating and drinking a path through the area is easy. Start with a frita at El Rey, then grab some tongue tacos at Viva Mexico, and finish on a sweet note at Azucar Ice Cream with a cup of its famous Abuela Maria ice cream. Then end it all with a nightcap at a “hidden” cocktail bar on top of Taquerias el Mexicano, Los Altos, or, with an expertly poured Cuban cocktail at Cafe La Trova. Check out the comprehensive guide here.

Downtown Miami + Brickell:

In the land of banks and steakhouses, plenty of unique meals remain to be had. For those enjoying an expense account dinner, perpetual sushi hot spot Zuma and Peruvian mecca La Mar will impress the bosses, while LPM’s chic Mediterranean flare is perfect for date night. For a more low-key option, the gazpacho at the modern Spanish restaurant NIU is always a winner, or check out the vibrant Vietnamese flavors at cozy Tam Tam. Finish the day off with a drink at popular rooftop Sugar or one of the area’s watering holes like American Southwest-influenced drinking den Lost Boy, oenophile hub Margot, hip hangout Over Under, or local favorite Jaguar Sun. For a comprehensive guide to dining in Downtown Miami, visit here, and for your guide on Brickell dining, visit here.

Reservations to Make in Advance

Prime 112/Facebook

Carbone, Cote, Uchi, NAOE, Prime 112, Boia De, Mandolin. But, unlike other major metropolitan cities, Miami is very much a last-minute town — meaning with even some light planning ahead, you’re likely to score a restaurant reservation anywhere you desire.

Follow the News

Eater Miami is updated every weekday with breaking news stories (restaurant openings, closings, etc.), features, guides, and more. Here are a few ways to stay in the loop:

• Keep an eye on the Eater Miami homepage. New stories will always appear near the top and flow toward the bottom of the page as they get older, while important recent stories will stay pinned right at the top. Also, check out our big sister, Eater.com, for national and international food news.
• Subscribe to our newsletter, which goes out several days a week and includes links to South Florida’s top news stories.
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• Interested in upcoming restaurant openings? Here’s all our restaurant openings are tracked here.

Get in Touch

Have questions not answered here? Want to send in a tip or a complaint or just say hello? Here are some ways to get in touch with the Eater Miami staff: