05/23/2023 • 7 min
Best Restaurants in Miami
It’s no secret that Miami’s long sandy beaches, glistening waters and vibrant city life make it one of Florida’s most iconic destinations.
The Port of Miami is the busiest cruise terminal in the US, welcoming millions of tourists every year on the largest and most impressive cruise liners from across the world. This has helped trigger an influx of diverse and varied cuisine. The city’s thriving Hispanic population is heavily represented, with a strong emphasis on Cuban cuisine, but there’s much more to sample for the aspiring foodie.
Read our list to find out the best places to eat in Miami when next touring The Magic City.
Stubborn Seed
101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Fine dining meets classic Floridian fare at Stubborn Seed, a Michelin-star restaurant situated a stone’s throw from the white sands of Miami Beach. The modern and sleek decor sets the scene for an elegant evening meal after a day’s exploring, with the food and preparation taking center stage.
Find out why head chef Jeremy Ford was crowned winner of the 13th season of Bravo’s Top Chef through his eclectic, seasonal menu of innovative dishes. Here you’ll find a wide range of delicacies, from charred swordfish, served alongside shitake mushrooms to crunchy truffle bravas with Italian ham sofrito and extravagant truffle aioli.
Make sure you leave room for dessert. Savor the perfectly balanced honeynut flan or strawberries with almond cake and an intriguing anise sorbet.
Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina
1442 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135
In Miami’s colorful neighborhood of Little Havana sits a time capsule that represents the culture of pre-revolutionary Cuba. Learn about Cuba’s history from the numerous posters, postcards and artifacts, which fill the restaurant’s interior. Then take a journey back in time through the extensive menu of Cuban favorites[AO(S4] at Old’s Havana.
Light bites include bocaditos – generously filled, hot-pressed sandwiches – with marinated steak or freshly supplied Florida grouper as the primary ingredient. If you’re hungry for more, be sure to try the empanadas or unique side of yuca fries, served with spicy mayo. Enjoy this ‘vacation within a vacation’ as the rich flavor of authentic Cuban cooking takes you to the heart of the Caribbean island.
Mignonette Downtown
210 Northeast 18th Street, Miami, FL 33132
Whether you’re soaking up the sun as a duo or adventuring with friends in a small group, Mignonette’s Downtown outlet will cater to everyone’s seafood needs. This quirky oyster bar and restaurant is housed in a 1930s gas station, offering plenty of natural light to accompany the fresh flavors of Florida’s renowned seafood.
A variety of oysters invite you to kick off your experience the right way, with the menu showcasing garnishes such as charred chillis and roasted garlic. Moving on to entrees, sample an exquisite selection of delicately prepared seafood. Or maybe you’re in the mood for crispy skin snapper with a buttery sauce? Let your stomach decide.
CVI.CHE 105
105 Northeast 3rd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132
1245 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Head chef Juan Chipoco brings the unique flavors of Peruvian cooking to Miami’s Downtown area and South Beach. Whichever of the two Miami-based restaurants you visit, you’ll receive a warm welcome. Just take a seat within the contemporary decor that pays homage to Peru and the country’s deep history.
Get started with Peruvian scallops or tender octopus with potatoes and salsa criolla as you consider the broad menu of entrees. Seafood lovers are recommended to taste the ceviche dishes – raw fish with zesty or spicy sauces, popular in Latin America.
Tuck into chef Juan’s favorite tenderloin steak with Peruvian basil pesto and fried egg. Or stick with the seafood theme by sampling the pescado a lo macho – a fillet of crispy fish in a creamy seafood sauce with rice.
Ariete
3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Take a 15-minute drive southwest of Downtown Miami to the leafy suburb of Coconut Grove. The far-reaching influence of Cuba is not to be missed at Ariete, awarded a Michelin Star in 2022. Experience the raw talent of head chef Michael Beltran who honors his Cuban roots and upbringing in Miami’s Little Havana district through marvelous dishes.
At Ariete, locally sourced ingredients are the focus of the varied menu on offer. Whether you’re starting with fresh scallops with Thai basil or a sumptuous serving of foie gras with sour orange caramel, you’ll be wowed by the curious combinations on offer. Entrees include grouper encendido with lobster jus and truffle chicken with tamal en cazuela – classic Cuban tamales in the form of a stew.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137
Head just north of the city’s trendy Design District to discover one of the best places to eat in Miami when sampling the flavors of the Aegean – the sun-kissed coastal region of Greece and Turkey. This beautifully restored 1940s house evokes a true feeling of dining under the Mediterranean sun with its traditional blue and white color scheme and outdoor seating.
The restaurant combines the heritage of its husband-and-wife founders, Ahmet and Anastasia, who originate from Turkey and Greece respectively. Together they have developed a mouthwatering menu of Turkish and Greek mezes, incorporating classic ingredients such as hummus, calamari and olives. Follow up with classic beef souvlaki or grilled whole sea bass, which invite you to stay on your culinary journey to the Aegean.
Crazy About You
1155 Brickell Bay Drive #101, Miami, FL 33131
This waterside venue located south of Downtown Miami combines the greatest flavors of Italy, Spain and the US in an eclectic menu. Take a seat at the water’s edge and soak up the Floridian sun as you begin your feast with irresistible serrano ham croquettes or seared tuna tataki with ponzu.
The American influences can be found in the entree menu, with its generous offering of popular favorites. From the ‘fall off the bone’ baby black back ribs to the hefty barbeque bacon double cheeseburger, the fresh-off-the-grill taste is guaranteed. If you prefer a more European influence for your entrees, try the porcini mushroom tortellini with shrimp or the classic Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella.
Ghee Indian Kitchen
8965 Southwest 72nd Place, Kendall, FL 33156
Drive 20 minutes southwest of Downtown Miami to find Indian cuisine with a distinctly Miami twist. Nestled in the commercial neighborhood of Dadeland, Ghee Indian Kitchen takes you on a sensory journey with its vibrant menu of inspired and highly flavorful dishes.
The warmly lit surrounds burst with color and life, thanks to the various spices and fresh produce proudly displayed along the walls – many ingredients even come from chef Niven Patel’s own farm .
Sample starters and snacks ranging frm crispy ‘backyard’ pakora to zesty green papaya salad. Move on to a wonderfully spiced main of smoked lamb neck served in a delicious broth of black-eyed peas and cardamom. Vegetarians are also well catered for with entrees such as plant-based chicken tikka masala in a creamy cashew nut milk sauce.
Getting around the best restaurants in Miami is easy with a Hertz rental car. Choose when and where you go to sample some (or all) of these delights in your own time.
Get to know more about Miami
Pining to see more of Miami on your next adventure? Check out our other guides on The Magic City’s must-see hotels and activities within its diverse neighborhoods.
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