Food, Travel, United States

An Insiders Miami Food Guide – Top Restaurants that you HAVE to Eat at in Miami

What doesn’t Miami have? There’s chic shopping on Lincoln Drive, secluded beaches on Key Biscayne, and a dance clubs that stays open all night. Miami even has a vibrant food scene! With so much variety from American to international fare, Pitbull had to change his nickname from Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide (true story).

Next time you’re in town taking up residence at one of South Beach’s Art Deco hotels, be sure to look beyond Ocean Drive when it comes time to chow down and experience the city’s many flavors! Just don’t overindulge if you plan to hit Haulover Park Beach where clothing is optional. Nobody wants to see that.

Check out where you have to eat at in Miami with my insiders Miami food guide.

 

Miami's food scene is so vibrant that Pitbull changed is name from Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide. Here's Miami food guide from an insider.

Welcome to Miami – Photo by Esther Levy via Trover.com

 

Flavors of Cuba

You can’t leave town without eating Cuban at least twice. Versailles is a local favorite and a great introduction to both Cuban cuisine and Calle Ocho. Sink your teeth into a pressed Cuban sandwich or a heaping platter of lechon asado (roasted pork loin) with rice, beans, and fried plantains.

Don’t want to leave South Beach? Havana 1957 is a great option, with one of the largest rum selections in town. For a more local view of Miami, skip the Lincoln Road location and opt for charming Española Way. My personal favorite though is Havana Harry’s in Coral Gables. It’s where I go whenever I’m back in the 305 catching a Miami Hurricanes football game (my Alma Mater).

If you’re a more adventurous eater, check out El Palacio de los Jugos. Roll up your sleeves for a snack of chicharrón (fried pork rinds) and a glass of fresh squeezed juice.

 

Miami's food scene is so vibrant that Pitbull changed is name from Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide. Here's Miami food guide from an insider.

The Best in Cuban Cuisine – Photo by Alexandra Gebhardt via Trover.com

 

Celebrity Dining

Will Smith did call Miami his second home, right? There’s a reason. With so many celebrities owning ocean-front mansions, there are plenty of restaurants ready and willing to cater to their budgets. While spending a couple hundred dollars on a meal may not be your norm, the occasional splurge can be fun. My Miami Food Guide has some suggestions that are totally worth the money.

As the highest-grossing restaurant per square foot in the country, Prime 112 is a prime (get it?) example of a fine Miami eatery. Expect to spend around $93 per person, but rest assured you’ll be spoiled with options from lump crab crusted grouper to Kobe beef filet. Or choose something a bit more exotic at Zuma, where world-renowned Chef Rainer Becker takes diners on a food journey with his modern Japanese cuisine. Tabs average $104 per person.

 

Miami's food scene is so vibrant that Pitbull changed is name from Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide. Here's Miami food guide from an insider.

Joe’s Stone Crab – Photo by The Curious Creature via Trover.com

 

Traditional Florida Seafood

Miami still has plenty of options for that classic Florida taste. Feast on succulent stone crabs with mustard sauce at Joe’s Stone Crab – the most famous of all Miami restaurants. Be sure to call ahead, though, as Joe’s is only open during season. And consider this fair warning: Joe’s can get pricey.

Monty’s Raw Bar is a more affordable option and another local favorite. Whether you opt for the Coconut Grove or South Beach location, expect fresh and briny oysters on the half shell in a Key West ambiance overlooking the ocean.

The Magic City has such a large assortment of options when it comes to food that you might not want to choose.

 

Foodie Hotels

Miami even has some amazing food hotels. Loews Miami Beach has been a perennial favorite for South Beach vacations. Now, the hotel is even better after wrapping up a $50 million renovation which includes a Lure Fishbar from award winning Chef Josh Capon. Fontainebleau is another long time South Beach favorite with an off the chain restaurant scene – Stripsteak, Pizza & Burger, and famed London haute Cantonese. The pool is also redonkulous.

For a different kind of stay, check out Miami Beach EDITION. From casual Italian at Market to a romantic dinner on a tropical terrace at Matador, EDITION is a foodie paradise. The hotel even has a nightclub with bowling and ice skating! Finally, there’s SLS Brickell in Brickell. The urban vibe hotel is home to two restaurants from James Beard winning chefs.

 

What  would you add to this Miami Food Guide?

Miami's food scene is so vibrant that Pitbull changed is name from Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide. Here's a Miami food guide from an insider.