What to Eat and Drink in Miami

Miami’s been given a wild culinary glow-up over the past few decades, the titterings of which began when Gianni Versace, in all his fashionable prescience, chose to hang his hat in South Beach, with celebrities like Madonna, Sly Stallone and Lenny Kravitz following suit – indulgent palates in tow.

As a born-and-raised Miami native (shout out to my neighborhood, Kendall) with a boundless appetite, no one’s been more pumped about having a front-row seat to this evolution than me. What began with a rogue group of South Florida chefs who pushed the boundaries of local palates using indigenous ingredients (the cheekily self-branded “Mango Gang”) is now home to Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard Award winners and more internationally recognized chefs than you can shake a croqueta at.

As the unofficial capital of Latin America, Miami does one thing better than just about any other city: it brings together an envious roster of Latin cuisines from around the Caribbean and South America in one gloriously simmering pot, melding flavors with passion, chispa (spark) and a gustatory history of a tropical homeland an ocean away.

Listen, they don’t call it the “Magic City” for nothin’.

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Wynwood & the Design District

Zak the Baker

Wynwood is street-art-and-warehouses territory, and it punches way above its weight for food. For breakfast carb fiends, Zak the Baker has your back. It's nabbed a Michelin Bib Gourmand with its rotating cast of croissants, danishes, cookies, cinnamon rolls and traditional Jewish baked goods like challah and babka. When Miami's in season, the line snakes around the corner for one of the limited tables inside. Don't let that deter you – it's worth every minute of patience.

Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop

Just swing by this Cuban cafeteria for a platter loaded with eggs, ham and butter-slathered Cuban bread, served with a steamy mug of café con leche on the side (local tip: definitely dunk your bread in it). Enriqueta's is my go-to for a solid Cuban breakfast, but get there a few minutes before it opens – the diner is small and fills up quickly.

Panther Coffee

Coffee in Wynwood means Panther Coffee, a homegrown roaster with several locations throughout the city. Its cold brew hits the spot on a steamy Miami day.

1-800-Lucky

For a quick lunch, the stalls at 1-800-Lucky focus on Asian fare – a food hall that can't be beat when the group can't agree on one cuisine.

Kyu

Kyu goes all in on umami, mastering the art of Japanese wood-fired grilling over sharing plates.

Boia De

One of the hottest tables in Miami is Boia De. And yes, you should definitely book ahead (though that's generally a good rule of thumb for most dining experiences in Miami). It's located next to a laundromat, but it earned its Michelin star for its surprising take on Italian dishes. Bring a friend and order a few plates to share – the beef tartare, crispy polenta, lamb ribs fra diavola and tiramisu are musts.

Michael's Genuine

The tavern-turned-temple to New American cuisine, with a great raw bar and buzzing crowds.

Hometown BBQ

Tucked into neighboring Allapattah, Hometown BBQ turns out ribs, slaw and mac and cheese alongside a brisket that melts in your mouth – bring cash.

Little Havana

Versailles

The unofficial snack of Miami – the croqueta – and its cousin, the cafecito, both trace back to Little Havana. The most famous ventanita (walk-up window) in the city is at Versailles, which has a storied history of welcoming lively political debates amongst locals and even the occasional US president.

El Cristo

A down-to-earth Cuban restaurant with options from across the Spanish-speaking world, though the fish dishes stand out.

Azucar Ice Cream

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One of the neighborhood's oldest ice-cream parlors, serving sweet treats like abuela used to make.

La Camaronera Seafood Joint and Fish Market

The spot for pan con minuta – a fried fish sandwich, tail on, tucked into soft Cuban bread.

Downtown Miami & Brickell

Julia & Henry's

When I'm meeting friends for a quick lunch, it usually means a trip to one of Miami's many food halls. The 26 vendors at Julia & Henry's, hawking everything from Venetian tapas to poke and ramen, can't be beat.

Seaspice

Sometimes lunch calls for a more formal affair – I like to take it to Seaspice and watch a parade of yachts cruising down the Miami River as I dive into meticulously prepared Mediterranean plates that might include crudos, sea-salt-crusted fish or lobster risotto.

El Carajo

When I want a good glass of wine, I head to a gas station — El Carajo, technically the convenience mart of a BP station, has a bounty of Spanish tapas like grilled octopus, fried chickpeas and meatballs, paired with one of more than 2000 bottles of wine.

Sugar

Hop over to Sugar for Asian-themed cocktails 40 stories over the city (expect a line on weekends).

Club Space

Nightlife is king in Miami, and this area even permits 24-hour liquor licenses — Club Space famously operates on one. Take a night from Miami Beach and continue the revelry into the next day.

The Corner

When you've been dancing all night long but can still muster enough energy for a 6am nightcap, wind down at The Corner.

CVI.CHE 105

This award-winning local chain serves beautifully presented ceviches alongside specialty Peruvian cocktails.

NIU Kitchen

A stylish, living-room-sized spot for shareable Catalan plates and a killer wine list.

River Oyster Bar

A few paces from the Miami River, River Oyster Bar whips up excellent seafood in a buzzing little room.

Coral Gables

Aromas del Peru

Miami does Peruvian food exceptionally well, and I always send people to Coral Gables for it. Get your ceviche fix at Aromas del Peru. Add the papa a la huancaina (layered potatoes in cream sauce) or causa (mashed potato salad) to the order; both are personal favorites, executed exceptionally well here.

Tinta y Café

This neighborhood cafe has cozy mid-century modern decor, perfect cortaditos, and mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches. Get the Tinta y Café, which has pork, prosciutto, manchego cheese, roasted red peppers and caramelized onions. They also have a branch in Miami Shores.

Caffe Abbracci

A fine Italian outpost with pasta, seafood and meat dishes in an upscale sidewalk-café setting.

Luca Osteria

Helmed by a Chopped winner, known for pasta and Negronis in the pedestrian zone near the Biltmore.

Threefold Cafe

A cheerful breakfast-or-lunch spot with Down Under vibes – strong espresso alongside a memorable eggs Benedict.

Key Biscayne

Boater's Grille

Some of the best ocean views in town can be found at Boater's Grille in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where you can get fried whole fish and paella.

Rusty Pelican

Genuinely great Biscayne Bay views to go with its fresh seafood – come for both, not just one.

The Golden Hog

A gourmet market, perfect to grab picnic fare before hitting the beach or state parks.

La Boulangerie Boul'Mich

Brings a French baking ethos with a Latin twist – fresh bread and pastries for the boat ride home.

South Pointe & Miami Beach

Smith & Wollensky

Some of the best ocean views in town can also be found at Smith & Wollensky in South Pointe, a classic steakhouse where the seafood should not be overlooked.

LIV

If you're bar-hopping Downtown into the small hours, LIV, in the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach, is the Miami Beach leg of that night, not a Downtown stop.

The suburbs: West Miami, Pinecrest & Kendall

Bandeja Paisa

Keeping breakfast on a budget in Miami is deliciously simple, and if breakfast is the most important meal of your day — or you're coping with the repercussions of a night out — a Colombian bandeja paisa is the way to go. You'll find this generous combo of beans, rice, arepa, chorizo, plantain, chicharrón, avocado and beef at the aptly named Bandeja Paisa in West Miami.

Dr Limon

For dinner, Dr Limón in Pinecrest does the same excellent ceviche as its Coral Gables counterpart above.