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Miami's restaurant scene has exploded in the past few years, with new restaurants springing up left and right every month. The melting pot of residents and visitors has brought an array of sophisticated, tasty cuisine. Little Havana is still king for Cuban fare, and Miami Beach is swept up in a trend of fusion cuisine, which combines Asian, French, American, and Latin cooking with sumptuous—and pricey—results. Locals spend the most time in downtown Miami, Wynwood, Midtown, and the Design District, where the city's ongoing foodie and cocktail revolution is most pronounced. Since Miami dining is a part of the trendy nightlife scene, most dinners don't start until 8 or 9 pm, and may go well into the night. To avoid a long wait among the late-night partiers at hot spots, come before 7 pm or make reservations. Attire is usually casual-chic, but patrons like to dress to impress. Don't be surprised to see large tables of women in skimpy dresses—this is common in Miami. Prices tend to stay high in hot spots like Lincoln Road, but if you venture off the beaten path you can find delicious food for reasonable prices. When you get your bill, check whether a gratuity is already included; most restaurants add between 15% and 20% (ostensibly for the convenience of, and protection from, the many Latin American and European tourists who are used to this practice in their homelands), but supplement it depending on your opinion of the service.
Popular with the brunch crowd, this cozy indoor-outdoor restaurant serves elegant American dishes with a Miami twist. The menu changes seasonally with offerings from pastrami-style short rib to bone marrow--topped, wood-grilled oysters. The build-your-own charcuterie board boast homemade pâté and locally sourced meats. The fritas are a popular choice for a quick bite, but the pressed duck service is typically the star of the show.
There's more to love than just cookies at this adorable off-the-radar bakeshop. Each day more than a dozen types of treats are baked fresh with care, including Rocky Road and Nutella swirl cookies, banana bread, carrot cake, and more. Even the biggest sweet tooth can be conquered with the larger-than-life cookies and cakes served here.
Oversize baked doughnuts piled high with creative toppings plus fun coffee offerings like Cinnamon Toast Crunch lattes are the reasons for the sometimes long lines at this doughnut shop. Even if the national doughnut craze has subsided elsewhere, The Salty continues to live up to the hype with a rotating menu of popular pick-me-ups like the white chocolate tres leches and guava + cream cheese, made with 24-hour brioche.
Under the glow of a green neon light in a hip industrial space, this locally loved, independent coffee shop offers quick service and a curated list of rotating coffee blends, pastries, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Coffee connoisseurs will delight in the several preparations of nitro cold brew, pour over, and carefully crafted lattes. Most popular of the bites is the Runny & Everything sandwich, an aptly named sunny-side up egg sandwich with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on an Everything brioche bun, but you'll also find local staples like croquetas and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice.
At first glance, Aubi & Ramsa may seem like a sleek bar, but it's actually a 21-plus ice cream shop featuring small-batch pints infused with a bevy of spirits and wines. Imagine flavors like The Highland Truffle, made with Belgian chocolate, Macallan 12-Year scotch, and chocolate chunks; or Strawberries Rosé, a strawberry sorbet with Veuve Cliquot Rosé and St. Germain. There are even vegan flavors to cater to those with such dietary needs. Ice cream is sold by the scoop or the pint.
The name stands for "out to lunch," and, indeed, you could hang for quite the lunch break at this Design District haunt that serves coffee drinks, pastries, and sandwiches in an Instagram-worthy atmosphere. Don't miss the toast topped with superseed butter, a gluttonous, if healthy, alternative to your usual PB&J standby.
The java spot that launched Miami's caffeine revolution, this no-frills Wynwood flagship is a good pit stop for iced cold brew as you're perusing art and graffiti murals in the district. The shop also serves cakes, cookies, wine, and beer, all in a friendly atmosphere with free Wi-Fi and local art on the walls. The coffee beans here are roasted in-house and sold by the pound, which make for great take-home gifts.
Vistas of the bay and Miami skyline are sensational—whether you admire them through the floor-to-ceiling windows or from the expansive outdoor seating area, lined with alluring firepits. The menu is split between tropically inspired small plates, ideal for sharing, and heartier entrées from land and sea.
Both upscale and unpretentious, this Michelin-starred contemporary American restaurant is helmed by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, who has created a small menu of exquisitely executed fresh dishes that change often. The popular prix-fixe tasting menu is known for its pâté and foie gras, as well as fresh seafood and short ribs. The intimate restaurant boasts an open design where diners can see the action-packed kitchen as they meticulously plate each bite. Reservations are recommended.
There's a helluva lot of southern lovin' from the low country at this funky South Beach spot, where Miami's A-list puts calorie-counting aside to indulge in comfort foods and innovative drinks. The family-style menu is divided between small plates, "the bird" plates, and sides and snacks, but have no doubt that "the bird" takes center stage (or plate) here—you'll rave about Llewellyn's fine fried chicken, which requires a 27-hour marination and slow-cooking process, for weeks to come.
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