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Embark on a culinary adventure through Miami’s diverse food scene with Rent By Owner’s guide to 20 unmissable hotspots. Prepare to savor every bite as you dine like a local in the Magic City!
A Melting Pot of Flavors
In the early 20th century, Miami experienced a population and development boom thanks to railroad construction and the discovery of natural resources. This led to waves of immigrants from around the world calling Miami home and ultimately enriching its food scene.
Today, the “Magic City” provides a unique fusion of Caribbean, South American, Asian, and European flavors. But did you know it’s also the birthplace of the second-largest fast-food chain in America? Burger King, then called “Insta-Burger King,” struggled in Jacksonville. Still, it was purchased, renamed, and expanded in Miami in the 1950s. In this Miami, the world-famous Whopper was first added to the menu!
Fast food aside, the best restaurants in Miami boast a unique culinary experience for foodies everywhere. In this list, we’re taking you to the top 20 places to score a grub – and take your palate on an international trip.
Must-Visit Restaurants in the Miami Food Scene
Now that we’ve set the stage let’s dive into the heart of Miami’s culinary landscape. Here are the 20 restaurants to consider for your gastronomic adventure:
1. MANDOLIN AEGEAN BISTRO
4312 NE 2nd Ave | (305) 749-9140
Mandolin is an outdoor Greek eatery inspired by Cycladic landscapes. Its whitewashed exteriors evoke the feeling of being in Santorini. Its mezes, fresh pita bread, and grilled fish are perfect for sharing. Be sure to try their homemade sangria to complete your Greek food odyssey.
2. ZAK THE BAKER
295 NW 26th St | (786) 294-0876
Zak Stern’s bakery and kosher sandwich shop in Wynwood specializes in sourdough bread, breakfast sandwiches, classic deli-style food, and vegan soups. You can dine in on the newly built patio or order delivery or takeout. Did we mention you could also find Stern’s signature bread served in many top restaurants in Miami?
3. JOE’S STONE CRAB
11 Washington Ave | (305) 673-0365
Joe’s, South Florida’s most famous restaurant, is a Miami must-see. It turned 100 in 2013 – a testament to its steadfastness in Miami’s culinary scene. Joe’s is known for serving Miami’s best stone crabs, garlic creamed spinach, Lyonnaise potatoes, coleslaw, and their beloved signature salad. If you’re not up for seafood, their fried chicken, liver, and onions are affordable alternatives. Just be prepared for a long wait since Joe’s doesn’t take reservations.
4. SANGUICH DE MIAMI
2057 SW 8th St | (305) 539-0969
This modern Cuban cafeteria in Little Havana sells pressed sandwiches, croquetas, and quick bites. We recommend it for its house-made ingredients, including cured ham, brined pork, fresh pickles, and artisanal mustard. Sanguich serves the best Cubano in Miami. Its Cuban nachos, made with fried plantain strips and garlic aioli sauce, are out of this world!
5. BOIA DE
5205 NE 2nd Ave | (786) 209-6310
Boia De in Little Haiti is a cozy spot serving modern American and Italian dishes. Michelin-trained chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer constantly reinvent the classics. Their beef tartare, for example, is topped with a crunchy shallot-garlic concoction, fried capers, and a tonnato sauce. Fresh pasta and a superb wine list with skin-contact options are also available.
6. LEKU
1100 NW 23rd St | (786) 464-0615
The Rubell Museum’s onsite restaurant offers Basque cuisine, with the signature burnt cheesecake of the northern Spanish region. Leku has refined, ingredient-driven, and occasionally playful dishes. Think short rib sliders, 5 Jotas Iberico ham, and crackers topped with seasonal tomatoes. Leku is the first South Florida restaurant with an outdoor double Josper grill, so you know their chateaubriand, double lamb chops, and picanha will be a carnivorous delight.
7. TAQUIZA NORTH BEACH
7450 Ocean Terrace | (786) 588-4755
Taquiza is a beachfront Mexican spot with signature blue masa tortillas and street-style tacos. Its main attraction is its totopos, crispy yet chewy corn tortilla chips that pair perfectly with guac and a michelada. However, its high-quality tacos – stuffed with al pastor and carne asada and topped with fresh onions and cilantro – are just as unmissable.
8. VERSAILLES
3555 SW 8th St | (305) 444-0240
Another of Miami’s best restaurants, Versailles, is often packed with visitors in Little Havana. Their coffee, sandwich, and pastelito are guaranteed to satisfy your Cuban cravings. Even locals can’t get enough of their addictive cafecito, dispensed in thimbles by a ventanita.
9. LA MAR
500 Brickell Key Dr | (305) 913-8288
La Mar is a renowned Peruvian restaurant inside the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. With every ceviche and tiradito adorned with foams and edible flowers, it’s evident that
Chef Diego Oka skillfully executes complicated raw dishes with precision and technique. Their weekend brunch is one of the best bang-for-your-buck deals in town, featuring a buffet, individual ceviche portions, an anticucho station, and a build-your-own sancocho bar. Be sure to enjoy this on their waterfront patio, which offers a stunning 360-degree vista of Downtown and Brickell.
10. MIGNONETTE
210 NE 18th St | (305) 374-4635
This genuine oyster bar in a converted 1930s gas station is a nostalgic must-visit in Miami. The Atlantic and Pacific bivalves of the day are listed on a retro signboard above the counter, where you can watch the shucking in action. We recommend their Connecticut-style lobster roll is overflowing with chunks of buttery claw meat and comes with house-made potato chips.
11. ARIETE
3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove | (786) 615-3747
Ariete in Coconut Grove is where homestyle Cuban cooking meets contemporary fine dining. Michael Beltran takes familiar dishes up a notch with high-low ingredient pairings. Grilled oysters with bone marrow and uni butter and truffle chicken with tamal en cazuela are just some of the standout dishes. Ariete can prepare a duck in many ways with the same level of precision, so don’t miss the tableside pressed duck experience.
12. GHEE INDIAN KITCHEN
8965 SW 72nd Pl | (305) 968-1850
Ghee, run by Chef Niven Patel, serves farm-to-table Southeast Asian food in the suburbs. Patel grows about a quarter of his ingredients at the Rancho Patel in Homestead, where his family helps in the kitchen. Seasonal dishes, fresh curries, and flavorful naan are just some of the highlights, along with their smoked lamb neck, crispy cauliflower, and steamed green millet.
13. MAKOTO
9700 Collins Ave #107 | (305) 864-8600
Makoto is Stephen Starr’s high-end Japanese restaurant in Bal Harbour Shops. Its top-quality seafood, including sashimi, sushi, and crab salad, is incredibly fresh. Makoto’s patio overlooks the verdant corridors of Bal Harbour Shops, creating a relaxed, tropical atmosphere, perfect for those who want something more refined.
14. LUCA OSTERIA
116 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables | (305) 381-5097
Luca, Giorgio Rapicavoli’s Italian restaurant, is a delicious addition to the Miami food scene. They specialize in modern interpretations of Italian classics, such as tangy al limone, cheesy cacio e pepe, and short rib bolognese. Even their cocktail and beverages have contemporary twists, with items like the banana espresso martini and Portofino (a dirty martini with a drizzle of super high-quality olive oil).
15. MACCHIALINA
820 Alton Rd | (305) 534-2124
Chef Michael Pirolo’s South Beach trattoria offers rustic Italian dishes best enjoyed on their new garden patio. Handmade pasta is a standout here, served with lamb ragú, clams, or a classic garlic and olive oil pairing.
16. LUNG YAI THAI TAPAS
1731 SW 8th St | (786) 334-6262
Chef Bas’s compact restaurant in Little Havana is a delicious ode to his native Thailand. You’re only allowed to order once, so try the pad see ew with beef and the khao soi gai. The latter is a must-try golden curry that is best enjoyed like a soup to get every last drop. Expect a long line on your visit, but don’t let it discourage you. Grab a beer or glass of wine from inside to enjoy while you wait.
17. MAMEY
1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables | (305) 266-2639
Mamey is also run by Chef Niven Patel of Ghee Indian Kitchen. Though the ingredients here are also locally grown on his own farm, the menu is inspired by his travels through French Polynesia, Asia, and the Caribbean. Dishes are well-balanced and never overpowering. The rooftop bar makes for a soothing atmosphere for first-time tasters of Caribbean dishes.
18. MOTEK CAFE
36 NE 1st St Suite 132 | (786) 953-7689
With its bright, inviting indoor/outdoor space at Aventura Mall and a stacked menu of authentic Israeli delights, Motek is among Miami’s best restaurants. The fast-casual spot offers crispy falafel, juicy schnitzel, fresh salad, and creamy house-made hummus for simple, flavorful breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Motek serves an all-day breakfast, including the crowd-favorite shakshuka made with just enough heat to kickstart your day.
19. STUBBORN SEED
101 Washington Ave | (786) 460-5962
Stubborn Seed, led by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, offers inspired new American cuisine that you’ll crave long after your meal. The Michelin-starred restaurant stands out with its thoughtful, unconventional cooking that’s also familiar. Starters like jalapeño fritters and cacio e pepe cheesy puffs are must-tries. Don’t miss the roasted barramundi, inspired by a dish Ford’s grandmother made him growing up. First-time visitors are encouraged to try the eight-course chef’s tasting menu, available every Friday and Saturday.
20. ITAMAE
140 NE 39th St #136 | (305) 631-2664
Itamae, a family-owned Nikkei-inspired restaurant, began as a humble stall at Mia Market and now occupies a prime location in the Design District’s Palm Court. Innovative Peruvian cooking is on full display here, with endless plays on raw fish. Don’t miss the conchitas a la parmesana, which come stacked with fish, charred scallops, and avocado and make for a messy but delightful experience.
Your Gastronomic Joyride Begins with Rent By Owner
The Miami culinary scene is chock-full of hidden gems. As you embark with the help of our list – or with an itinerary of your own making – let Rent By Owner be your ticket into the bustling, multicultural community of the Magic City.
With a wide range of vacation rentals available, we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay. At the same time, you explore the best restaurants in Miami. Start planning your foodie adventure today.
TL;DR
Miami is a melting pot of flavors, with influences from the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. This listicle highlights 20 must-visit restaurants in the Miami food scene, each with its own take on Peruvian, Greek, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Spanish, Mexican, Italian, French, and American cuisine. To make the most of your foodie adventure, plan your stay with Rent By Owner for the perfect home base.
