📍 Added in March: I have to admit, I was not expecting Thomas Keller to choose Miami for another Bouchon location. But I’m not complaining—I’ll always love a French bistro. On a recent evening, I ordered the salmon rillette (his in particular being a longtime obsession of mine), the Steak Bouchon, and the onion soup, which was one of the best I’ve ever had. We finished off dinner with the chocolate mousse, the perfect ending to our meal. Make a reservation—it fills up quickly.

📍 Added in March: I once broke up with a friend here (long story!), but I don’t hold it against Krüs, because their brunch is one of the best in Coconut Grove. I’m usually sad I have to choose between the delicious burger and the egg sandwich, both of which are really good and filling. What I especially love about Krüs Kitchen is the space: It somehow feels light and airy, and the glass block reminds me of old Miami.

📍 Added in March: I finally listened to my friends who have been telling me that the food served at the cafeteria inside Presidente is really good. I’m not sure why I thought it’d be otherwise: Latin supermarkets are known for quality cafeterias. If you find yourself in the area and are craving something quick, cheap, and delicious, this is your spot. For $12, I got a heaping portion of roasted pork, white rice, beans, and a salad. I can’t wait to go back and try more.

📍 Added in March: Rusty Pelican is one of those nostalgic Miami staples that you hope stays around forever. I remember my parents taking me here as a child: There was always a live reggae band, and we’d order piles of peel-and-eat shrimp and fish sandwiches. While the vibe has hardly changed since my youth, the difference now is I add a rum punch to my order. Rusty Pelican is perfect for a happy hour meetup with friends, where you can drink, eat, and look out on the water.

📍 Added in March: Smith & Wollensky is a classic steakhouse but in a very Miami setting. Situated directly on Government Cut, which is the waterway the cruise ships leave through, it’s a fun place to visit during sunset. Sit at the bar, order martinis and some apps, and watch the ships. While you may not be a “cruise person,” it’s quintessentially Miami to watch all the cruise ships depart as the sun sets.

If you find yourself in Miami during the summer, you might feel like your face is melting off from how intense the heat and humidity can be. Thankfully, we Miamians know a thing or two about keeping cool, and one of the tricks is to order a very large icee from A.C.’s Icees. The A.C.’s truck has been around forever, parked in the same exact spot in Coconut Grove’s Kennedy Park. My order: an off-menu mix of lemon and piña colada flavors—the perfect fusion of tart and sweet.

One of the few reasons I’d consider moving to L.A. (controversial!) is for its abundance of Mexican food—I long to wake up and satiate that morning hunger with a juicy breakfast burrito. Recently, that became easier to achieve in Miami thanks to Adrian’s, a pop-up at Imperial Moto Thursday–Sunday and at the Coconut Grove Farmers Market on Saturdays. The move is to get the OG Breakfast Burrito and upgrade it to include the carne asada. You’ll leave full and happy, trust me!

Aiko calls itself a Japanese brunch grab-and-go spot, which, to be honest, is a little confusing given that it’s housed in a sit-down restaurant. But just put that aside and pop in for a Donburi bowl, a tamago sandwich, or a katsu sandwich—they’re all perfect and delicious. My advice is to grab everything to go and head to the nearby (but still a drive) Peacock Park for a picnic.

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a really good hot dog. Lucky for me, Arbetter's is a Miami institution that’s been around for 60 years serving just that. It’s clear the place has been around for decades—everything looks as if it has gone untouched. I keep my hot dog order pretty simple: onions, both mustard and ketchup (controversial, I know!), and sometimes sauerkraut, depending on my mood. In my opinion, a Coca-Cola and cheese fries are absolutely necessary accoutrements.

I could spend hours at this Korean-run grocer. It has everything from fresh vegetables to frozen Korean-style cuts of meat to fun snacks to Asian pantry items. I usually go once a month to stock up on frozen dumplings and ramen packs, and I always grab a few fun snacks as well. I recommend snacking on the daily onigiri right by the register. They’re a delicious hold-me-over until you get home.

Don’t let the hordes of tourists turn you off from stepping into Azucar. What awaits inside is a very Miami ice cream experience. Think flavors like “Abuela Maria”—the ice cream version of a classic Cuban guava paste snack—and “Café Con Leche”—Cuban coffee ice cream mixed with Oreos. Whichever flavor you end up choosing, there’s nothing more Miami than walking down calle ocho with a huge cone of Azucar ice cream.

If it wasn’t clear from the name, Baker and Barista is a small, quaint bakery owned by a baker and a barista, who clearly put a lot of love into everything they make. If you find yourself here with no clue what to order, try any of the focaccia pizzas, the egg za’atar danish, or whatever special sandwich is on rotation. I suggest going for a late, leisurely breakfast on a weekday, when tourists from the Design District aren’t spilling in.

While I’m starting to get suspicious of every new restaurant in Miami being Italian, I’ll put my feelings aside to celebrate Bar Bucce, a new wine bar, pizza spot, and Italian market from the folks behind Macchialina. Located in the buzzy Little River neighborhood, it’s the perfect place to sit outside, order a few pies, and sip an exciting wine from a place you’ve never heard of. The Amatriciana pizza and the shrimp pie are two of my favorite slices I’ve had in a long time.

During the pandemic, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler started making coffee for the players who were inside the NBA’s COVID-19 “bubble.” He apparently loved it so much that in 2024, he opened a real-life coffee shop in the Design District. The menu is somewhat trendy—think matcha with fun syrups—but all the classic coffee shop drinks are a slam dunk (lol). Butler may have left Miami for the Golden State Warriors, but his delicious coffee remains.

I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten at this waterfront spot without my whole family being there, but that speaks to the kind of place it is. It’s like the more put-together older brother of a fish shack. Filled with people of all ages, Boater’s Grill serves almost every type of seafood you can think of, prepared in every kind of way you can think of. If you want something local, order the catch of the day pan fried with a side of maduros (fried sweet plantains) and yellow rice.

Boia De is the kind of place where small plates and good wine—served in a trendy yet casual atmosphere—are the stars of the show. The menu changes from time to time, but I wouldn’t miss the potato skins, the tartare, and the budino for dessert. Unless you know someone who knows someone, it can be really hard to score a reservation (the place is tiny and a favorite among both locals and tourists!), so plan ahead or join the queue just before they open in hopes of scoring a seat at the bar.

I’m begging you to forget whatever opinions you have about food halls and give Borti Pasta Bar a chance. Because while there are a slew of places in Miami claiming to have authentic Italian food, none get as close as Borti. The pasta alla gricia and bucatini Amatriciana are dishes you rarely find outside Rome, and they actually taste like the ones in Rome. It makes sense: I’ve gotten to know the staff (I eat here a lot!) and they all are very Italian, accent and charm included!

Most of the best Cuban food comes out of places like these: hole-in-the-wall establishments with eclectic decor and friendly faces who will recognize you after just a few visits. Located in an industrial area, Bread and Pan is the perfect spot for a hearty, cheap, filling lunch. I usually get the special of the day (typically a classic Cuban dish) or the pan con bistec.

Part coffee shop, part sandwich shop, part great place for a glass of wine, this hybrid-genre gem can be found at the quaintest, most green and shady corner of the beach. Besides the vibes, what shines the most here are the Spanish-style sandwiches prepared by the team from Bocadoro. On a recent afternoon, I enjoyed the Classico: serrano ham sandwiched between bread that was soft and crispy at the same time.

While Miami’s most famous beach is South Beach, the beaches of “The Key” (the island of Key Biscayne) are where real locals spend their sunniest days. Pull up to any of the island’s beautiful beaches, and you’re sure to find people snacking on some of Marcelo’s famous ceviche. The Peruvian native serves some of the freshest, most delicious ceviche in all of Miami out of a food truck parked in Calusa Park. On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing.

Caracas is everything you’d want in your neighborhood bakery: delicious pastries and a menu that features everyone’s favorite all-day café staples, like toasts, egg sandwiches, and the most perfectly scrambled eggs. Menus and vibes aside, what I love most about Caracas is that it perfectly embodies an establishment that feels young and cool while also paying homage to its roots (and Miami’s large Venezuelan community!) by serving traditional Venezuelan pastries like cachitos and palmeritas.

If you’re looking for a place to eat in the Doral area, Casa Mariano is truly a hidden gem (an overused phrase that I don’t employ lightly!). I wasn’t expecting much when I pulled into the shopping center in an industrial area, but the food was so delicious. My favorites were the thinly sliced Octopus al Olivo, served with creamy hummus and toasted pine nuts, and the pasta vongole, which, though simple in concept, is hard to nail; this one was perfect.

Something you should know about me is that I love soft serve. I think it’s the perfect dessert. I love it so much that I once drunkenly bought two soft serve machines off eBay (I never got them to work lol). So while this drive-thru ice cream shop (previously a Dairy Queen) is a bit far from me, I make the effort to go and enjoy a classic chocolate-vanilla swirl. If soft serve is not your thing, Charlie’s has so many other options that you’re bound to leave happy.

While Chef Creole has a few locations around Miami, the Little Haiti one has a special place in my lunchtime rotation, given its proximity to my flower studio. I love how easy it is to stop by for Bahamian and Haitian classics like griot (fried pork), jerk chicken, and stewed conch, and I love how much food they give you. I rotate between ordering the stewed chicken and the grilled jerk chicken, always with the peas and rice and a side of sweet plantains.

Imagine if a Cuban restaurant and an old classic diner had a baby; that’s Chug’s. On a recent visit, I ordered the fried rice with lechón asado (Cuban roasted pork) because I’m a firm believer in savory breakfasts. My boyfriend, however, is a sweet-breakfast person, so we ordered the pancake “for the table,” which turned out to be the biggest pancake I’ve ever seen—I would almost call it a cake. It was all absolutely delicious, and I’m itching to return.

Clive’s Jamaican classics, like jerk chicken and beef patties, have made it one of my and my team’s go-to lunch spots. It’s close to our studio, and it never disappoints. I usually just order a big plate of goat or chicken—either stewed or grilled—a side of peas and rice, and either potato salad or mac and cheese as a third side.

While his location is ever-changing, Spoonbill Snoballs is worth hunting down when you’re in search of something really refreshing. Not to be confused with a snow cone, a snoball is a light and fluffy ice ball coated in a syrup of your choice. Spoonbill handcrafts his syrups, creating interesting, never-too-sweet local flavors like ube soursop, mango passionfruit, and coconut green tea. They’re the perfect refreshing sweet treat to cool yourself down from the Miami heat.

I’ve resisted adding Cote to this list, mostly because I prefer to prioritize homegrown restaurants, and adding another NYC transplant pains me. But, you know what, every time I eat at Cote, I leave happy, and that’s worth sharing! I like to go with the family-style Butcher’s Feast: the scallion salad, wedge salad, and kimchi paella are must-tries. IMO, the best part is the complimentary dessert: a little cup of soft serve with soy-sauce caramel.

Eating at Daniel’s feels like being inside a scene of The Real Housewives of Miami, and I mean that in the most positive way. It’s mostly because of the sleek, modern steakhouse interior. The menu leans into the comforting classics of a traditional steakhouse. Order the martini, the chips and caviar dip, the wedge salad, and whatever fun cut of meat they have on special that day. Just don’t get in a fight with your girlfriends!

I spend a lot of time talking about how much I love Korean food, so when DooBi DooBap opened, I knew I had to check it out. Offering delivery or take-out only, DooBi DooBap serves traditional Korean dishes like japchae (sweet potato–noodle stir-fry), bibimbap bowls, and beef bulgogi. What I love most is how every dish comes with traditional banchan—such as pickled cucumbers, potato salad, or pickled radish—that change from week to week.

Entering Double Luck feels like walking into a scene from a Wong Kar-wai movie: It’s dark, it’s moody, and there’s Chinese oldies playing on the speakers. Brought to us by the team behind the beloved Tam Tam, Double Luck offers updated riffs on some classic dishes: think crab rangoon but with the whole crab leg attached, orange chicken with a tableside flambé presentation, and spicy dan dan noodles. Double Luck is fun, unexpected, and perfect for a date night.

It’s hard to believe that bagels existed in Miami before El Bagel came around. In a city some call the sixth borough, this has become the go-to place for a New York–style bagel. My order is the Midday Snack on an extra-toasted everything bagel: I love the punch from the red onions mixed with the salty salmon and the velvety cream cheese. When I’m feeling extra, I’ll add roe. If the weather’s nice, I’ll enjoy my bagel on their cute little outdoor patio.

El Palacio de los Jugos is part produce market, part takeout spot, and part juicery. While all of the food is great, as are the local fruit and veg, I love to stop in for a very large jug of whatever fruit juice I’m craving that day, juiced on the spot. My personal favorites are guava, sandia (watermelon juice), and pineapple. When the heat is unbearable, my advice is to get the very large size with a lot of ice, and sip it to keep yourself cool!

El Turco is inside a cute little tropical enclave with various shops and restaurants, which makes it the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner alfresco. Whenever I’m craving something fresh but filling, I love to order the cacik, which is a dilly cucumber–yogurt dip, and the lahmacun, a crispy, thin flatbread topped with minced lamb and vegetables—almost like a Turkish pizza.

Three words: Mini. Iced. Coffee. I know! A rarity—and much needed if you’re the kind of person who likes to reward themselves with a midday treat but can’t withstand the heart palpitations that follow an afternoon cold brew. Other than that, Emissary is a quaint little coffee shop slinging all the classics, like cortados and cappuccinos, and some brunch items like parfaits, toasts, and pastries.

While there are plenty of places in Miami to indulge in Cuban sandwiches, I love Enriqueta’s for its casual, diner-like setting. Enriqueta’s serves all the Cuban lunchtime classics, like medianoches (a pressed sandwich consisting of roast pork, ham, pickles, and Swiss cheese), which are all available to dine in or to go from their ventanita—a small take-out window where you might find locals gossiping over a cortadito and a croqueta.

The only problem I have with Façade is that I don’t live closer to it. If I did, I’d be here every day. This coffee shop and bakery serves some of the best pastries and breakfast dishes in Miami. I’m most excited when I arrive here really hungry—it means I can get the egg-and-mushroom dish, which is filling and delicious. It’s the perfect spot to drop into for a quick snack or to stay and linger over a cappuccino and croissant.

A meal at Fiorito feels like I’m eating at my grandma’s house, and that’s what I love most about it. Something about the churrasco steak served with hand-cut french fries—and the homey atmosphere—reminds me of the comforts of sharing a home-cooked meal with those closest to me. While everything on the menu is delicious (I would know: I eat here almost once a week!), you should order any of the steaks, the sopa de calabaza, and the panqueque (a crêpe-like dessert filled with dulce de leche).

I could write an essay about how much I love Fiorito. So when the people behind it opened a counter-style lunch spot across the street, I was basically one of the first in line. Here the focus is on grab-and-go bites—sandwiches and a daily lunch special—executed at the same level of quality. Lately I’ve been gravitating toward the choripán, an Argentinian sandwich consisting of chorizo, bread, and chimichurri sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and really filling!

Flanigan’s—or Flanny’s, as locals like to call it—is a South Florida restaurant chain with a cult following. Imagine a quirky sports bar decorated with a bit too much fishing ephemera, serving specials like Tumbleweed Tuesday, a deal that gets you a free basket of onion rings with your first pitcher of beer. To call this place local to the core would be an understatement. Get the rack of ribs and a beer and you’ll leave full, happy, and feeling a bit like a Florida Man.

Located on Key Biscayne (a small island off the coast of mainland Miami, accessible via car thanks to the Rickenbacker Causeway), Flour & Weirdoughs is sure to blow your mind with some of the best, freshest bread and baked goods around. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some off-the-cuff items like a mortadella-pesto-mozz sandwich, which left me full, happy, and wanting a whole other sandwich. Make the drive! It’s worth it for the food and the ocean views along the way.

What started as a hard-to-score pizza pop-up has now turned into a permanent restaurant. Located in downtown Miami, Fratesi’s still serves some of the pies we first fell in love with, like the Demon Pig Boy (a spicy mix of pepperoni and pickled hot peppers), along with yummy sides like a classic Caesar salad. The space is reminiscent of early ’90s pizza shops, glass mosaic chandeliers and all!

The drive to Gabose might be long, but it is so very worth it. Nowhere else in South Florida will you be able to get a Korean BBQ experience this delicious and authentic. Whether you score one of the charcoal grills (usually reserved in advance) or use one of the propane ones, don’t miss the tukpoki, galbi gui, deaji bulgogi, and the banchan that inevitably fill the table. Pro tip: You’re going to have to wait for your table. Do so next door at their karaoke bar, Pocha.

Garden Butcher isn’t in Miami, but chances are, at some point you’ll find yourself in Boca wondering where to grab a quick lunch. This casual café specializes in healthy prepared foods—salads, sandwiches—made with local ingredients. Recently I had an amazing chicken salad and buffalo cauliflower bite, and they also have trendy (but delicious!) smoothies, like the Strawberry Glow, which I guess you can say is the Hailey Bieber smoothie of South Florida.

I’m always trying to support small, local purveyors, and Gaucho Ranch has quickly become one of my go-to spots for buying local eggs and quality meats. This little grocery store specializes in grass-fed meats and wild-caught seafood while also selling mid- to high-end pantry items like local butters, seasonings, crackers, and cheeses. Pro tip: If you’re hungry, they also have their own restaurant across the street, and it’s delicious!

Sometimes, the food just hits. That pretty much sums up my first time trying the new menu here, which solidified Gramps Getaway as one of my favorite spots in Miami. I must have ordered everything on the menu, but what I remember most are the double-patty smash burger with its perfectly crispy edges and the grilled prawns smothered in five-spice butter and garlic-chili crisp. Gramps is special, it's delicious, and it always leaves me wanting to come back.

I can go on forever about how Miamians need access to better produce, but I’ll save you the rant and instead wax poetic about Grove Grocer, a new family-run mini grocery store carrying some of the best produce in the city. Think: the juiciest plums flown in from a small farm in California, local mustard greens from Miami’s farm country, mushrooms from upstate Florida. Every week the offerings change, so my advice is to just walk in and buy whatever calls to you.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: a chain restaurant? Hear me out. I have been to almost every iteration of Hillstone: Houston’s, Bandera Grill, Honor Bar—you name it, I’ve been. And I’m here to argue that Hillstone Bal Harbour is their superior location. Two of my many reasons: the midcentury architecture, with palms lining the windows, and the special beef ribs (pork ribs elsewhere!). Like most Hillstones, it's always packed, so make a reservation or go at an off-hour.

In a city filled with so many over-the-top sushi spots, it can be hard to find a Japanese restaurant that feels like it might actually exist in Japan. Situated in a modern but small dining space, Hiyakawa focuses on sushi and Japanese food using seasonal ingredients. On a recent dinner there, I had dishes like a scallop-and-tomato salad, and for dessert, a Japanese cantaloupe that was so precious that it was presented like a baby (carefully coddled in the waiter’s arm).

We don’t have a lot of barbecue down here, so when one of my old Brooklyn spots opened a Miami location, I was excited! When I eat here, I keep it pretty classic: a mix of pulled pork, some brisket, the cornbread (always!), potato salad, and coleslaw. I try my hardest to leave room for dessert because I love the banana pudding so much. Pro tip: Spend a few hours at the nearby Rubell Museum and then come here for dinner and drinks.

Jimmy’s is the kind of place you wake up craving on any given Sunday, mostly because it’s that quintessential, no-frills type of diner with a menu so big you’ll spend 10 minutes debating between two completely different things: corned beef hash or a large Greek salad? Famous for its cameo in the Academy Award–winning movie Moonlight, this diner is always packed with locals and tourists alike.

Joe’s is one of those places that makes you feel like you’re in old-school Miami. It’s been around for ages and has grown to be an institution for locals and snowbirds alike. For a posh night out, order a martini, a few large stone crab claws, a wedge salad, and a fried-chicken dinner. For a more casual outing, do as the locals do and grab your order to go and eat it picnic-style at South Pointe Park.

While the last few years have seen several New York restaurants opening in Miami, an L.A. transplant is rare. Earlier this year, the famed Jon & Vinny’s set up just off the beautiful central courtyard of the Rubell Museum. Here, you’ll find Jon & Vinny’s yummy bruschetta, creamy cacio e pepe, and a simple yet delicious soft-serve swirl. I’d make a cute date out of it: a walk through the museum finished with an easy, breezy lunch or dinner?

Keg South is an old-school dive bar with some of Miami’s best chicken wings. They make sure you know that their wings come grilled (the superior cooking method, according to them), which I love, but what really shines is the tangy sauce that envelops every flat and drum. The interior is exactly what you’d expect from a dark dive bar: pool tables, TVs, wood-paneled walls, and a few regulars (my high school English teacher included) who seem to have never left.

I can’t believe I only recently made the trek to Kimchi Mart. It’s the kind of grocery store I could spend hours in, shopping all the various Korean food items: kimchis, frozen dumplings of every flavor, juices and sodas, and cuts of meats ready to be grilled up. While there, I stocked up on all of the above while also sneaking in some kimbap rolls and tuna onigiri from the prepared-food section.

One of the hardest things about moving from NYC to Miami was the fact that I craved a huge bowl of bibimbap every day—and didn’t know where to find one. Then, one day, after a desperate online search, I found Korean Kitchen. My life has been better since. The inside is simple, which I love—I’m not really here there for vibes. I’m here for the bibimbap, with its perfect portioned-out mix of grilled beef, kimchi, egg, and veg; the corn cheese; and the cold noodle stir-fry.

Seafood restaurants in Miami tend to be really fancy and over the top, which is why I love La Camaronera—it’s the exact opposite of that. In business since the ’70s, this Miami staple serves everything from oysters to stone crabs and fried conch fritters. I’m a huge fan of a quick stop in for lunch, when I usually order their famous pan con minuta, a simple yet delicious sandwich made with a whole fried snapper (tail and everything!), ketchup, and white onions.

This is one of my Cuban grandfather’s favorite restaurants, and that’s a very important designation given his commitment to pretty much eating only Cuban or Italian food. La Esquina del Lechon is best known for its Cuban-style roast pork, which is essentially juicy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside pork marinated in mojo—a marinade made of garlic and citrus juices. Besides the pork, make sure to order the chicharrónes as an appetizer and a tres leches for dessert.

You have to respect a restaurant that claims to do something so well that they go ahead and put said item in their name. La Esquina De Pan Con Bistec translates to "the corner of steak with bread" and, rightfully so, serves one of the best Cuban-style steak sandwiches in Little Havana. Consisting of a really thin fried steak, sautéed onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and potato sticks, the pan con bistec here is always just the right mix of juicy and crunchy.

Of all the quick bites to come out of Venezuelan cuisine, arepas will forever be my favorite. The gooey cheese sandwiched between two grilled cornmeal cakes just does it for me. Some of the best arepas in the city are served up at La Latina, a small, colorful spot in Midtown Miami. While there are so many to choose from, my favorite is La Catira, which has shredded stewed chicken. La Latina is open till 4 a.m. on weekends, making it the perfect spot for a late-night snack.

When I'm at La Natural, I feel like I’m somewhere other than Miami. The interior of the restaurant, with its minimal lime-washed walls and terracotta tiles, tricks me into believing I’m eating in, say, Mexico City. Equally as beautiful are the veg-forward starters, which complement their sourdough pizzas. On a recent visit, I had what I’d consider a perfect meal: a fresh, pink radicchio salad and a white-sauce pizza with scallions and Szechuan peppercorns.

I’m not a breakfast person, but I’ll make an exception for the Desayuno Tipico here. Picture a really large plate consisting of many little bites: fried sweet plantains, refried beans, chorizo, eggs (whichever way you want them!), a tortilla, and a pupusa with cheese. While there’s debate over the proper way to tackle the plate (Dip the tortilla into the crema first? Make a little taco of everything?), the curtido (Salvadoran coleslaw) is inarguably one of the best parts.

This family-owned restaurant has been around forever and is a place I’ve been coming to with my own family since I was a kid. While it’s a drive away from the center of Miami, it’s worth the trip if what you’re looking for is some really good Mexican homestyle cooking. I recommend coming with a big crew (family or not!), sitting outside on the patio, and ordering steak tampiqueña: a hearty and delicious plate of steak, rice, and beans.

If you’re in Miami, a trip to Larb Thai-Isan will require a bit of a drive, but I promise it’s worth it. Larb serves northern Thai food in a fun setting where the walls are filled with old movie posters. My favorite dishes are the kra pao (stir-fried pork with a fried egg), the made-to-order papaya salad, and the kai yang (grilled chicken). Don’t miss the cha ma nao—traditional Thai iced tea with lemon—and the mango sticky rice, for which they use local mangoes!

Looking for a casual waterfront lunch or dinner? This is the spot for you. Located inside an old gas station on the Intracoastal Waterway, Le Tub is a somewhat dive-y bar and restaurant with excellent boat- and people-watching. This place is stuffed with boating-related tchotchkes and is best known for their thick, juicy burger and smoked fish dip. More than anything, Le Tub is one of those places you can really only find in Florida, so put on your Crocs and lean in!

While I know it sounds weird to recommend a yogurt stand, it really doesn't get any better than Aroa Craft Yogurt—to gatekeep this business would be a crime. Most Saturdays, I’ll head over to Legion Farmers Market and stock up on a dozen or so yogurts. I always get the passionfruit and guava, two tropical flavors that just scream Miami, plus whatever the flavor of the week is. If you don’t believe how delicious yogurt can be, you’ll just have to try these for yourself!

Lebanese food is one of my favorite cuisines, and it can be hard to find in South Florida. Thankfully, Lira Beirut satisfies all my cravings, from labneh to fattoush. Located in Wynwood, this cute café has a beautiful garden where I love to sit and order some of my favorites for a long, leisurely lunch. Recently, I split a kefta, some beet hummus, and tabouleh with my work crew, and we all left full and happy. Don’t forget to order a mint lemonade to beat the Miami heat!

I am always going to be a huge fan of healthy, grab-and-go cafés, and Living Green is one of the best we have in South Florida. It is a bit of a drive if you’re in the Miami area, but if you happen to find yourself in Fort Lauderdale, this is the spot for a quick, healthy lunch. They have a hot bar à la Erewhon with a plethora of proteins, salads, and veg sides, plus à la carte items like toasts and smoothies.

Stepping inside Los Félix feels like walking into a really chic restaurant in Mexico City. The interior is organic, cool, and inviting. Serving what they call Meso American food, all of Los Félix’s dishes are inventive, delicious, and like nothing I’ve tasted before. On a recent evening, I enjoyed the grilled crab arepa and the yuca flatbreads, served with a corn-marigold butter.

I normally stay away from restaurants in Miami hotels—I’ve always felt like they prey on tourists who don’t know where else to eat. But given that this is a Francis Mallmann restaurant in the iconic Faena Hotel, it felt deserving of a try. Maybe it was the perfect weather or the spritz I was drinking, but this was one of my favorite lunches I’ve had in a while! Sit out on the patio and order the roasted chicken salad and panzanella salad, which aren’t to be missed.

I’m always hesitant to highlight a New York restaurant that decides to plant its roots down south. But if any deserve praise, it’s Lucali! After all, they were here a decade ago, long before it became cool to have a Miami outpost. The wait to get a table can be annoying, but it’s a testament to just how loved Lucali is. I always get the chicken wings and a pizza with pepperoni, shallots, garlic, and jalapeños, which I’ve been told is their secret staff pizza.

Eating at Lung Yai can be somewhat of a stressful experience. First, you’re only allowed to order once—a task that might seem easy at first. Then there’s the wait, which is hopefully under 45 minutes if you’ve timed it right. Regardless, I keep going back, and I’m obviously not alone. The Bangkok-born chef serves all the Thai classics—pad thai, curries—just expertly and deliciously prepared. I love to order a cold beer, the pork larb, and the glossy pad see ew noodles.

Just finished dinner at Joe’s and want to keep the party going? Mac’s got you. Just look for the iconic neon sign and follow the crowd in. What you’ll find is an old-school dive bar that Anthony Bourdain once called his “favorite place in the world.” That’s probably because Mac’s isn’t trying to be anything other than what it is: a laid-back spot for nothing-fancy drinks with a group of friends.

Pile up all the spicy rigatonis popping up at the many new Italian restaurants in town, and you could build a barrier island to save us from rising sea levels. But one of the best Italian spots is not a newcomer—it’s been around for more than a decade. Macchialina serves rustic dishes like short rib lasagna and veal Milanese in a cozy setting. It’s casual enough for a random Thursday but also fun enough for a special occasion. Anything you order is going to be delicious.

Madruga is one of Miami’s O.G. new-wave bakeries. All their bread is baked in-house using traditional methods (milling their own flour, long fermentations), and it shows in the quality of the loaves. The prepared foods are also excellent, making this the perfect place to stop into for a snack while grabbing bread for the week. The menu is constantly rotating, but you can’t go wrong with the sandwiches and pastries. For special occasions, I also love their cakes.

This new wine bar in the up-and-coming Little River neighborhood is all about fun wines and yummy snacks. While Magie is perfect for any kind of night out—maybe a first date or just a chill, pre-dinner drink—I happen to love the “Girl Dinner” happy hour special. With any $50 bottle of wine, you get a charcuterie board and a grilled cheese toastie. Given what a gem this place is, it gets packed, so snag a seat early!

I actually love what this New York–based café has brought to Miami, which can sometimes feel lacking in cafés for a casual brunch or coffee. Maman has filled that void. On a recent morning, I ordered an iced latté and a cheddar chive biscuit; it felt like I was back in New York, if only for a few minutes. If you’re really hungry, order Papa’s Breakfast Bowl, a flawless bowl of crispy fried potatoes and jammy onions topped with a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg.

Mandolin is already on every other Miami restaurant list, but you know what? They deserve it. While it feels more popular among tourists, Mandolin has and will continue to be a really solid spot serving even more solid food. Besides the delicious Greek food, what makes Mandolin so special is the setting: It’s mostly outdoors and the right mix of chic and casual—something that feels increasingly hard to find in Miami these days.

With all the new pizza spots opening lately, I’ve been wondering: Are there just too many pizza places in Miami? And then I go to them and realize: absolutely not. Each does things a little differently. At Marc’s, the highlight is the Sicilian pizza, which is a square pie with a thick, doughy crust. The corners are crispy, and the flavor combinations are perfect. Don’t miss the Caesar salad (you want it with the anchovies!) and the meatball appetizer.

Whenever I’m hosting a party, a stop at Marky’s is a must. This gourmet grocery store is mostly known for its namesake caviar, but it has so much more than that to offer. Think artisanal meats and cheeses for a charcuterie board, plus crackers and dry goods you’ve never seen before. And of course, there’s a crazy selection of caviar that ranges from affordable to…not-so affordable.

MC Kitchen is not trying to be anything other than what it is: a solid spot to have dinner when you find yourself in the Design District, which, if you’re anything like me, happens more than you’d like to admit. My order always involves some combination of the Caesar salad, a palatial mound of fries, and a pasta dish. The décor makes me feel (affectionately) like I’m in the lobby of a modern Italian hotel; I like to sit at the bar and watch the tourists come and go.

A frozen yogurt takeover is happening in Miami, and Meli is one of the best. You can tell a lot of thought went into the modern, trendy interior of their new Miami Shores location. I love the perfectly tart but smooth Greek frozen yogurt, plus the rotating toppings. On a recent trip, I smothered mine in condensed milk, strawberries, and toasted coconut. There’s always a bit of a line, but it goes pretty quick.

I famously hated sandwiches growing up. Something about the idea of meat, lettuce, and mayo all scrunched up together between two slices of bread didn’t do it for me. Which is funny because now, there’s nothing I love more than a really good sandwich! And Chèvre has them! While they have a brick-and-mortar in Coral Gables, I live near their outpost in Design District’s food hall, which is just as good. My favorite is La Italiana, because mortadella will always be that girl!

Miami has seen an explosion of pizza shops in the last few years, and it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth dedicating your time to. One of the best pies also happens to be one of the hardest to score, and the line that forms outside is a testament to that. I promise you the line is not as bad as it looks, and if you’re in the mood for a really good slice of pizza, it’s definitely worth waiting for. Order the pepperoni pie with a side of stracciatella and you’ll be in heaven.

You know those times when you need something more than a snack but something less than a full meal? I like to believe that’s what empanadas were invented for. Milly’s is a small, beautifully designed space serving some of the best empanadas in Miami, always fried to order. I usually keep it classic and order one each of chicken and beef.

The first time I ever walked into Mimmo’s, there was a gigantic dome of some cheese I had never seen before displayed, and I knew I was going to like it there. Since that day, this quaint little deli-slash-café has become a go-to lunch spot for me. I almost always order the Siciliano panini, which contains stracciatella, speck, and a finishing drizzle of honey.

I love Mint Beirut so much that I’ll sit through traffic just to have the pleasure of eating here. This quiet, family-run spot serves Lebanese food in a take-out setting (although you can eat there if you want). While I often tell myself I’m going to explore more of the menu, I always end up ordering the same thing: a lunch plate with shish kafta (a grilled mix of ground beef and lamb), with a side of tabouleh and hummus. Save room for the baklava, served with cream!

In Miami, grabbing a cocktail too often means enduring loud music, overly complicated drinks, and a cheesy neon sign that reads “THIS MUST BE THE PLACE.” So when I stepped in here, I felt like I had discovered some secret holy grail. Given that it’s at The Standard hotel, Monterrey Bar is far from hidden, but it’s somehow never too crowded. The interior is dark and moody, and the cocktails are inventive without being fussy. The space is tiny, so don’t roll in with a crowd!

Liger's makes Miami’s best cookies, hands down. You can order them through their website, or you can find them for sale daily at the coffee-slash-flower-shop Navi. While I am partial to their original cookie—a classic gooey-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside chocolate chip—I also love the Key lime flavor. If you can’t make it to Navi, order the cookies for delivery!

Over the past few years, there’s been a burst of Miami restaurants that claim to give equal attention to both their natural-wine lists and their menus. While I’m always happy to check out a trendy spot to wine and dine, I’m loyal to one of the first places to do it: NIU Kitchen. This cozy spot serves Spanish-inspired dishes like gildas (skewered bites of anchovies, olives, and peppers) paired with equally delicious wines that I know nothing about but am always impressed by.

You ever just need a really good cup of coffee? No frills, no brunch menu—just a nice dose of caffeine? No Signal Coffee is the answer. Operating out of a small coffee cart, No Signal likes to call itself the “slowest coffee in Miami.” But you shouldn’t see that as a bad thing! While you wait for your coffee, they want you to take a moment to yourself, have a conversation with whoever is to your left, and just overall go “no signal” for a moment.

Off Site calls itself a nano-brewery, but it’s much more than that. Of course, you can come here and just enjoy the beer—at its core, it’s a small, bar-like setting. But in my opinion, you’d be missing out on the real star of the show: the food menu. Since I can't order the whole menu every time I go (I’m just one person!), I typically alternate among the burger, the fried-chicken sandwich, the chicken wings, and the pork rinds.

Anytime I visit L.A., I make a beeline to KazuNori, which is my favorite hand-roll bar. When I heard that a similar concept was opening here, I obviously had to check it out. What I found was a quaint, delicious, yet super-affordable (quite a surprise!) hand-roll bar that is a perfect addition to Miami’s food scene. I recommend ordering what I did, the “Omakai Experience,” which is essentially an omakase with hand rolls.

Over Under is that bar you wish were walking distance from your house. Not just because it can be both a chill spot to hang on the weekdays and a fun place to dance on the weekends, but because the food is just as good as the cocktails. While I’m forever a fan of the cheeseburger and fries, I urge you to not sleep on other menu items, like the Treasure Coast oysters or the weekly specials.

Palma serves an ever-changing tasting menu inspired by local produce and the Michelin-starred chef’s Hispanic heritage. Though there’s now an à la carte menu, too, I recommend going all in with the nine-course tasting. My favorite dishes? The sweet plantain brioche with coconut caramel butter, the squid alla assassina, and the baba au rhum with popcorn ice cream. Though I usually find tasting menus a bit too fussy, this is one not to miss!

Look! Another NYC import on the list! I know, I know. I spent a lot of memorable moments at various Keith McNally restaurants in NYC, so when I heard Pastis was opening in Wynwood, I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst. To my surprise, Pastis Miami has a lot of the same charming qualities as its New York counterpart: a solid French bistro-esque menu, good service, a fun and lively atmosphere, and a really good mini-martini called Le Petite Pickle.

Peel whips out a two-ingredient soft serve that has amassed somewhat of a local cult following. And rightfully so! Made with just bananas and coconut milk, it’s delicious, vegan, and good for the environment (they use bruised bananas that would otherwise go to waste). While the OG banana and chocolate flavors are always available, I love to pop in for the weekly flavors like matcha or hibiscus. The bowls make for a refreshing, mood-boosting snack on a hot Miami day.

In my world, it’s always soup season. For that reason, PhoMi2Go is on constant rotation, mostly for the delicious, rich beef pho that is one of the best in the city. I’ll admit that I mostly order in from here, but this cozy hole-in-the-wall is worth an IRL visit for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner. If you aren’t feeling soup, the vermicelli bowls are just as tasty. I especially love the grilled beef one!

I went to elementary school right next to Wayside Market, so some of my earliest food memories take place here. This little produce market has an array of local fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a juice stand churning out delicious smoothies, ice cream, and fruit juices. The best way to enjoy Wayside is by making it a stop on a meandering bike ride down the path on 57th Avenue; grab a juice or smoothie, and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables.

Piononos’ strawberry pavlova is the thing that made me a dessert person. It’s the only request I have every year for my birthday: Something about the delicious mix of nuts, meringue, dulce de leche, whipped cream, and strawberries makes my mouth water every time. And I’m not alone in this thinking! Go to almost any party in Miami, and you’ll be sure to find a Piononos pavlova there. (You can pre-order or just drop in and pick one up.)

In my love letter to Peruvian food, I’d wax poetic about Pollos & Jarras. And not because of its bright, somewhat over-the-top décor that makes you feel like you’re on some sort of psychedelic trip through the Andes, but because of the rotisserie chicken—the dish they’re best known for. Available as a quarter, half, or whole, the chicken is always paired with a fresh salad and the crispiest french fries. Essentially, my death row meal!

Dinner at Pueblito Viejo can feel like a fever dream: There are people singing karaoke! Sometimes the waiters break out in song! There might even be 20 minutes of improv! It almost feels like a dinner and a show. The traditional Colombian food and festive atmosphere at Pueblito Viejo are perfect if you want a fun (but not too crazy) night out full of Colombian hospitality.

The English translation of "recoveco" is "nook," and with just one step into this quaint, chic restaurant, it becomes clear why the owners chose such a fitting name. The setting itself is quiet and romantic, and the menu is ever-changing, dictated by what’s best at the market. Expect dishes like a local ballyhoo sliced sashimi-style, chicken liver mousse served with guava jam on housemade speculoos cookies, and a wagyu ribeye with red banana au poivre(!).

I’m not sure what to make of Wynwood these days. What was once a bustling art district now feels like a chaotic mix between Times Square and Melrose Avenue. But amid the chaos, you’ll find Sable, a quiet coffee shop and vinyl lounge serving your favorite café staples. The drinks are delicious, and the bagels are amazing. Make sure to visit Base next door—it’s one of my favorite locally owned shops in Miami.

Located in a strip mall off of busy Biscayne Boulevard, Sabor a Peru is a no-frills restaurant serving some of the best Peruvian food in Miami. While I encourage you to order whatever sounds good to you (because I’ve never experienced a miss here!), if you need some direction, you can’t go wrong with a ceviche, papa a la huancaína (the most delicious cheesy, saucy, smothered potatoes), and the lomo saltado (the Peruvian take on steak and french fries).

Sobremesa is a cute little wine shop in the Miami Shores neighborhood. They carry lots of wine, some funky cheeses, and a bunch of artisanal pantry items, like Rancho Gordo beans. They also hold community events and wine tastings highlighting lesser-known wine producers. It’s the perfect place to stop in on the way to a friend’s or if you’re looking for some additions to your dinner-party menu.

I love SilverLake Bistro because you walk in, and you know exactly what to expect: a homey ambience, a bistro-style menu, and good service. I mostly come here for dinner when I want to eat out but don’t want it to be a “Whole Thing.” I love the waffle fries topped with sour cream and roe, the French onion soup, and the moules frites!

This tiny restaurant, located in an unassuming strip mall, is cooking up some of the best, most authentic Thai food in Miami. Within a few bites, I’m transported back to the trip I took to Bangkok in my early twenties. The spicy fish bites, khao soi topped with crispy chicken, and mango sticky rice were the standouts of our meal. Also not to be missed are the Thai drinks, like the Thai coffee and plum juice—really sweet but a perfect accompaniment to the rich dishes.

Did you even eat at Sunny’s if you didn’t start your meal with a Filthy Vodka Martini and side of Parker House rolls? Sure, it might be hard to snag a reservation, but locals know that if you show up early and find a seat on the patio, not only will you have a delicious meal, but you’ll run into just about everyone you know. Sunny’s is the place to be, and we’re so lucky to have her.

Sur is a small, family-run Argentinian café serving some of the best empanadas in Miami. It’s also very close to my floral studio, so I order lunch from there several times a month. I usually get a beef empanada and one of their delicious quiches, but sometimes I go rogue and order the brie-and-salami sandwich.

Getting a good iced coffee in this town can be quite a challenge. It’s getting a little easier thanks to places like Surry Hills, an Australian coffee shop in Little River serving your favorite morning drinks like lattés, matchas, and cappuccinos. The cute outdoor seating area is perfect for catching up with friends or doing some laptop work alfresco!

Ever crave sushi for lunch but don’t have the time (or energy!) to sit through a whole sushi-eating experience? Here’s the solution. Located inside a food court in the glitzy Design District, Sushi Yasu Tanaka is known for serving some of the best sushi in Miami, without the fanfare and hefty price tag you’d expect from the neighborhood. I recommend doing the omakase: It’s easy, delicious, and fairly affordable. You’ll almost forget you’re in a food hall!

I’m almost always going to pick soft serve over traditional ice cream, but I’ll make an exception for Sweet Melody, which is, I kid you not, some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. You can just tell how high-quality their ingredients are. The pistachio ice cream is a testament to that: It tastes like real pistachio and even has little chunks of nuts inside. Beyond the core flavors—pistachio, vanilla, strawberry—it’s fun to venture out and try their rotating ones.

I’m not going to lie to you: I found out about this place from a targeted ad I got on TikTok. Given that I had never heard of a Taiwanese ice place in Miami, my interest was piqued! What I found was a cute, family-run spot serving Taiwanese ice cream and boba. I love anything with black sesame, so I ordered the sesame snow ice cream (shaved ice) topped with boba, strawberries, and condensed milk. Taiwan Ice is the perfect answer for when you’re craving something sweet.

What started out as a supper club has quickly become one of the best new restaurants in Miami. Taking inspiration from quán nhậu, Vietnamese food-and-drinking places, Tâm Tâm is the type of restaurant you want to park yourself in at happy hour and stay hanging out at until the kitchen closes. I would never not order the lotus root salad, the chicken wings, and the clams. Make sure to pay a visit to the karaoke-themed bathroom to belt out a tune or two.

Whenever someone asks for a recommendation with a view, I automatically send them to the Cleat. Located inside a Florida state park, the Cleat overlooks beautiful Biscayne Bay, the body of water that hugs the coast of Miami. Serving up a fun array of tropical cocktails like piña coladas and rum punches, this is a place to have a quintessential South Florida afternoon. If you’re feeling hungry, order some seafood from their sister restaurant, Boater’s Grill, just next door.

It’s hard to walk in here and not fall in love with Ali, the owner of this grocer and café. He makes you feel so welcomed, as if you’re about to enjoy a meal in his own home. Originally from Palestine, Ali and his wife cook everything themselves and make some of the best hummus, tabouleh, and baklava in town. There’s also a great selection of Middle Eastern pantry goods. The fresh dates are not to be missed—they’re some of the best I’ve ever had.

The falafel platter at Daily Bread is my ultimate comfort meal and makes for the perfect lunch. I would know, since I often skipped school just to have lunch here (sorry, Mom!). This Lebanese grocer and café has been serving delicious Middle Eastern classics like kibbe, pita, and shawarma out of a casual little storefront since 1978 and is a beloved neighborhood spot for many. After finishing your lunch, stock up on pantry items like olives, hummus, and spices!

You know what everyone loves? Doughnuts. I recently went to a party and didn’t want to show up empty-handed, so I brought a huge box of doughnuts—everyone was really happy. I’m partial to The Salty Donut, which is a Miami-based shop serving the classics, like a simple glazed doughnut, and some more creative options like guava-and-cheese, yuzu, and matcha.

The Surf Club isn’t exactly cheap, so I basically use any life milestone as an excuse to dine here. After I published my very first book, I treated some friends to a swanky dinner here, using the special occasion as excuse for an over-the-top order. Think: tater tots (off-menu item!) covered in caviar, Hemingway daiquiris for me, espresso martinis for everyone else, tableside beef Wellington, and a huge slice of the most decadent chocolate cake.

Tina in The Gables is my favorite breakfast spot, mostly because of how simple yet delicious their dishes are. While other Miami brunch spots seem to overdo it, Tina’s serves classic breakfast dishes just slightly elevated in their presentation and ingredients (but not in a fussy way!). When I’m really hungry, I love the Sunny Side Duck—that’s two duck eggs, smoked duck breast bacon, and pâte—and if I’m craving something sweet, Tina’s French Toast hits all the right spots.

A family-owned Cuban restaurant that’s been around for almost two decades, Tinta is the perfect lunch spot for a quick yet delicious bite to eat. If you’re lucky, they’ll be offering a Completa, a preset meal that changes from day to day. If not, order the ham or spinach croquetas, a fresh-squeezed juice, and the Madurito sandwich, a sweet and salty mix of pork and sweet plantains. I promise you’ll leave Tinta happy and very full!

My plan is usually just to stop into True Loaf for a turkey sandwich or BLT for lunch. But I always end up leaving with so much more: a huge bag of assorted pastries for friends, a baguette to serve with dinner, some sort of seasonal pie I end up eating over the course of three days… Regardless of what you end up walking out with, everything at True Loaf is baked-good perfection.

Miami has an obsession with acai bowls. No, really—it feels like every other restaurant is an acai bowl spot. A few are definitely worth your time, and Under The Mango Tree is one of those. Steps from South Beach, this vegan café serves some of the most delicious, refreshing acai bowls in Miami. I keep it simple with the classic acai bowl, which has just the right amount of sweetness. When I’m looking for a quick snack, Under The Mango Tree always hits.

I’m always going to choose a smash burger over any other type of burger, but I will make an exception for USBS. It’s not quite a pub burger and not quite a smash burger—it lives in this juicy middle ground that has no official moniker. But none of that matters! I love that the burger is on a housemade, soft, pillowy bun and smothered in a cheesy sauce instead of a slab of American cheese. It’s rich but also small, making it the perfect lunch-y bite.

This little window off Biscayne serves really good Mexican-inspired street food. Think tacos, flautas, and burritos. It’s almost always packed, especially late at night, but don’t let that deter you—the line moves quickly! I recommend gathering a bunch of friends, ordering the flautas and a Jarritos, and enjoying some Mexican food alfresco!

My love for Van Leeuwen ice cream runs deep. There was an era in my early twenties in New York City when every Friday, I’d locate the Van Leeuwen truck in SoHo and order a cone with two scoops: one strawberry, one pistachio. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard they were opening a Miami location. Although I may be older and wiser, that doesn’t mean I can’t restart my Friday tradition!

People might argue that Versailles is too touristy to be on a local’s list, but I’m here to tell you otherwise. Sure, tourists pack this Cuban Miami institution, but so do locals who have been going there their whole lives. I order a vaca frita de pollo (it’s just the chicken version of a classic Cuban preparation of beef) with a side of moro (rice cooked with beans). If you don’t have time for a meal, grab a Cuban coffee from their ventanita.

It’s hard to find a casual sushi spot these days. Most feel over the top and require hard-to-get reservations. Thankfully, we have Wabi Sabi. Sister to Hiyakawa (also on this list!), Wabi Sabi keeps things simple by offering mostly sushi bowls, hand rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. On most visits, I order the omakase and let the chef make all my decisions. Whatever you do, please pair your meal with a yuzu lemonade and finish it off with a black sesame panna cotta.

What first attracted me to Yoso was its really cool, early 2000s interior, but what ultimately won me over was the extremely fresh yet affordable sushi. While everything on the menu is great, I recommend taking a friend (or a date) and ordering the omakase for two, which is $80 and comes with so much food.