Miami's food scene is one of the most diverse in America. Cuban, Haitian, Colombian, Peruvian, Argentine, and Caribbean flavors collide with Southern comfort food and world-class fine dining. Here's where to eat.
🇨🇺 Cuban Food — The Soul of Miami
No trip to Miami is complete without Cuban food. Versailles on Calle Ocho is the most famous Cuban restaurant in the world — order the ropa vieja, croquetas, and a cafecito at the ventanita (walk-up window). La Carreta is the locals' choice for late-night Cuban — open 24 hours with massive portions. For something more upscale, Cafe La Trova in Little Havana serves classic Cuban dishes alongside live salsa music and craft cocktails in a gorgeous mid-century setting.
🦐 Seafood — Fresh from the Atlantic
Joe's Stone Crab in South Beach is legendary — the stone crab claws with mustard sauce are worth the wait (or order takeaway next door to skip the line). Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market on the Miami River is a no-frills local institution serving the freshest catch in town. For upscale seafood, Juvia atop the Lincoln Road parking garage serves Peruvian-Japanese-French fusion with rooftop views.
🌮 Little Havana's Calle Ocho
Walk the length of Calle Ocho for the best food crawl in Miami. Start with a guava pastry at Vicky Bakery, grab empanadas at Las Culebrinas, watch cigars being hand-rolled, and end at Azucar Ice Cream Company for their signature Abuela Maria flavor (cream cheese, guava, and Maria cookies).
🎨 Wynwood & Design District
KYU in Wynwood serves Asian-inspired wood-fired dishes — the roasted cauliflower is famous for a reason. Zak the Baker does the best bread and pastries in Miami. In the Design District, Mandolin Aegean Bistro serves Turkish-Greek cuisine in a charming garden courtyard that feels like you've been transported to the Mediterranean.
🏙️ Brickell & Downtown
Quinto La Huella at EAST Miami brings Uruguayan wood-fire grilling to a rooftop setting. Bali Hai Thai on Brickell is a local favorite for authentic Thai in a neighborhood dominated by upscale chains. For happy hour, Batch Gastropub in Brickell offers one of the best deals in town.
🌴 Coconut Grove & Coral Gables
Jaguar in Coconut Grove serves refined Latin cuisine with one of the best outdoor patios in the city. Bulla Gastrobar in Coral Gables offers Spanish tapas and sangria on their lively patio. For a splurge, Palme d'Or at the Biltmore Hotel is one of the few Forbes Five-Star restaurants in Florida.
✨ Don't Miss
Miami is a city where you eat with your hands, where lunch can last three hours, and where the best meals often come from the most unassuming places. Skip the chains on Ocean Drive and explore the neighborhoods — your taste buds will thank you.
Looking specifically for brunch? See our best brunch spots. For a local's take on where to eat, check out where locals eat in Miami.
