1. Devour Cupcake Flavor Bombs At Sweetness
Sweetness Bakeshop & Cafe
839 W 49th St
(768) 615-4242
Yelp: 4 Stars - 51 Reviews
The cupcakes at this cute bakery are a little smaller than you’re imagining, but that just makes indulging in seven of them instead of one totally okay. The prices are reasonable and the cupcakes are the best you’ve ever had.
Staying true to the South Florida vibe, they have flavors like key lime, dulce de leche, coconut and guava, but the absolute best is the maple bacon: maple cake loaded with pieces of salty bacon, topped with maple buttercream, bacon and celtic sea salt. Oh yeah.
2. Scarf Down World Class Pie At Manhattan Pizza Place
Manhattan Pizza Place
5201 W 24th Ave
(305) 556-8000
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 9 Reviews
I have two things to say about Manhattan Pizza Place: New York and Chicago. Whether you want a great NY style pizza or a mouthwatering Chicago deep dish, they deliver - literally and figuratively. Both styles are perfect in every way.
The Chicago style takes 40 minutes to make, but it is oh-so-worth-it. For an over-the-top Chicago-style experience try their spinach, mozzarella and goat cheese pizza. The sauce is subtle, rich, vibrant, sweet and tangy. There are gobs of ooey gooey cheese, and the crust has a light, crispy coat. Best pizza anywhere.
3. Feast On Gourmet Fusion At Lisboa Habana
Lisboa Habana Restaurant
4590 W 12th Ave
(305) 512-1488
Yelp: 3.5 Stars - 17 Reviews
You might be able to get Cuban food all over the area, but Lisboa Habana’s authentic Portuguese dishes and gourmet Cuban food will leave you wondering why this marriage of cuisines hasn’t happened before.
Lisboa Habana serves savory and spicy dishes with Latin flair, set to a backdrop of beautiful murals and lively Latin music. Start off with one of their amazing Portuguese wines and know that whether you order from land or sea, it’s going to be incredible. The lobster stuffed with shrimp is divine, all of the Bacalhau dishes are perfectly executed, and you can’t go wrong with their Bistec Lisboa Habana.
4. Discover Stellar Sandwiches At Franky’s Deli Warehouse
Franky’s Deli Warehouse
2596 W 84th St
(305) 827-5366
Yelp: 5 Stars - 50 Reviews
Whether you’re looking for the perfect Philly cheesesteak, a mouthwatering corned beef and pastrami sub, or the best tuna, chicken and egg salads you’re ever tasted, Franky’s delivers in mom and pop style. Franky himself makes the sandwiches and his wife greets you at the door. By the time you leave you’re one of the family.
If you’re still hesitant to try a new deli spot, especially a well hidden one, just remember that they have 50 reviews and a full five stars on Yelp - that should tell you everything you need to know. It’s worth the trip to Hialeah from Miami (or anywhere else on the planet), but don’t forget your GPS - it’s sandwiched among warehouses and easy to miss.
5. Grab Authentic Mexican At Taco Shop
Taco Shop Mexican Grill
831 W 49th St
(768) 953-7716
Yelp: 4 Stars - 51 Reviews
I’m going to give it to you straight: No other place in Hialeah is going to satisfy your hankering for authentic Mexican. It’s not your typical sit-down spot for wining and dining. It’s more of an cheap, delicious, whole-in-the-wall, spot where you order first and then take a seat.
Their nachos are amazing, the wet burrito is to die for, their enchiladas are fresh and all of their tacos are spot on. To start off right, grab their sampler platter with mini cheese quesadillas, rolled beef taquitos and bean tostadas. Don’t forget to hit up their incredible salsa bar - they have salsa ranging from sweet to roaring hot.
6. Scarf Down As Much Sushi As Your Heart Can Handle At Shima
Shima Japanese Restaurant
16873 NW 67th Ave
(305) 821-2310
Yelp: 4 Stars - 89 Reviews
Pull up a seat at Shima and snag as much floating sushi as your heart desires. Shima is a fun, inexpensive place to try a wide variety of high-quality, fresh sushi. And each floating plate is under $4, so you can sample as much as you want and still not break the bank.
From fried octopus and fresh tuna sashimi to a wide range of rolls: Dragon, rainbow, shrimp tempura and more, it’s the best place to quell your sushi craving with a wide assortments of tastes and flavors. Grab a bottle of Nigori Sake and one of their delicious desserts to make the night complete.
7. China Casa Delivers Great Chinese Food Every Time
China Casa
3300 W 84th St, Unit 5
(305) 698-3881
Yelp: 5 Stars - 19 Reviews
When the craving for Chinese food strikes, rush to China Casa or just have them rush to you. They do take-out, dine-in and delivery, and boy do they deliver. The house special fried rice alone is a delicious hearty meal with pork, ham, chicken, egg, and large pieces of crab and shrimp.
Try the General Tso’s chicken, it’s completely spot on and they’ll cater to your level of desired spice. Somehow the crunchy chicken stays crunchy and the veggies are fresh even when drowning in sauce. It’s magically perfect. The honey garlic chicken, chicken wings and wonton soup are all extra special, too.
8. Graze On Cuban Comfort Food At Molina’s Ranch
Molina’s Ranch Restaurant
4090 E 8th Ave
(305) 693-4440
Yelp: 4 Stars - 17 Reviews
There’s a lot of Cuban food in Hialeah. It’s hard to know where to go—until now. It’s Molina’s Ranch Restaurant. It’s a Hialeah staple that has been offering moros y cristianos, chicharrones and yuca con mojo for more than 30 years and is a solid choice for high-quality, delicious Cuban dishes and amazing Cuban coffee.
Don’t believe me? They are constantly getting accolades for their food and were recently named ‘Best Cuban Restaurant in Miami 2014’ by Miami New Times, and they’re not even in Miami.
9. Get Your Vietnamese Fix At Green Papaya
16893 NW 67th Ave
(305) 826-5216
Yelp: 3.5 Stars - 130 Reviews
Fresh, healthy and flavorful—if you love Vietnamese food you’re going to feel right at home here. This small authentic Vietnamese restaurant serves up delicious pho made from scratch everyday and is the real deal. It’s piping hot and will have you slurping your bowl.
Come casual, it’s a tiny little restaurant with a charming and quaint feel. Don’t forget to try one of their delicious bubble teas. Rich and creamy with a little tapioca burst in every sip, you can’t go wrong with the coconut, red bean or blueberry milk tea. Yes, red bean. It’s much, much better than it sounds.
10. Uncover A Hidden Cuban Gem At El Yoyito
El Yoyito Restaurant Y Cafeteria
495 E 49th St
(305) 953-0701
Yelp: 3.5 Stars - 20 Reviews
On the surface, this spot looks like your typical Cuban restaurant. It’s a small, hole-in-the-wall type place with a simple Cuban menu. However, it’s got three major things going for it: it’s clean, it’s inexpensive and the food is amazing.
They have the best arroz con pollo and arroz con pollo a la chorrera (rice with chicken for those unfamiliar), hands down. The tostones and tamales are amazeballs. Their breakfasts are worth their weight in gold. The perfect lunch is their media noche. In fact, everything here is spot on. It’s all cheap, fatty, greasy and unhealthy, of course, but it’s ridiculously delicious. You’ll crave it again and again. Come early on Sundays because it gets packed.
11. Load Up On Ceviche At El Rinconcito Peruano
El Rinconcito Peruano
4646 Palm Ave
(305) 364-4869
Yelp: 4 Stars - 44 Reviews
You might be used to your ceviche being served in a chic restaurant inside a trendy martini glass. El Rinconcito Peruano proves that fresh, delicious ceviche can be served atop a simple piece of iceberg lettuce with a fried plantain, and still rock your face off.
El Rinconcito Peruano is a great place to get a wide variety of homemade Peruvian food, but for the best experience order some of the ceviche and a Jalea Mixta: deep fried shrimp, fish, squid, mussels, in lettuce with cassava topped with onion and tomato. The mixture of fried seafood and fresh ceviche is the perfect combination.
12. Start Your Day Off Right With Chico’s Cuban Breakfast
Chico’s Restaurant
4070 W 12th Ave.
(305) 556-8907
Yelp: 4 Stars - 70 Reviews
Chico’s is a greasy spoon Cuban diner open 24/7 that serves everything under the Cuban sun. From rice and beans, burgers and soups to paellas, veal, seafood and more. Reading the menu will keep you busy for a long while.
They have fantastic cuban coffee at all hours, but the best meal of the day here is definitely breakfast. The steak and eggs with a side of buttered Cuban toast and a Cafe con Leche will put a spring in your step. Perfection!
13. You Don’t Have To Choose At The Asian Garden
Asian Garden
2451 W 68th St, Ste 4
(305) 558-3933
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 53 Reviews
You want sushi. Wait, no, you want Chinese. What about Thai? Can’t decide? Then head straight to Asian Garden where you can get a little bit of everything and leave a happy camper with a full belly.
The honey chicken is crunchy and sweet, the chop suey is flavorful, the beef curry is rich and the pad thai is tasty and huge. If you’re in the mood for sushi the Miami Heat roll is the bomb: shrimp tempura, crab and cream cheese, topped with avocado, salmon, spicy mayo and tempura crunchies.
Feature Image Source: Yoyito Restaurant Facebook
What’s your go-to for grub in Hialeah? Tell us in the comments below!
