1. Feed Your Entire Family With A Slice Of Steve’s Pizza
Steve's Pizza12101 Biscayne Blvd (North Miami)(305) 891-0202
Yelp: 4 stars - 255 reviews
I am only slightly exaggerating with that statement. Their jumbo-sized pizza is a whopping 23 inches wide and dripping in perfectly melted gobs of cheese and sweet, tangy sauce on the most delicious Sicilian style crust you’ve ever tasted. Trust me, you can take your pickiest Italian uncle to Steve’s and he’ll say “Mama Mia!”
2. Eat Brunch Every Day At Morgan’s
The Morgan's Restaurant28 NE 29th St (Wynwood)(305) 573-9678
Yelp: 3.5 Stars - 415 Reviews
Brunch is my favorite meal, and The Morgan’s Restaurant not only offers brunch every single day of the week, but it’s a-MAZING. The chicken and waffle is out of this world, but the “pillow light” brioche French toast stuffed with raspberry sauce and mascarpone cream wins me over at least half the time.
I hear they have excellent lunch and dinner too, but I can’t say much about that considering I’ve never actually ventured from their amazing brunches.
3. Devour Master-Sized Crab Claws At Joe’s
Joe's Stone Crab11 Washington Ave. (Miami Beach)(305) 673-0365
Yelp: 4 Stars - 863 Reviews
Don’t go wandering all over Miami looking for the best stone crab—go directly to Joe’s. The claws are sweet and succulent and served with a rich, creamy homemade mustard sauce that will make your tastebuds cry. They only have two sizes: Large and “holy amazeballs this is bigger than my own hand.” Choose wisely.
Fair warning: Joe’s is located in the upscale residential part of Miami Beach, so yes, it’s extremely pricey, but it’s absolutely worth it.
4. Impress Your Snobby Friends With Essensia's Farm-To-Table Food
Essensia Restaurant and LoungeThe Palms Hotel & Spa, 3025 Collins Ave.(305) 908-5458
Yelp: 4 Stars – 56 Reviews
Tucked inside the swanky Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, Essensia’s food is out of this world. The menu follows the sustainable farm-to-table philosophy, but that doesn’t mean you'll have to pretend to like the food to impress your snooty organic hipster friends.
The local, seasonal and organic ingredients Chef Julie Frans uses in every scrumptious dish are bursting with flavor. The kale Ceasar salad and the beef tenderloin with beet puree are simply amazing. Sit outside for the full star treatment and dine al fresco by the pool.
5. Dine Like A Movie Star On Vacation At Chef Adrianne’s
Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant & Wine Bar11510 SW 147th Ave.(305) 408-8386
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 159 Reviews
Rich and sexy. Rich, because this place is pricey—you’re going to get what you pay for—and sexy because the food is downright orgasmic. It doesn’t matter what you order, this Napa Valley-inspired restaurant doesn’t send out a single dish that isn’t fabulous.
Case in point: Wild sea bass with Sicilian pistachio and truffle butter. Whatever you order, I advise that you wash it down with a cold glass of Miami’s best sangria.
6. Come For The Food, Enjoy the View At The Rusty Pelican
The Rusty Pelican3201 Rickenbacker Cwy (Key Biscayne)(305) 361-3818
Yelp: 3.5 Stars - 285 Reviews
Not technically in Miami but with a view of the Miami skyline that will make you weak in the knees, the food at the Rusty Pelican is to die for. Get anything with seafood or fish and it is going to melt in your mouth.
Sit outside on the water and take in the skyline of Miami over grilled swordfish with passion fruit beurre blanc, or pistachio-crusted scallops with orange-ginger syrup.
Sometimes it’s better to admire Miami from afar than be actually be there. This is one of those times.
7. Swoon Over Blue Collar’s Working Class Comfort Food
Blue Collar6730 Biscayne Blvd, Ste 130 (Little Haiti)(305) 756-0366
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 456 Reviews
Blue Collar is a tiny little spot in the lobby of a bad motel in the historic MIMO district, but don’t be swayed by the location, because the food is outstanding.
My favorite, the shrimp and grits, is made with large, juicy shrimp, Trugole cheese, Nueske bacon, and a New Orleans style “BBQ” sauce that pulls it all together in an explosion of flavor. If you really want to feel blue collar, wash it all down with a $3 PBR.
8. Peace, Love And Bunnie Cakes
Bunnie Cakes Bakery2322 NE 2nd Ave (Wynwood)(786) 268-9790
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 69 Reviews
Ok, so Bunnie Cakes Bakery isn’t technically a restaurant, it’s more of a bakery, but when talking about your taste buds being blown out of your mouth, this place can’t be overlooked.
When my roommate came home with a box of their cupcakes, she had been raving about them for weeks.
Let me give it to you straight—it was all true. They have the best cupcakes in Miami, hands down. You would never know they are vegan and gluten-free.
9. Stuff Your Face With The Secret Tacos At Viva Mexico
Viva Mexico542 SW 12th Ave (Little Havana)(786) 350-6360
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 140 Reviews
This hole in the wall taqueria in Little Havana is the best-kept secret in Miami for a reason—they serve bare-bones tacos with mad flavor. They only accept cash for their $2 tacos and a $5 side of guac—which are the only two things on the menu.
Spice it all up with onions, cilantro and 4 different hot sauces from their sauce bar. They don’t sell alcohol, but go buy a beer from the market across the street and bring it over, and you’re all set.
10. The Federal Miami Will Leave You In A Permanent Food Coma
The Federal Miami5132 Biscayne Blvd (MiMo District)(305) 758-9559
Yelp: 4 Stars - 275 Reviews
It might be in a dimly lit strip mall, but The Federal delivers over-the-top delicious, Southern food in a laid back environment. They have some of the best buttermilk biscuits in Miami and serve up dishes like a Jar O’ Duck, truffled egg and buttered dumplings, and a beef brisket with a brown sugar glaze that will make your mama cry.
Anytime you can order anything with their piggy Cracker Jack bread pudding, don’t think. Just do it.
11. Chow Down On A Dressed-Up Dog At Sweet Dogs
Sweet Dogs4749 SW 8th St(305) 448-4900
Yelp: 5 Stars - 109 Reviews
It doesn’t matter if you’re a hot dog person or not, these dogs will blow your mind. Have you ever had a hot dog with grilled ham, smoked bacon and pineapple? How about a dog with mac and cheese, parmesan and garlic croutons? You’ll be left dying to know their secret to these epic combinations.
Spoiler: the secret is in the home sauce. Pick up a bottle on your way out the door.
12. Make The Pilgrimage And Worship Yardbird's Maple-Glazed Bacon Donuts
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar1600 Lenox Ave(305) 538-5220
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 907 Reviews
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar serves up delectable Southern food made with farm fresh ingredients—or so I’ve heard. It’s hard to get past the maple bacon donut. I’m sure you understand. Just look at it.
13. Be Ruined For All Other Burgers At Burger & Beer Joint
Burger & Beer Joint1766 Bay Rd (Miami Beach)(305) 672-3287
Yelp: 4 Stars - 519 Reviews
There are a million places to get a burger in Miami, but this is the best, let me tell you about my favorite: a half pound of premium Black Angus beef, guacamole, grilled Vidalia onion, jalapeno relish, cilantro sour cream and sharp cheddar, topped with a fried egg on a brioche bun. It all adds up to make one thing: Heaven.
If it all sounds like too much, don’t worry, it’s served with a side of “skinny” fries.
14. The Best Cuban Sandwich From A Miami Institution
Papo Llega Y Pon2928 SW 17th Ave.(305) 635-0137
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 38 Reviews
Papo Llega Y Pon has the best pan con lechón ever. In case you don’t know, that’s a pork cuban sandwich. Soft, freshly made cuban bread, tender pork with just enough “crunchies” and a tangy sauce that screams flavor. The place has been in the same family for years, and the food is affordable too—which can be a rarity in Miami. You can get a whole cuban loaf "Una Flauta" for only $14 and feed four people. Make sure to get it with everything.
15. Trick Your Taste Buds At Choices Cafe
Choices Cafe379 SW 15th Rd (The Roads)(305) 400-8895
Yelp: 4 Stars - 147 Reviews
Despite everything you’ve read thus far, Miami does in fact have healthy food, and the best place to find organic, vegan and raw vegan choices is Choices Cafe. They have the freshest organic juices, the most superfood-packed sandwiches and salads, and don’t let the term “vegan” deter you - this is the opposite of rabbit food. Try the Mental Lentil Wrap with black beans, quinoa, "lentil meat," plantains and avocado, or their delicious raw sushi.
Every time I eat here, I vow that I am never eating meat again. There’s no reason to with food this good. That is, until I realize I can’t twirl together vegan ingredients and make the same magic happen..
