Miami restaurants
Expert guide to Miami
An insider's guide to Miami, featuring the city's best seafood restaurants, breakfast bars, burger joints, and local favourites. By Shayne Benowitz, Telegraph Travel's Miami expert.
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Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
Make a meal at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann (the famed Argentinean chef and parrilla grillmaster), your excuse to visit the over-the-top Faena hotel. Conceived by flamboyant hotelier and developer Alan Faena, the hotel is dripping in gold, red velvet, animal prints and contemporary art— and Mallmann's open-fire cooking is the perfect fit for the dramatic scenery. The skirt steak a la parrilla with chimichurri and crowned with a crispy domino potato is amongst the tastiest cuts of meat I've ever indulged in. For true carnivores, consider the meat a la parrillada platter to share, which includes wagyu NY strip, lamb chops and sweetbread with charred kale, pickled onion and crispy potatoes. There's also a fish version of this platter, as well as fresh crudo and vegetarian options.
Make a meal at Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, your excuse to visit the over-the-top Faena hotel
Address: 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Getting there: 103, 113, 119 bus to Collins at 31st Street
Contact: +1 786 655 5600; faena.com/miami-beach/restaurant/los-fuegos-by-francis-mallmann
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 7-11.30am, midday-4pm, 6-11pm; Fri-Sat, 7-11.30am, midday-4pm, 6-midnigh
Prices: lunch and dinner from $110
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Stripsteak
Stripsteak by acclaimed San Francisco chef Michael Mina is found inside the famous Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. This contemporary steakhouse is easily one of my favourite Miami dining experiences. The spacious, bi-level restaurant features a high-tech, glass-enclosed wine vault, an open kitchen and tufted leather banquettes in butterscotch. Service is seamless, with well-trained staff on hand to guide you through the menu. On my last visit, each course was more tantalizing than the last. If money is no obstacle, start with the Imperial Shellfish Tower, featuring the chef’s selections of chilled and raw delicacies. The ricotta cavatelli with pea tendrils and the BLT wedge salad with house-smoked blue cheese are also excellent starters. Then, prepare yourself for your preferred cut of meat, ranging from filet mignon to Chateaubriand. Don’t skip dessert. While salted caramel maple bread pudding topped with a melted homemade chocolate bar may take 20 minutes to prepare, it’s worth waiting every second.
Service at this contemporary steakhouse is seamless, with well-trained staff on hand to guide you through the menu
Address: 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33140
Getting there: bus 112, 119 to Collins Avenue at 44th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 674 4780; fontainebleau.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 6pm-11pm; Fri,-Sat, 6pm-midnight
Prices: dinner around $100
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Red, the Steakhouse
I’m not sure which dish draws me most to Red, the Steakhouse. It could be the lobster mac ‘n cheese (that's lobster macaroni and cheese) or the handmade burrata and heirloom tomato starter. I’ve also enjoyed a superb Colorado rack of lamb, and a fine dirty truffle martini for that matter... This is a true fine dining establishment with sexy floor-to-ceiling windows, dim lighting and a well-dressed clientele out to spend some money. Chef/owner Peter Vauthy prides himself on his Aged Certified Angus beef, as well as his Grade A5 Miyazaki Kobe beef. As you scan the menu, you won’t find the aforementioned lobster mac ‘n cheese. It’s only available by request from those in the know. Now you know.
This is a true fine dining establishment with floor-to-ceiling windows, dim lighting and a well-dressed clientele out to spend some money
Address: 119 Washington Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123, 150 to Washington Avenue at 2nd Street
Contact: 00 1 305 534 3688; redthesteakhouse.com
Opening times: daily, 6pm-midnight; bar opens 4pm
Prices: dinner around $110
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Joe’s Stone Crab
Established in 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab is as classic a dining experience as it gets in South Beach. The most historic restaurant in Miami Beach is beloved for its old world, white tablecloth style and for its local stone crabs, with the sweet meat inside those freshly-cracked claws drawing diners in their hordes. When I first ate here, I was with an old pro who knew exactly how to order. The trick is to make the stone crabs the focal point of your meal with a handful of sides to compliment them. And definitely don’t skip dessert. Joe’s serves the best key lime pie I’ve ever had – perfectly chilled and tart with a thick honey-flavoured graham cracker crust. A few tips. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations. It's not uncommon for visitors to “grease” the maître d’ for a prime table with little wait. During the winter season, another option is to head to the adjacent Joe’s Take Away for deli-style service with nearly all the same menu items. And note that though the restaurant is open year round, the stone crab season runs approximately from mid-October to mid-May...
The most historic restaurant in Miami Beach is beloved for its old world, white tablecloth style and for its local stone crabs, drawing diners in their hordes
Address: 11 Washington Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123, 150 to Washington Avenue at 1st Street
Contact: 00 1 305 673 0365; joesstonecrab.com
Opening times: Winter: Tue-Thu, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-10pm; Fri, Sat, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-11pm; Sun, 5pm-10pm. Summer: Sun, Wed, Thu, 6pm-10pm; Fri, Sat, 6pm-11pm. Joe's Take Away mid-Oct to mid-May, daily 7.30am-10pm
Prices: lunch around $45, dinner around $75
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Zuma
Set inside downtown’s towering EPIC Hotel, Zuma is a favourite amongst celebrities and anyone out to impress. The modern Japanese import from London has made quite a splash in Miami, and is consistently one of the hardest reservations to snag. Prepare yourself for a parade of colourful sushi and sashimi on iced platters. The impossibly fresh fish – tuna, salmon, scallops, hamachi – is tantalizing, as is the dessert platter with chocolate, banana cake, exotic fruit and sorbet. The prix-fixe brunch, though expensive, includes free-flowing Champagne and more food than you could ever eat in a chic, festive setting.
This modern Japanese import from London has made quite a splash in Miami, and is consistently one of the hardest reservations to snag
Address: 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown, 33131
Getting there: Metromover to Knight Center Station
Contact: 00 1 305 577 0277; zumarestaurant.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri, noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight; Sat, noon-2pm, 6pm-midnight; Sun, 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm
Prices: lunch and dinner around $110; set-price brunch menu $95
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: essential
Lure Fishbar
Located inside the Loews Hotel’s historic St Moritz Tower, Lure Fishbar’s nautical chic décor and superior modern seafood have me hooked. On offer are creative appetizers (try the deviled eggs with caviar, or crispy rice cakes with spicy tuna), sushi rolls and salads meant to share, and entrée-sized seafood and steak dishes. I love the bucatini pasta with butter-poached lobster; the lobster roll on a brioche bun is also delicious, and they’ve got an award-winning burger for those not in a fishy mood. The cocktail menu consists of well-crafted selections with creative names like the Auxiliary Ship – made with gin, sake, St-Germain, lemon, cucumber, bitters and egg white.
Lure Fishbar’s nautical chic décor and superior modern seafood will have you hooked
Address: 1601 Collins Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 103, 112, 113, 119, 150 to Collins Avenue at 17th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 695 4550; lurefishbar.com
Opening times: daily, 6pm-midnight
Prices: dinner around $80
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
When chef Michael Schwartz opened Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in the chic Design District neighbourhood in 2007, he single-handedly ushered in the farm-to-table movement in Miami. Menus change daily based on what is fresh and available, and dishes are divided into Small, Medium and Large categories. I’ve enjoyed many memorable meals here, and can recommend the signature wood oven roasted double yolk egg with cave-aged Gruyère, chives and sourdough crostini, as well as the steamed mussels and the slow-roasted short rib. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the restaurant offers one of the best brunches in Miami, so enjoy a sunny afternoon seated at the outdoor courtyard.
Menus change daily based on what is fresh and available, and dishes are divided into Small, Medium and Large categories
Address: 130 NE 40th Street, Design District, 33137
Getting there: bus 9, 10 to NE 2nd Avenue at NE 40th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 573 5550; michaelsgenuine.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 11.30am-11pm; Fri, Sat, 11.30am-midnight; Sun, 11am-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm
Prices: lunch and brunch around $35; dinner around $70
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
The Bazaar by José Andrés
Avant-garde Spanish chef José Andrés has made his mark in Miami at the sexy SLS South Beach hotel with The Bazaar, offering a modern take on traditional Spanish tapas. I love his version of the Cuban sandwich, in a lighter-than-air pastry with Dijon mustard, Swiss cheese foam and Jamón Ibérico. Favourite Spanish plates include the patatas bravas, croquetas and Catalan-style pa amb tomàquet (tomato bread) with manchego. The cocktails take a cue from molecular gastronomy, with salt air margaritas and liquid nitrogen caipirinhas. With an enormous seashell-encrusted chandelier hanging above the dining room, the atmosphere as well as the food is playful and creative. If you’re not up for a full meal, the adjacent al fresco Bar Centro serves cocktails and a limited menu in a more casual but still stylish and buzzing setting, overlooking the pool.
Favourite Spanish plates include the patatas bravas, croquetas and Catalan-style pa amb tomàquet (tomato bread) with manchego, and the atmosphere as well as the food is playful and creativeCredit: Skott Snider Photography
Address: 1701 Collins Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 103, 112, 113, 119 to Collins Avenue at 17th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 455 2999; sbe.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 6pm-midnight; Fri, Sat, 6pm-1am; bar open daily until 2am
Prices: dinner around $110
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
££
27 Restaurant & Bar
27 Restaurant & Bar is tucked away in a two-story cottage at the rear of The Freehand Miami hotel and hostel where the popular Broken Shaker cocktail bar is also found. Since its opening in November 2014, I’ve shared countless meals here with friends for both special and casual occasions, and have left happy and satisfied every time. Elad Zvi and Gabriel Orta have created a restaurant inspired by Miami and its melting pot of cultures with a menu that's constantly changing. From Jewish-Israeli influences, there’s Elad’s Shakshuka (an egg skillet dish made with simmering tomatoes). From Latin America, there’s Gabe’s Arepa Platter (cornmeal patties typical of Venezuela). A crispy pork shoulder griot dish is influenced by Haiti. The focus is on locally-sourced vegetables, fruits and seafood, with a crudo and vegetable dish that changes daily. The best strategy here is to order a little bit of everything to share family style. The atmosphere is homey and eclectic, with knick-knacks lining the walls of the dining room and communal picnic table seating outside. After dinner, head upstairs to the speakeasy-style bar for some of the most creative and expertly mixed cocktails in Miami, like one made of sherry with heirloom tomatoes, tarragon and local honey
Elad Zvi and Gabriel Orta have created a restaurant inspired by Miami and its melting pot of culturesCredit: Ra-Haus Fotografie, LLC
Address: 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, 33140
Getting there: bus 103, 112, 119, 112 to Collins Avenue at 27th Street
Contact: 00 1 786 476 7020; freehandhotels.com/miami/27-restaurant
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 6.30pm-2am; Sun, 11am-4pm, 6.30pm-2am
Prices: dinner around $37; Sunday brunch around $22
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Eating House
Giorgio Rapicavoli, a young chef in the vanguard of Miami’s homegrown movement, has made a name for himself at his Coral Gables restaurant Eating House for creatively conceived dishes. Favourites on the playful, modern and constantly changing menu include: pork belly with calabaza, banana mole and smoked jalapenos; organic chicken with “foie”-ffles (waffles prepared with foie gras); and sea scallops with local carrots in a maple-miso sauce. Brunch draws a cult following for the Cap’n Crunch pancakes made with condensed milk syrup and a candied preparation of the nostalgic kid’s cereal, as well as the carbonara eggs benedict made with black truffle and grana padano on ciabatta bread. Keep your eyes peeled for Rapicavoli who is often found in the front of the house greeting patrons, sporting his signature horn-rimmed glasses and plaid shirt.
Favourites on the playful, modern and constantly changing menu include: pork belly with calabaza, banana mole and smoked jalapenos; organic chicken with “foie”-ffles (waffles prepared with foie gras)Credit: SHUTTERBOX PHOTOGRAPHY 2010/ARMANDO TOLEDO
Address: 804 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, 33134
Getting there: bus 8 to SW 8th Street at SW 39th Avenue
Contact: 00 1 305 448 6524; eatinghousemiami.com
Opening times:
Prices: lunch and dinner around $45; brunch around $25
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Set in a sunny garden patio shaded by white umbrellas, Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a favourite with Miami’s fashion set, yet the vibe couldn’t be more relaxed. It serves outrageously fresh and bright Greek and Turkish dishes. I love coming here with my girlfriends on a sunny afternoon to sip rosé and nibble on an appetizer of hummus, fava bean puree and tzatziki with soft, warm pita bread. I might also order the grilled halloumi cheese sandwich with Turkish chorizo or the sirloin and lamb cheeseburger, and I usually can’t resist a piece of the honey-drenched baklava with Turkish coffee or mint tea for dessert. Do peruse the wine and beer list for unique imports from Greece.
Aegean Bistro is a favourite with Miami’s fashion set, yet the vibe couldn’t be more relaxed
Address: 4312 NE 2nd Avenue, Design District, 33137
Getting there: bus 9, 10 to NE 2nd Avenue at 43rd Street
Contact: 00 1 305 576 6066; mandolinmiami.com
Opening times: Mon-Sat, midday-11pm; Sun, midday-10pm
Prices: lunch and dinner around $40
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary
Dolce Italian
This sexy little den above the lobby of The Gale South Beach hotel has become my number one destination for sumptuous Italian fare in South Beach. What lures me back time and again is the chic, understated dining room, the prime Collins Avenue location (a perfect venue for dinner before a night on the town), and the delicacy of the freshly-made pastas. Whether it’s the straightforward spaghetti al pomodoro with meatballs or the more elaborate ricotta cavatelli with Colorado lamb ragu and broccoli rabe, you’ll find something on the menu to whet your appetite. I love the thin-crust pizzas, which are simultaneously crunchy and chewy – the San Daniele pizza with prosciutto is particularly addictive. I prefer to pair my meal with a Vesper martini, but they’ve also got an excellent wine list. For a pre-dinner drink or nightcap head to the classy, on-site Regent Cocktail Club (see Drink recommendation).
Whether it’s the straightforward spaghetti al pomodoro with meatballs or the more elaborate ricotta cavatelli with Colorado lamb ragu and broccoli rabe, you’ll find something on the menu to whet your appetiteCredit: ©2012 Red Square, Inc./Corey Weiner
Address: 1690 Collins Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 103, 112, 119 to Collins Avenue at 17th Street
Contact: 00 1 786 975 2550; dolceitalianrestaurant.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 7.30am-11pm; Fri, Sat, 7.30am-midnight
Prices: lunch and dinner around $60
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: recommended
Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & LatAm Grill
Miami is culturally close to Latin America, and this is reflected in the cuisine on offer in many of the city's restaurants. Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & LatAm Grill in Coconut Grove was one of the first establishments to focus on the Peruvian food, and it’s become a classic. For the uninitiated, ceviche is raw fish chopped and marinated in lime juice, typically served with red onion, Peruvian peppers, giant white corn and avocado (or some combination thereof). In addition to ceviche, Jaguar also serves a pan-Latin menu of grilled beef, chicken and seafood. The place is decorated in mural art to resemble a wild jungle, has a casual atmosphere, and the friendly waiters are happy to guide you through the menu. When I visited with a friend, we opted for the namesake ceviche spoon sampler, which includes six different varieties in bite-sized portions.
Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & LatAm Grill in Coconut Grove was one of the first establishments to focus on the Peruvian food, and it’s become a classic
Address: 3067 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, 33133
Getting there: bus 249 to Grand Avenue at Commodore Plaza
Contact: 00 1 305 444 0216; jaguarhg.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 11.30am-11pm; Fri, 11.30am-11.30pm; Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 11am-10pm
Prices: dinner around $45
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary
Lucali
While technically a Brooklyn import, we Miamians have happily adopted Lucali as our own favourite pizza joint. It’s sometimes criticized for being too pricey, but I’m here to defend it – and there are plenty of people who back me up saying it's worth every penny. Situated in a cozy warehouse-meets-Italian-grandma’s dining room in hip Sunset Harbour, Lucali serves a straightforward menu of made-to-order, thin-crust, brick-oven pizzas, indulgent calzones and sophisticated salads. It's the perfect chewy crust, the fresh mozzarella, pungent parmigiano and sweet, balanced tomato sauce that make the pizzas so good. Lucali doesn't take reservations and draws a crowd, so get there early, and if you have to wait put your name on the list and grab a cocktail at their adjacent Bay Club bar, which is also one of my favorite spots in town.
Lucali serves a straightforward menu of made-to-order, thin-crust, brick-oven pizzas, indulgent calzones and sophisticated salads
Address: 1930 Bay Road, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123 to Bay Road at 20th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 695 4441; lucali.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 5pm-11pm; Fri, Sat, 1pm-midnight; Sun, 1pm-11pm
Prices: cheese pizzas from $24, with additional toppings $3-$8
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Pubbelly Sushi
The boys behind Pubbelly Group have put trendy Sunset Harbour on the map and have lead the charge in Miami of a local food renaissance. Of the group's handful of successful restaurants, I like Pubbelly Sushi best. The scene in the buzzing dining room is hip and casual, and there's outdoor seating as well. My perfect order includes the bigeye tuna roll on a crispy, sticky rice cake with truffle oil, the snow crab roll with clarified butter, wagyu beef tartare roll, rock shrimp tempura and shishito peppers. I call it deconstructed sushi because the rolls don't resemble anything you’ve seen before. Pair everything with a bottle of sake and you're set. They don't take reservations – if there's a wait grab a drink at nearby Barceloneta or Bay Club. A second location recently opened at the Brickell City Centre al fresco shopping mall.
The boys behind Pubbelly Group have put trendy Sunset Harbour on the map and have lead the charge in Miami of a local food renaissance
Address: 1424 20th Street, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123 to Bay Road at 20th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 531 9282; pubbellysushi.us/pubbelly-sushi-miami-beach
Opening times: Mon-Thu, midday-midnight; Fri, midday-1am; Sat, 2pm-1am; Sun, 6pm-midnight
Prices: lunch and dinner around $40
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Icebox Café
This is my go-to neighbourhood spot for midweek business lunches or post-yoga dinners. The bright, airy dining room is chic, with whitewashed wooden accents and cushioned banquette seating. It also has a nice bar if you happen to be dining solo. My friends and I gravitate towards the healthy options here, like the kale Caesar salad with grilled shrimp, or the gado gado – an Indonesian-inspired dish of fried aubergine, tomatoes, cucumber, boiled egg, rice and peanut sauce. The kale and quinoa fritters with a dense tahini yogurt dressing make a great starter. They’ve also got heartier temptations, like the pappardelle with braised short rib ragu. Icebox’s claim to fame is their cakes (they've been lauded by Oprah Winfrey), so save room for dessert. I love the chocolate delight, the strawberry shortcake and the coconut buttercream. If you’re there with a group and just can’t decide, opt for the Icebox sampler with half portions of three to five slices.
Icebox’s claim to fame is their cakes (they've been lauded by Oprah Winfrey), so save room for dessert
Address: 1855 Purdy Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123 to Dade Boulevard at Purdy Avenue
Contact: 00 1 305 538 8448; iceboxcafe.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-11pm; Sat, Sun, 9am-11pm
Prices: breakfast around $15; lunch and dinner around $40
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary
Blue Collar
This superior diner-style restaurant in an up and coming neighbourhood on the northern stretches of Biscayne Boulevard has deep roots in the community. Blue Collar dishes up hearty comfort food with a Miami twist. Take, for instance, the “Corben,” named after local documentary filmmaker Billy Corben: braised brisket on a Portuguese muffin with latkes (potato pancakes) and apple sauce on the side. I’ve come for brunch and devoured a ridiculously indulgent brioche French toast stuffed with chocolate and ricotta and drizzled with raspberry coulis – it sounds like a stomach ache, but it hit the spot. They also offer many carnivorous options, and an exhaustive list of vegetables to compliment or make a meal out of. The dining room is small and definitely draws a crowd – and they don’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait at peak hours.
Blue Collar dishes up hearty comfort food with a Miami twist
Address: 6730 Biscayne Boulevard, Upper Eastside, 33138
Getting there: bus 3, 16 to Biscayne Boulevard at NE 68th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 756 0366; bluecollarmiami.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 11.30am-3.30pm, 6pm-10pm; Fri, 11.30am-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat, 11am-3.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Sun, 11am-3.30pm, 6pm-10pm
Prices: lunch and dinner around $45; brunch around $30
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Lido Restaurant & Bayside Grill
This chic dockside restaurant is part of The Standard Spa Miami Beach hotel, on an island in the middle of Biscayne Bay. With yachts pulling up to the dock, paddleboards launching into the bay and guests lounging at the adjacent pool, a buzzy, hedonistic vibe permeates the air. The menu feels almost an afterthought and service is sometimes spotty, but it’s hard to care too much when the sun is beating on your shoulders and you’re soaking in views of the bay and the bods sashaying by. I've enjoyed the cocktails made with freshly-pressed juices and the potent piña colada made with coconut water, and tend to order a few appetizers to snack on, like the chicken empanadas and tuna tartare. There are plenty of healthy, vegetarian options too, such as kale salads and tofu, as well as heartier dishes like cheeseburgers. If you want to upgrade your experience, opt for a day pass at the pool ($75 on weekdays, $150 on weekends) and enjoy your meal on a lemon yellow lounge chair in the centre of the laid-back party.
With yachts pulling up to the dock, paddleboards launching into the bay and guests lounging at the adjacent pool, a buzzy, hedonistic vibe permeates the air at this chic dockside restaurant
Address: 40 Island Avenue, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 123 to Venetian Way at E Island Avenue
Contact: 00 1 305 673 1717; standardhotels.com/miami/features/bayside-grill
Opening times: daily, 7am-11pm
Prices: lunch and dinner around $30
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary
£
Zak the Baker Deli
Zak Stern has found overwhelming success with this rustic café in Wynwood. Having started as an artisanal baker pedalling sourdough loaves at farmers' markets, Zak now has a loyal following, with a line out the door of his kosher café at lunchtime. In addition to his comforting baked goods, the café serves daily sandwich, soup, salad and quiche specials. I love the avocado toast – a thick slice of sourdough with fresh, cold ricotta and avocado spread on top. The sweet treats displayed on the counter are hard to resist – the chocolate babka is outrageously moist and so worth the splurge. If you want to beat the lunch rush, swing by early or after 2pm. There are now two locations in Wynwood with a space devoted exclusively to baked goods at 295 NW 26th St.
Having started as an artisanal baker pedalling sourdough loaves at farmers' markets, Zak now has a loyal following, with a line out the door of his kosher café at lunchtime
Address: 405 NW 26th Street, Wynwood, 33127
Getting there: bus 2 to NW 2nd Avenue at NW 27th Street
Contact: 00 1 786 347 7100; zakthebaker.com
Opening times:
Prices: lunch around $15
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Versailles
Versailles is Miami's classic Cuban restaurant. Established in Little Havana in 1971, it’s long been a meeting place for the city's Cuban diaspora, who come together over ropa vieja, black beans, rice and sweet plantains. Despite the mirrors etched in baroque patterns lining the wall and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the place has a casual diner vibe and is welcoming to all. I’m a big fan of the shrimp al ajillo in a creamy garlic sauce and I also love the stuffed green plantains as a starter. This is a prime place to try a famed Cuban sandwich made with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles, toasted to perfection on Cuban bread. You’ll definitely hear a lot of Spanish spoken in Versailles (and all over Miami, for that matter), but don’t be intimidated by any language barrier. They’re accustomed to the gringos and will happily speak English too.
Established in Little Havana in 1971, Versailles has long been a meeting place for the city's Cuban diasporaCredit: Jose More / VWPics / Alamy
Address: 3555 SW 8th Street, Little Havana, 33135
Getting there: bus 8, 37 to SW 8th Street at SW 34th Avenue
Contact: 00 1 305 444 0240; versaillesrestaurant.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 8am-1am; Fri, 8am-2.30am; Sat, 8am-3.30am; Sun, 9am-1am
Prices: breakfast around $10; lunch and dinner around $20
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
La Sandwicherie
This classic sandwich counter in South Beach is open virtually around the clock and functions both as an unrivalled hangover helper and a quick, filling meal before a day at the beach. It serves made-to-order sandwiches on either a baguette or a croissant, as well as salads and smoothies, and unless you're really hungry portions are large enough to share. I order the same thing every time: a chicken salad croissant piled high with lettuce, tomato, green peppers, black olives, onions, cucumbers and cornichons, hold the hot peppers. It’s their tangy, homemade French vinaigrette dressing that makes the sandwich complete – if you dine at the counter, bottles are set out to douse your purchase with. You can also purchase a bottle to take home.
This classic sandwich counter in South Beach is open virtually around the clock and functions both as an unrivalled hangover helper and a quick, filling meal before a day at the beach
Address: 229 14th Street, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 103, 120, 123, 150 to Washington Avenue at 13th Street
Contact: 00 1 305 532 8934; lasandwicherie.com
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 8am-5am; Fri, Sat, 8am-6am
Prices: sandwiches from $5.80
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is a worldwide chain of burger joints with something of a cult following. Created by New York City’s Danny Meyer, it started out as a humble hot dog cart in Madison Square Park. There are two Miami locations – one on South Beach's Lincoln Road, the other in Coral Gables. The menu – burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, fries and milkshakes – is simple and straightforward. What sets Shake Shack apart from your everyday fast-food joint are the high-quality ingredients and friendly service. The Lincoln Road branch offers the perfect quick, cheap meal to fill you up during an afternoon of shopping and browsing, and while it’s definitely a popular spot, the lines are never too long.
What sets Shake Shack apart from your everyday fast-food joint are the high-quality ingredients and friendly service
Address: 1111 Lincoln Road, South Beach, 33139
Getting there: bus 113, 119 to Alton Road at Lincoln Road
Contact: 00 1 305 434 7787; shakeshack.com/location/miami-beach
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 11am-11pm; Fri, Sat, 11am-midnight
Prices: burgers from $5.19, hot dogs from $3.25
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: not possible
