Miami is known to be a melting pot of so many cultures and deciding where to eat can be overwhelming!
So, I’ve put together a little sampler to let you taste the best of Miami and help you navigate the diverse options it has to offer.
From South Beach to Upper Buena Vista, you’ll find something delicious in every corner of The Magic City.
1. La Ventana
710 WASHINGTON AVE MIAMI BEACH
Despite the large Cuban influence in the area, La Ventana is a Columbian restaurant located on Washington Avenue and was the perfect first meal in Miami.
Their bowl size margaritas and Pina Coladas are delicious and more than enough to share.
If you’ve never had ceviche, give theirs a try. It was delicious.
The street tacos are also superb. The outdoor seating was clad with bright, festive colors and the wait staff casually danced to the overhead music between tasks.
Overall, just a fun place to eat lunch, people watch, and soak in the beautiful Miami weather.
2. Havana 1957
819 Lincoln Rd Miami Beach FL 33139
With 5 locations to choose from, we opted for one located in the Lincoln Rd mall for a relatively quick lunch during our day of shopping. Let me just tell you, Havana 1957 was exactly what we were looking for in Cuban cuisine.
That being said, the Cubano is a MUST. If you leave Miami and don’t try a Cuban, did you really even go to Miami??
Their menu has a large selection to pick from. We also tried the sampler, which is a good way to go to get a taste of several different Cuban dishes. Enjoy outdoor seating here as well.
3. Orange Blossom Cafe
2000 Collins Ave #7, Miami Beach FL 33139
Within walking distance of The Plymouth Hotel, Orange Blossom looks like a tiny cafe but actually has a large outdoor seating area behind the building.
With a nod to the ’50s and decorated with ferns and tropical plants, this outdoor dining area felt like a brunch oasis and set the stage for bottomless mimosas and other remedies for curing any lasting effects of excursions from the night before.
Orange Blossom is known for its organic ingredients. The menu was simple but on par for any great breakfast/brunch spot. We tried the salmon toast and eggs benedict and, needless to say, we cleaned out plates.
4. Joe’s Stone Crab
11 Washinton Ave, Miami Beach FL 33139
Joe’s was a recommendation from a friend and I’m so glad we went. I was afraid I had waited too long to get reservations, but they were not completely booked despite waiting until the last minute.
This was our fancier dinner of the trip, so definitely keep this in mind if you go. Attire was more business casual but the restaurant did not seem to be overly strict about that so no need to stress over it.
Now, for the food. Joe’s serves its sides family-style and the portions are large.
So, just keep that in mind if your eyes have a tendency to be bigger than your stomachs–a problem we run into often at new restaurants.
If you have never had stone crab before, don’t worry. Your waiter can help you navigate the menu.
Basically, the stone crab is ordered by the pound. There is the option for small, medium, and large claws, but the weight of the order does not change.
The difference is the crab to shell ratio. With the small claws, there is more shell and less meat. With the large claws, more meat, less shell.
The large claws are pictured here.
**Animal lovers, trigger warning here**
Stone crabs are not killed when their claws are harvested. One claw is removed and the live crab is thrown back. Over time, the claw will grow back. I’m not sure if this will make you feel better or worse, but I wanted you to be able to make an informed decision before you go.
Everything about Joe’s was an experience. You won’t find better, more attentive staff. The calamari was divine and the Mojitos did not disappoint. I’ll let you be the judge of the stone crab, but we were more than satisfied with our night out.
5. Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
The Plymouth Hotel 336 21st St, Miami Beach FL 33139
Blue Ribbon is located inside the Plymouth Hotel and was one of our favorite dinners of our trip.
Not only did we not have to stumble far to our beds after filling our bellies, but the food was also incredible! The restaurant has sister sites in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, so they definitely know what they are doing.
We had a delicious appetizer that included a whipped, fluffy cheese, topped with sliced pears and large capers that looked like figs. I don’t remember the name of the dish, but the saltiness of the capers perfectly balanced the sweetness of the pears. Definitely would recommend.
We then opted for a sashimi and sushi sampler to share. This was a great way to sample several different pieces to really get an appreciation for the extremely high caliber dishes Blue Ribbon brings to the table (pun intended :P).
The adjacent tiki bar is a great place for a nightcap after dinner as well. Even if you don’t stay at the Plymouth, it’s worth a visit just to eat here.
6. The Clevelander
1020 Ocean Dr. #1 Miami Beach FL 33139
Located on Ocean Drive, we stopped in The Clevelander to grab a drink, and people watch, lol.
An open-air bar bathed in the neon lights of the Art Deco Walk, The Clevelander was a nice spot to grab a table and observe the spring-breakers.
Like many restaurants in the area, they served a bowl-size pina colada with shooters on the side that was enough for two people to share.
They also offered a cigar service for patrons to enjoy while sipping their cocktails. I think any restaurant on the Walk would give you a similar experience, so definitely walk around before you take your pick.
7. El Turco Turkish Restaurant
184 NE 50th Terrace Upper, Miami FL 33137
Described as an “open-air sanctuary,” Upper Buena Vista is a neat little stop if you’re around the Design District.
Note, it’s not easy to see from the car due to being camouflaged by a privacy wall, so keep an eye out because it’s easy to miss!
Once you’re inside, the entrance opens up to a tranquil little area of shops and cafes. In the center of the “sanctuary” is the Bodhi Wish Tree, ordained with assorted ribbons bearing the wishes of the hopeful.
El Turco is situated near the tree. We stopped in and tried the Turkish Breakfast which was such a fun, different breakfast experience.
Basically charcuterie without the board, the breakfast came with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, olives, cheese, bread, and a Turkish tea.
Unlike any other breakfast of our trip, I would definitely recommend this spot if you want something unique and off the beaten path.
Although not an exhaustive list, I hope this gives you an idea of the variety of delicious options Miami has to offer and will help you plan your own culinary adventures!
Be sure to try something new that you wouldn’t usually pick! You’ll be glad you did!
As always, thank you for stopping by and safe travels, friend!
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I can still taste the Stone Crabs.
A whole fleet of one-armed crabs 😛