Miami. It’s probably been on your (foodie) radar a lot lately with the World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ recently released 50 hours in Miami video; Miami Herald’s luxury lifestyle magazine Indulge’s recently released food and wine issue (grab a copy, it’s my friend Evan Benn’s baby!); and of course, the upcoming South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBWFF) happening this February 21 to 25.
Not going to lie– before my recent trip to Miami, my impression of it was exactly what I saw on TV– a city of glitz, glam and sunshine, with people laying on the beach all day. Well yes, there’s that. But I saw and experienced another side of Miami that included a thriving culinary scene, and an environment that’s friendly, warm and comfortable.
Here are the places I spent my five days– and first time– in Miami. I hope to be back again to try more things real soon! xx
1)The Bazaar by Jose Andres (South Beach)
If you love “fine” dining (I say this with ” ” because the term fine dining has evolved over the years), The Bazaar by Jose Andres South Beach is for sure already on your Miami eat list. Even while situated in the swanky SLS Hotel, with interiors designed by Philippe Starck, the dining experience at The Bazaar by Jose Andres is anything but stuffy. The dishes are inventive, whimsical and fun. The menu is incredibly extensive and is divided into two: traditional Spanish and “Miami Meets The World” (which has Asian influences), a combination of small plates and sharing portions. The kitchen here is helmed by executive chef Tito Vergas, and service is exceptional– theatrical at times.
1701 Collins Avenue, Miami, Florida, USA; +1 305-455-2999; sbe.com
2) Versailles (Little Havana)
So you just read about Jose Andres’ version of Miami’s famous Cuban sandwich (above). Versailles in Little Havana (featured in the movie “Chef”) has been the Miami institution for quintessential Cuban food since 1971– and its 275-seat dining room is packed all day and night with both locals and tourists! Next door is a coffee counter-takeaway, La Ventanita. On CNNGo, it was mentioned that it’s where Cubans converge to discuss anything Cuban-related, especially on the world news stage. You can take out freshly baked guava pastries or the strong Cuban coffee.
3555 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida, USA; +1 305-444-0240; versaillesrestaurant.com
3) Puerto Sagua (South Beach)
Meanwhile if you’re in Miami Beach and craving legit Cuban, Puerto Sagua is it. According to Lonely Planet, this is where “the older working-class Cubans and construction workers eat”– it basically feels like a Cuban diner. And let me tell you, they make some of the best, perfectly-pressed Cubanos– just look at the layers of sliced pickles, roast Cuban pork, ham and baby Swiss cheese! Their Ropa Vieja (shredded stewed beef served with fried plantains and rice) is also pretty hearty. It’s open really early (from 7:30AM) til late (2AM).
700 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida; +1 305-673-1115
4) Kyu (Wynwood Design District)
Kyu first caught my attention when I was reading American Airlines’ inflight magazine special on Miami. Not long after, when fellow foodies found out I was in town, recommendations started pouring in and the restaurant run by chef Michael Lewis and general manager Steven Haigh (both previously from Zuma) were always top mentions. (Time Magazine did name it the best restaurant in Florida in 2017.) It’s been one of Miami’s hottest restaurants since it opened in 2016, specializing in Asian-inspired small plates, and dishes cooked on their wood-fired grill, inspired by the Japanese barbecue grilling technique.
251 NW 25th Street, Miami, Florida; +1 786-577-0150; kyumiami.com
5) Yardbird Southern Table & Bar (South Beach)
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Miami is housed in an one-storey art deco building and serves up elevated Southern comfort food– in small plates and big– like chicken and waffles (its signature dish), chicken biscuits, shrimp n’grits, St. Louis style pork ribs– in a space made with reclaimed wood. It first laid its eggs in Miami’s South Beach in 2011 and now it’s spread its wings to Las Vegas and Singapore, and soon Los Angeles.
1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, USA; +1 305-538-5220; runchickenrun.com/location/miami
6) Cvi.che 105 (South Beach, Downtown Miami, Aventura Mall)
This popular Peruvian restaurant has three branches– South Beach (where we went), Downtown Miami and Aventura Mall– and as you’ve probably already guessed, ceviche is the name of their game. And boy do they have a lot– take your pick if you want just fish, or a combination with shrimp and octopus– and likewise your choice of sauce, from rocoto or yellow pepper cream to aji limo reduction. But I need to tell you to… get the octopus!!! Cvi.che 105 makes some of the best grilled octopus marinated in Peruvian red dry pepper, pisco and red wine, and served with homemade chimichurri–which came highly recommended by our server. Their pisco sours are excellent, too– don’t miss those either!
1245 Licoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida, USA; +1 786-534-8651; ceviche105.com
7) Barceloneta (Sunset Harbour)
When you drive by this part of Sunset Harbour for the first time, you’ll most probably notice the throngs of beautiful people populating this strip– specifically Barceloneta, and its sister restaurants Pubbelly and Pubbelly Sushi. If you’re craving or missing Spain, this is your place– easy-to-share tapas-style dishes (loved the Esqueixada, where wahoo crudo is the star; as well as Pimentos de Padron– there’s an element of surprise to the shishito peppers in the form of the Spanish blue cheese, valdeon) with an extensive list of Spanish wines, gin tonics and cocktails. PS A little trivia, while Barceloneta is a neighborhood in Barcelona, head chef Juliana Gonzalez is actually from Puerto Rico and trained under Sergi Arola in Madrid. PPS It’s not a coincidence that Miami Herald’s luxury lifestyle magazine Indulge Miami just named Sunset Harbour as Miami’s hottest dining neighborhood of the year!
1400 20th Street, Miami Beach, Florida, USA; +1 305-538-9299; barcelonetarestaurant.com
8) Smith & Wollensky (South Beach)
While Smith & Wollensky is originally from New York– with branches all over the USA– the Miami outpost is all about sitting outside and inhaling the gorgeous water views. (Or if you prefer people-watching, there’s a steady stream of pedestrian traffic, too.) Seafood– specifically oysters and tuna tartare– and beautifully chilled rose were our picks for a late lunch, but they are, of course, known for their steaks.
1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, Florida, USA; +1 305-673-2800; smithandwollensky.com
