Miami: Where to Eat, Play & Stay

Honey Uninhibited

A Black-owned Soul Food restaurant known around for its delicious brunch. I went on a Saturday not long after they reopened from COVID-19 and the vibes were chill. I loved the artwork inside and the food was so good, I ordered their Challah Berry french toast, and whew. It’s challah bread stuffed with strawberry ricotta cheese, strawberry compete, chantilly cream, raspberry glaze, and mixed berries.

Bistro Cafe

A popular Puerto Rican upscale breakfast eatery, and the first location within the continental United States. Bistro Cafe is a MUST for breakfast/brunch, they have everything — from sweet to savory and a mix of both! Their drink options are also very unique, from glitter lattes to mimosas with popsicles and spicy margaritas.

Quinto la Huella

Located within the EAST, Miami hotel, Quinto la Huella is an authentic Uruguayan restaurant. In fact, the folks behind Quinto la Huella founded the famous Uruguay beachfront restaurant — Parador La Huella. The vibes in Quinto la Huella are relaxing, rustic, and stylish, there’s also tons of greenery on the patio. I loved sitting on the patio because the tables were spaced out, feeling like there was a sense of privacy. The food is uniquely cooked on a wood-fired grill and oven. I got the catch of the day and smashed potatoes, which were served on rustic boards (and delicious).

Tacology

The name definitely gives away the type of cuisine here. Tacology is located in the Brickell City Centre – a shopping mall with a beautiful architectural interior. Although it’s on the pricier side for tacos, the food and drinks were delicious! I loved that I could order, and visually see, everything through a tablet. The service was also amazing! I never waited more than 10 minutes after ordering for food and drinks to arrive.

World Famous House of Mac

Although I haven’t stepped foot in this Black-owned restaurant, the food is the truth! I got the jerk chicken mac & cheese (there’s also a Jerk shrimp option) which was delicious. I definitely can’t wait to eat here again but at the actual restaurant. Also, take advantage of #MacMonday – a BOGO Mac & Cheese deal for dine-in, pick-up, and delivery orders. This deal only applies to their Five Cheese, BBQ Chicken or Beef and Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheeses. And there’s no code necessary because it’s automatically applied!

OOH RAW!

A great way to get your poké, açaí bowls, juices, and/or smoothies fix. You can put your poké and/or açaí into a halved pineapple or watermelon, so they’re very Instagramable. I got the Ipanema açaí bowl and substituted the granola for fruity pebbles and it was delicious.

El Otro Tiesto Cafe

A Dominican and Japanese fusion, this restaurant is very unique. The food ranges from sushi rolls to traditional Dominican cuisine including mofongo, sancocho, and tostones. El Otro Tiesto has a “bar/club” type of vibe with a DJ, hookah and of course, drinks. It’s a very spacious and large location, so definitely enough seating inside and outdoors. Also, they have free parking in their parking lot, but not on weekends. I got their passion fruit sushi roll and passion fruit mojito, which were both delicious.

Kush by Lokal

I love a good burger and Kush DOESN’T disappoint, the vibes are also amazing. They were playing The Office on the TV when I went, and the music was great! I’m not a big beer fan, but I got a Collective Arts Brewing Guava Gose beer, which was surprisingly good. I also got their delicious Frita burger. The only downside of Kush is the actual place is very small, so seating is limited. However, they do have outside seating options.

Miami Mojito Company

Although the space is fairly small and they only sell mojitos, this place is a must. They know how to make bomb mojitos for a great price. I love their passion fruit mojito, they also put a real sugar cane stick in the drinks!

Cielito Artisan Pops

This shop sells very unique ice cream pops, I got their guava and cheese popsicle (filled with guava inside). It sounds weird, but it was delicious! You can enjoy your popsicle inside their shop, or in their outdoor seating area.

Wynwood Diner & Cocktails

I love the vibes, decor, and food/drink options. I sat at the bar and ordered a frose and a burger, which were both good. The music was great and there were also outdoor seating options.

Morgan’s Restaurant

If you’re looking for a brunch spot in Wynwood, then this is the place to check out! The food portions are ridiculous, but it makes sense based on the prices. I got the chicken and waffles sandwich and could barely finish it. The ambiance at Morgan’s makes you feel boujee for sure, but I love it 😂. Since it gets packed for brunch on Sundays, I suggest making a reservation like I did. There are indoor and outdoor seating options. The outdoor seating option includes a bar area with a “Rosé all day” sign. I also loved that they played old-school rock hits. There’s free parking at Morgan’s, but also ample city parking for a small fee.

arepa.bar

The name surely gave this restaurant’s cuisine away. arepa.bar makes Venezuelan-inspired cuisine such as arepas, patacones and cachapas. The ambiance is very chill, they have board games and music playing in the background on their TVs.

Eating House

I highly recommend making a reservation, especially for their weekend brunch. The service is impeccable and the food is DELICIOUS. The menu is honestly simple, but there’s something for everyone. My server said the menu starts with shareable plates and increases proportionally as you progress toward the bottom.

Caja Caliente

The “Original Cuban Tacos” spot, Caja Caliente serves Cuban-inspired tacos, empanadas, tamales, and more. I’ve gone to their food truck location and brick-and-mortar restaurant (next door to Eating House). I tried their delicious brunch favorite — Mika’s Disco Volador pancakes, plus Mika’s Guava Lemonade Spritz, which was also amazing. And I’ve tried their signature tacos, which were so good (and big) and topped with a generous amount of sauce.

Ball & Chain

This place was apparently an iconic nightclub back in the 1930s-50s and is now a live entertainment and music venue. There’s almost always something going on, like salsa nights. Ball & Chain also sells delicious food and drinks! I went on a Saturday and the vibes were dope. I love the old-school/antique aesthetics and the live music.

Azucar Ice Cream Company

Located in the heart of Little Havana/Calle Ocho, this place is definitely a MUST for ice cream. Azucar Ice Cream Company is an artisanal ice cream and sorbet boutique that sells a wide range of tropical flavors. You can choose from classic, sorbet, or tropical fruit flavors, including Mango, lemon basil, or Vanilla. They also have signature Miami flavors like Platano Maduro, Dulce de Leche, or Abuela Maria® – their signature/trademark flavor! I got the Abuela Maria – a mix of vanilla ice cream, cream cheese, guava chunks, and crispy, sweet galletas Maria. It was also topped off with guava sauce – delicious is an understatement! I went on a Saturday and the place was pretty busy. The place isn’t big, so I’d suggest grabbing what you want and eating it while walking around Little Havana.

Sanguich De Miami

Sanguich De Miami sells authentic Cuban sandwiches and milkshakes. It’s a small shop with bar seating and some tables, there’s also a walk-up window for pickup. I’d recommend coming here early since some of their menu items sell out.

NQC (No Quiero Cocinar) Miami

Coined “America’s Gourmet Drive Thru”, NQC was originally a Farm Store but is now a place to pick up food. However, the food isn’t your typical drive-thru/fast food option. NQC sells breakfast sandwiches, coffee, empanadas, bowls, and even beer and wine. All you have to do is place your order online, and pick it up once it’s ready. It’s truly a great concept, and the food is unique, reasonably priced, and delicious.

107 Taste

Delicious authentic Asian cuisine, I love their bubble tea, iced tea, and rice dishes. But, they also have ramen, dry noodle dishes, tasty appetizers, and unique dessert options.

Mi Fondita

A small Colombian restaurant, I ordered the Mojarra Frita (fish) with white rice and maduros, which was delicious. The prices are also very cheap too for the amount of food you get.

BOSS Burger & Brew

Great spots for burgers and beer — the name certainly gave that away but they also sell wings, sandwiches, and more. BOSS Burger & Brew offers Sunday brunch and an extensive beer selection (50 to be exact). I’d recommend their popular El Benny burger, including guava, cream cheese, and muenster cheese. It made me fall in love with guava on anything savory.

Finka Table & Tap

Located in West Kendall, Finka serves a mix of Cuban, Peruvian, and Korean cuisine. The vibes, service, food and drinks, and the music, were all on point.

Latin House Grill

I went during brunch on Sunday and the vibes were dope. Their DJ was spinning a mix of hip-hop/trap, reggaeton, and R&B. They have a great bottomless mimosa deal and delicious breakfast.

Parrilla Familiar Da Silva

This Venezuelan restaurant is definitely a hidden gem, their food is delicious! I got the patacon mixto (beef strip loin and chicken) sandwiched between maduros (you can ask for tostones instead). If you read my Playa del Carmen guide you know I love patacon, so I was excited for this spot! I also got their white sangria which was delicious as well. I went on a Tuesday afternoon and it was fairly quiet, the vibes felt very family-oriented. The service was also great – they’re ensuring social distancing with hand sanitizer everywhere and tables spread 6ft. apart.

Pisco y Nazca

Pisco y Nazca offers many traditional Peruvian dishes and drinks, like Pisco Sours, Anticucho and Lomo Saltado. I’ve gone during their three-course prix fixe weekend brunch, including bottomless drink options. Also, visited during their weekday happy hour and both times the service, food and drinks were great. Pisco y Nazca has locations in Doral and Kendall (also a location in Washington, D.C.).

Sushi Runner

Their slogan is “Who says fast food isn’t healthy!” and I definitely agree. I’ve never been inside their locations in Doral, Miami Lakes, and South Miami, but I’ve gotten their food delivered. The food options are diverse and delicious, including sushi, empanadas, and dumplings.

100 Montaditos

If you read my Barcelona blog post, then you know I love this place! I had no idea they had locations in the States, specifically in Miami! The food is extremely cheap and delicious. There are over 100 sandwich options to choose from, or you can get a platter of jamon, or tortilla española. There are 100 Montaditos locations in Miami Lakes, Midtown, and Kendall.

Santo Dulce

A food truck that sells handcrafted churros and ice cream. They have a few signature churros/halo flavors such as: “Coco-Groove”, “Traditional” and “Double Chocolate”. I got the “Fruity Pebbles” which included condensed milk and fruity pebbles, it was delicious!

Pincho Factory

You MUST try their Toston Burger – topped with lettuce, tomato, jack cheese, and cilantro sauce in between fried plantain buns. They don’t skimp you on seasoning and their Cajun fries are life! I need that secret pink sauce (given alongside the Cajun fries) in my life. There are locations in Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, West Kendall, Pinecrest, Pembroke Pines, Coral Gables, and more.

The Wharf

Located on the Miami River, The Wharf is an open-air space offering food, drinks, games, and more. There’s almost always an event going on, so make sure to check their website to see what’s upcoming. The Wharf is great for folks of all ages, they even allow you to bring pets during certain times of the day. There are food trucks scattered around, and bars to grab drinks. You can enjoy the music bumping while playing Jenga, Checkers, or one of the other games laying around. The food and drinks are a bit pricey, but it’s a dope spot to check out nonetheless.

Bayside Marketplace

A shopping center filled with shops and restaurants. The waterfront is a great place to take a boat ride, or sit around and listen to live music.

Area 31

This rooftop bar, located at EPIC Hotel, offers great views of downtown Miami and the drinks are good. I went during their “beat the clock” happy hour – so whatever time you arrive is the price of the drink. For example, 8 pm = $8 drinks. There’s also a rooftop pool, but I’m not sure if you have to stay at EPIC Hotel to access it.

Wynwood has so many art, food, drink, and nightlife options.

Dirty Rabbit

Grab a drink, smoke hookah, and listen to the range of music provided at Dirty Rabbit. There’s a mix of old and new school, pop, top-40, and even hip-hop. There’s also indoor and outdoor seating, just like Wood Tavern.

Astra Miami

A relatively new Mediterranean-style rooftop bar and restaurant in Wynwood – it opened in January 2019. I found out about this place via Instagram and I’m so happy I did! I went for their happy hour (5-7 pm) and the drinks were delicious. The views were beautiful and the ambiance was relaxing. They have many seating options at Astra including their “beach cabanas” or one of the many lounge areas around. However, I think you have to ask/reserve a lounge area.

Giralda Plaza

A pedestrian promenade, this is a great place to walk around leisurely. Throughout the walkway are bars, restaurants, and usually some sort of art piece/exhibition.

Hallandale beach

A great alternative to South Beach, Hallandale beach is less touristy and crowded.

One of my new favorite places, I’m unsure why I haven’t been here sooner. This colorful area is filled with Latin-inspired restaurants, bars, cafes, street art and more. You can also see the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, this Walk of Fame highlights Latin celebrities with South Florida ties. Little Havana isn’t too far from Wynwood, so you could do both in one day.