Miami, a city known for its great beaches, warm climates and urban culture, but it’s not just the great holidaying atmosphere that makes this location a hub of activity. The food in Miami has been voted some of the best in America, and if you continue reading this article, you’ll find out exactly why it is so loved!
“Miami and Miami Beach have elevated their dining game a great deal in the past few years. No longer just “expense account” spots with 42 oz steaks and stone crabs, the dining scene includes young, creative chefs, farm to table dining using local farmers produce and fresh local fish, and unique cultural dining experiences. We even have multiple James Beard nominees among the culinary captains” says Ellen from MiaBites.
Pinch Miami
Awarded ‘Best New Restaurant in Miami’ and a firm favourite amongst the swarms of people that flock to the sandy streets of Miami year on year, Pinch Miami serves a mix of tastefully crafted dishes with some of the freshest and locally sourced ingredients. Offering a New American freestyle cuisine that is perfect for sharing and pairing.
“An open kitchen, wooden tables, black and white accents and a chalkboard wall give this cosy boutique restaurant a hip, funky vibe. Opening its doors in the fall of 2015, it has been receiving rave reviews ever since.
The menu changes seasonally and features locally grown fresh ingredients in all the dishes.
Pinch Kitchen also offers a craft beer menu with six rotating taps and an eclectic wine menu that also includes natural wine. In addition to the regular menu, Pinch offers daily specials as well as vegan options. Pinch Kitchen has been awarded "Best New Restaurant in Miami" by Miami New Times. During your stay in Miami dine with us and taste what makes Pinch Kitchen special!” Says Chef, John Gallo.
Jaguar Sun
Geoffrey writer at Miami Food Pug, and a local to the area, has given us his recommendations:
“Due to Miami’s size, there’s no shortage of great restaurants across the city. But curious foodies should keep their eye on Downtown. The former ghost-town-after-six-o-clock is in the midst of a renaissance with a bevy of new award-winning bars and eateries. Fans of Italian cuisine will find heaven inside Jaguar Sun, where mouth-watering Cacio e Pepe, rigatoni and lobster campanelle complement a varied libations program with rare spirits and other fun finds.”
A small bar and Italian restaurant in the heart of Downtown Miami, Jaguar Sun is renowned for its delicious array of brilliant Italian cuisine and alternative take on some of your favourite cocktails. Serving a small and intricate menu, the dishes are all cooked to perfection and taste unlike any others you’ll find at your local bar.
Mia recently commented on her website: “The food is some of the best that you’ll find at a bar.”
Ghee Indian Kitchen
Ghee means pure and that’s exactly what Ghee Indian Kitchen create in their duo of restaurants. Serving up stunning authentic Indian flavours that elevate traditional Indian cuisine and gives them a modern twist.
We spoke to the team at Ghee and asked them all about the cuisine they conjure up in their restaurant: “Ghee Indian Kitchen is a unique culinary experience within the heart of our city. From the wall of spices, pickles, and other ingredients, to the eclectic and vibrant atmosphere, Ghee delivers a delicious variety of Indian inspired dishes, fresh and unique cocktails, and a wine list fit to pair well with our savoury cuisine.
Chef Patel includes ingredients on the menu that are grown directly in his two-acre farm, Rancho Patel. His open kitchen displays the preparation of all of his dishes and they guarantee to satisfy everyone's taste buds. His Gujarati background penetrates through all of the flavours that emit a culturally enriched culinary experience. With two James Beard Award nominations under his belt, it's no wonder our locals keep coming back for more.”
Bodega
A taco lovers heaven and a real party for the eye as well as the senses, Bodega is one of the newest taquerias to hit downtown Miami and brings you cheap eats, strong drinks and a vibrant interior that’ll wow anyone who walks through its doors.
Nico from Succulent Bites recommends a visit to Bodega when visiting Miami: “Quick bites, but absolutely flavourful and delicious! Bodega offers a variety of taco combinations at a reasonable price. They are served street style, with fresh cilantro, onions, etc. If you visit at night, they have a speakeasy bar in the back which you’ll surely want to check out.”
Enjoy everything from burritos to fully loaded antojitos and tacos, filled with the freshest and finest Mexican inspired ingredients that create some of the flavoursome combinations that Bodega are becoming renowned for.
Zuma
With locations across the globe, Zuma is world-renowned for its modern Japanese dining. Zuma’s interiors are all designed to a similar high standard since the first one opened in London in 2002, showing off a blend of natural products and similar textures throughout. The sleek and stylish décor is just one of the reasons people flock to their Miami location again and again. If the interiors weren’t enough, the modern twist on classical Japanese cuisine offers an authentic dining experience including a sushi counter and the robata grill.
Miami New Times recently reported on Zuma on their website: “Filled with lush landscaping, flowers, and wooden furnishings, the Oshinobi bar highlights a Zuma bartender and an exclusive menu of champagne-based drinks only available there. As for food, there are spicy tuna hand rolls, black cod croquettes, and chicken yakitori skewers. Depending on the occasion, menus can be customised and inclusive of dessert items made by Zuma's pastry chef.”
A visit to this trendy establishment is a must when visiting Miami but be prepared to book ahead as this popular location is always abuzz with tempted revellers.
Niu Kitchen
“No visit to the neighbourhood is complete without a visit to NIU Kitchen, the popular Catalan-style restaurant led by James Beard nominee Deme Lomas. With decadent selections like cobia crudo, baby back ribs confit and poached eggs with black truffle on the menu, NIU is a must." Says Geoffrey.
Stumble into the real heart of Downtown Miami and you’ll come across the stunning smells of NIU Kitchen. Mixing local with exotic, they pair seasonal ingredients with sophisticated dining to make the simple, extraordinary and bring their customers dishes that combine Catalan and Spanish cooking in the best way. Be prepared to enjoy hearty meals that take tastes to a whole new level.
Offering an alternative twist on restaurant dining and recommending each person orders two dishes, because who really wants to conform to taste?
If you were toying with the idea of booking a cruise over the coming months, then we’re sure Miami will have ticked your fancy, and now your taste buds. Find out more about our late cruise deals and book a cruise to the dining capital of America.
Miami restaurants you need to dine at:
- Pinch Miami
- Jaguar Sun
- Ghee Indian Kitchen
- Bodega
- Zuma
- NIU Kitchen