We get it—you come to Miami and the first things on your mind are the beaches, the nightlife, and finding the hottest celebs. But once that hangover on Ocean Drive sets in, you gotta eat! And no, that sad wilted salad from your hotel menu just won't cut it. You need the real deal.
We’re talking the sizzling Cuban cafes serving comfort by the platterful. The seafood haunts glittering with beautiful people AND beautiful (and shockingly affordable) food. Forget South Beach—the BEST eating in Miami happens off the beaten path, in those strip malls and side streets that tourists whiz by. Well, slow your roll, amigos!
Ahead, we're spilling the beans on our favorite under-the-radar restaurants that capture the soul of Miami eating. We’ve got the mom-and-pop joints dishing up black beans that'll make you cancel your South Beach dinner rez. We've got the waterside ceviche that'll have you kissing your buttery lobster roll goodbye. And we've definitely got a few badly-needed hangover remedies to get you back on your feet after one too many mojitos at the pool party.
Marabu Restaurant
Marabu Restaurant is a Middle Eastern restaurant on the fourth floor of Brickell City Centre. The restaurant serves a variety of street foods that originated in the region. Known for its spicy prawn moneybag, the restaurant also serves sashimi, sushi, bao buns, and sushi rolls. The food here is influenced by the local produce, and guests can sample dishes such as sweet and sour mango chicken.
The atmosphere is rustic and casual, making Marabu Restaurant the perfect place for a romantic dinner. The menu is full of hearty dishes that will have your taste buds tingling. It is a great place for groups of friends, and it also serves alcoholic beverages, like mojitos.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
Pummarola Midtown
If you're looking for a slice of authentic Neapolitan cuisine in the middle of Miami, Pummarola Midtown is the place to go. Their pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and dessert are all prepared in a custom wood-fired oven imported from Naples. They also offer pizza-making classes for those who want to learn more about the art of making authentic Italian pizza.
Pummarola has three locations in Miami-Dade. Their pizzas are famous for their thin crust and fluffy edges. This authentic Neapolitan-style pizza is also family-friendly. A 10-inch Margherita will run you around $9.50, making it an excellent option for families with kids.
While the restaurant isn't the largest of Miami's restaurants, Pummarola Midtown is a quaint, Italian street corner. The staff speaks Italian, and you can watch them make your pizza in the wood-fired oven. The oven cooks a delicious pizza in just two minutes.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
Grails Miami - Restaurant & Sports Bar
Grails Miami - Restaurant & Sports Bar offers an eclectic menu featuring elevated bar foods. Menu items include black truffle-coated fries and free-range chicken wings. The bar also has an extensive draught beer list, including a variety of local brews. Guests can also enjoy the restaurant's signature drink, the "Satisfy Your Sole," which is served in an Air Jordan 3 ceramic.
The restaurant has more than sixty televisions for sports fanatics to enjoy. The menu is diverse and a selection of local craft beers is available. The bar also offers an extensive cocktail menu, including the Moscow Mule, which is served in an Air Jordan 3. The restaurant also features an outdoor patio and giant games like Jenga and hot shot basketball.
FYI, Grails Miami - Restaurant & Sports Bar is headed by chef and "Chopped" contestant Rapicavoli. He is a former James Beard Award semifinalist and winner of the "Chopped" television competition. The sports bar will have a menu that features local breweries and classic cocktails.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
Paperfish (Brickell)
Paperfish is a Japanese seafood-centric restaurant that is also a great option for vegetarians. The extensive menu at this trendy Miami restaurant also features creative cocktails. Some of these include the wasabi martini and the hanami champagne, which combines basil, strawberry, and yuzu juice with agave.
The Japanese-inspired food at Paperfish is inspired by the cuisine of Japan, but the menu features unique and delicious flavors and techniques. The menu offers a dazzling selection of sushi and sashimi, as well as a five-chopstick sushi experience. Paperfish also features a happy hour, different evening options, and a private dining room.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Mofongo Restaurant Calle 8
Mofongo Restaurant Calle 8 serves a variety of Puerto Rican and Caribbean dishes. The menu includes fried chicken and cheese, tostones, and coconut flans. The restaurant also offers drinks and juice. Mofongo is also a great place to enjoy a beer or cortadito while eating.
Plus, the restaurant is a true representation of Puerto Rican cuisine. The restaurant serves the traditional Puerto Rican mofongo with mashed plantains. You can also choose to top it with other ingredients, such as churrasco and carne frita. Mofongo is also a great option for families. The restaurant even offers a kid's menu.
You can also order Mofongo Restaurant Calle 8's food online or use an app to get food delivered. Uber Eats is available in Miami, and you can browse the menu and order through the app. You can review your order to make sure it is what you ordered.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
CVI.CHE 105 (Dadeland Mall)
CVI.CHE 105 is a 12-year award-winning Peruvian restaurant led by acclaimed Lima-born celebrity chef, Juan Chipoco. The menu bursts with raw seafood drowned in citrus-spiked leche de tigre sauce, like the chucuito ceviche made from the catch of the day. Feeling adventurous? Try the scallops and octopus topped with crispy calamari in a smoky rocoto chili sauce. Most of the fish offerings there are guaranteed to be ocean-fresh.
Beyond ceviche, CVI.CHE 105 excels at potato-based causas, delicate tiradito, aromatic chaufa rice, and family-style sharing plates. The combo caliente with its mix of octopus, grilled tenderloin, fried fish and scallops is definitely a standout. With four hip locations in Aventura Mall, Downtown Miami, Dadeland Mall and South Beach, CVI.CHE 105 brings a taste of the new Peru to the Magic City. The modern ambiance matches the innovative flavors running through each dish.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
Aromas Del Perú (Palmetto Bay)
Aromas Del Perú is an authentic Peruvian restaurant that serves traditional Peruvian dishes. Its ceviche, for example, is a crowd favorite. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. It offers traditional Peruvian dishes, including ceviche, causa, and anticucho appetizers. The restaurant also offers a diverse drink menu and a fun atmosphere.
The menu at Aromas Del Perú has a variety of options for people of all ages and food preferences. You can get traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche or sushi rolls here, or try something more exotic like lobster. They even offer homemade lemonade and natural juices. You can even take your pets to this restaurant, which is great for families.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
