When youโre in a new city, it always seems like there are half a dozen things you want to do at once. You know your time is limited, and you want to see and experience as much as possible. You also have normal human needs like eating, resting, and staying at the right temperature. One of the best ways to make the most out of a visit to a city is to have each stop perform double duty. Pick restaurants with great views or local cuisine. Schedule your stop at the museum when the day gets the hottest so that the air conditioning can soothe you. Drink espresso instead of full-sized coffees so that an excessive amount of bathroom breaks arenโt necessary.
While every city has its own series of wonders for you to explore, the following is going to focus on one city in particular: Miami, and examine one type of stop youโre going to need to make on the regular: food. The goal here is to highlight several options that can give you a sense of Miamiโs distinct culture and cuisine and allow you to enjoy elements of the city you might not otherwise get to enjoy.
In The Design District
The design district in Miami is definitely a stop youโre not going to want to miss. There are endless galleries, art institutes, and an artistic feel to pretty much everything. At the minimum, youโre going to want to give this part of time three hours, but most people prefer a lot more (sometimes multiple days). This means youโre going to want one to five restaurant options in the area.
A Refreshing Greek/Turkish Meal
The Mandolin Aegean Bistro provides a cozy feeling, which is perfect for those points in the trip where youโre a little bit tired and need to re-energize before you carry on. The fresh and delicious cuisine is a combination of Greek and Turkish and offers a wide variety of meal sizes (mezes, salads, mains, sides, and sandwiches are all available on the menu), making it a perfect option for any time of day.
In Wynwood
Wynwood is Miamiโs big entertainment district filled with dance venues, shopping galore, and stunning murals. It contains both an art and fashion mini-district and is sometimes referred to as Little San Juan.
Satisfying Carb-Heavy Snacks
Thereโs a technicolor building in the neighborhood of Wynwood thatโs simply labelled Bakery. This is Zak the Baker, and this restaurant provides top-notch bread to many of the cityโs highest-class restaurants. Loaves with corned beef or avocado, chocolate babkas, quiche, and rye bread are all available, as are soups, salads, and hummus. The entire facility is also kosher.
Tucked Between Wynwood And Design: Sugarcane
Given how close Wynwood and the Design District are, thereโs a good chance youโll be wandering between the two at some point. If you do, consider stopping at Sugarcane, where there are tons of tapas-style options to pick from. This is also an excellent place for people who like to experiment as there are lots of unique dishes like bone marrow with veal cheek marmalade or duck and waffle with crispy bird leg and mustard maple syrup.
In Miami Beach
Often, Miami Beach is the first neighborhood that people check out; itโs also likely the one that the images in your mind of Miami come from. No matter how long youโre staying or what youโre interested in, your next vacation to Miami needs to include a stop in Miami Beach. Art Deco architecture and sandy beaches await.
Joesโ Stone Crab
Joeโs Stone Crab is an incredibly popular lunch spot in the Miami Beach area thatโs been in business for over a hundred years. This highly sought-after local takes no reservations and makes famously delicious meals (including the eponymous stone crab, which is a bit sweeter than common crab). Itโs worth noting that the restaurant is only open from mid-October to mid-May, as this is stone crab season.
In Little Havana
Of course, no trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to Little Havana. This historic district is the very heart of Miamiโs Cuban influence , but also hosts many immigrants from South and Central America more broadly. As you can imagine, the cultural influences present extend to food.
Pinolandia Fritanga
Open 24-hours a day, Pinolandia Fritanga is structured like a cafeteria. $10 will provide a heaping plate of Nicaraguan deliciousness. The hours also make this a perfect stop on your way home from an evening out.
Terras
Tapas, cocktails, and a rooftop view of Brickellโs skyline can all be found at Terras. Itโs got a tropical feel with rooftop gardens and a menu thatโs been inspired by urban street food from all over Latin America.
The above list should give you an idea of the wide range of restaurants available in Miami. Of course, this is only the beginning. If youโre staying for several days, continue to do your research and ask around. There are countless spectacular venues worth your time and attention.