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Miami’s buzzy food scene has been growing in popularity, especially when it comes to Latin American and Caribbean cuisine. But for anyone newly-arrived in the city, it’s hard to know just where to start, so we’ve gleaned some of the best tips from a few favorite locals and the Gogobot community. Generally, you’ll want to sample a bit from across the spectrum — the upscale and the hole-in-the-wall can be equally delicious here. Don’t forget to save room for dessert… and a 4am snack.
Fitting that bill is the Rusty Pelican. Having recently undergone a bit of a makeover, it lost some of the cheesy maritime decor but retained its real selling point: the view.
by: locationsite flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Next up, grab a bite from the flagship restaurant of one of Miami’s favorite chefs, Michael Schwartz. Located in the Design District (a must visit unto itself), Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink has a creative menu full of locally sourced ingredients.
One Miami staple that can’t be missed is stone crab, and the most notorious place to try it is Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach. It’s the No. 1 restaurant in Miami on Gogobot, and with an average rating of 4.5 stars, it’s not just well-known, it’s also delicious.
by: T.Tseng flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
And because Miami is the hub of all things Cuban in the Unites States, Puerto Sagua, perhaps the most iconic Cuban restaurant in the area, is an essential foodie stop. It’s unpretentious, it’s been around since 1962, and it serves up a mean ropa vieja.
See More: Restaurants in Miami
In addition to the staples, Miami also does a number of shades of trendy. There’s the kind of trendy that puts Cap’n Crunch on pancakes (The Eating House), the kind that delivers your food with a sword or a mousetrap (Barton G. The Restauarant), the kind that started off selling a bit of seafood out of a shack at the beach and then turned into a mini local empire (My Ceviche), and the kind with “industrial chic” decor and a menu that makes fried chicken cool again (Yardbird Southern Table & Bar). Want to explore a bit on your own? Discover the next big thing in hip neighborhoods like South of Fifth.
by: Kent Wang flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Another must-do Miami experience is eating some of the most authentic Latin and Caribbean food north of the Rio Grande, much of which comes in the form of small, no frills establishments. For Colombian food, grab some arepas at Pueblito Viejo. For Haitian, there’s Tap Tap. For Argentinian, try Graziano’s. CVI.CHE 105 is a great bet for Peruvian food (though it’s the most upscale of the options here, so don’t expect a cheap meal). And, of course, get some more Cuban food. Try El Palacio de Los Jugos, an open-air market with lots of stalls selling perfectly prepared staples. Or just wander around Calle Ocho and stop in wherever smells good.
by: Kent Wang flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
If you’ve saved room for something sweet, head to Little Havana‘s Azucar Ice Cream Factory for dessert. Here you can try artisanal ice cream made with tropical fruits, like mamey and guava.
by: Phillip Pessar flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
If you decide to partake in Miami’s nightlife (may we recommend The Broken Shaker?) and find yourself awake in the wee hours of the morning, head to La Sandwicherie for a little carb loading to get ready for another day of your foodie adventure.
Source: gogobot.com