Sharing a few recommendations on where to eat in Miami after 4 days of eating out around the city.
Below are Charles and my top 5 picks out of all the places we ate at:
^^ Lobster bisque with actual lobster in it.
^^ Swordfish Schnitzel w/ a fried farm egg, broccolini & crispy capers
Seafood
– Prime Fish $$$: 100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Located in the heart of South Beach, Charles and I had dinner at Prime Fish our first night in Miami. Their regular menu is a little on the pricey side but we lucked out with visiting the city during Miami Spice, a bi-annual event where restaurants in Miami offer discounted pre-fixe menus. From the impeccable waiter service to the super tasty seafood and the complimentary fried oreos to celebrate Charles’s birthday, we really enjoyed our dining experience at Prime Fish.
Haitian
– Naomi’s Restaurant & Lounge $: 650 NW 71st St, Miami, FL 33150
The Haitian food at Naomi’s is about as authentic as you can get considering the cooks at Naomi’s are also Haitian. Annnnd the portions are ridiculously large for what you pay. Charles and I shared the fried grouper with rice and peas and sweet plantains all for $10.50! The fresh pressed passion fruit juice was so refreshing, I had to get another. Add in their garden lounge located behind the walk-up restaurant that came complete with free-range chickens wandering around and pecking at our feet for scraps… Charles and I really felt like this was as close as we were gonna get to experience what it might be like to eat like a local in Haiti.
Secluded Dinner w/ a Water View
– Grove Bay Grill $: 3381 Pan American Dr, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
By far the most low key and romantic spot we ate at, Grove Bay Grill is located about 15 minutes outside of Miami Beach in the Coconut Grove area. From the outdoor dining terrace area to the mellow reggae music jammin in the background, Grove Bay Grill is situated right in front of a boat pier and has a water view of Miami City in the distance. We arrived just in time for sunset (but I forgot to snap a pic, sorry!) and ordered the seafood platter that came with fried shrimp, crab, fish conch fritters annnd the ever sooo amazing mussels in a garlic wine sauce.
Bonus: They currently have deal where if you check in with Yelp, you get a free beer or wine with your entree.
Brunch
– Oliver’s Bistro $: 959 West Ave #15, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Our cousin, April, recommended that we go to Oliver’s Bistro for brunch and it lived up to her hype. The piece de resistance on their brunch menu is the Dutch Apple Pancake, a super large old-fashioned pancake with caramelized apples. Big enough for 2 people and priced at $9.95. Gah… My mouth is watering right now just thinking about this pancake – it was sooo good. Soft on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. (I want to try and recreate it at home one day sooooon)
^^ When the food comes fresh out the kitchen and you ask the hubby to snap pics of you eating but underestimate how hot everything is lol. It was GOOD tho. :)
Cuban
– Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina $$: 442 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Located in the heart of Little Havana, we arrived at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina around 7:30pm to a packed restaurant that was open to the street and live music. Thank goodness we had made reservations. We were immediately seated right in the front of the singer/guitarist and immediately knew the food was gonna be good because just about everyone at the restaurant was speaking Spanish.
(I’m always aware of this especially with Asian restaurants – if there aren’t any Asian people eating at an Asian restaurant, it immediately makes me question how authentic the food at the restaurant is.)
We ordered the 1) Tostones Rellenos – super yummy green plantain cups stuffed with a shrimp sauce filling, 2) Beef empanadas – even though I typically don’t eat, I couldn’t resist getting the real deal 3) and Pescado Empanizado – fried fish w/ two orders of Mojitos on the side.
Everything = very tasty.
And that’s that. Our top 5 Miami eats. :)
Have you visited Miami? What are your recommendations for dining?
xo, Setarra
P.S. More posts on Miami HERE
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