So Miami delivers, dining-wise. And whatever you’re craving, Miami’s got it—with the exception of decent, affordable Chinese food and a New York–style slice of pizza (though everyone will claim their pizza is NY-style. Spoiler alert: It’s not). In fact, there are nearly 10,000 restaurants to choose from here, including those that serve only-in-Miami style food. Our star chefs have fused Californian-Asian with Caribbean and Latin elements to create a world-class cuisine all its own: Floribbean.
And just because the Michelin man played foodie Tinkerbelle and waved a wrench leaving stars around town doesn’t mean all Miami food is fancy and pricey. In Little Havana, you can chow down on a meal that serves about six for less than $30. Because seafood is plentiful, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to enjoy the appendages of a crab or lobster. And thanks to a thriving cafe society in both South Beach and Coconut Grove, you can enjoy a moderately priced meal and linger for hours without having a waiter hover over you.
Oddly, Miami has a dearth moderately priced restaurants, especially in South Beach and Coral Gables. Food here is either really cheap or really expensive; the in-between somehow gets lost in the culinary shuffle. But I’ve tried to cover a range of cuisines in a range of prices in this chapter.
Hours: Many restaurants keep extended hours in high season (roughly Dec–Apr) and may close for lunch and/or dinner on Monday, when the traffic is slower. Always call ahead, as schedules do change. Like many cities in Europe and Latin America, it is fashionable to dine late, preferably after 9pm, sometimes as late as midnight.
Service and Tipping: Always look carefully at your bill—many Miami restaurants add a 18% to 20% gratuity to your total due to the enormous influx of European tourists who are not accustomed to tipping. Keep in mind that this amount is the suggested amount and can be adjusted, either higher or lower, depending on your assessment of the service provided. Because of this tipping-included policy, South Beach waitstaff especially are best known for their lax or inattentive service. Feel free to adjust it if you feel your server deserves more or less.
Dining Savings: And here's a tip: what we used to call Early Bird Specials for the blue haired senior set is now ageless and evergreen with a new, 21st century name—happy hour. That’s right—many restaurants offer amazingly discounted deals from around 3pm, usually at the bar, but nonetheless at discounted deals. And you don’t need an AARP card to take advantage.
During the month of August, many Miami restaurants participate in Miami Spice, where three-course lunches and dinners are served at affordable prices.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
