• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Lifestyle

Get Into The Spice Of Miami's Food Scene

Art Basel may draw the crowds every December, but Miami’s food scene is buzzing 365 days a year
Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
By Dwight Brown · Updated December 6, 2020

On its surface, Miami is best known for its sandy beaches, yacht-filled waters, vibrant nightlife and trendy events like the culture-filled Art Basel. However, if you dig a little deeper you’ll notice that the popular hotspot also has a buzzing foodie scene that is as spicy as the bikini-wearing travelers who stroll the city’s shores.

From grub on the go, to mac and cheese like you’ve never had it before, Miami is the place to be for jet setters who can appreciate a good meal. Check out a few of our favorite Miami hotspots that we know will fill you up and leave you begging for more. Thank us later.

01
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Join the South Beach crowd that hovers outside Bodega’s neonlit food truck facade. Order the flavorful tacos, burritos and other Mexican quickservice dishes. What’s this south-of-the-border cuisine’s secret sauce? Multiple layers of heat (peppers) and crunchy textures (chicharrónes).

After 6 p.m., a hidden blue door leads to a 2,448-square-foot speakeasy lounge, where the Mexican beer, tequila and mezcal cocktails flow until 5 a.m. Happy hour is 6–8 p.m. ($2 tacos; halfprice drinks). Enter before 10 p.m. to skip the velvet rope.

Our picks:

1. Quesadilla con Rajas.

2. Carnitas Tacos (pulled pork, red onion, cilantro, Cuban Mojo).

3. Nutella Paletas (brightly colored popsicles).

Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
bodegataqueria.com
02
Juvia
Visit this rooftop penthouse restaurant for a special, memorable evening. Gaze at the gorgeous, panoramic pink-orange sunset views and the soothing Atlantic Ocean in the distance; it’s a crucial part of the culinary experience. When you’re through gasping at the wonder of Miami’s scenery, you’ll find new wonders as you concentrate on the food.

Your taste buds will be as fulfilled as your eyes when you dine on the delectable trinity of French, Japanese and Peruvian cooking styles. This romantic and heavenly high-dining moment is not to be missed.

Our picks:

1. Japanese Hamachi Espuma or Lobster Ceviche.

2. Seared Foie Gras.

3. Angus NY Strip Steak or Seared Tuna (sashimi grade).

Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
juviamiami.com
03
Ortanique
Your lasting impression of this Coral Gables– district restaurant will be, “This is some of the best-tasting, most sophisticated Jamaican cuisine on the planet.” Every morsel, from appetizer to dessert, is a study in refined cooking that puts ingredients, flavor and presentation first.

Proprietor Delius Shirley (co-owner of Cliff Hotel, in Negril, Jamaica) and co-owner and executive chef Cindy Hutson have created a consistently stellar menu. The friendly atmosphere makes you feel like you’re dining in their stately island home.

Our picks:

1. Ortanique Chardonnay and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

2. Savory West Indian Style Bouillabaisse

3. Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
ortaniquerestaurants.com
04
House of Mac
The hip-hop vibe is so strong at House of Mac that you can feel it before you walk through the door. Bounce to the reggae soul playlist; order up some of the best-tasting mac and cheese you’ll ever eat.

It’s no wonder the Williams sisters, Rick Ross and Pitbull get their soul food fix here. Derrick Turton, aka Chef Teach, keeps his Overtown neighborhood restaurant as homey and humble as the wildly popular food truck that started his fame. Dig in to the chicken, burgers and thincrust pizza.

Our picks:

1. Fried Chicken Wings

2. Show some love for the M&C—try the Lobster Mac & Cheese (the Jerk Pasta rocks, too)

3. Red Velvet Cake.

Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
houseofmac.com
05
ON-THE-GO GRUB
These spots are fast and fab

C’est Magnifique

Munch on fresh fried snapper and tender oxtail at the Haitian/ Bahamian Chef Créole Seasoned Kitchen.

Design District Dining

By day, Three serves yummy Huevos Rancheros. At night, its rooftop No. 3 Social Bar & Lounge slings tasty cocktails.

Eat more. Pay less.

Make a budget-friendly fuel stop at the Lincoln Eatery food hall. French cuisine, sushi, sandwiches and nitrogen ice cream are up for grabs.

Run Chicken Run

Sip on a refreshing Fresno Watermelon Mojito at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, and bite into a Crispy Chicken Biscuit.

Club Med

Brunch at Boulud Sud, downtown in the JW Marriott Marquis hotel, offers Mediterranean cuisine, chicken-apple sausage and a smokin’ DJ!

Get Into The Spice Of Miami’s  Food Scene
TOPICS:  Atlanta celebrity chicken comfort food eats essence ESSENCE Eats Food Food Scene Kandi Burruss mama joyce Miami Old Lady Gang restaurant Restaurants Soul Food Todd Tucker
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now