bite into Miami: the ultimate citizen's food guide

Heading to Miami? Lucky you! Let's talk about the good stuff: the food. Miami is a cultural melting pot with flavours from around the globe, but some of the best dining experiences can be found in Downtown, Brickell and South Beach.

No matter if you're cruising the urban streets of Downtown Miami, exploring the posh neighbourhood of Brickell or living it up on the world-famous South Beach, you're guaranteed to find something that will tantalise your taste buds.

Italian, seafood, steak, sushi, a fusion of Latin American cuisines, authentic Mexican, Cuban and vegetarian delights – there’s something for everyone. These neighbourhoods are bursting with eateries that offer a symphony of flavours.

So grab your forks and roll up your sleeves, because we're about to take you on a delicious whirlwind tour through Miami's best places to eat! Buckle up, foodies, it's going to be a tasty ride!

Latin American hotspots - spice up your life

Hola, food explorers! Ready to salsa your way through Miami's Latin American culinary scene? You're in luck. Our city is a sizzling melting pot of Latin flavours, with zesty ceviches, lip-smacking arepas and beyond. Each dish is a vibrant dance of flavours, set to the rhythm of Miami's multicultural beat. So put on your dancing shoes and let Miami's Latin American restaurant scene sweep you off your feet.

1. 305 Peruvian Modern Cuisine: Coral Gables is hiding a Peruvian delight with a contemporary twist. The Pisco Sours are calling!

2. Manta Wynwood: Wynwood's Latin hot spot. One bite of their exciting Latin American blend and you'll be doing the cha-cha.

3. YUCA 105: A Nuevo Latino gem in the heart of Miami Beach's Art Deco District. Yes, it's as cool as it sounds!

4. Ceviches by Divino Miami Beach: Miami Beach, sun, and divine ceviche. This one's a no-brainer, seafood lovers!

5. Garden House Latin Restaurant Miami Beach: Colombia, meet Miami Beach. The tastebuds will be dancing at this vibrant spot.

6. La Ventana: Colombian restaurant in Miami Beach. Colombian street food on Miami Beach? You bet. Casual, cool, and oh-so-tasty.

7. Bocas Grill Brickell: Latin American fusion. Head to Brickell for a whirlwind tour of Latin American vibes. Bocas Grill, we salute you!

steak & barbecue restaurants - a sizzlin' smokefest

Carnivores, meet your match in Miami. Our city's sizzling with steak and BBQ spots that are enough to make any meat-lover weak at the knees. From Texan-style slow-smoked brisket to Argentine-style flame-grilled steaks, your inner foodie is about to embark on a flavoursome journey. Loosen that belt and let the smoky, juicy wonders of Miami's steak and BBQ scene woo you. Are you drooling yet? Grill on, meat maestros!

1. El Churrascaso Grill Wynwood: Hungry for Argentinian steak in Wynwood? This food truck has you covered.

2. Lola Restaurant & Grill: Upscale steak and grill in Normandy Isle? Yes, please! Lola, we love you already.

3. Yardbird Table & Bar: Rustic Southern charm meets elegant Miami Beach at this finger-lickin' joint. Get ready to lick those chops clean.

4. La Parrilla Liberty: Savour a taste of traditional Latin BBQ in Liberty City. Hot, smoky, oh-so-delicious!

5. Ole Ole Steak House: Fontainebleau's steakhouse surprise. Trust us, you'll want to come back for more.

6. Burgermeister South Beach: Got a big appetite? Take a big ol' bite into these gourmet burgers in Miami Beach. Do we have to convince you more?

7. Smith & Wollensky: If you're looking for quality steaks, we have the place for you. Enjoy a gorgeous ocean view with your meal for that "surf and turf" experience (sort of).

seafood places - a must-taste for freshness

Seafood lover, you've hit the jackpot! Miami's all about lip-smackingly fresh seafood with a side of beachy vibes. Think succulent shrimp, melt-in-your-mouth mahi mahi and of course the local favorite, stone crab. Each bite tells a story of Atlantic waters and Floridian charm. Go on, dive into the oceanic feast that is Miami's seafood scene. You might just find yourself saying 'shell yeah' with every mouthful.

1. Poseidon Greek Seafood restaurant: Head to the Mediterranean for the day for Greek inspired seafood. Say "Gero apetito" to this award winning restaurant!

2. Stiltsville Fish Bar: Looking for a relaxed and casual vibe without sacrificing quality? Stiltsville is the place for you! Their carribean-inspired menu is a must when in South Beach.

3. Cajun Boil Brickell: Head to Brickell for a Southern-style seafood boil. All the flavours, none of the flight.

4. Rusty Pelican - Miami: Seafood with a view? Yes, please! The Biscayne Bay backdrop is just the cherry on top of this Rickenbacker Causeway hotspot.

5. Luke's Lobster: Take a taste trip to up the east coast to Maine without leaving Miami. Dive into traditional lobster rolls and clam chowder at their Brickell City Centre location.

6. Marcelo Restaurant & Pescaderia: Hialeah is hiding a Latin seafood gem. Don't tell everyone.

7. The Lobster Shack: Miami Beach, New England-style seafood. It's the coastal clash we never knew we needed. We recommend the Lincoln Road location, a nice sunset walk from our citizenM South Beach hotel.

sushi & Japanese cuisine - seaworthy and spectacular

Get those chopsticks ready! Miami is rolling out a sea of sushi experiences that’ll make your foodie heart skip a beat. With sushi spots as plentiful as Miami’s palm trees, you're set for an omakase feast or a sashimi extravaganza that's as fresh as the ocean breeze. So let's roll, sushi lovers, and dive into the vibrant fusion of Miami’s sushi scene.

1. INTIMO: Japanese-Peruvian fusion in Miami Beach? Yes, it's a thing, and yes, you need to try it.

2. GoBistro Wynwood: Enjoy Japanese cuisine in Wynwood's hippest spot – flavour explosion guaranteed.

3. Novikov Miami: Upscale Asian fusion in Downtown Miami? Sign us up! It's a feast for your senses and your Instagram.

4. Obba Sushi: Brickell's very own sushi sensation. Unwrap the deliciousness, one sushi roll at a time.

5. Azabu Miami Beach: Michelin-starred sushi in chic Miami Beach. Sounds like a date night winner to us!

6. Toni's Sushi Bar: The first sushi bar in Miami Beach is still rolling out the hits. Go for the nostalgia, stay for the sushi.

7. Nossa Omakase: An exclusive Miami Beach spot where the chef crafts sushi right before your eyes. It's Japanese dining, elevated!

Honorable mentions: Sexy Fish is definitely worth a visit for a "sub"-mersive dining experience! (Stay after 10pm on weekends for some dj beats and curated cocktails to top off the night, too.)

best Italian restaurants - a dolce vita delight

Ready for a Bella Italia moment in the heart of Miami? The city is heaving with Italian joints that'll have your tastebuds singing operas. Divine pasta from a hidden trattoria or Neapolitan pizza from a buzzing piazza-inspired eatery, it's amore at first bite. So, put on your stretchy pants and let Miami's Italian restaurant scene transport you straight to Nonna's kitchen. Delicious, right?

1. La Locanda restaurant bar-pizzeria: South Beach, sun and sizzling pizzas. Sounds like a plan!

2. Soya e Pomodoro: Downtown Miami's very own Italian love affair. Classic dishes, unique twist, and rhythmic live music. Bellissimo!

3. Sylvano Miami: South Beach chill meets Italian thrill. The menu's exciting, and the vibe's just right.

4. CRUST: Get a slice of the action at this Miami River gem. Trust us, you ‘knead’ to visit.

5. Novecento: Argentine-Italian fusion in the heart of Brickell. Tantalisingly tasty, ridiculously exciting.

6. Il Pastaiolo | Italian Restaurant in Miami Beach: Where Italian hospitality and cuisine dance a delicious tango. A Miami Beach must!

7. Vita Osteria Italiana: Find the rustic Italian charm in Miami's Design District. Warning: may induce serious food envy.

Michelin mentioned munchies

1. Joe's Stone Crab: Picture this – South Beach vibes and legendary stone crab claws. Need we say more? It's a Miami must-do.

2. Mignonette Downtown: Oysters with a side of downtown chic. It's seafood, but oh-so swanky. (Did we mention that it is on the Michelin restaurant guide? Talk about fancy.)

3. Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza: Ever been to a restaurant that is so good, it says it in the name? Now you will. Try some of their out-of-the-pizza-box flavor combinations!

had too much to eat?

There you have it! Miami in all its culinary glory, waiting to be explored, tasted and savoured! Get out there and let your foodie flag fly.

Feasted too much on Miami's fabulous food? Head straight to citizenM Miami hotels for a sleep as deep as your love for a good meal. Comfort, style and undisturbed dreams are on the menu – we're your perfect nightcap for a foodie adventure!

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