The Food Hall Spotlight in Miami 2019 will be an event not to be missed. Featuring some of the best food halls in the city, this event will allow attendees to sample dishes from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. With so much to offer, the Food Hall Spotlight is sure to be a hit among food lovers and tourists alike.
Among the newly opened are, The Citadel and La Central:
The Citadel
8300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138
Little River’s souped-up version of the food hall concept delivers more than tasty eats. The Citadel is 62,000 square foot food hall with a fortified stronghold for culture and community. I was inspired by the tremendous public gathering spaces around the world.
The Citadel is a daily destination offering 15 restaurants with local artisanal foods. In addition, it is a 5,000 square foot rooftop bar, Vue, that creates handcrafted cocktails and a 5,000 square foot finery with maker-driven retail, including 16 art-and-crafts vendors, ranging from high-end sunglasses to holistic remedies to soap.
The Citadel is a culturally immersive experience, unlike anything Miami has seen before. This is where creativity, craftsmanship, and community all share a seat at the table.
What to eat and drink at the Citadel? There’s a lot, so don’t bother trying to conquer it with 15 restaurant options. Instead, here are a few to note:
Palmar: An outpost of the modern Chinese restaurant from chef Raymond Li, whose Wynwood flagship in 2018 was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 best American restaurants.
Il Nuts: Roasted Israeli nuts, seeds, and other goodies are what this vendor sells.
Meet ‘n Cheese: Mauro Bortignon is represented here by a charcuterie seller that sells imported cheese, wine, Italian salami, and charcuterie boards.
33 Kitchen: Leslie Ames and chef Sebastian Fernandez, who was married, have brought the long-defunct Peruvian restaurant in Coconut Grove to life.
Bachour: At this shop, renowned pastry chef Anthony Bachour sells his signature pastries and exquisite chocolates.
Palma Juice Co.: A grab-and-go juice café featuring seasonal juices, soups, and salads.
Taquiza: A Mexican taqueria owned and operated by chef Steve Santana, serving tacos and hosting another street festival.
Vice City Bean: A second location of the Miami neighborhood coffee bar.
Bianco Gelato: The fifth location of Federico and Carla DiFranco’s Italian gelato shop.
Ash! Pizza Parlor: A wood-fired Neapolitan pizza restaurant from the owners of Stanzione 87 in Brickell uses ingredients imported from Italy.
La Centrale
601 S Miami Ave Suite 181-C, Miami, FL 33131
Miami’s Italian food hall, a 40,000 square-foot food hall in Brickell City Centre of bars, restaurants, cafes, and market space might be the area’s most massive experiment in eating and a one-stop-shop for Italian goodies. There are seven food stalls, five sit-down restaurants, three bars, one gelato shop, a wine cellar (oddly, on the top floor), and a cooking studio.
Patrons can grab and go at the Mercato, sip a wine flight at the enoteca, or sit down to bite at the meat, fish, or vegetarian restaurant. Whatever the spread looks like, a dolce from the gelateria is required.
What to eat and drink at LaCentral? On the first floor, there are two sit-down eateries:
Caffè– an all-day restaurant limited to brunch items such as a meaty Benedict or a Nutella-filled Italian doughnut.
Pizza e Pasta– Great for the whole family. Enjoy fresh plates of pasta and authentic wood-fired pizzas in a fun, casual setting. Or, stop by to purchase fresh pasta to cook your favorite Italian recipes at home.
Mercado– A deep market experience where you can browse and enjoy six quick-service counters and Italian products; pickup salads, pastries, espresso, meats, cheeses, and other Italian specialties.
Travel to the second floor if you’re willing to pay a little more with three upscale restaurants that range from seafood to vegan and a surrounding bar in the middle.
Aperitivo– serves up classic and signature cocktails such as a straightforward Negroni or a fizzy Aperol spritz, along with a variety of delicious small plates like the tagliere board, which brings a selection of imported Italian cheeses, salumi, pickles, and olives.
Stagionale– Enjoy light, fresh, inspired seasonal dining featuring an Italian vegetable-forward, plant-based menu with a strong Miami influence.
Carne– Tuscan-inspired Carne restaurant inspired by the rustic décor of Chianti, Carne is an authentic Italian Macelleria with the best cuts of meats cooked on a traditional wood-fired grill.
Pesce– Fresh, expertly prepared seafood using the best coastal Italian recipes and techniques. It also includes a full Crudo and bollicine bar and a retail counter where you can purchase the day’s catch to cook at home.
Gelato & Chocolates Shop– Enjoy a cup or a cone of indulgently rich, refreshingly cool gelateria from Venchi, Italy’s most renowned gelateria. It also includes a full chocolate counter with a wide variety of imported chocolates.
On the third floor, Vino lovers will find heaven on the third floor with a Tuscan-inspired wine bar and a vast wine shop – Wine & Spirits featuring 4,000 bottles and a premium private collection in our wine shop and wine vault and also selling Italian spirits, gift sets, and decanters.
La Central, also La Cucina by Viking, their multipurpose demonstration kitchen cooking studio, is designed to inspire culinary creativity. Learn the secrets of great Italian cooking through fun, hands-on experiences with their master chefs. At La Cucina, you will have the chance to learn in an educational kitchen space designed by Viking. You can also host an ideal event for team-building sessions or private group celebrations.
And there’s more… now through Labor Day, La Centrale has opened a popup
Food Halls have been on the rise in recent years as a go-to spot for locals and visitors to enjoy a variety of food options. This Spotlight looks at some of the best Food Halls in Miami, where you can find everything from Italian cuisine to seafood. So whether you’re looking for a quick bite or somewhere to spend an afternoon eating delicious dishes worldwide, these Food Halls are sure to please.
While staying in one of Miami Beach vacation rentals, Miami vacation rentals, penthouse for rent Miami, or luxury short-term rentals Miami, make sure to visit one of these food stalls and enjoy your vacation!
