Downtown Miami is a unique area compared to other large cities- and in a good way. It’s not the typical busy, crammed, or hectic Downtown you might be used to. Since tourists are few and far between, Downtown is genuinely a locale for locals. Of course, we all hope it stays this way forever though the likelihood of that happening is slim.
We’ve been spending a lot of time in the Downtown area recently and, even though parking is terrible, we love it there. It’s gritty but charming and laidback.
Miami Beach is the perfect vacation spot for anyone looking to enjoy relaxation and adventure. Luxury Rentals Miami Beach offers vacation rentals Miami from condos to penthouses for rent Miami right on the shores of Miami Beach, ensuring that guests have uninterrupted access to all that this beautiful city has to offer. Located just minutes from some of the best restaurants in downtown Miami, vacationers can easily stroll down and sample any cuisine they desire – all while taking in the stunning views of the nearby oceanfront.
Best Downtown Miami Restaurants
Miami Slice
If you’re looking for the best pizza spot in downtown Miami, look no further than Miami Slice. You’ll find five or six New York-style slices here, each with a crispy outer crust and a fluffy inner crust that’s warm and delicious. Unfortunately, the only options here are to take a slice at the counter or get an entire pie to go–but that’s more than okay because this pizza is worth your full attention.
Address:
1335 NE Miami Ct, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Serious takeout operation dining rooms solo.
El Primo Red Tacos by PEZ
El Primo provides authentic birria-style street foods from Tijuana. The dishes are mainly beef tacos and quesadillas with the option of adding bone marrow. There is also a special birria ramen dish, which has become increasingly popular on Instagram. Then, you can wash it all down with tequila or mezcal shots! Open for takeout and outdoor dining Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 5-11 pm.
Address:
179 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
specializing in birria tacos
Bali Cafe
At Bali Café, you’ll find a variety of Indonesian dishes unique to the area. The menu is expansive and includes items like dumplings and sushi rolls—but for something extraordinary, try one of the traditional Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng. When you order it, the meal comes on a cafeteria-style tray with sections of fried rice, coconut chicken curry, and rendang (usually tender.) The restaurant is overflowing with things to see, from the numerous masks and statues to the bright colors. Although you may be tempted to pick up and try on some of these objects, please refrain.
Address:
109 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Casual weeknight dinner, fine dining solo, lunch, quiet meals, walk-ins
All Day
If you’re in Miami and looking for a great cup of coffee to help you forget about that expensive bottle of vodka you bought at E11even, there’s a small cafe just around the corner that will do the trick—looking for a delicious breakfast sandwich, a great cup of coffee, or both to-go? Look no further than their ventanita. You can choose from options like a simple pour-over or something more adventurous, like a cold rosemary brew with lime juice. In addition to breakfast, they also serve lunch! The Runny & Everything sandwich is one of Miami’s best bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches—thanks mainly to the everything brioche bun. This place also has free WiFi and is usually calm enough during the week to get some work done, although it can be hectic on weekends.
Address:
1035 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Best For/Specialty:
Brunch, coffee & light bite, lunch
Meraki Greek Bistro
Meraki is the perfect place for simple, delicious Greek food served with a smile. The quaint cottage and lovely garden create a warm atmosphere where guests can socialize and enjoy enticing dishes like fried zucchini, lamb burgers, and meatballs.
Address:
142 SE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
Tasty Greek food
NIU Kitchen
NIU Kitchen is one of our favorite Catalan restaurants in the city. It has undergone many changes during the pandemic, recently taking over the space once occupied by its sister restaurant, Arson. Some unique dishes include cold tomato soup with mustard ice cream and poached eggs in a truffled potato foam. Not to mention, the atmosphere is perfect for sharing a bottle of wine with close company. All you need to understand is that this restaurant remains excellent despite recent changes.
Address:
104 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Birthday, date night, drinking great wine, unique dining experience
Bunbury
Bunbury is an Argentinian restaurant located on the Northern edge of Downtown. It has excellent reviews and offers all the amenities you would hope for in an Argentinian restaurant. There’s a plethora of wine, empanadas galore, and different kinds of delectable red meat like vacio. The space has a hidden vibe, with the dining room behind a sliding bookshelf and live music at times. It’s casual yet perfect for dinner with friends or a date night.
Address:
55 NE 14th St, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Enjoy a glass of wine from Argentina at our cozy bar, with outdoor seating and plenty of empanadas. With live music, casual weeknight dinner, and date night.
Da Lida at Fooq’s
This Italian pop-up eatery, located in the Fooq’s space, is perfect for a casual night out. They serve traditional dishes and an impressive wine selection. The menu features dishes like burrata and pesto, gem lettuce salad, spaghetti alla nerano, rigatoni bolognese, and buccatini amatriciana. The restaurant will be open until December 2020.
Address:
1035 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Best For/Specialty:
This modern restaurant with a relaxed vibe gets its inspiration from all over the world, resulting in an eclectic farm-to-table menu.
Jaguar Sun
Jaguar Sun is, first and foremost, a bar, but if you sit in their dining room rather than at the bar, it feels more like a restaurant. The outstanding food and your excellent drinks make it clear that this establishment takes both aspects very seriously. The Parker House rolls with honey butter are an absolute must-have here. They’re soft and sweet and will make you want to order five more servings. After that, most of the menu items revolve around super yummy pasta dishes. From the delicious food to the great ambiance, Jaguar Sun is one of Miami’s favorite places for a fun dinner.
Address:
230 NE 4th St, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Date night, good wine, eating at the bar.
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish
With a front-row seat to watch the approachings and goings on the Miami River, this restaurant has been a diners’ favorite for over 50 years. You never know what you’ll see while enjoying a meal here – from luxurious yachts to boats that are probably up to no good, with an occasionally lost dolphin thrown in for good measure! It’s still a good choice because the food is delicious, and it’s one of the few spots where you won’t surround by people who arrive via luxury jet ski. To enjoy a delicious seafood meal, start with fried shellfish and listen closely to the daily specials. You’ll know what to do if it’s stone blue crab season!
Address:
398 NW N River Dr, Miami, FL 33128
Best For/Specialty:
If you’re looking to feed a large group on a casual weeknight, look no further than Unpretentious. This old-school joint draws crowds with its on-site market and outdoor patio with river views.
Motek Cafe
If you’re ever in the mood for Israeli restaurant food, Motek is the place to go. Their hummus tehina, Jerusalem grilled cheese, and arayes burger are all fantastic. We could hardly put our forks down! The hummus was perfect, the Jerusalem bagel grilled cheese incredible, but our favorite menu item is the arayes burger. The beef comes stuffed in four soft little pitas, grilled to perfection. Next time, we’ll be raiding the cabinet for ingredients to make shakshuka, and then we’re headed out for a crispy chicken schnitzel plate. The indoor restaurant is also BYOB with no corkage fee charged, so that’s always a bonus!
Address:
36 NE 1st St Suite 132, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Casual weeknight dinner
Over Under
Situated in the heart of Downtown, Over Under is the ideal spot to visit when you want to share some strong cocktails with friends or on a date. The menu has plenty of delicious options that are sure to please everyone. Feel free to drop by whenever you crave good old-fashioned bar food like cheeseburgers or fried chicken sandwiches. The menu changes frequently, but you can always expect excellent fare. The qualities of a dive bar, upscale cocktail bar, and excellent restaurant are all wrapped up in this one place—it’s hard to think of reasons you wouldn’t want to come here.
Address:
151 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
Drinking good cocktails, drinking light bites, eating at the bar, late-night eats, lunch, and diner
Eleventh Street Pizza
If you’re looking for a delicious New York-style pizza in Miami, look no further than Eleventh Street Pizza. They’re located in the old Fooq’s space Downtown, and they do not disappoint! The pizzas are foldable but firm, with a delicious sourdough crust. Our favorite is the pepperoni and hot honey pizza, which comes with Calabrian chili paste, caramelized onions, and little pepperoni cups. The to-go Sicilian square slices are also great. In addition, they have indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy your pizza with a bottle of the extensive wine list.
Address:
1035 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Best For/Specialty:
Casual weeknights dinner, quick eat, severe takeout operation.
Soya E Pomodoro
Soya e Pomodoro is an Italian restaurant Downtown that serves classic dishes. The vintage furniture, family photos, and even a snowman add to the rustic vibe of the restaurant, providing diners with a relaxing and unique experience. Soya e Pomodoro is an authentic and special place that both our daytime clients and nighttime dates love.
Address:
120 NE 1st St #2502, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Enjoy some exquisite Italian cuisine served in a former bank that we’ve converted into a lovely bohemian space. Plus, we have live jazz shows!
Manila Kantina
Judith Blasco, who moved to the USA from the Philippines in 2007, was a head chef at a Chinese restaurant in Brickell. During her break, she would walk Downtown and explore the various stores. Having stumbled upon an opportunity in the Filipino lunch market, she has made it her mission to care for those who keep the machines running.
Address:
245 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
A unique location in downtown Miami with a dine-in cafe featuring traditional home-style Filipino cuisine.
OmaKase
If you’re looking for a great sushi counter in downtown Miami, Mr. Omakase is the place to go. We love how casual and unpretentious it is, but you’re still getting an elevated and intimate sushi experience. The owners of Poke OG, Andrew Mayer and Ryan Leto have teamed up with master sushi chef Ryo Nato. Before this partnership, Chef Nato ran Myumi – one of Miami’s first sushi food trucks.
Address:
163 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
Japanese cuisine
Lost Boy
Lost Boy is well-known for its creative cocktails and vibrant happy hour, but it also boasts an impressive food menu with a wide variety of charcuterie boards, sandwiches, hot dogs, and “hot pot” items like mac ‘n cheese and pot pie.
Address:
157 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
Cocktails
Mignonette
This former 1930s gas station has been retrofitted to give off cool vibes, thanks to its warehouse floors and comfy booths. The tall windows let in plenty of light, and the old-fashioned marquee sign gives the place a nostalgic feeling. The chefs here are always busy shucking oysters for the growing crowd as night falls. Aside from being the main meal, guests can order many small plates that are good, if not better, than the oysters. Try smoked fish dip with buttered saltines or mussels cooked in a zesty tomato sauce. And to complete your meal: key lime pie for dessert!
Address:
210 NE 18th St, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Not only do we have fresh seafood at Mignonette, but you can also enjoy delicious prime rib.
Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami
Verde at the Pérez Art Museum Miami is a modern and casual restaurant with limited indoor and outdoor seating, allowing for social distancing while enjoying sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. Verde’s menu is full of locally-inspired dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. If you’re in a hurry, stop by the coffee bar for pastries, fresh juices, sandwiches, salads, or one of our specialty coffee drinks.
Address:
1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Best For/Specialty:
Modern and casual restaurant with limited indoor and outdoor seating
Novikov Miami
If you’re looking for a high-end Asian dining experience, Novikov Miami is the place to be. With its stunning views of Biscayne Bay and delicious sushi, dim sum, and Peking duck dishes, it’s no wonder this restaurant is so popular on Instagram.
Address:
300 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131
Best For/Specialty:
Asian dining
Final Thoughts
For a while, going out to eat in Downtown Miami wasn’t the most appealing thing to do. However, as more development has occurred Downtown, so has its restaurant scene. At first, progress was slow, but now Downtown is legitimately considered the next big thing by local restaurateurs. Its food scene rivals that of other well-known areas like South Beach. More than one restaurant on this list is also featured in our roundup of the best restaurants in Miami. Proofs power has come a long way! Breathtakingly good food can be found throughout Downtown, no matter what occasion you celebrate.
Miami is a fantastic destination, and staying in the heart of it all, with access to great restaurants just a short walk away, makes Vacation rentals Miami Beach an even better destination. Luxury Rentals Miami Beach offers short-term rentals Miami that make it easy to stay in the bustling downtown district while you explore all the tasty places to eat in South Beach. So whether you want a luxury apartment or a beachside bungalow for a short stay, there’s something for everyone at Luxury Rentals Miami Beach.
