Miami is a city famous for its beaches, sunshine and party culture, but this passionate South Florida city hides many treasures that only true foodies can understand. Although those traditional tourist attractions are beautiful, Miami’s food culture can evoke your deep love for the city.
Away from the tourist-filled main street of South Beach, these restaurants are usually hidden in quiet street corners, old warehouses in the Art District or green terraces. The restaurants here are unique in style, focusing on local ingredients and independent creativity. There are Caribbean-style restaurants and Latin American-style barbecue restaurants, and every bite is full of strong local characteristics.
Miami’s niche restaurants are not just places to eat, but also windows to experience another side of the city. Whether it is a hidden restaurant bar in the Art District or a small restaurant hidden in the garden, it provides a different taste enjoyment for you who are seeking food.
1. Boia De: A Michelin-starred universe hidden behind an inconspicuous shopping mall
Restaurant history and background
Boia De is a small restaurant co-founded by chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer. It was originally just their small dream in a corner of an inconspicuous shopping mall in Miami. Who would have thought that this small space with only 24 seats is now a star restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide? The philosophy of “high quality + friendly atmosphere” that they adhere to makes Boia De a favorite of many local diners.
Food characteristics and taste experience
Boia De is based on Italian style, integrating local Florida ingredients and modern cooking techniques. The signature dish that must be mentioned is “crispy potato skins with stracciatella”. The fried potato skins are crispy and covered with smooth cheese. Every bite is a perfect blend of salty and milky flavors.
“Beef tartare” is also amazing. The beef is finely chopped and seasoned just right. It is paired with handmade crispy cookies. The dessert “olive oil cake” brings a fresh fruity aroma and a soft taste, like sunshine on the tip of the tongue.
Personal experience
The first time I visited Boia De was on a lazy evening. There was not even a clear sign at the door of the restaurant. The moment I pushed the door open, I was captured by the friendly atmosphere and the fragrant aroma inside. The chef would also walk to the guests’ table from time to time to ask for their opinions. This sense of interaction was refreshing.
Location and reservation information
Address: 5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Reservation platform: Online reservations can be made through Resy and OpenTable
Per capita cost: about US$70-90 (excluding drinks)
2. Mandolin Aegean Bistro: Green garden with Greek and Turkish style
Restaurant history and background
Mandolin Aegean Bistro is located in a 1930s house in the Miami Design District and was created by a couple from Greece and Turkey. The restaurant opened in 2009 and has since become a hidden romantic place with its fresh Mediterranean cuisine and unique courtyard garden style.
Food features and taste experience
Mainly featuring Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, the recommended “grilled octopus” is my favorite. The charcoal-scorched octopus legs are tender and have a long aftertaste; “moussaka” is a rich traditional dish with layers of eggplant and minced meat intertwined, served with a rich béchamel sauce, which is simply irresistible.
The restaurant’s “homemade pita with tzatziki” is a must-order for every table. The yogurt sauce is refreshing and appetizing, and the hot handmade bread makes people eat one bite after another.
Personal experience
I came to Mandolin on a Sunday at noon. The garden is full of greenery, vines are climbing all over the corners, and the sun shines on the white wooden chairs and blue window frames, as if I had strayed into a courtyard in the Aegean Sea. The service staff is very friendly and the recommended dishes are accurate and not exaggerated.
Location and reservation information
Address: 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Reservation platform: It is recommended to use Tock or call directly to make a reservation
Per capita cost: about US$60-80 (including appetizers and main dishes)
3. NIU Kitchen: Spanish new style “mini volcano”
Restaurant history and background
NIU Kitchen was founded in 2014 and is located in a secluded corner of Downtown Miami. Barcelona chef Deme Lomas brings the new Catalan flavor. In this narrow space, the chef interprets the classic Spanish flavor with bold modern techniques.
Food Features and Taste Experience
NIU’s most representative dish is “trinxat”, a potato and cabbage pancake modified from the Catalan region, paired with Spanish black sausage and hot spring egg, rich and layered.
Another “charcoal grilled squid with romesco” combines the charred aroma of flame roasting and the rich flavor of nut sauce. Every bite is like an explosion in the mouth.
Personal experience
The restaurant has only a few tables, and it takes a long time to be seated, but it does not affect the mood. The open kitchen allows people to feel the charm of the cooking on the spot. The chef personally delivers the food, and the recommended Spanish natural wine makes the taste even higher.
Location and Reservation Information
Address: 104 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132
Reservation Platform: Reservations can be made in advance through Resy (recommended at least one week in advance)
Cost per person: about $75-100 (including drinks)
4. La Mar by Gastón Acurio: A storm of taste buds swept by the Peruvian sea breeze
Restaurant history and background
La Mar is the creation of Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio, known as the pioneer of “New Latin Cuisine”. Located on the waterfront of the Mandarin Oriental Miami, this restaurant offers high-end Peruvian seafood cuisine in an elegant setting. Each dish is exquisitely presented, a feast for the taste buds as well as the eyes.
Food Features and Taste Experience
La Mar’s “Ceviche Clasico” is a must-try: fresh fish fillets are soaked in tiger’s milk blended with lime juice and Peruvian chili, which is refreshing and rich in layers, spicy and sour, and delicious.
“Arroz con Mariscos” is also a good choice: the rice cooked in rich seafood broth is fragrant and full, and the shrimp, shellfish and cuttlefish are intertwined into an ocean storm.
Personal experience
I chose to dine at La Mar at dusk, and the sunset covered the sea and the plate. The atmosphere at that moment was breathtaking. The presentation of each dish is like a work of art, and the service is impeccable. It is a luxurious experience beyond the taste buds.
Location and reservation information
Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131
Reservation platform: Make a reservation through OpenTable
Per capita cost: about US$100-130 (including drinks and service charges)
5. Macchialina: Italian mother’s night canteen
Restaurant history and background
Located on the edge of South Beach, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, Macchialina is an Italian classic in the hearts of locals. Chef Michael Pirolo’s background is from Naples. He has worked in many Michelin restaurants in New York and finally decided to return to the most authentic Italian cooking spirit.
Food Features and Taste Experience
The “Cavatelli Macchialina” is a soulful creation, with handmade pasta soaked in beef and slow-cooked tomato sauce, and the chewy texture is intoxicating.
“Eggplant Parmigiana” reminds people of an Italian mother’s kitchen in a second: the eggplant is fried until slightly burnt, and then baked with cheese and tomato sauce, warm and satisfying.
Personal Experience
The interior decoration of the restaurant is retro and warm, and the wooden furniture and dim lights bring a strong Italian atmosphere. Sit at the bar and chat with the chef, feeling the atmosphere of home and the warmth of the food. Every chew evokes memories of Italy.
Location and Reservation Information
Address: 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Reservation platform: You can make an appointment through Resy or call directly
Cost per person: about US$50-70 (very cost-effective)
Maybe you once thought that Miami only had Mexican tacos and Latin barbecue, but this city actually contains the warmth and soul of the world’s diverse cuisine. Behind those streets covered by palm trees, there are countless food paradises full of surprises. The restaurants here, from family-style shops to stylish modern restaurants, cover almost all global flavors.
Miami not only has classic Latin American flavors, but also diverse choices such as Italy, France, and Asia. On the restaurant terrace illuminated by the sunset, the chef talks with the ingredients, and every dish created can make people feel unparalleled care and unique charm. Whether it is the freshness of seafood or the richness of meat, Miami’s food tour is always unsatisfactory.
Next time you come to Miami, why not start a real food journey from these niche restaurants. Each dish here has a unique story and flavor, blending the essence of multiple cultures. Let your taste buds, like your feet, discover the flavor world “hidden behind the beach” and experience the unknown delicious secrets of Miami.
