Miami Restaurants Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
- October 21, 2026
Greater Miami and Miami Beach is one of the world's top food destinations, teeming with MICHELIN-rated restaurants and James Beard Award winners. But it's the little neighborhood gems that make up the backbone of our culinary scene: independent, family-run spots serving delicious home-cooked food from around the world.
Restaurateur and TV personality Guy Fieri is well aware of this fact, and has made his way to Miami numerous times to highlight its lesser-known gems as the host of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For a taste of Miami’s homegrown flavors and authentic eats with a casual atmosphere, check out these Miami restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
11th Street Diner
Season 3, Episode 7, "American Classics"
What Guy Liked: Pork chops with apples and raisins. While this dish is no longer on the menu, you can still enjoy plenty of flavorful options, like the BBQ pork sandwich with onions, or one of the many specialty burgers that range from the Hawaiian Teriyaki with grated pineapple to a burger on a waffle bun topped with a fried egg.
Why You Should Visit: The historic 11th Street Diner is a late-night South Beach institution, the kind of place you’ll see people wandering into for hearty helpings of comfort food after a night out.
The people-watching is first rate, but the old dining car is an Art Deco gem, dating back to the restaurant’s original 1948 location in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. It was restored and brought to Miami Beach in 1992, and has been an icon ever since.
Jamaica Kitchen
Season 4, Episode 7, "A Taste of Everywhere"
What Guy Liked: Beef patties and Chinese-Jamaican pork belly with mustard greens (also known as ham choy).
Why you should visit: Jamaica Kitchen is one of those hidden gems that’s been popular with Kendall residents for years but few outside the neighborhood know about.
The local legend has been putting out some of Miami’s best Jamaican food for nearly 50 years, with classics like curry goat, oxtail and Jamaican patties bringing a non-stop parade of take-out customers. Try any of the traditional patties inside coco bread, a Jamaican take on the hamburger that makes for a perfect quick lunch.
La Camaronera
Season 6, Episode 11, "Old Time Favorites"
What Guy Liked: Pan con minuta sandwich, Camaronera’s fritos
Why You Should Visit: La Camaronera is a landmark Little Havana seafood spot that’s appeared on numerous TV shows profiling food in Miami. Why? It’s the best place to get a pan con minuta sandwich – whole fried snapper on a Cuban roll with onions, tartar sauce, lime and, sometimes, a little lettuce and tomato.
The family-run seafood market is a no-frills place with great food and is an authentic way to experience Cuban seafood and the vibe of Little Havana.
Milly’s Empanada Factory
Season 28, Episode 6, "International Intrigue"
What Guy Liked: The Pabe-yoyo, an arepa-style sandwich of fried batter filled with fried sweet plantains, shredded cheese, black beans, cilantro sauce and pabellon – shredded beef in creole sauce that’s Venezuela’s national dish.
Why You Should Visit: Though it’s set out in West Kendall, Milly’s Empanada Factory is a fun, affordable place to delve into the world of Venezuelan street food.
You can explore traditional stuff like tequeños and deep-fried cornmeal empanadas. Or venture into some of Milly’s more creative offerings, like the tostón sandwich, in which meat and veggies are stuck between two crispy-fried smashed plantains, or a breakfast arepa bowl. Empanadas can be purchased at a discount by the dozen and half-dozen.
Mr. and Mrs. Bun
Season 28, Episode 10, "Lights Out Latin"
What Guy Liked: Asado con palta: slow-cooked eye of round roast with avocado, crispy onions and mayo on a bun.
Why You Should Visit: Mr. and Mrs. Bun is a Kendall West discovery that’s always worth the drive. The menu is a long list of Peruvian-style sandwiches, a casual concept rarely found outside the area.
In addition to the TV-famous asado con palta, other intriguing offerings include bacon-wrapped tamales with pork belly; the Butifarra sandwich with cured ham, sliced red onions and creole sauce; and the short rib sandwich, piled high with beef, chimichurri and horseradish mayo.
Taquiza
Season 24, Episode 9, "South Beach Sizzle"
What Guy Liked: Totopos, fluffy blue corn tortilla chips
Why You Should Visit: Taquiza has moved since its 2016 appearance on DDD, and now does its sizzling in Little River. Going to Taquiza is a great excuse to check out the high-energy, constantly evolving restaurant scene in Little River. Plus, this might be the most unique taqueria in Miami. The restaurant has segued from blue corn tortillas to stone-ground yellow ones for tacos; however, the chips remain their signature blue.
Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering
Season 19, Episode 5, "Dynamite Duos"
What Guy Liked: Beer-braised baby back ribs and the cornmeal-fried okra. While the okra is no longer on the menu, you can try the crispy Brussels sprouts with parmesan and red pepper aioli for another flavorful side.
Why You Should Visit: Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering in South Miami was ahead of Miami’s chef-driven restaurant curve, among the first to put out authentic Southern food in a neighborhood setting.
This small restaurant in a strip mall is always filled with local foodies who swear by the bourbon and brown sugar-glazed salmon, BBQ brisket sandwich and homestyle meat loaf with creamy smashed potatoes and green beans. The restaurant also offers fried green tomatoes and bacon-wrapped dates.
