Little River is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, but its diverse, international food scene is quickly making it trendy again. Located just north of Little Haiti, Little River is cozy and walkable, with streets lined with vintage Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture, trendy galleries, eclectic coffee shops and notable restaurants. From South American asado BBQ and multiple Haitian go-tos to upscale Japanese kappo cuisine, a food hall and unique tacos, Little River has something for every palate.

Ogawa: An Authentic Japanese Experience

Led by master chef Masayuki “Masa” Komatsu, Ogawa offers a traditional multicourse kappo experience in which the chef chooses the menu and every dish is a surprise. You’ll step into a room filled with Japanese calligraphy scrolls and modern nihonga art and take a seat at the long table. As the night goes on, you’ll enjoy a series of small plates, eight to 10 nigiri, a hand roll, miso soup and dessert and find out why Ogawa earned a MICHELIN star. Ask the sommelier to suggest an artisanal sake or rare Japanese whiskey, and don’t leave without visiting the private Japanese garden.

Gaucho Ranch Grill & Wines: South American Fire Grilling

For centuries, South American cowboys, or gauchos, have been grilling meats over open flames – a BBQ technique called fire grilling – and Gaucho Ranch Grill & Wines has brought that style to Little River. Diners can cut into free-range, grass-fed meats such as lamb picanha with chimichurri, flap or rib eye steak, honey-marinated chicken thighs and more, all cooked over a wood-fire grill according to traditional asado methods. Pair your meal with one of Gaucho’s curated bottles of wine and finish with grilled pineapple topped with honey goat cheese, coconut ice cream and toasted almonds. There’s even a retail store that sells some of the restaurant’s top cuts of meat and wine.

Le Jardin: A Local Favorite For Haitian Classics

When that craving for Haitian food hits, it’s time for a trip to Le Jardin. This café serves all the Haitian classics, from callaloo and soup joumou to tassot, rice and beans and pikliz. There are a few tables where customers can sit down and enjoy their meal, but most are occupied by locals drinking a beer while waiting for their to-go order. Tip for first-time visitors: Start with marinated “griot” (pork shoulder) that’s fried to a crisp or “legim” (a steamed vegetable stew) with white rice and “sòs pwa” (a Haitian black bean sauce seasoned with cloves).

The Citadel: Something For Everyone

Taking up an entire city block, The Citadel is an all-in-one dining, shopping and entertainment destination where you’ll find local artisanal foods and products, handcrafted cocktails and immersive cultural experiences. Its 12 restaurants and three bars, including a rooftop bar, offer a taste of some of the destination’s best local chefs. Get fresh Florida seafood at the vintage-style Miami Shores Fish Market or a slice of Neapolitan pizza at Ash! If you need a pick-me-up, stop by Vice City Bean for a matcha latte or cold brew Madcap coffee. Frice Cream handcrafts ice cream with a French custard base and local ingredients, resulting in flavors like flan, chocolate raspberry truffle and almond matzo toffee scoops.

Tran An: Modern Vietnamese Banh Mi

Named after chef Jon Nguyen’s grandfather and inspired by his Hanoi roots, Tran An puts a modern twist on traditional Vietnamese banh mi. Order classic dishes such as pho, noodles, bowls, spring rolls and salads and top them with inventive and flavorful proteins, from lemongrass sausage and BBQ pork belly to spicy garlic shrimp. First-time diners can start with puffy shrimp “chips” and follow with the Supreme Beef Pho. The latter is served steaming with rare Wagyu beef, brisket, all-beef meatballs, shredded beef necks and beef tendon floating in a rich bone marrow broth.

The Plantisserie: A Plant-Based Organic Deli and Market

The Plantisserie is a deli and storefront that strives to cook consciously using fresh, organic, plant-based foods free from chemicals, pesticides, additives and hormones. It serves dishes such as vegetable coconut curry with basmati rice, Beyond Meat Shepherd’s Pie, quinoa croquettes and marinated smoked carrot “lox,” capers and homemade cashew cream cheese on an everything bagel.

La Santa Taquería: Mexico City Street Tacos with a Miami Twist

As Chef Omar Montero says, “Build tacos, not walls.” Bringing a lifetime of experience in kitchens all over Mexico and the United States, his food truck-turned-restaurant La Santa Taquería takes diners on a culinary journey to Mexico City. Try his unique take on street tacos, from the barbacoa taco with lamb leg, salsa roja de guajillo, salsa verde de tomatillo cruda and cotija cheese to the villamelon taco with dry cured meat, Mexican chorizo and pork chicharrón. Wash it all down with a spicy La Santa Margarita.

La Fourchette: Dinner & A Party Too

Get dinner and a show – or shall we say, a party – at La Fourchette, a Haitian grab-and-go that’s constantly throwing a backyard bash. Dig into traditional dishes such as pica pollo (fried chicken), fritay beef (fried beef), rice and beans, goat and Haitian bouillon beef stew, then head outside for hookah, drinks and live music until late into the night.

Pack Supermarket: A Favorite For Fried Chicken

Whether it’s a workday or after church on a Sunday, Pack Super Market is filled with customers getting their fill of tasty Haitian specialties, including what regulars regard as the best fried chicken in Little River. It’s served in a styrofoam container with room for as many sides as your hunger can handle. Get three drumsticks – crispy, breaded and marinated in a spicy mix of vinegar, lime juice, garlic, onion and Scotch bonnet peppers – with rice and beans and pikliz (pickled vegetables).

For more great dining choices, check out our guide to Miami restaurants.

Explore

Experience Miami's Concerts & Live Music Events

Planning a visit to Miami? Check out these itinerary ideas

Use our Hipster Guide to plan the perfect weekend

Love Music? Let's Go to a Concert

Explore Spring in Miami

Miami Beach's Luxury Oceanfront Hotels

Discover New & Renovated Hotels

Looking for the Best Brunch?

Save this list of Miami's newest bars

Best of the Best Music Fest | May 25

Miami Beach Pride Concert | May 31-June 1

Explore Attractions & Museums Months | April-May

Discover fun free things to do in Miami

Best Places To Eat In Little River

Thank you for your submission !

STAY IN THE KNOW WITH ALL THINGS GREATER MIAMI & MIAMI BEACH