Some people enjoy eating at the best restaurants in every city, the hot spots showered with awards and run by renowned chefs. Then there are those who enjoy discovering the little spots where the locals eat, the mom-and-pops hiding behind unassuming storefronts and in strip malls, serving food can hold its own with the best restaurants in the destination. For those people, these are the hidden gems in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, places that might not make headlines but are serving memorable food nonetheless.

The Flavors of Trinidad at L.C. Roti Shop

Just a few miles from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, you’ll find L.C. Roti Shop, a little roti spot tucked in a strip mall that offers one of the most-authentic Trinidadian eating experiences in Miami. That’s not just authentic because of the spicy, savory roti wraps or the fragrant chicken and goat curries. It’s authentic because the patrons are nearly all from the islands, coming in for a little taste of home and maybe a cold Kalik beer. There’s cricket on the TV and spices in the air, and it feels every bit like a lunch counter somewhere in Port of Spain.

The Locals’ Choice for Sushi at Toni’s Sushi Bar

If you live inSouth Beach, Toni’s Sushi Bar is hardly unknown. It’s been going strong on Washington Avenue for decades, and locals will tell you the food here is as good as – if not better – than any high-end sushi restaurant in the area. That said, Toni’s still somehow flies under the radar for those not familiar with the destination, unassumingly located in an Art Deco storefront. It recently got a major redesign, and the once-spartan dining room is now a sea of bamboo enveloping the guests. Order a wide range of sushi and rolls off the menu, or opt for the nigiri or sashimi omakase. There’s also udon noodles, ramen and a teriyaki grill.

Jamaican Food Working Finding at Mangrove

Mangrove is one of Miami’s best hidden gems because it’s truly hidden. This upscale Jamaican restaurant and lounge in Downtown Miami doesn’t have a sign, so only those who know to look for it can find it. It’s located behind its sister restaurant, Jrk!. Once inside, you’ll be treated to chef-driven Jamaican cuisine, with traditional offerings like jerk chicken skewers and curry oxtail and newer innovations like the Rasta Pasta and Rough Gal Thai wings. The cocktails are equally as exceptional, and once dinner service dies down, the place turns into a full-on Jamaican cocktail party 

Great Food at a Kwik Stop? Yes, at Asian Thai Kitchen

There are no tables, chairs, waiters or bartenders at Asian Thai Kitchen. There are, however, ample opportunities to buy lotto tickets while you’re waiting on your pad Thai, since the restaurant is wedged into a Kwik Stop on Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove. Serving one of Miami’s most unexpectedly fantastic meals, Asian Thai Kitchen has been a neighborhood secret among Grove residents for years, quietly putting out top-tier Thai food and sushi mere feet from the beer cooler. Every order is to-go, but nobody’s stopping you from grabbing some utensils and feasting in the parking lot if you can’t wait to get home.

Great Wings & a Warm Welcome at The Brightside

One might think it impossible to capture the neighborly ambience of a midwestern neighborhood bar in Miami. But The Brightside brings the food, drinks, and warm welcomes of the frozen north to sunny Miami, creating Coral Way’s go-to spot for big games and bar food. There’s nothing groundbreaking on the menu, but the wings can make a case as Miami’s best, and the Buffalo-favorite beef on weck sandwich is hailed by many as the best outside Western New York. The owners make a point to know every customer by name,  creating a little bit of community in the heart  of the big city.

Just Great Sushi at Aoko

With virtually no social media, minimalist decor and zero advertising, Aoko has somehow become one of the toughest sushi reservations in Miami in less than two years. How? Well, a group of young friends realized after years in the restaurant industry that all you needed to succeed was great sushi and friendly service. They bring both in abundance to this Edgewater sushi counter and not much more, and if you don’t need fancy decor or celebrity guests at the next table, Aoko might just be your new favorite place for Japanese cuisine.  

Mexican Worth Driving For at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant

Those who grew up in Miami-Dade’s southeast suburbs of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay love to wax nostalgic about family meals at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, the first place many Miami natives learned the joys of carne asada and tacos al pastor. It remains one of the area’s best Mexican spots, though its location deep down US-1 can keep seasonal crowds at bay. The guacamole is always fresh, and the margaritas never disappoint. And if you’re looking for great value, Guadalajara is always worth the drive.

A Peruvian Renaissance at 5 Esquinas

Peruvian food is having a bit of a renaissance in Miami, as some of the most-renowned chefs from Lima and beyond have opened spots in the city. While you can’t go wrong at any of them, if you want something a little more intimate and laid-back, seek out this spot tucked into an Alton Road strip mall in South Beach. 5 Esquinas puts out what many Miamians say is the area’s best ceviche: a simple, fresh whitefish marinated in lime juice with onions and corn. The restaurant’s other dishes are as artistic as you’ll find in celebrity chef spots, from the potato-based causas to the Limena shrimp salad. Every time you eat at 5 Esquinas, you feel like you’ve discovered something everyone else hasn’t, and that’s the true mark of a hidden gem.

You Can Find Josh at Josh’s Corner Diner

Josh’s Deli in Surfside is a legend in the world of Miami food, a favorite of both locals and visitors that earned itself MICHELIN recognition. What few know is that Josh Marcus isn’t there anymore and is now behind the counter at Josh’s Corner Diner, a little sandwich stand inside the Central Fare Food Hall in Downtown Miami’s Brightline station. He’s making fresh bagels and Japanese milk bread in the tiny kitchen, putting out the same spectacular sandwiches that made him famous. The burgers are the choice if you’re hungry, but if you’re there earlier in the day, the sourdough bagel sandwiches might be even better than Marcus’ originals.

Take Your Time Enjoying Kojin 2.0

The essence of a neighborhood restaurant is a small space that makes you feel like you’re eating in someone’s living room. That’s precisely the ambience at Kojin 2.0 in Coral Gables, where chef/owner Pedro Mederos makes rounds through his small dining room, laughing and joking with diners at every table. Servers feel like they’re part of the family too, and they’re a big reason Kojin 2.0 was recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. Because Mederos’ offerings are limited, everything on the menu is a hit. The contemporary menu of American dishes with modern Japanese influences changes by the season and what the chef can find that’s fresh. And even if your meal takes a little longer because Pedro’s busy socializing, you’ll be enjoying yourself so much, you’ll barely notice.

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