The dining scene in Greater Miami & Miami Beach is one of the most renowned in the country – and our culinary reputation isn’t based just on our James Beard Award winners or Michelin stars. Fantastic small, local restaurants hide in neighborhoods across the destination, bringing creative, unique food to locals and visitors alike. Whether tucked in the corner of a strip mall or hidden away in a residential area, you can find some fantastic dishes far from the bright lights of our biggest attractions. Here’s a look at some of Miami’s hidden gem eateries and what to expect (and order) when you get there.

Jackson Soul Food

Jackson Soul Food has been a Historic Overtown staple since it first opened as Mama’s Café in 1946. This is still a casual, small-menu spot where you’ll find everyone from locals to lunching business executives enjoying dishes like fried catfish or liver and onions along with a giant glass of sweet tea.

Boia De

Tucked away in a small shopping area between Little Haiti and the Miami Design District, you’ll find the retro-styled Boia De. The restaurant serves up delicious Italian cuisine and – although its menu isn’t lengthy (16 dishes total) – each plate is packed with flavor. Order the potato skins topped with stracciatella and caviar or the pappardelle alla lepre, served with Florida rabbit. Need another reason for visiting? This spot has earned a MICHELIN star, so you know this hidden gem is a must-try.

Pane & Vino

You might easily walk right past this romantic Italian eatery as you hurry down Washington Avenue in South Beach. Look for the chef in the window making fresh pasta, preparing the noodles that will be adorning the plates of hungry diners that evening. Pane & Vino is a small Italian restaurant serving up big taste with dishes like octopus carpaccio, pear and gorgonzola ravioli, and pan-seared lime chicken.

Matryoshka Deli Food

The sizable Russian population in Sunny Isles Beach flocks to this grocery store and deli for a little taste of the old country. Even if you don’t have a space to cook with the unique ingredients at Matryoshka Deli Food, you can still hit the hot buffet where kreplach, meatballs, cabbage, borscht and other Eastern European specialties await.

The Hideout Miami

With its ivy walls and cozy confines, The Hideout Miami in the Miami Design District is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet bite. This small cafe sports a menu filled with health-conscious smoothies, wraps and coffees – making it an ideal place to tuck into when you need a morning pick-me-up.

Sr De Los Tacos

Tucked into a Doral strip mall along Northwest 107th Avenue, you’ll find tacos that are so authentic, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Mexico. This small taco shop serves up its offerings in house-made corn tortillas that taste as fresh as the meats and veggies inside them. The menu at Sr De Los Tacos is a hit list of authentic classics, from smoky sweet al pastor to carne asada and chorizo creations. If you enjoy out-of-the-box food combinations, take a bite out of the pork belly and tropical shrimp taco, served with pineapple salad, cilantro and guacamole.

El Rey de las Fritas

One of the great debates among locals is over who makes Miami’s best frita – a Cuban take on the hamburger made with paprika-spiced chorizo, then topped with shoestring potatoes. One popular choice is El Rey de Las Fritas, a simple lunch counter in Little Havana serving up some of the tastiest Cuban dishes in Miami since 1976. Some other popular choices are the pan con bistec (steak sandwich) and the sweet batido de mamey (mamey fruit shake.)

Ironside Pizza

Miami Ironside, a unique event space and shopping area in the Upper East Side, serves as a creative hub and is also home to one of Miami’s top Neapolitan pizzerias. Ironside Pizza is known for its hearty pasta and wood-fired pies packed with smoky flavor. Try the tronchetto pizza – cheese-stuffed pizza dough topped with prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomatoes and more cheese – and give your taste buds a run for their money.

Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grille

You might not expect relaxing, tropical vibes in the corner of a Miami Gardens strip mall, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grille, a family-run Caribbean spot offering live music and fruity drinks. Savor authentic island flavors, including dishes like stewed conch, curried chicken and Jamaican oxtail. Wash it all down with a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade, and remember to save room for the Caribbean rum cake.

Shore to Door Fish Market

Shore to Door Fish Market in Coconut Grove is about as close to a true Southern seafood shack as you’ll find in Miami, basing its menu each day on the daily catch. Enjoy a cold beer from a cooler on the sunny back patio while you wait for your order of smoked fish dip, conch salad or fried snapper. The market is only open Friday through Sunday.

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