The Best Affordable Restaurants in Miami Beach

Whether you’re a bona fide foodie or simply enjoy good eats, exploring the best restaurants in Greater Miami and Miami Beach is likely near the top of your to-do list on any given visit. And while the destination has a rep for being lavish, you don’t actually have to break the bank in order to experience some of the best dining in Miami Beach.

Affordable places to eat in Miami are abundant, and supremely delicious at that. Not only does this help if you’re on a budget – leaving more room to splurge on nicer dinners, activities, events or shopping – but it might also surprise your palate. Our guide to the best affordable restaurants in Miami Beach is right this way, featuring our favorite spots in South Beach and beyond for a nice low-priced lunch, authentic tacos, fried chicken and more.

La Sandwicherie

An old-school sandwich window (circa 1988) with staying power, La Sandwicherie is a reliable stop for high-quality sandwiches. The portions and ingredients offer a great value for the price. There’s a handful of options for under $10 before tax, like the fresh mozzarella, genoa salami and provolone, or the homemade tuna mix with brie cheese, along with vegan options like hummus and avocado. None of the signature sandwiches – like the SOBE Club with turkey, brie and avocado, or the Napoli with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella – are priced above $13.75. 

La Sandwicherie is open from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m., making it the most convenient all-hours stop on South Beach, especially if you’re enjoying a nightcap and a game of pool next door at Mac’s Club Deuce, aka “The Deuce.” 

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila

For more than a decade, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila has been a consistent and affordable option when it comes to craft tacos served from its permanent indoor taco truck. You can order most classic tacos (carnitas, pollo asada and al pastor) for a little over $5, though specials (like barbacoa, crispy fish and coconut shrimp) are still under $6, while birria is over $7.

Chips and guacamole and street corn round out the flavors for less than $8. Plus, $12 meals offer great savings if you’re not into the a la carte options. It’s still an affordable lunch or dinner in South Beach compared to most Mexican restaurants, especially if you top it off with a $30 pitcher of margaritas. (That’s usually the price of 2 signature cocktails, if not more, in Miami Beach.)

Mega Pizza

The Mega Pizza mantra is “Size Matters!” and they aren’t kidding. People love this spot so much that they opened 2 locations in South Beach. New York-style jumbo slices are the specialty, and most will run you between $9.50 to $11.95 – but, we assure you, it’s a full meal in itself.

Pies are priced at $42, making them best suited for sharing among several people. You can also enjoy appetizers like fried fresh mozzarella sticks, pizza fries, jalapeño poppers and wings, each under $15.

Kung Fu Chicken

New restaurants are always hitting the scene, but it’s rare to find a newcomer that’s both nice and inexpensive. Enter Kung Fu Chicken, a dedicated fried chicken restaurant (with other outposts in Little Havana and FIU South) that opened in South Beach earlier this year.

Sporting Asian street food vibes, you’ll find classic chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, signature chicken wraps, teriyaki chicken sandwiches and master chicken steak (like Asian-style chicken-fried steak) for less than $13. And don’t forget to double dip – 4 signature sauces elevate the experience.

Most sides are less than $5, and they range from fries and chicken gyoza to corn cheese and radish kimchi. Combo meals offer the best value (a sandwich and a side), and most are priced lower than $16.

Moshi Moshi

You can find budget-friendly sushi that's good in Miami Beach. Moshi Moshi, with its laid-back vibe and cozy counter, delivers on both quality and pricing. California rolls are as low as $8 all day, while other basic rolls like salmon, avocado, tuna, yellowtail jalapeño, shrimp tempura, spicy yellowtail and JB range from just $10 to 12.

When you level up to signature rolls like rainbow, soft shell crab tempura, spicy lump crab, red dragon and king salmon, the pricing is around $17 or $18 per roll. Happy hour is when Moshi Moshi really saves you, though. From 4 to 7 p.m. daily, you can nosh on the $10 menu and pair your bites with $4 cocktails.

Playa Cafe

When you visit Miami, Cuban food is a must. While Cuban restaurants might seem like a dime a dozen, Playa Cafe is a no-frills, family-owned, authentic gem planted on Washington Avenue that’s been around for more than 20 years.

Sidle up to the counter and chat with a local, and order up one of the many combos from the photo menu wall behind the open kitchen. You’ll find a $5 breakfast special, sandwiches like Cuban, steak, tuna and medianoche for less than $8, and flan and tres leches for a sweet ending under $4.