Top 10 Ethnic Restaurants on Miami Beach

10 of our favorite ethnic restaurants in Miami Beach

Miami is a melting pot of Latin American and international culture, from Cuba to South America and everywhere. That diversity is also reflected in Miami restaurants and international restaurants.

Only in South Beach, restaurants range from Haitians and Peruvians to Greeks and Koreans. Whether it's a hole in the wall with authentic flavors or a refined luxury meal in the lap of luxury, South Beach is home to some of the best ethnic restaurants in the area.

Taquiza Restaurant in Miami Beach, a traditional mexican taquería crafting authentic tacos and street fare, creates handmade blue masa tortillas and Totopos chips that are ground fresh daily using responsibly sourced USDA Organic and NON-GMO landrace corn from Michoacán, Mexico. The Taquiza taco menu includes delicious flavor combinations like the Huitlacoche Taco with corn truffle and scallion, and the Barbacoa Beef Taco brimming with cumin, chile and pasilla negra. And let's not forget the Pork Carnitas Taco marinated in orange, cinnamon and clove.

You will find this understated little spot in the heart of South Beach on Collins Avenue underneath the HI Miami Beach Hostel building - previously Hotel Eva, just a block from Lincoln Road, so stop by and grab a mango Jarritos while you wait or if you want to stay put, you can order this authentic Mexican street food online and get your taco fix delivered directly to your door.

1506 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

For a taste of the Greek islands so fresh it's as if it was flown in ice packed today, Estiatorio Milos Greek restaurant is a must. That's exactly how their Mediterranean fish makes it to this posh establishment.

Refined and brightly flavored side dishes, like their grilled Mediterranean octopus with Santorini fava or the tomato salad with barrel aged feta and Kalamata olives, pair perfectly with their hyper fresh seafood.

730 First St., Miami Beach, FL 33139

You wouldn't expect to find one of South Beach's buzziest new restaurants inside a small strip mall behind blacked out windows that read “Market.” But that's the point with Drunken Dragon Miami Beach Restaurant, a speakeasy-style Korean barbecue joint.

Dishing up modern Asian small plates along with boozy, tiki-style cocktails by local mixologist Gui Jaroschy, select tables feature built-in grills for DIY bulgogi (request one when you make a reservation).

1424 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Miami has seen an influx of restaurants offering the diverse flavors of the Near East and the Mediterranean, from Turkish and Israeli food to Greek food. One of the best places to enjoy is Cleo, a Mediterranean gastronomic delight inside the Redbury Hotel in South Beach. The transplant of LA brings with it a rock 'n' roll atmosphere and longing dishes such as milk yogurt with fresh pita, sausage merguez flatbread and lamb tagine.

It is also a modern and high energy place perfect for the party to start on a night in South Beach with their Dips and Sips Social Hour.

1776 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Also on the glitzy side of the food chain, Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau Resort dishes up delectable haute Cantonese cuisine with a dim sum brunch that’s the stuff of dreams. The London import has been a perennial hotspot since its inauguration.

With a cocktail program to match the elevated menu, highlights include the Peking duck with Petrossian caviar, black pepper beef tenderloin and stir-fried Bahamian lobster. Make a late dinner reservation at Hakkasan and vie for entry to LIV, the resort’s famed nightclub, afterwards.

4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

This charming restaurant is filled with folkloric art, brightly painted wooden chairs and tables, and killer Haitian food and cocktails. From fried pork griyo to kabrit nan sos (goat stew) and poulet rouge stew, most dishes are served with rice and sweet plantains.

The seafood menu is just as tempting with grouper marinated in lime sauce, shrimp in creole or coconut sauce and stewed conch. Pair that with a strong rum cocktail straight out of a coconut and you're in for a treat.

819 5th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139

You can't come to Miami without a taste of Cuban cuisine. For an authentic, unpretentious experience on South Beach, head to Puerto Sagua. You'll enjoy Cuban classics here, like the Cuban sandwich made of marinated pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between flaky Cuban bread, or ropa vieja, a savory beef stew marinated with peppers, tomatoes and onions and served with rice, beans and sweet plantains. Enjoy a shot of strong, sweet Cuban coffee.

700 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Miami is home to a surprisingly robust French population and there's no better place to get a taste of Paris in Miami than at South Beach's A La Folie Café. Tucked away just past the pedestrian portion of Española Way on a quiet, palm treelined lane, pull up a café table outside or get cozy on a wooden banquette inside for a meal of savory crepes, fresh salads and other French bistro specialties. Save room for a sweet crepe of nutella and strawberry or their sinful chocolate fondant.

516 Spanish Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Japanese/Sushi For sushi among South Beach locals, head to Doraku during happy hour. With a menu of both classic and creative sushi rolls, like the emperor roll made with tuna, salmon, krab and avocado, it's a perfect menu to mix and match for a wide variety of flavors. With ample outdoor seating on Lincoln Road, it's a prime spot to people watch and soak in the South Beach atmosphere. Located next to the Regal Cinemas, it makes for a great dinner and a movie date.

1104 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

This al fresco respite shaded beneath a trellis crawling with ivy is romantic for a delightful dinner that feels miles away from South Beach's glitz and glamour—even though it's right in the middle of it. Opt for the orecchiette alle melanzane made with eggplant and salted ricotta for an otherworldly, comforting pasta dish. Their wine list pairs perfectly with their extensive menu where you can't go wrong with the daily special. For dessert, the tiramisu is not to be missed.

1925 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139