When you’re hosting friends and family from out of town, you want to make sure they eat well. Add these seven great spots to your shortlist of the best Miami restaurants for visitors.
CJ’s Crab Shack
Love it or hate it, Miami Beach is a big attraction for out-of-town visitors. That’s why a visit to CJ’s Crab Shack is a must. Not only is the menu here packed with delicious seafood, but the eatery is also a prime spot for people watching; CJ’s provides a front-row seat to the colorful characters of Ocean Drive—and we mean colorful.
Enjoy snow crab, fried shrimp, steamed clams, seafood pasta, and other delights while taking in the views of South Beach’s iconic street. No meal is complete without the restaurant’s signature cocktails like Hurricane Molly, so drink up.
CJ’s Crab Shack is located at 600 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
El Bagel
Breakfast isn’t really all that big in Miami, but El Bagel in MiMo definitely is. The beloved bagel shop is known for its hand-rolled creations, including bagel sandwiches loaded with lox, bacon, smashed avo, guava, whitefish salad, and a wealth of other fillings.
There’s nothing stopping you from just getting a single bagel with some schmear, but you really should try one of the sandwiches; we’re partial to the King Guava with guava marmalade, cream cheese, local egg, and potato stix. It’s a mess but a delicious mess. The bagels sell out fast and the restaurant is only doing online orders for pickup right now, so wake up early to beat the crowds.
El Bagel is located at 6910 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
Kosushi
For a delicious dining experience away from the hustle and bustle of the beach, head over to South of Fifth’s Kosushi. The Japanese eatery is a sushi lover’s dream, with some of the freshest fish in town. Expect all the usual favorites like tuna, shrimp, scallop, crab alongside rarer bites such as king crab yuzu, tuna foie, squid shiso, and unagi avo. Cold and hot small plates are also plentiful, so bring a large group to take full advantage.
Kosushi is located at 801 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
La Placita
Latin food is everywhere in Miami, but La Placita stands out from the crowd with tasty Puerto Rican cuisine. Your out-of-town guests will love items like the mixed seafood ceviche, chicken stew croquettes, whole fried snapper, and sweet plantain casserole. If there’s one thing your guests must absolutely try, it’s mofongo—the signature Puerto Rican mashed dish. Pick a protein like garlic shrimp or shredded beef and dig in—it’s love at first bite.
La Placita is located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
Osteria Del Teatro
Italian food is also everywhere in Miami, but few places are as delightful as Osteria Del Teatro. The Miami Beach eatery is one of the top neighborhood spots for pastas and other European specialties. On the menu, you’ll find delicious starters like imported buffalo mozzarella, eggplant parm, and grilled portobello mushrooms that are sure to impress.
Highlights on the pasta menu include the pappardelle with crab meat, the black squid ink ravioli, and the linguine with Gulf shrimp. Other musts are the veal scallopini and wild Alaskan salmon. Pro tip: Check the website for the restaurant’s “verbal” selections—off-menu specialties for those in the know.
Osteria Del Teatro is located at 1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Sanguich
You can’t visit Miami without taking a stroll down the city’s famous Calle Ocho (8th Street). The iconic strip runs through Little Havana, the heart of Miami’s Cuban population. Everywhere you look, you’ll find Latin restaurants galore.
One spot that’s a must-visit: Sanguich. The humble sandwich shop makes memorable Cuban sandwiches as well as other bites like Cuban nachos, ham croquettes, and plantain fries. If your guests want Cuban food without breaking the bank, this is the spot.
Sanguich is located at 2057 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135. For more information, visit their official website.
Toscana Divino
Don’t feel like driving to the beach for stellar Italian food? Toscana Divino in Brickell has you covered. The mainland restaurant has stood the test of time in Mary Brickell Village. While many tenants have come and gone, Toscana Divino continues to draw a crowd and cook up some of the best Italian food in town.
Selections change regularly, but the quality doesn’t: Expect to find a treasure trove of unforgettable starters, salads, pastas, and proteins. The lump crab salad and burrata caprese are perfect appetizers for starting your culinary journey, while the lasagna is a crowd favorite. Larger parties can opt for sizable platters that offer a little bit of everything.
Toscana Divino is located at 900 South Miami Avenue, #185, Miami, FL 33130. For more information, visit their official website.
