
Miami is a popular tourist destination in the United States, and for good reason. It sits by the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean, attracting tons of beach lovers and watersports enthusiasts every year. The nightlife is also spectacular as Miami has the liveliest clubs and bars. The history and architecture of the city are pretty interesting as well. The Cuban influence on the area can be seen through the local cafes, historic buildings, and even the tiny cigar shops.
Aside from the partying and posing for the ‘gram, the place is a great spot to go on a food trip. Miami’s culinary scene is made up mainly of food and restaurants with a strong Cuban influence. There is a Cuban restaurant in every corner; however, it would be incorrect to assume that this is the only type of food available here. Within the Latin American spectrum, there are also Peruvian, Mexican, Argentinian, and Spanish eateries located all over Miami. Plus, the city is home to a variety of other flavors from around the world. In this article, we will explore gastronomy in Miami, showcasing some of the items that visitors should try. Here’s a list of the top street food you must try in Miami, Florida.
Upcoming food festivals in and near Miami:
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a must-visit food fiesta featuring culinary events, celebrity chef appearances, and wine tastings across various venues on South Beach. This four-day food festival is held in February and organized by Food Network.
- If you're visiting between August and September, don't forget to take advantage of Miami Spice Restaurant Months. Some of the best food outlets in the city will be offering three-course meals for lunch or brunch at 30 - 35 USD and dinner at 45 - 60 USD.
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1. Garlic parmesan chicken wings

Who doesn’t love wings? Chicken wings are one of those comfort foods that won’t go away. Perfect for a beer night, movie night, or simply a nice dinner with the whole family, chicken wings are an American cuisine staple. It’s as important as burgers and pizza! Miami’s garlic parmesan wings are to die for. This dish is often served at bars complete with an ice-cold beer. Garlic parmesan is a classic chicken-wing flavor that will complete your stay in Miami.
2. Pinchos (bread with various topppings)

The Cuban influence on Miami also includes food. Aside from the arts and music, Cubans have left a mark on Miami’s gastronomic map. One of those influences is pinchos. Pinchos are related to tapas, except the former is spiked in toothpick for easy picking. Pinchos is a finger food popular in bars and cafes in Spain. It can be found in tapas restaurants in Miami. Some bars and clubs offer this delicacy too. Pinchos is a party food best paired with a glass of wine or beer. It’s the type of meal that doesn’t feel heavy on the stomach yet is still delightful.
3. Mahi-mahi tacos

Take your taco knowledge to the next level by having mahi-mahi tacos. Mahi-mahi taco is made with white-fleshed fish and Tex-Mex flavors. Fish taco is a popular Hispanic dish, which means that mahi-mahi taco is another Cuban influence on Miami. A good mahi-mahi taco relies on the freshness of the fish. Fortunately, Miami has tons of quality fish, ensuring that marine products are always fresh and yummy. Mahi-mahi taco is best served with good beer and good conversations. You can find this treat on the streets of Miami often in food trucks scattered around the area.
4. Churrasco (grilled meat)

Churrasco is a Spanish or Portuguese word for “grilled meat.” The Hispanic method of barbequing quite differs from the American one. The former grills the meat from a long skewer and then carves it out in front of guests when they are about to eat it. It is often served with chimichurri, a flavor composed of garlic, oil, vinegar, and herbs. This flavor adds acidity to the meat, making it more delectable. Churrasco is a Miami staple more often found in steakhouses. But there are also food trucks that offer this meal in a much more affordable price range.
Miami Tour Guide

Alexander Gorn
I was born in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, in the Soviet Union, and left for the USA when I was 23 years old, just out of college. Leningrad was and still is a city with great cultural traditions. I fell in love with its world-famous museums, art galleries, theaters, and other attractions. I have been guiding tours for most of my life and began while still in high school. During the summer... Read more
Tours by Alexander
5. Empanadas

Empanada is another Hispanic dish that found its way to Miami shores. The word “empanada” came from the word “empanar,” which means to be wrapped or coated in bread. This pastry often has fillings, which vary depending on the place where you are standing. A Miami empanada is filled with ground pork, jalapeno, and spices. It’s an afternoon treat perfect for the sunny weather of the city. There are stalls and food trucks in Miami that serve this delicacy. Spanish restaurants also offer this pastry to its customers. It’s a delight that you wouldn’t want to miss.
6. Yuca fries (fried cassava)

Change the way you eat fries by trying yuca fries. Yuca, also known as cassava, is a root vegetable similar with potato. It is popular in Latin America and has found its way to Miami. Yuca can become tapioca flour when processed. This talented root vegetable can be turned into fries when coated with the right seasoning and deep-fried. What makes it even better is that you can cut the yuca to larger sizes, creating a more defined and a more exciting set of snacks—best served with burgers or even empanadas.
7. Grilled cheese

Grilled cheese is a sandwich made with cheese. The cheese often melts whenever the toast is being grilled over the pan. The most satisfying part of this recipe is when the cheese pull happens. Nothing beats seeing delicious cheese stretch out to perfection. Miami has quality grilled cheese sandwiched, which can be found at stalls and food trucks. Enjoy it with soda or eat it during breakfast with a cup of coffee.
8. Chimichurri

Chimichurri is an uncooked sauce that first originated in Argentina. This sauce combines chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and red wine vinegar and forms a citric and tangy taste to it. It’s a popular sauce, condiment, or even a side dish in Latin American countries. It has found its way to Miami through the Cuban migrations back in the day. Chimichurri is often used as a sauce to grilled meat. Some even use it for salads and even as pesto sauce to their pasta. Its versatility and flavor made this sauce a staple. In Miami, steakhouses and barbeque restaurants often promote their chimichurri products. Never leave Miami without having a dish or two of this world-renowned sauce.
9. Fish sandwich

As mentioned, Miami has tons of quality fish in the area, making it an ideal location for some of the best fish sandwiches in the world. Fish sandwich is made with breaded fish. It’s a perfect lunch or dinner meal matched with French fries. Miami has a host of fish sandwiches, and they often vary in the sauce used. This street food is truly a fun meal to add to your Miami itinerary.
10. Cuban Sandwich

In Miami, the most sought-after food is the Cuban sandwich. Miami is well known for its Cuban-influenced cuisine, with the taste of Havana being the highlight of the flavors in Miami. The Cuban sandwich is a somewhat variation of a club sandwich. A Cuban bun is sliced open, then stuffed with roasted pork slices, Swiss cheese, ham, and pickles, then topped off with a squeeze of mustard. The sandwich is tasty and a great on-the-go snack.
11. Frita Traditional (traditional fried beef sandwich)

This is another favorite sandwich in Miami. The burger-like sandwich is soft and golden on the outside, filled with a soft and juicy beef patty, embedded on a layer of chorizo sausages, seasoned to perfection with a little heat coming through from the paprika, and finished off with crispy fried shoestring potatoes and melted cheese. This dish is a must-try when in Miami, and it comes with lots of different variations.
12. Chicharrón (pork crackling)
These are deep-fried slices of pork belly including pork skin, fat, and meat. Chicharrón is best when served fresh. This decadent pork treat can be soft and fatty, or nice and crispy with a blistering crunch, seasoned with salt. El Palacio serves some of the best Chicharrón in town. They are served in a paper bag and can be eaten as a snack with a squeeze of lemon juice at the top. Make sure that you wash your mouth after, as the pork-fat tends to get stuck in the teeth.
13. Jewban
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Why not eat like a local in Miami, and try out the “Jewban” sandwich? It is a layered feast of pastrami and roasted pork loaded with mustard and melted Swiss cheese, all served on rye bread. Josh’s Deli in Surfside, are masters at creating this Miami sandwich by stuffing the sandwich in-house pastrami and they even make their own sweet and spicy mustard. The sandwich is accompanied with coleslaw and pickles.
14. Cortadito (Cuban espresso)

Start your day off right with a good pick-me-up drink. Coffee lovers will enjoy the cortadito, it is a type of espresso that originated from Cuba. This warm drink refers to an espresso shot which is sweetened with demerara sugar which has been whipped with the first and strongest drops of espresso. A cortadito is similar to Italy’s macchiato, is like a colada with a splash of milk. For your shot of cortadito, visit La Carreta in Miami.
15. Arepas (corn pancakes)
Arepas is a type of corn pancake where the dough is cooked or fried. They are flat and can be topped or filled with meat, eggs, tomatoes, salad, cheese, shrimp, or fish depending on the meal. At Super Arepa in Miami, the restaurant specializes in these savory cakes, and they can be either stuffed with grilled meat, chicken or pork. All arepas at this eatery are served with pico de gallo, shredded cheese and special house sauce.
Other local food to try in Miami
While not always found in streetside shops or food trucks, the local treats listed below are must-tries in Miami. You can find them in fine dining settings, casual restaurants, or cafes, where you can sit back and savor the taste in leisure.
16. Key lime pie

Key lime pie is a favorite dessert for Miami residents, as well as people coming to the city looking for a delicious, fruity and tart dessert. The pie originates from the Keys in Florida, and it is made from the fruit of the Key lime tree, with most of it comprising of a creamy tart custard and the base made with a crunchy cookie crumble. Blue Collar and Kush restaurant in Miami, as among the best places where one can sit and enjoy the delicious dessert.
17. Stone crabs
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
No need to pinch yourself -- you're not dreaming.
Posted by Joe's Stone Crab on Monday, 3 December 2018
Head over to Joe’s Stone Crab to try out this seasonal and delicious seafood dish. The claws of the crab are filled with succulent and tasty crab meat that will leave you wanting more. They can be prepared in different ways, mainly by boiling in water, steaming and baking. Whichever cooking method you prefer, you will still get the full flavor of the crab.
Traveler Review: “Legendary restaurant located in the SOFI (South of 5th) neighborhood of South Beach. It’s only open during certain times of the year so please check before driving over. Be ready to tip the host or you will likely be waiting for a table!” - Eric
See what other travelers are saying about Joe’s Stone Crab through this guidebook from Airbnb host, Derek. If you’re looking for places to stay, check out Derek’s stunning two-bedroom vacation rental on our list of Airbnb vacation rentals in South Miami.
18. Cuban Mojo (a garlic citrus sauce)

Mojo is a sauce that is packed with loads flavor. Simple ingredients are used, such as garlic and hints of citrus lime or lemon juice, then finished off with the addition of oil. Once the sauce comes together, it makes the Cuban Mojo. The sauce is great when used as a dipping sauce, or it can be used as a dressing, poured over salads as well as a marinade for your grilled chicken.
19. Ceviche
For the seafood lovers, try out the much-loved ceviche. It is a typically Spanish seafood dish that is made from fresh raw fish, marinated in lime or lemon juice and seasoned with spices and chillis. Due to Miami’s strong Cuban influence, adventurous foodies looking to sample this dish can find it at a lot of the restaurants in the city. The dish pairs very well with cilantro and chopped onions to bring out the flavors of the fish.
Try some mouthwatering street foods in Miami!
During your next visit to Miami, explore some of the food trucks and restaurants in the area and try out the delicious food on offer that will probably keep you coming back to Miami for more. When you’re done clubbing at the best bars, try these mouthwatering dishes and satisfy your cravings. Don’t forget to use this list as a guide!
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