Eater Guides

Three Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Miami: Road Trip Edition

Ideas in eating

by Olee Fowler@oleefowler Updated Jun 16, 2017, 10:30am EDT

Need dining inspiration the weekend? Don't fret — Eater Miami is here to help.

Each week, the site's editors and contributors select a new group of restaurants, bars, bakeries and more and suggest them for various meals throughout the weekend. These picks range from brand new restaurants to old, reliable favorites.

Some pair well with fun weekend activities; others reflect the recent news of the day or features on the site this week. Diners probably won't get to all of the choices in one weekend, but that's what next weekend is for, right?

June 16, 2017

Friday Dinner: Sant Ambroeus

Up the glam factor with dinner at Sant Ambroeus (340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach). This chic New York City import, which opened its first location outside of the city earlier this year, features classic Italian cuisine like Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, caprese salads, and a bevy of desserts, with a side of Palm Beach elite people watching.

Saturday Lunch: Le Tub

This waterfront burger joint has been a favorite amongst those in-the-know for quite sometime. While Le Tub (1100 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood) veers on the side of divey — it is housed in a former gas station — its burgers are still well worth the long waits you might encounter on the weekend.

Sunday Lunch: Bad Boy Burrito

Forget brunch and take dad down for a day trip to the Florida Keys on Father’s Day. Stock up on some tacos at Bad Boy Burrito (103 Mastic St, Islamorada, FL). Opt for the shrimp tacos topped with a spicy pineapple salsa and wash it back with a hibiscus tea.

June 9, 2017

Friday Dinner: No Name Chinese

Grab a seat at No Name Chinese’s (7400 SW 57th Court) “wok & roll” station — aka the bar overlooking the kitchen — and dine on some spicy “angry” dumplings, turnip cakes, make-it-yourself duck filled crepes and some Hong Kong French toast, and wash it all back with some expertly paired wines from its rather unique wine list including a rosé from Turkey that shouldn’t be missed.

Saturday Breakfast: Honeybee Doughnuts

Since calories clearly don’t count on the weekend, start it off with some doughnuts from Honeybee Doughnuts (7388 Red Road). While the multicolor, cosmo doughnut might be dominating their Insta feed, Honeybee’s classic guava and cream cheese and nutella varieties are also winners.

Sunday Brunch: Whisk Gourmet

Odds are you will have to wait for a table, but it’ll be worth it for Whisk Gourmet’s (7382 SW 56th Avenue) down home style brunch. Papa’s buttermilk pancakes are a favorite for those who like something sweet, while the pulled pork sandwich and low country grits filled with pecan smoked bacon add some savory flavors into the weekend meal.

June 2, 2017

Saturday Breakfast: Salty Donut

Wake up early to beat the lines for Wynwood’s own Salty Donut (50 NW 23rd St. Suite 112). The citrus and olive oil doughnut is perfect for the summer months, but the maple bacon is always a classic and always a winner. —OF

Saturday Post-Dinner: Vicky’s House

Go the nostalgic route at this 1980s inspired milkshake shop in the Grove. Named after the owner’s mother, Vicky, Vicky’s House (3190 Commodore Plz) serves up Instagram-worthy milkshakes with fun names like the “Golden Girls” made with golden graham crackers and, of course, cheesecake. — OF

Sunday Breakfast: True Loaf

Cinnamon rolls, massive chocolate chip cookies, almond croissants, peanut butter cookies — you name it, True Loaf (1894 Bay Rd) has them. This bakery makes all of its sweets daily and is worthy of the visit any day of the week. — OF

May 26, 2017

Saturday Lunch: Dr. Limon

Worthy of a visit with or without a sweet incentive, this weekend this Peruvian favorite Dr. Limon (13766 SW 84th Street) is collaborating with Oh Chocolat to create a special brownie bites that are made with French dark chocolate plus piece of white chocolate and milk chocolate and serve with homemade lucuma ice cream, making for a perfect pairing. — SM

Saturday Dinner: Ghee Indian Kitchen

Keep the Kendall love going and feast on Miami’s most inventive Indian restaurants, Ghee Indian Kitchen (8965 SW 72nd Place). The much-talked about spot serves up fresh takes on Indian classic plus dishes you just won’t find on any menu in town like fried squash with taro leaf, steamed semolina cakes, cheese-filled naan and a sticky date pudding that may make you fight your date at the table for the last bite. Plus it has a $55 tasting menu that lets you try just about every great dish on it. — OF

Sunday Lunch: El Rey de las Fritas

Soak up the night’s transgressions with a tasty, albeit greasy, frita from El Rey (1821 SW 8th Street). The classic Miami burger — made with a spiced patty topped with crispy potatoes and a spicy sauce nestled in a Cuban bread bun — will be just what you need to get you through your long weekend. Bikini bod be damned. — OF

May 19, 2017

Friday Happy Hour: River Seafood Oyster Bar

A classic haunt in Miami for years, River Seafood Oyster Bar’s (650 South Miami Avenue) happy hour is packed on Fridays for good reason. Cheap drinks, good oysters and plenty of good looking people. Get there early to snag yourself a seat at the bar and munch on some cheese and chorizo drenched grilled oysters.

Saturday Brunch: OTL Miami

The Design District’s brightly colored newcomer, OTL (160 NE 40th Street), now features an all-day brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. A good pit stop mid-shopping, dine on items like breakfast burrito, French toast or the always available superseed toast.

Saturday Happy Hour: KYU

Yes, you read right. Saturday happy hour at KYU (251 NW 25th Street) is as equally packed as its weekday counterparts. Dine on its perfectly cooked fried chicken and enjoy discounted drinks at the bar before strolling the always buzzing neighborhood of Wynwood.

Saturday Dinner: Ms. Cheezious

Grab your favorite grilled cheese — the prosciutto and goat cheese combo is favorite — and take a seat in Ms. Cheezious’ (7418 Biscayne Blvd.) expansive back yard where an impromptu party is almost always happening on a Saturday night.

Sunday Brunch: Bazaar Mar

Feast like a king at Bazaar Mar’s (1300 South Miami Avenue) newly launched Sunday brunch. While it may veer on the pricey side for some, starting at $95 a person, but you can certainly get your money’s worth dining on several tables filled with fresh seafood, ceviches, crudos, oysters and caviar. Plus, all the champagne you can drink.

May 12, 2017

Friday Happy Hour: Estefan Kitchen

Nothing says happy hour here in South Florida quite like mojitos and salsa dancing. Such is the case at Estefan Kitchen (140 NE 39th Street), which launched a weekly Friday happy hour featuring live music, plenty of dancing plus discounted cocktails to sip on from 3 to 7 p.m.

Friday Dinner: Lucali

Grab a late night pie at NYC import, Lucali (1930 Bay Road Drive). A spot that continually proves that Miami pizza can be just as New York’s and can be enjoyed on the outdoors all year long, because it’s Miami — and we can.

Saturday Brunch: Mignonette Uptown

You’ve heard of fried chicken and waffles, but have you heard of fried chicken and French toast? This glorious creation, featuring French toast made with the restaurant’s famous buttery lobster roll bread, can be found at Mignonette’s (13951 Biscayne Blvd) north Miami location and makes for the perfect sweet and savory combo.

Saturday Dinner: Lung Yai Thai Tapas

Tucked away in Little Havana is one of Miami’s best Thai eateries, Lung Yai Thai Tapas (1731 SW 8th Street). Expect lines, but the restaurant is open later (2 a.m. on the weekend) so don’t worry, you’ll get seated. Plus the crispy duck salad, shrimp pad thai, chicken wings, and any of the curries are winners, and worthy of the wait.

Sunday Lunch: Top Hat Deli

South Florida sure has its fair share of diners, but Top Hat Deli’s (415 NE 3rd Street, Fort Lauderdale) unique updated deli fare hits the spot. Opt for one of its lavish breakfast plates filled with cooked-just-right corned beef and plenty of eggs or the breakfast ramen made with homemade noodles and pork belly. Just make sure to save room for a slice of one of its mile-high cakes or massive black & white cookies.

May 5, 2017

Friday Happy Hour: Mai Kai

Step back in time at the historic Polynesian-inspired Mai Kai bar (3599 North Federal Highway) from opening to 7 p.m. for half-priced retro tiki cocktails and appetizers. Enjoy classics like a Mai Tai or Planters Punch from a list categorized by alcohol strength in a place where you don't have to feel embarrassed to ask for an extra umbrella in your glass. — CO

Friday Dinner: One Door East

Keep the Fort Lauderdale theme going and head to One Door East (620 S. Federal Highway) for a unique, tapas-filled dinner unlike anything anyone is doing in Broward. Oh, and the people watching at the bar is worth the visit alone. — OF

Saturday Brunch: Glass & Vine

Soak up the last few days of Miami “spring” before the mercury sky rockets for the next six months at Glass & Vine’s (2820 Mcfarlane Road) Saturday brunch. Housed in Coconut Grove’s Peacock Park, order a plate of sweet potato tater tots, coquito-spiked French toast, and wood-oven baked eggs with truffle sauce, and enjoy the meal al fresco while it’s still tolerable outdoors. — OF

Saturday Dinner: Antico Pizza

This Atlanta favorite has made a name for itself on South Beach. For those who like a little heat, grab Antico Pizza’s (1058 Collins Avenue) Diavola pizza topped with spicy sopressata, pepperoni, and bufala mozzarella made to order right before your eyes in a wood-fired oven. — OF

Sunday Brunch: Joe’s Take Away

Skip the Easter brunch madness and pick up a ubiquitous Miami meal at Joe’s Stone Crab’s take out counter, Joe’s Take Away (11 Washington Avenue). It features all the same elements of the famous stone crab meal at the restaurant — including hash browns, creamed spinach, and even the Key Lime pie — without the long wait and crowded dining room. Then grab a seat on the beach and enjoy the meal. — OF

April 28, 2017

Friday Happy Hour: The Anderson

The Anderson (709 NE 79th Street) might have some of the best happy hour food options in town. From 5 to 8 p.m. every day, you can score a massive fried chicken sandwich and French fries for just $9, or try the Tex-Mex queso dip that will feed a crowd for $6. Both dishes will help you rally through all those (surprisingly) strong boozy slushies you’ll inevitably drink while you’re there. -OF

Saturday Lunch: Paradigm Kitchen

Start the weekend on a healthy note at Paradigm Kitchen (1834 Bay Road). The sit-down eatery from the guys behind JugoFresh makes good-for-you takes on Miami favorites like a veggie filled calentado, vegan pancakes and the decadent “stoner’s delight” brownie, which is vegan and gluten-free, of course. -OF

Saturday Dinner: Kuro

Sure, Asian fusion cuisine is on just about every corner of Miami but some of the best is actually being served up in Fort Lauderdale. Kuro, tucked inside the always busy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (1 Seminole Way), offers up creative takes on traditional Japanese fare. Don’t miss the green goddess salad, the salmon sashimi, and the waygu hot stone, where you get to cook the tender steak right at the table.

Sunday Bruch: Brunch Barley

Hip hop music and Graham cracker pancakes? Yes and yes, which is exactly what you’ll find a Barley’s (8945 SW 72 Place) popular Sunday brunch. Wash it back with unlimited mimosas and you’ve got a Sunday Funday done right. -OF

Sunday Dinner: Desi Pizza at Tandoor Pizza & Cuisine

When traditional pizza gets a little tired, give it a rest with a South Asian take on the classic pie at Broward's Tandoor Pizza & Cuisine (8450 W Oakland Park Blvd). If you love Indian and Pakistani food, you'll become addicted to desi pizza with its aromatic and spicy sauce, kebab toppings, and crust glistening with ghee. -CO

April 21, 2017

Friday Happy Hour: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

After 10 years of being in Miami, perpetual hotspot Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink (130 NE 40th Street) has finally launched a proper happy hour. Offered every weekday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. munch on discounted onion dip and falafels, half-priced oysters and wash it back with plenty of (new) libations. -OF

Saturday Brunch: Eating House

After being one of Miami’s most popular Sunday brunches for years, Eating House (804 Ponce de Leon) is now offering the best meal of the week on Saturday as well. Captain crunch pancakes and tang mimosas without a side of the Sunday scaries? Sign us up. -OF

Saturday Dinner: Sushi Donut at NaiYaRa

After you get over the kitsch factor of what you’re about to dine on, order up an off menu sushi doughnut at Thai go-to, NaiYaRa (1854 Bay Road). Yes, it’s essentially a sushi roll formed into a doughnut shape — complete with unlimited fish toppings — but hey, it’ll look damn good on your Instagram feed. -OF

Saturday Late Night: Burger at Sweet Liberty

One of the best burgers on South Beach happens to be available until 5 a.m. every night at Sweet Liberty (237 20th Street). Big enough to split with a group and served with a sea of rosemary fries, it’ll soak up any of the night’s transgressions. -OF

Sunday Lunch: Tacos at Taquiza

The perfect pre- or post-beach dining stop, order one of Taquiza’s (1506 Collins Ave) creative tacos like the lengua or chapulines variety with a side of the can’t miss totopos and guac. -OF