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The 14 Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Miami, 2019 Edition

Restaurants worth seeking out

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With so many restaurants in South Florida, how does one decide where to eat? While Instagram provides some mouth-watering photos, there is no guarantee the food is actually good — and not all restaurants have social media. Welcome to 2019’s list of some off the radar and hidden gems that may not have a huge social media presence or PR teams behind them but should not be passed up.

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Etzel Itzik Deli

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Dine on Israeli cuisine at this Aventura deli, which serves strictly kosher only meats. The extensive menu caters to an array of cravings offerings items like hummus, fried eggplant, and spicy matbucha, to soups, salads, sandwiches plus entrees such as kebabs, Moroccan fish, and margez, served with choice of sides. Breakfast is also available, as well as fruit and vegetable juices, and desserts. 

Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza

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This brick oven pizza parlor specializes in New York style pies with a variety of impressive combinations. Dine on selections such as the Sunday pie with meatballs, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses. or the New Haven clam pizza with chopped clams, garlic, and capers. Traditionalists can keep it simple with the New Yorker or the build-your-own option. 

La Fresa Francesa

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Hialeah may be known for its Cuban food, but French eatery La Fresa Francesa has been changing that. Husband and wife team, Benoit Rablat and Sandy Sanchez, serve up French classics such as baked fromage with white wine and shallots, French salted butter crepes, and the menu favorite, braised rabbit leg. Patrons that stop by on Wednesday nights can enjoy live music with their dinner, and half off all wine bottles on Thursdays.

Crackers

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Southern food with a Florida flair is what Crackers is all about. On the menu guests will find decadent items like fried chicken, maple glazed pork chops, fried green tomatoes, bacon jam, and peach cobbler. Weekend brunch is also available with savory and sweet dishes like meatloaf eggs Benedict and captain crunch French toast.

Charly’s Vegan Tacos "CVT"

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While this colorful, Wynwood restaurant caters to vegans, carnivores can also find things to dine on. Everything on the Mexican-inspired menu is plant-based like ceviche with oyster mushrooms, elote, avocado fries, burritos, bowls, and of course, tacos.  

Rancho Luna Restaurant

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The Little Havana staple has been serving Cuban food for decades. Find traditional dishes such as arroz con pollo, picadillo, ropa vieja, and bistec empanizado with all the standard fixings like arroz con frijoles negros, moros, maduros, tostones, and mariquitas. Plus, the menu features daily breakfast specials, Cuban sandwiches and desserts.

Milly's Restaurant

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Hector and Milly Mercedes are the husband and wife team behind this Dominican restaurant on Calle Ocho. Those craving the island’s flavors will find classics selections including mondongo and sancocho to start, and mangú and mofongo with ample protein choices. Milly’s also serves breakfast daily, weekday lunch specials under $8, and karaoke fun for all on the weekends. 

Chef Sucre Café

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This quaint bistro with a Latin twist has made a name for itself among locals in Coral Gables, serving breakfast all day everyday, as well as hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner. Menu highlights include the croque madame, Mr. Cuban sandwich with guava dipping sauce, five cheese tortellini, and steak and pomme frites. Compliment the meal plus an assortment of local craft beers and wines. 

Osteria Vecchio Piemonte

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This unassuming Italian gem can easily be missed as it is housed in a strip of shops on Sunset Drive. The cozy trattoria serves up items like antipasti, pastas, secondi, and desserts, which can be paired with a selection of new and old world wines. Insider tip: if there’s a particular dish that isn’t on the menu, don’t worry because the chef will make it — ask for the carbonara. 

Patacon Pisao

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While most Miamians refer to fried green plantains as tostones, South Americans call them patacones. Now, imagine a patacon roughly twelve inches long and six inches wide loaded with choice of protein and toppings like carne asada, chicken, shrimp, melted cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Other menu highlights include Colombian specialties such as the bandeja paisa with beef, white rice, beans, egg, pork rinds, arepa, and sweet plantains.

Golden Rule Seafood

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It may come as a surprise to some that this landmark seafood market, established in 1943, also doubles up as a restaurant. Seafood lovers in the know can dine on freshly chucked oysters, fried conch, crab cakes, stone crabs, and fish cooked to order with choice of sides. Other menu highlights include poke bowls, fish sandwiches, plus desserts, and a full service bar. 

Shiver's BBQ

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Since 1950, Shiver’s has been serving locals hickory barbecue dishes and twelve hour smoked pulled pork. The menu is filled with dishes like chicken, ribs, brisket, and more along with sides like corn-on-the-cob, cheesy hash brown casserole, baked beans, jalapeño cheese grits, and coleslaw. If there’s still room for dessert, enjoy options like the banana pudding, coconut cream pie, and salted caramel cheesecake. 

La Cruzada Restaurant

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While there are many Mexican restaurants all over Miami, Homestead is the destination for true authenticity and La Cruzada is a must. The menu boasts all the classics like enchiladas, mole, tortas, quesadillas, tacos, and loaded burritos. Start with a complimentary basket of tortilla chips served with three sauces, pico de gallo, cilantro and onions, but don’t fill up on these because the generous entrée servings include rice and refried beans. Make sure to order an horchata or michelada to compliment the meal.

Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine

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Puerto rican chef Jodrick Ujaque wanted to bring his native cuisine and flair for signature burgers to Homestead after working for several restaurants in Miami. At Chef’s On The Run, patrons can savor dishes reminiscent of La Isla Del Encanto such as surullitos, alcapurrias, and a selection of mofongos curated for carnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans alike. For the burger lovers, there’s a variety of eighteen impressively loaded options also suited for all diets. Local craft beers, wine, and sangrias are also available to wash down the meal. 

Etzel Itzik Deli

Dine on Israeli cuisine at this Aventura deli, which serves strictly kosher only meats. The extensive menu caters to an array of cravings offerings items like hummus, fried eggplant, and spicy matbucha, to soups, salads, sandwiches plus entrees such as kebabs, Moroccan fish, and margez, served with choice of sides. Breakfast is also available, as well as fruit and vegetable juices, and desserts. 

Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza

This brick oven pizza parlor specializes in New York style pies with a variety of impressive combinations. Dine on selections such as the Sunday pie with meatballs, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses. or the New Haven clam pizza with chopped clams, garlic, and capers. Traditionalists can keep it simple with the New Yorker or the build-your-own option. 

La Fresa Francesa

Hialeah may be known for its Cuban food, but French eatery La Fresa Francesa has been changing that. Husband and wife team, Benoit Rablat and Sandy Sanchez, serve up French classics such as baked fromage with white wine and shallots, French salted butter crepes, and the menu favorite, braised rabbit leg. Patrons that stop by on Wednesday nights can enjoy live music with their dinner, and half off all wine bottles on Thursdays.

Crackers

Southern food with a Florida flair is what Crackers is all about. On the menu guests will find decadent items like fried chicken, maple glazed pork chops, fried green tomatoes, bacon jam, and peach cobbler. Weekend brunch is also available with savory and sweet dishes like meatloaf eggs Benedict and captain crunch French toast.

Charly’s Vegan Tacos "CVT"

While this colorful, Wynwood restaurant caters to vegans, carnivores can also find things to dine on. Everything on the Mexican-inspired menu is plant-based like ceviche with oyster mushrooms, elote, avocado fries, burritos, bowls, and of course, tacos.  

Rancho Luna Restaurant

The Little Havana staple has been serving Cuban food for decades. Find traditional dishes such as arroz con pollo, picadillo, ropa vieja, and bistec empanizado with all the standard fixings like arroz con frijoles negros, moros, maduros, tostones, and mariquitas. Plus, the menu features daily breakfast specials, Cuban sandwiches and desserts.

Milly's Restaurant

Hector and Milly Mercedes are the husband and wife team behind this Dominican restaurant on Calle Ocho. Those craving the island’s flavors will find classics selections including mondongo and sancocho to start, and mangú and mofongo with ample protein choices. Milly’s also serves breakfast daily, weekday lunch specials under $8, and karaoke fun for all on the weekends. 

Chef Sucre Café

This quaint bistro with a Latin twist has made a name for itself among locals in Coral Gables, serving breakfast all day everyday, as well as hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner. Menu highlights include the croque madame, Mr. Cuban sandwich with guava dipping sauce, five cheese tortellini, and steak and pomme frites. Compliment the meal plus an assortment of local craft beers and wines. 

Osteria Vecchio Piemonte

This unassuming Italian gem can easily be missed as it is housed in a strip of shops on Sunset Drive. The cozy trattoria serves up items like antipasti, pastas, secondi, and desserts, which can be paired with a selection of new and old world wines. Insider tip: if there’s a particular dish that isn’t on the menu, don’t worry because the chef will make it — ask for the carbonara. 

Patacon Pisao

While most Miamians refer to fried green plantains as tostones, South Americans call them patacones. Now, imagine a patacon roughly twelve inches long and six inches wide loaded with choice of protein and toppings like carne asada, chicken, shrimp, melted cheese, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Other menu highlights include Colombian specialties such as the bandeja paisa with beef, white rice, beans, egg, pork rinds, arepa, and sweet plantains.

Golden Rule Seafood

It may come as a surprise to some that this landmark seafood market, established in 1943, also doubles up as a restaurant. Seafood lovers in the know can dine on freshly chucked oysters, fried conch, crab cakes, stone crabs, and fish cooked to order with choice of sides. Other menu highlights include poke bowls, fish sandwiches, plus desserts, and a full service bar. 

Shiver's BBQ

Since 1950, Shiver’s has been serving locals hickory barbecue dishes and twelve hour smoked pulled pork. The menu is filled with dishes like chicken, ribs, brisket, and more along with sides like corn-on-the-cob, cheesy hash brown casserole, baked beans, jalapeño cheese grits, and coleslaw. If there’s still room for dessert, enjoy options like the banana pudding, coconut cream pie, and salted caramel cheesecake. 

La Cruzada Restaurant

While there are many Mexican restaurants all over Miami, Homestead is the destination for true authenticity and La Cruzada is a must. The menu boasts all the classics like enchiladas, mole, tortas, quesadillas, tacos, and loaded burritos. Start with a complimentary basket of tortilla chips served with three sauces, pico de gallo, cilantro and onions, but don’t fill up on these because the generous entrée servings include rice and refried beans. Make sure to order an horchata or michelada to compliment the meal.

Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine

Puerto rican chef Jodrick Ujaque wanted to bring his native cuisine and flair for signature burgers to Homestead after working for several restaurants in Miami. At Chef’s On The Run, patrons can savor dishes reminiscent of La Isla Del Encanto such as surullitos, alcapurrias, and a selection of mofongos curated for carnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans alike. For the burger lovers, there’s a variety of eighteen impressively loaded options also suited for all diets. Local craft beers, wine, and sangrias are also available to wash down the meal. 

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