How to Find the Best Restaurants in Miami

The endless options for restaurants in Miami that UM students have access to is a blessing and a curse. Of course it’s so awesome that there are tons of incredible restaurants right at our fingertips, but that comes with certain consequences. Every time I find a new place I love, I simultaneously hope to go back, but I also worry that I need to continue finding new places. What else have I been missing out on? Also, when I do decide to try somewhere new, my indecisiveness is in full swing, and picking is an entirely different dilemma I must  face. And at the end of the day, we’re students and Miami doesn’t quite fit that budget.

But, sometimes we do decide to take the risk: to try somewhere new. How do we go about this?

1. Pick a type of cuisine (regional, a specific country, a certain food…), a neighborhood (South Miami, Brickell, South Beach), a price range, or a type of vibe (place to take your family to, a pregame, somewhere that turns into a club…) to narrow your search in someway


2. Instagram! See the accounts of restaurants, what they are tagged in, if the food looks good, if the restaurant matches your vibe, etc. A few of my favorite accounts to turn to are:

  1. @miami_foodporn

  2. @miami.food

  3. @miamifoodpug

3. Look up the menu - you don’t have to know what you’re going to order before you go, but it helps to get a general idea that you’ll be able to find something you like.

4. Look at the reviews - they can’t all be wrong.

5. Just pick! With all this, you should have a pretty good idea if the food will be good.

If you need any advice, dm me @jojogreenzy on ig - I live for recs. So far, some of my favorites haves been:

  • North Italia (Brickell)

  • KYU (Wynwood)

  • Havana Harry’s (Merrick)

  • Zucca (Coral Gables)

  • Dr. Smood (South Miami, but there are multiple locations)

  • Vista (Design District)

  • Vicky’s - The Milkshake Bar (Grove)

  • Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita (Brickell)

  • Sawa (Merrick)

  • Baby Jane (Brickell)

  • Stada (Grove)

  • Fireman Derek’s (Grove & Wynwood)

  • And more!

And honestly, if you haven’t been to Moon Thai yet, you’re missing out. It’s one of my favs, and I don’t even feel guilty about returning (and it’s so close)!!

Just remember that we only get so much time to absorb Miami for what it is, and honestly, a lot of it is the food. Even if you stay after you get your degree, Miami will be underwater after that! So eat, enjoy, indulge every once in a while :)

Joanna Greenberg