Where to eat in South Beach

27 is anything but your average South Beach restaurant. The once historic home has been turned into a quirky, chic eatery, with cute knick-knacks in every corner and mismatched plates and chairs. While the food is upscale, the vibe is cozy and laid back. The food reflects the diversity of influences on Miami culture, and everything on the menu is rather impressive. Our favorite is the kimchee rice. If you wander upstairs, you’ll find one of the best cocktail bars in Miami.

Big Pink is an icon. Whether you’re a local or just a regular to the neighborhood for the beach, you’ve heard of the place. The restaurant is just a couple blocks from South Pointe Park and can be identified by the pink delivery buggy outside. The menu at this place is ridiculously diverse and delicious as hell. And they live up to their name: every meal and drink is BIG. The chicken and waffles is very popular, and so are any of their oversized burgers.

DIRT is an amazing take on healthy and clean eating in a place that is swimming with places claiming to offer that. The DIRTY SANDWICH is our personal favorite for an early morning bite after a long bike ride on the beach. How can you go wrong with eggs over easy, house-made chicken-apple sausage, and more goodies smothered between two grilled Zak the Baker bread halves?

If you’re tired of the usual SoBe vibe, take a stroll down Española Way and get transported to a delightful cobblestone European enclave. The street is blocked off to traffic, so you don’t have to worry about that crazy Miami traffic killing your vibe. There are tons of awesome restaurants, and we couldn’t just pick one — but we especially love Tapas y Tintos for their fantastic nightly flamenco performances and A la Folie Cafe, because we just can’t resist an adorable French café.

Described as having one of the best rooftop views in the city, Juvia’s got a menu to impress. While the plates are on the smaller side, the flavors and presentation will have you feeling fine and fancy. The ultra modern space serves up a French, Japanese, and Peruvian inspired menu.  If it’s not too hot, we recommend lounging out on their outdoor patio area (or freshening up with $23 bottomless Prosecco).

This place has got the best sandwiches on South Beach, period. The bread is nice and fluffy, the veggies are fresh, and the service is top notch — and the prices aren’t too shabby either. Grab a stool at their adorable counter and have a nice leisurely, outdoor breakfast/lunch/dinner/midnight snack because they’re open almost 24 hours. One of our favorites is the Tropical — mango and avocado on one dish? We’ll take seven please.

Divey Lost Weekend has generous pours and attentive bartenders who make sure your cup stays full. While you sip, look up to see if you can spot the upside down astronaut and the model plane hanging overhead. If you’re looking for drunchies, head to the back, where you can find The Alibi, the little-known kitchen. You’re here for the cheese steaks (we love the writer’s block) and tater tots, but the wings and pizza are also on point — and they’re all available long after most food options have closed for the night. Play some pool while you await your hangover prevention feast.

The Northern Thai and Japanese styles at NaiYaRa are a happy addition to the growing culinary hub in Sunset Harbor. The pricing may be on the higher side, but it’s worth it. The papaya salad, sriracha wings, and beef jerky will prime your taste buds for the crab fried rice and drunken udon. Even though NaiYaRa is a Thai-first spot, Chef Bee did not forget his Nobu roots. Don’t sleep on the raw bar. The salmon taco and tuna garlic chip will keep you coming back. Call ahead or take your chances at the bar if you’re going on a weekend.

If you’re craving a reasonably priced falafel pita or a delicious chicken shawarma, Pita Loca is where it’s at. Located right off famed Ocean Drive, you may miss it if you don’t pay attention. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed with friendly staff. But this glatt kosher spot is not open on Shabbat, meaning it’s typically closed from Friday afternoon to sundown on Saturday.

Any place that features pork as the star of its menu has a place in the heart of The New Tropic’s meat lovers. This gastropub serves up mouth watering, Asian-inspired dishes and its craft beer and wine menu will have the hipster in you itching to post an Insta against the exposed brick walls. Plates are small so take a big group and share all the little things (or hit up Pubbelly Sushi right next door for a second course).

Pubbelly Sushi has become a staple in Sunset Harbor because its untraditional sushi pleases both tourists and locals. It can get pretty busy during peak dinner times, so try to call ahead to land a table outside and enjoy the people watching on Purdy Avenue. Our favorites are the Maine lobster roll, rock shrimp tempura, shishito peppers, and hamachi jalapeno, paired with a Hitachino white ale from Japan.

While the star of Quality Meat’s menu is certainly its steaks, the restaurant most definitely won’t disappoint anyone with its menu ranging from duck bacon to snapper ceviche. The dimly lit chophouse is located in a historic Art Deco-style hotel in the heart of South Beach. And meat isn’t the only thing people go back for — the restaurant’s got a top notch ice cream menu. (You can never go wrong with the burnt marshmallow).

Taquiza opened its patio in 2014 and totally changed the taco game on the Beach. With their handmade blue masa tortillas, they’re serving up fresh and authentic Mexican fare sourced from Michoacán, Mexico.  Meat eaters, you’ve got to try the al pastor. Vegetarians, there’s plenty for you, too — our favorite is the huitlacoche. The tacos are small, though, so you’d better get two, three if you’re super hungry. And you’d be a fool to not get the chips and guac — it’s probably the best thing on the menu.

This adorable hole-in-the-wall looks more like a house than a restaurant with its wide, white front porch and quaint interior. You can order an array of healthy foods at the counter, from green smoothies to probs the best acai bowls in the city. While you wait for your order, walk towards the back and explore the mini-market full of fragrances, incense, and totes. They also have lattes and coffees if you need a pick me up, but seating is limited, so you’re lucky if you can find a spot to sit and hang.

Yardbird is what happens when you die and go to bougie fried food and whiskey heaven (if that’s actually a thing). This farm-to-table masterpiece is so delicious that while writing this, visions of little fried chickens are dancing playfully and seductively in our minds. This place is the best of southern cuisine, deep fried and served up in a beautiful rustic bow.

If you’ve got a seafood restaurant on the beach, that fish better be fresh — and Fifi’s does not disappoint. Every morning a local surfer goes out into the Atlantic and catches hog snapper and grouper and, when in season, lobster. It can be a little pricey, but go for the daily lunch specials to get a killer meal on a budget. Oh, and there’s free flan at the end of your meal — and it’s damn good (not just ’cause it’s free).

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