I did the work, so you don’t have to.

27 Restaurant - The Freehand

This restaurant is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Flordia, and in my top five in the United States. The main dining area is inside of a home, and you wouldn’t even know it was a restaurant if you weren’t looking for it. It’s as cozy and hip as you could ever want. The outside area, where I ate, is a lush patio with string lights and plants EVERYWHERE. It boasts a pool and connects to the trendy outdoor lounge the Broken Shaker.

The plates are small and are meant to be shared, similar to a traditional tapas restuarant. While a bit on the pricey side, the dishes are creative and delicious. You will not leave disappointed.

Food: 5/5

Vibe: 5/5

Good for: Date, girls night

Price: $$$

Overall Experience: 5/5

Taquiza

Taquiza has a few locations throughout Miami Beach, I visited the North Beach location on Ocean Drive.

A casual taco place with a good amount of patio seating. If you don’t order anything else – order the Totopos (Chips) “original thick-pressed organic masa corn chips, hand-torn and fried to order, served with house-made salsa .” Absolutely delicious. The tacos were worth the visit as well. Taquiza also has a full bar, offering a delightful array of house margaritas.

Food: 4/5

Vibe: 4/5

Good for: Casual, quick dinner

Price: $$

Overall Experience: 4/5

Dreamer Miami

A health-nut and Instagramers happy place, Dreamer Miami is a small space with a big personality. The cafe is filled with couches, plants, and decorative flamingos (did you know that flamingos are not native to Flordia and were shipped to Miami Beach??) everywhere. The smoothies are fresh, and you feel like a reborn health nut with each sip. They offer typical cafe offerings such as lattes, baked goods, and light wraps as well.

Food: 4/5

Vibe: 4/5

Good for: Casual, good for doing work

Price: $$$

Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Big Pink

This giant pink diner has a reputation for being a tourist spot – but I’ve heard quite a few locals make their way to this over-the-top grease joint.

Located in South Beach, the Big Pink sits back from Ocean Drive away from the mob of tourists. The portions here are huge and delicious. After a long day of beaching or exploring the city, Big Pink has comfort food and an extensive menu that will leave everyone in your party more than satisfied.

Food: 4/5

Vibe: 4/5

Good for: Casual, diner

Price: $

Overall Experience: 4/5

Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine

This is technically in Miami proper (yes Miami Beach and Miami are two different cities) but if you’re looking for some authentic Cuban food – this is the place. I was recommended Versailles time and time again by locals that I thought there was no way it could live up to the hype. Wrong. My travel companion, who IS Cuban, was blown away by the food. It’s a welcoming restaurant near the heart of Little Havana – so make a whole day of it! The Cuban sandwich, the Cuban-Style Ham Croquettes, and tuna sandwiches were perfect. We walked two miles in 80 degrees to get these things – and it was worth every step.

There are a few other locations around Miami – including three in the Miami airport.

Food: 5/5

Vibe: 3.5/5

Good for: Casual, family

Price: $

Overall Experience: 4.5/5

Read more things to do in Miami Beach

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.