Toma
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
My favorite Mexican place – anywhere I’ve ever been! It’s down in Florida City, across from the Cracker Barrel. It’s a taco stand called Rosita’s. It’s the best Mexican, hands down, you will ever eat. There are only a few things on the menu. I just point to order and you can’t go wrong. I also love the Asian Thai Kitchen inside the Quickie Mart on Grand Avenue in the Grove. $11 for Pad Thai – no question. So good.
Kēvens and Amber
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Su-shin Izakaya (Authentic Japanese, Coral Gables) Kēvens gets the Ohitashi. Uni sushi. Traditional Udon or Seafood Ramen. I love the Myoto Roll (made with Japanese mint that changes the game), Eggplant Shigiyaki, Soba noodles and Carrot-ginger dressing on everything. Happy Wine (Coconut Grove) Kēvens says try the grilled octopus with papas bravas. I enjoy the wine (Ha! Their menu is not super vegan friendly, but I still love it.) Choices Vegan Cafe (Gables and Grove) Kēvens gets the Mentil Lentil wrap (every time!) I get the Pixsa or Biggie Burger. Fratellino (Italian, Miracle Mile) We love this place because they will happily accommodate dietary restrictions. Kēvens likes the Octopus carpaccio and the Salmon with fettuccine in a pink sauce. For me, tons of bread (it’s amazing! and made in-house) with sautéed spinach and my entrée the Grilled Vegetable platter.
Daniel
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I am a big fan of vegetarian and vegan cuisines. There's Vegan Cuban bakery in Kendall. It sounds like an oxymoron, but their vegan croquetas are a magical thing. I love Indian food. They probably get plenty of publicity already, but Bombay Darbar in Coconut Grove. There's a really great Thai spot off eighth street in Little Havana, called Lung Yai. It's a tiny little spot, it's always packed, and they have quality food.
Sasha
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
27 is a unique place in Miami. When people are in town, it’s where we go. It’s a fun, cozy – not fancy, they have great cocktails. I am pretty simple – I really like Lucali for pizza on Sunset Harbor. I would be happy to go there for my birthday and just have a pizza. I also think what Jeremy Ford is doing at Stubborn Seedis beautifully plated and tasty and good for a special occasion.
Sarah
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Thaddeus
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I love Raw South, which I know was mentioned in one of your recent interviews. And, Black Point has a great dolphin and salad. One of our locals is Alaine's Osteria in Palmetto Bay. It's usually packed, which is great for them, unfortunate for those waiting. But they do hand out wine on the house and make it as enjoyable as they can. I appreciate that. It's good Italian.
Raymond
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
We've gone to the Last Carrot a few times in the Grove. We order from Mi Italia. We've ordered from A Pizza Brooklyn. Of course, you guys. One of my favorite coffee places was a Brewing Buddha, but unfortunately they closed and don't even have takeout. We've gone to Wayside Market a few times. We've gone to Lokal to order and truthfully to walk around the Grove with a beer in hand. They have a window where you can can get a draft beer and burgers for takeout. Last week we went by and walked around the Grove, which is a bit apocalyptic with nobody around on a Sunday afternoon. There is Mojito Grill in South Miami. And, we've been getting ice cream delivered from Azucar through their Instagram page.
Natalie
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Suite Habana Cafe in Wynwood in a small family owned coffee shop.
Mike
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I am a Palmetto Bay guy, and having a small business, I understand the need to support our small businesses. My favorite place not just to eat, but to have a beer, is Golden Rule, which is right next to my house. There's a great Italian place in Palmetto Bay called, Cafe Portofino, which I absolutely love. And, there's a pizza place called Zio Artú, which is fairly new.
David
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
That list is supremely long. Do we go geographically...alphabetically? My buddy Niven, just opened up (Mamey) a new spot in Coral Gables. The food looks great, but I haven't been yet. The guys that Bar Lab cocktails opened up their natural wine popup on South beach, and it looks amazing. I still haven't gotten my hands on one of those pizzas that Brad and Old Greg's are doing in the Design District. I really miss the eating the ceviche at Itamae on an everyday basis. I still get my share of my EL Bagels - that's like my essential breakfast and brunch item. I still eat a ton of Stanzione's pizzas. I had an amazing lobster roll from Justin Flit and Mike Beltran at Nave. They're doing a New England style clam shack menu on the weekends. Aaron Brooks is doing a pop up at Stanzione 87. It's like a Turkish inspired pide and lahmacun. Aaron is supremely underrated. His food is incredible. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is all the creativity that's coming out of it. I've also had some random homemade things. There's a nice girl, that I met through the Miami food community, that's making homemade Armenian food every weekend. People are signing up and she's selling out every weekend. Her name is The Spicy Dolma. The guys from Kyu, Chef Raheem and his crew, are doing amazing barbecue right out of their front yard. It's impossible to list everyone. Jaguar Sun is doing amazing things right now in Little River. People are finding ways to survive. They're finding ways to thrive. They're finding ways to support their teams and to support their families. All of that is really amazing.