Takeout may not typically be associated with elevated eats, but the pandemic has redefined all the rules of dining. Some South Florida restaurants, like Azabu, LPM Restaurant & Bar, Fiola, Macchialina, and La Mar have created takeout and delivery options that will make you feel as fancy as if you were dining onsite — shoes and pants optional. Order one of these luxe packages to go and make it a bougie night in.
The Den at Azabu
The Den, Azabu’s exclusive omakase experience, recently debuted a luxurious omakase takeout box. The box features a selection of nigiri, seasonal sashimi, cold dishes, and wagyu and uni bara chirashi, all hand-selected by Chef Yasu Tanaka. Priced at $120, the presentation is as beautiful as the contents are delicious. In addition to the omakase takeout option, you can also order all your favorite Azabu items to go as well, like signature rolls, appetizers, and entrees.
Details: Azabu is located at 161 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach. For more information, call (786) 276-0520.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Craving some French Mediterranean cuisine? LPM Restaurant & Bar has you covered. Their menu features fresh, tasty dishes like delicate tuna carpaccio, succulent prawns doused in olive oil, homemade pappardelle tossed in a hearty veal ragu, slow-cooked duck a l’Orange, and decadent strawberry mille-feuille — all delivered straight to your home in a stunning branded tote you’re going to want to use for everything from your next grocery run to a day at the beach.
Fiola Miami was one of the first spots in the city to step up its takeout game, and you can still enjoy white-glove curbside pickup and elevated delivery options. Browse a selection of fully prepared dinners, or opt for meals you can assemble at home, like pasta kits, locally sourced farm baskets, and a now-iconic seafood bucket. And don’t forget to pair your meal with a bottle of wine, your favorite beer, batched drinks, and even DIY cocktail kits. It all comes packaged beautifully.
Details: Fiola Miami is located at 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables. Order online here.
Macchialina
If you’d rather get a little more hands-on in the kitchen, you’re in luck. This beloved Miami Beach Italian spot is inviting guests to put their own cooking skills to the test with #MacchAtMyHouse. Choose from three pasta kits — spaghetti pomodoro, spaghetti puttanesca, and spaghetti caccio e pepe — and get all the ingredients delivered to your home. Designed to feed two, each kit comes with an easy-to-follow recipe card that will walk you through whipping up one of Chef Pirolo’s creations. The kits range from $28-$32.
Details: Macchialina is located at 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach. Order online here.
La Mar
Gaston Acurio’s swanky spot at the Mandarin Oriental offers one of the most luxurious takeout offerings in Miami. Feast on refreshing tiraditos and ceviches and creamy aji de gallina, or dig into a flavorful lomo saltado with crispy yuca fries at home. La Mar’s takeout and delivery menu brims with options to please any palate. Everything comes packaged in a beautifully curated box with all kinds of foodie gifts and Peruvian delights.
Details: La Mar is located at 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami. Order online here.
The beloved foodie event Cochon555 will return to Miami for five days of pork-focused feasting beginning Tuesday, September 22 through Sunday, September 27 — with a twist. Presented by Citi, the cross-country culinary tour will be rebranded as Carryout with Cochon555, a virtual spin on the original complete with Zoom dinners, virtual cooking demonstrations, takeout kits, and more. It will visit 15 major cities featuring more than 2,200 chefs, more than 150 family farms, and a slew of culinary schools.
The Miami leg of the tour will spotlight five of South Florida’s leading chefs, including Michael Lewis representing KYU, Michael Schwartz representing Amara at Paraiso, Janine Booth and Jeff McGinnis representing Root & Bone and Stiltsville, Giorgio Rapicavoli representing Eating House, and Brad Kilgore representing Ember. Each will conduct “virtual dinners” by Zoom, where guests can enjoy an interactive dining experience equipped with wine, cocktails, and all the ingredients they need to savor a delicious pork-focused meal.
“Regretfully, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our lives and community, we recognized we could not produce our event tour as we had hoped,” said Brett Friedman, partner and CEO of Agency 21 Consulting, which owns and operates Cochon555. “As a result, we decided to create a carryout program with an online component as a creative alternative for our fan base while supporting local restauranteurs and raising awareness for heritage breed pigs. People are hungry to connect, so transitioning into something virtual was a natural reallocation of the brand. By inviting food lovers to enjoy a meal prepared by Florida’s top culinary minds, while engaging in intimate cooking demonstrations, we are still able to generate excitement while supporting our local restaurant community.”
Starting August 20, guests can buy tickets priced at $115 for one or $200 for two. Tickets include a multi-course meal prepared by the featured chef using ingredients sourced from heritage breed pig farms. The meal also comes with a bottle of red or white wine from Bodegas Ontañón and a cocktail kit or pre-mixed drink featuring Buffalo Trace or Wheatly Vodka. Guests can pick up their kits from each featured chef’s restaurant or opt for delivery for an additional fee of $30. Cochon555 will donate 80% of the ticket proceeds to the participating restaurants.
Participating Chefs and Schedule
Tuesday, September 22: Chef Michael Lewis of KYU
Wednesday, September 23: Chef Michael Schwartz of Amara at Paraiso
Thursday, September 24: Chefs Janine Booth and Jeff McGinnis of Stilltsville/Root & Bone
Friday, September 25: Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli of Eating House
Restaurants and bars are among the businesses that have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Having struggled through a months-long shutdown that forced many out of business, and now working under government ordinances that have hampered many establishments’ abilities to serve guests, restaurateurs have had to reassess costs, lay off staff, and pivot their business models and menus to focus on takeout and delivery services. Despite these challenges and the ever-present shadow of uncertainty that most of us find ourselves in today, chef couple Luci Giangrandi and Alex Meyer have striven to adapt, learning from the challenges they’ve encountered over the past few months and looking ahead to what is hopefully a brighter future for the industry.
The pandemic has affected everyone in the food/beverage and hospitality industries. How has it most affected you and your businesses? In broader terms, how do you think it has most affected the local food scene?
Luci: Besides the devastating financial impacts on our business, the loss of longtime staff members has been a huge blow. Until the pandemic, we had excellent staff retention, but throughout COVID, the upheaval and risk caused a few longtime members of our team to step back from their roles. Turnover in the hospitality industry is a fact of life but these circumstances blindsided us all so it feels especially difficult during these times.
Alex: There was already a slow movement away from flashy beach hotel restaurants, but this pandemic has flipped the local scene on its head. Now, the people doing well are the little guys who are able to pivot quickly, have low overhead, local appeal, and affordable menus. The pandemic also accelerated many closures. There we so many restaurants hanging on by a thread — the pandemic hit them all like a ton of bricks.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned going through this ordeal?
Alex: To trust our gut and throw hesitation to the wind. The easiest and safest thing we could have done for the survival of the business would have been to just close the doors and take all the government-backed loans and grants we could. We have serious hesitations each time we want to make a big change to the business, but just like opening in the first place, you have to just say “go for it.”
How have you managed to surmount obstacles presented by the pandemic and subsequent social distancing/serving policies and Miami-Dade County restaurant restrictions that came into effect?
Luci: Our willingness to be flexible and adapt has been key. We knew we had to think outside of the box because our pre-COVID business model was all about a small, intimate, dine-in restaurant. We didn’t even allow takeout beforehand. Then all of a sudden, with safety as our top priority, we had to find a new way to provide that same warmth and quality experience.
Our loyal customers have also been a huge part of our survival. They’ve stuck with us through only takeout, a quick 10-day return to dine in, then closed again, and now are willing to sit outside in our rustic parking lot in the middle of the Miami summer. If it weren’t for great customers like these, we would have likely closed months ago.
Tell us about the new takeout menu — how did you go about curating it?
Luci: After the first shutdown we learned a lot about what it took to run a to-go business. The second time around we were more prepared to approach the menu in a practical yet fun way. We wanted to make the food we wanted to make, but cold dishes and other items that traveled well made the cut, while we kept a few special dishes for dining in only. The most important thing to us is that the food you receive to go is equally as enjoyable as what you might eat when dining with us.
Several restaurants have begun switching to a takeout-only model. Do you think we’ll see more of this in the future, even as restrictions around onsite dining ease?
Luci: There will always be a need for takeout concepts but there will also always be a strong desire for an onsite restaurant experience. Takeout only will not replace onsite dining, but we will definitely see business owners gravitate towards locations with outdoor space and curbside access. Hopefully, delivery services will also begin adapting and building a more equitable relationship with small, independent restaurants.
Have orders for items from the larder increased as more people turn to cooking at home?
Luci: The larder has been a very fun experiment for us. It’s something we had always wanted to explore but lacked the time. Then, during the lockdown, various regulars began asking us to source certain products for them and we saw we could fill a need and also provide business to our purveyors. As our offerings have grown, so have the orders.
While the pandemic has certainly been a devastating experience for so many businesses, can you think of any opportunities it has created for the restaurant industry? Any silver lining here?
Alex: The shutdown shined a light for the rest of the country on just how large a part of the economy and how large of an employer the hospitality industry is, with over 16 million workers. The revenue and employment are both greater than those of the airline industry, which begs a lot of questions about “bailouts,” for another time, of course.
It also really illuminated how every independent restaurant is really dancing on a tightrope as a business. The industry shut down for a couple of weeks and 16,000 restaurants permanently closed.
We’ve personally found ourselves in survival mode, piecing together several different revenue streams to keep the ship afloat, but as we come out of the pandemic, there will have to be a lot of soul-searching as an industry and its structural resilience: workers need to be paid more; tips need to go away; sick leave needs to be mandatory; leases need to have built-in safety measures for business interruption occurrences; and unfortunately, all of this costs money, which means menu prices need to go up. As much as we want to do all those things, we simply can’t afford it. Until every restaurant decides to make these moves, the leaders in that will never survive the menu price backlash.
All that said, the silver lining may just be using this as an opportunity to reset and restart this industry from the ground up.
How do you and your team remain hopeful at a time like this? Any advice to those out there in the industry who are struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Luci: It is hard to be constantly thinking about the long term when there is so much uncertainty, but working day to day together as a team is comforting. It was tough to adjust at first but every day it feels better. A lot is about perspective — things may not be as [they were] before, but it still feels wonderful when we look around our parking lot dining room and see guests safely and full-heartedly enjoying themselves.
If you find yourself craving something sweet over the coming days, treat yourself to some indulgent creations from Miami’s best bakeries and pastry shops. Whether you’re all about fresh-baked cookies, rich, fudgy brownies, fluffy cakes, or frothy pies, you’ll find plenty of options on this list to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Pamela Wasabi Bakery
For vegan and gluten-free sweets made with natural, plant-based ingredients, add Pamela Wasabi Bakery to your radar. We’re obsessed with her vegan cheesecakes and pies, including her bestselling vegan tiramisu, sugar-free orange and chocolate tart, and elderflower-mango cheesecake. Her Celestial Chunk cookies, peppered with chocolate chips and charcoal salt, and her fudgy gluten-free Mother Bean brownies, are also irresistible.
Details: For a full list of retail locations offering Pamela Wasabi Bakery goods, visit here. You can shop dessert collections online for delivery here.
Zak the Baker
Though he’s best known for his incredible bread, Zak the Baker’s pastries are just as addictive. His flourless chocolate almond cookie is rich, gooey, and delightfully decadent, his cinnamon rolls and rugalach are flaky, satisfying perfection, and his crumbly blueberry muffins and apple turnovers go great with a bit of piping hot espresso. Order all your favorite Zak the Baker pastries online now for pickup Sunday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., or have them delivered to your home.
Details: Zak the Baker is located at 295 NW 26th St., Miami, and is currently only open for pickup or delivery. Place an order for takeout online here, or call 305-570-5860, or order delivery via Uber Eats.
Bachour
World renown pastry chef Antonio Bachour delivers stunning confectionary creations at his Coral Gables bakery and outpost at Time Out Market on Lincoln Road. Dig into a Bachour Brownie, made with Valrhona and cinnamon caramel, and coated in dark chocolate cocoa nib. Or take a crunchy bite out of a Bachour Rocher, filled with hazelnut praline cremeux and gianduja chocolate ganache. Our current summertime craving, though, is the mango tart, made with coconut cake, mango pastry cream, mango jelly, and coconut ganache.
Details: Bachour has locations in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Place an order for takeout at their Coral Gables bakery by calling (305) 203-0552, or order delivery via GrubHub, UberEats, Postmates, or DoorDash.
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
This Miami staple offers all kinds of tasty, indulgent treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Choose one of their iconic pies, which come in flavors like key lime, salted caramel, brownie bomb, and guavaberry. Or go for ooey, gooey guava white chocolate cookies (though the classic sugar and chocolate chip versions are just as heavenly). If you’re a cake lover, their coconut custard, guava coconut rum, and Nutella red velvet are also great options.
Details: Fireman Derek’s has locations in Wynwood and Coconut Grove. Place an order online for pickup here.
Sweet Hedy
Acclaimed pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith is offering her baked goods for delivery online or via text — all you have to do is visit her site, find the creation you’re craving, and either text its code to an order number or add it to your digital shopping cart. You’ll find all her top hits here, like her signature Junk in da Trunk® chocolate chunk cookies, her tasty chocolate chip ginger snaps (made with locally sourced, organic ingredients), and her rich sour cream coffee cake, made with chocolate chunks, cinnamon streusel, and espresso.
Details: Browse and order treats from Sweet Hedy here.
B Bistro + Bakery
This Brickell eatery is known for its morning pastries and signature desserts, which range from mini lemon meringue tarts and fluffy macaroons to Nutella croissants, amaretti cookies, and flaky cream-filled cruffins. We especially like their strawberry goat cheese croissant and their fruity Passionata, made with passion fruit mousse, pistachio biscuit, and raspberry. If you’re a chocolate fan, go for the Merlat — it’s a delectable blend of dark chocolate and creme brulee mousse.
Details: B Bistro + Bakery is located at 600 Brickell Ave., Miami. To place an order online here for delivery or pickup.
The beautiful outdoor seating at this Merrick Park restaurant offers the perfect atmosphere for al fresco dining, but you can also opt to bring Sawa’s signature fusion of Japanese and Mediterranean dishes home. Start with a piping hot bowl of miso soup or a citrusy tabouli salad, then indulge in sushi rolls, kefta fingers with tahini sauce, hearty moussaka, or filet mignon yakitori.
Details: Sawa is located at 360 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables. To place an order for takeout, call 305-447-6555.
Le Chick
Those craving elevated comfort foods like street corn with manchego cheese and truffle aioli, BBQ baby back ribs with spiced sweet potato fries, lobster mac and cheese in housemade lobster cream, and, of course, crispy buttermilk fried chicken can order plenty of dishes that hit the spot for takeout by calling the restaurant directly.
Details: Le Chick is located at 310 NW 24th St., Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 786-216-7086.
Atchana’s Homegrown Thai
For authentic Thai dishes prepared with locally grown herbs and spices, this Coconut Grove spot is a favorite among foodies. Standouts from their lunch and dinner menus include Bangkok wings served three ways, refreshing summer rolls stuffed with fresh basil and shrimp, and all kinds of tasty curry.
Details: Atchana’s Homegrown Thai is located at 3194 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove. To place an order for takeout, call 305-774-0404.
Tutto Pizza
When you’re hungry, few things hit the spot like a delicious slice of pizza — and the pies at Tutto are perfect. Chef Juca (the man behind Tutto Pasta, just next door) serves up what Zagat dubbed “the best pizza in town,” made with fresh, locally sourced herbs and vegetables, and meats, cheeses and oils from Italy. The pizza dough is homemade and allowed 24 hours to rise in order for a light consistency. Pizza isn’t the only thing you can order from Tutto, though; the paninis, salads, desserts, and even burgers are incredible.
Details: Tutto Pizza is located at 1763 SW 3rd Ave, Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 305-858-0909.
Doce Provisions
Nestled in the heart of Little Havana, Doce Provisions has earned a reputation for serving up mouthwatering global fusion cuisine — including the “best croquetas in Miami,” a title they won at Burger Beast’s Croquetapalooza. Order those, as well as some vaca Frita tostones, lechon asado buns, Doce’s pad Thai, and their legendary Disco Fries for takeout.
Details: Doce Provisions is located at 541 SW 12th Ave, Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 786-452-0161.
Akash Miami Beach
Akash serves some mindblowing Indian food, and they’re offering all their best dishes for takeout. We love their vegetable samosas, served crispy with a dash of spice, their Amritsari fish, marinated with ginger, yogurt and garlic paste, and their dal soup, but anything from the menu is a tasty bet.
Details: Akash Miami Beach is located at 1435 Alton Rd, Miami Beach. To place an order for takeout, call 305-397-8846.
If you’re in the mood for delicious fresh seafood, you’re in the right city. The waters that surround South Florida and the Keys teem with fish, making it easy for local restaurants to source the finest fresh-caught ingredients. From upscale global cuisine to casual market-meets-restaurant concepts, here are six South Florida eateries that do seafood right.
Seaspice
Meals at Seaspice always come served with a side of stunning waterfront views. Having welcomed celebrities like Beyoncé, David Beckham, Dwayne Wade, and Marc Anthony, this is one of the top spots in Miami to see and be seen. They also serve some of the most delicious seafood dishes in the city — like tender Spanish octopus a la plancha, barbacoa-grilled oysters, succulent grilled Maine lobster, and seafood casserole that includes the works: Chilean sea bass, Alaskan King Crab, jumbo wild prawns and more in a dash clam tomato broth.
Details: Seaspice is located at 422 NW N River Dr., Miami. Dine in or order by calling 305-440-4200.
Riviera Focacceria Italiana
Specializing in cuisine from Liguria, Riviera Focacceria Italiana is famous for its incredible — you guessed it — focaccia with cheese. But their heavenly bread isn’t the only star on the menu; you’ll also love their amazing selection of seafood dishes, like pan-seared red snapper in a white wine sauce, grilled branzino with sauteed artichokes, and seared tuna filet prepared Ligurian-style over pureed chickpeas, with capers, tomatoes, pine nuts, parsley, and Taggiasca olives gremolata.
Details: Riviera Focacceria Italiana is located at 3252 NE Buena Vista Blvd, Suite 110, Miami. For more information, call 786-220-6251.
Garcia’s Brothers Seafood
A Miami institution that’s been around since 1966, Garcia’s Brothers Seafood is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Miami for fish and fresh-caught goodness. Initially a fresh fish market, this family-owned spot now serves up tasty dishes like mussels in Creole sauce, crispy conch fritters, spicy gumbo, Garcia’s famous fish dip, and the catch of the day any way you like it.
Details: Garcia’s Brothers Seafood is located at 398 NW N River Dr. To order for takeout, call 305-375-0765.
Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill
This riverfront fish market and restaurant serves up some of South Florida’s best seafood, caught daily. The casual spot channels major Key West vibes, and the views of Downtown Miami are awe-inspiring as the food is delicious. Savor local and international fresh seafood dishes, like cod fritters, Creole shrimp tostones, hearty paella, and a grilled parillada that comes with prawns, calamari, oysters, octopus and more.
Details: Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill is located at 400 NW N River Dr, Miami. For more information or to order, call 305-371-4107.
Estiatorio Milos
If you’re looking for top-notch Greek food, head to Estiatorio Milos, open for dining outdoors and takeout. At this Miami favorite, every dish doubles as a getaway to the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Start with a tasty tartare, then order some grilled octopus and Athenian-style lobster with linguini. Finish your meal off with some flaky baklava.
Details: Estiatorio Milos is located at 730 1st St, Miami. For reservations, visit here. To place an order, call 305-604-6800.
Captain Jim’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
Captain Jim’s started as a distribution center for his daily catches, and now it’s one of the top restaurants to enjoy a bite straight from the sea. You’ll find classic seafood dishes here, like conch chowder and golden-fried crab cakes, plus locally sourced lobster, hogfish, and stone crab claws during season.
Details: Captain Jim’s is located at 12950 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami. You can order online here. For more information, call 305-892-2812.
Sapore di Mare
For fine Italian dining with an emphasis on crave-worthy seafood specialties, it doesn’t get better than Sapore di Mare in Coconut Grove. Order any of their amazing options for pickup or delivery — like their grilled Mediterannean branzino, their chef’s selection of seafood antipasto, their fried calamari, and their fresh catch of the day. Add a bottle of wine to your order — all bottles from their market are 50% off.
Details: Sapore di Mare is located at 3111 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove. To place an order, call 305-476-8292.
Today is International Beer Day — don’t be caught without your favorite ice-cold brew in hand! These five South Florida spots feature great selections that include domestic, international, and local favorites. What’s more, nearly all of them also offer unbeatable happy hour specials you can take advantage of tomorrow. Raise a glass to that.
Jaguar Restaurant
You’ll find all your favorite brews at this Coconut Grove mainstay, including Estrella, Polar, Modelo, Dos Equis, Corona, Presidente, Lagunitas IPA, and more. Come during Hora Jaguar (the restaurant’s happy hour, which runs weekdays from 3-6 p.m.) and enjoy $4 beers along with $5 bar bites, like quesadillas, popcorn shrimp, mini cheeseburgers, and ceviche tostadas.
Details: Jaguar Restaurant is located at 3067 Grand Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-444-0216.
Caja Caliente
Pair your ice-cold beer with tropical vibes at Caja Caliente, which serves domestic and international beer brands along with local favorites from Wynwood Brewing. Pair your sips with tasty tacos, tamales, and other Latin-inspired comfort foods. Happy hour takes place weekdays from 5-8 p.m. and includes $4 select beers, $6 mimosas, and $6 wine (in case you’d rather opt for a sauvignon blanc instead of a Saison).
Details: Caja Caliente is located at 808 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables. For more information, call 786-431-1947.
Back Door Monkey
Crack open a Kirin or Monkey Fist IPA for just $7 at Back Door Monkey’s bar in honor of International Beer Day, then head to the restaurant’s outdoor patio to enjoy delicious crudos, fresh maki, and Asian-inspired entrees, like Angry “Curry” Chicken and roasted salmon teriyaki. Happy hour at Back Door Monkey runs every Friday from 5-7 p.m.
Details: Back Door Monkey is located at 2328 N Miami Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-951-6143.
Crema Gourmet
Come for a coffee, stay for a beer — with locations in Miami Beach and Coral Gables, Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar has you covered. Order up a delicious Floridian from locally loved brewery Funky Buddha and pair it with something tasty off Crema’s menu — like a chicken bowl or one of their classic sandwiches.
Details: Crema Gourmet is located at 1601 Washington Ave #20, Miami Beach and 169 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.
La Tiendita Taqueria
Celebrate International Beer Day with a mental vacation to Mexico at La Tiendita Taqueria. Savor your beer by itself or pair it with a margarita while enjoying authentic Michoacán street-style cuisine. La Tiendita’s Mexican beer selection includes Corona, Victoria, Pacifico, Modelo, Negra Modelo, Tecate, and Dos Equis. Happy hour happens every day from 4-8 p.m. with 50% off all drinks (including beer).
Details: La Tiendita Taqueria is located at 218 NW 25th St, Miami. For more information, call 786-351-7240.
Wynwood Brewing Company
Wynwood Brewing Company is offering curbside pickup service at their brewery in Wynwood, as well as delivery within 10 miles of the brewery — in case you want to celebrate International Beer Day from the comfort of your home. Choose from favorites like their fan-favorite Bohemian Rhapsody, Sushi Roll Pils, Magic City Pale Ale and more, all available for order in six packs.
Details: Wynwood Brewing Company is located at 565 NW 24th St, Miami. For more information, call 305-982-8732.
Miami has tons of amazing sushi restaurants to choose between, ranging from traditional and authentic omakase experiences to fusion concepts that work global flavors into every roll. If you’re in the mood for the latter, here are seven restaurants known for their imaginative, non-traditional sushi selections.
Kazumi Modern Japanese
Located in Key Biscayne, this chic, contemporary spot is known for its fusion cuisine. Blending Japanese flavors with Latin touches and inventive flare, the team serves up unexpected options like a Jalapeno Popper packed with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese, an eel Ichigo Roll topped with fresh strawberries andavocado, and a Sex on the Beach roll made with fried chanquetes, crab salad, and shrimp tempura.
Details: Kazumi Modern Japanese is located at 260 Crandon Blvd., Suite #16, Key Biscayne. To order, call 305-361-2675.
Sushi Kong
Another go-to if you’re craving Japanese-Latin fusion, Sushi Kong on Coral Way delivers signature rolls that go all out with presentation and all in with flavor. We love the Florida Roll, made with crab, salmon, deep-fried salmon skin, chicharron, cream cheese, honey mustard and more. The riceless Akita Linda Roll is also a must — it comes with sweet plantain, crab, and smoked salmon, topped with melted Raclette cheese and a balsamic reduction.
Details: Sushi Kong is located at 3000 Coral Way # Cu-4, Coral Gables. To order, call 305-800-5664.
Back Door Monkey
This buzzed-about spot in Wynwood transports guests to the 1940s with its crazy cool decor, but what really keeps folks coming back is their amazing maki selection. Try the hamachi serrano, for instance, which comes with King Crab salad, serrano pepper, chives, mango, yuzu-truffle mayo, and red onion. Or the famous Octopussy, made with octopus, shrimp tempura, creamy avocado, peanut masago, and eel sauce.
Details: Back Door Monkey is located at 2328 North Miami Ave., Miami. Order online here.
Nobu Miami
For impeccable Nikkei cuisine in an upscale setting, head to Nobu at the Eden Roc Miami Beach, where Chef Nobu Matsuhisa flawlessly marries Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Taste your way through the restaurant’s extensive sashimi and nigiri selection, then move on to hand and cut rolls featuring shrimp tempura, softshell crab, Japanese eel and cucumber, spicy salmon, and scallops with smelt eggs, just to name a few.
Details: Nobu is located at 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Dine in, or order takeout here.
Doraku Izakaya & Sushi
This fan-favorite izakaya offers plenty of traditional Japanese plates, but if you’re looking to order something a little more avant-garde, opt for the Big Wave “Takanami” Roll, made with coconut shrimp and topped with mango salsa, or the hearty “East Meets West” Roll, packed with shrimp tempura, asparagus, cream cheese, and scallions and topped with seared steak, spicy aioli, and eel sauce.
If you happen to be in Coral Gables of South Miami, don’t miss this neighborhood gem. Executive Chef Efrain Landa infuses every roll with a bit of Miami flavor. You’ll taste it in creations like the sweet plantain-topped Miami Roll, made with raw tuna, shrimp, cream cheese, avocado, togarashi and cilantro, and the Jalepeño Yaito Roll, baked with shrimp, cream cheese, jalepeños, parmesan cheese, and spicy mayo.
Details: Kae has locations in Coral Gables and South Miami. Order online here.
This swanky Brickell favorite is the perfect place to celebrate National Prosecco Day. Sip a prosecco-topped cocktail, like their Hendrick’s-spiked Ginsecco, their tangy-sweet Elderflower Sparkler, or the Black Ginger, their spin on a sparkling Moscow Mule. Come back Saturday or Sunday for bottomless mimosas and brunch classics from 12-4 p.m.
Details: Barsecco is located at 1421 S Miami Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-577-9809.
Toscana Divino
Another go-to for great Italian food in Brickell, Toscana Divino is a great option if you’re looking to pair your bubbly with some mouthwatering bruschetta pomodoro, a grand tagliere board, or caviar service. Order a bottle of top-notch prosecco from their wine list, or ask for a tasty Aperol spritz.
Details: Toscana Divino is located at 900 S Miami Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-371-2767.
Nikki Beach
If you’ve never enjoyed a drink with your toes in the sand at Nikki Beach, you’re missing out. Suffused with south-of-France vibes, this popular Miami Beach haunt will make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation in the Med. Toast to National Prosecco Day with a glass of Italy’s finest sparkling wine, or go all out with a bottle beachside.
Details: Nikki Beach is located at 1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach. For more information, call 305-538-1111.
Salumeria 104
Known for its northern Italian cuisine, like signature salumi dishes and hearty housemade pasta, every bite at Salumeria 104 hits the spot. Head there on National Prosecco Day and savor all those rustic flavors with some prosecco from Veneto or Friuli, starting at just $9 for a glass and $36 for a bottle.
Details: Salumeria 104 has locations in Coral Gables and Midtown. For more information, call 305-424-9588 (Midtown) or 305-640-5547 (Coral Gables). If you’d like to place an order online, please do so directly through the restaurant here.
Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t savor the best of Miami’s food scene. There are plenty of dining spots in South Florida serving up delicious meals for takeout and delivery — and right now, they need your support. Show some love to your favorite restaurants (or try some new neighborhood gems) by ordering in. We’ve put together a list of six local dining options offering takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery.
Bellini Restaurant & Bar
In the mood for tantalizing Italian eats? Bellini Restaurant & Bar at Mr. C in Coconut Grove is now offering their Miami Spice menu for takeout and delivery during lunch and dinner. Standout items include refreshing burrata with juicy heirloom tomatoes, savory lasagna alla bolognese, bucatini ‘cacio e pepe,’ and frothy chocolate mousse. Details: Bellini Restaurant & Bar is located at 2988 McFarlane Rd, Miami. To order, call 305-800-7672 or visit here.
Juvia
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Juvia is best known for its stunning rooftop views of Miami Beach, but you can still enjoy their mouthwatering Mediterranean- and Asian-inspired flavors without leaving your home. Now, take advantage of their three-course Miami Spice dinner menu, curated by master chef Sunny Oh and pastry chef Gregory Gorreau, and available for takeout or delivery. It includes signature items like chilled beef carpaccio, Mediterranean branzino, tender lamb shank, and more. Details: Juvia is located at 1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. To order, call 305-763-8272 or visit here.
Pastificio Propaganda
Wynwood spot Pastificio Propaganda cooks up some of the best authentic Sicilian cuisine in South Florida, and it’s now operating as a takeout-only restaurant. Call ahead and place an order for some of its mouthwatering pizzas, homemade pastas, succulent seafood dishes, and heavenly desserts. There’s even a selection of “Family Feast” takeout meals featuring lasagna, pizza, or roast chicken for four, with the option to add an organic wine pairing. Everything is inspired by family recipes and curated by Executive Chef Davide Cianetti, whose previous restaurant experience includes Michelin star-awarded Il Convivio-Troiani in Rome. Details: Pastificio Propaganda is located at 97 NW 25th St. Miami. To order, call 786-615-2555.
Moxie’s Miami
Though it’s now open for outdoor dining, Moxie’s Miami is also offering one of the best takeout programs in town. In addition to ordering from their a la carte menu, you can also opt for a three-course wine and dine meal, or a DIY BBQ burger kit if you want to brush up on your grilling skills. Their virtual liquor store program also lets you bring your favorite drinks to your home bar. Details: Moxie’s Miami is located at 161 – 900 S Miami Ave, Miami. To order, call 305-549-8997 or visit here.
Icebox Cafe
This Miami Beach staple offers monthly specials in addition to their all-day dining menu, available for takeout and delivery. Dig into chicken parmesan coated in seasoned panko and paired with homemade marinara sauce, enjoy guilt-free quinoa and veggie fritters, or indulge in a fried cheese bacon burger in the comfort of your home. Additionally, you’ll enjoy 15% off orders of $75 or more through Icebox’s website or app. Details: Icebox Cafe is located at 1855 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach. To order, visit here.
Folklore Culinary
Those looking for Kosher meals should check out Folklore Culinary, which just released a new menu and pricing for the month of August. Choose from a selection of ready-to-eat boxes, like the Beefy Box, which comes with slow-cooked roast rib, steamed broccoli, and parsley garlic red potatoes, and the Mr. Salmon Box, which includes pan-fried King salmon with miso glaze, Iraqi jasmine rice, and sugarcane Brussel sprouts. There’s a Vegan Goodies box, too.
Details: Each box is $18, with a five-box minimum and a $15 delivery fee. To order, call 305-400-0070.
