There’s something about Miami that has always stuck with me; this city has a special place in my heart. The sun, ocean, the great energy throughout the city, and the food make it special. This past trip, two spots stood out as highlights for me, but every meal was great in its own way. Here’s everything we ate and what I thought during our trip to Miami.
Maman - Miami Beach: Our first stop on the food tour was Maman, and this was my first time hearing about and trying Maman coffee. I thought the cafe was very cute, and had a good variety of drinks and pastries. I ordered the viral Iced Tahini Latte with oatmilk, and honestly it didn't impress me much. Getting it with almond milk would have been a better choice, but I still felt like I have had much better coffee. I ordered their Everything Croissant, and thought that was very good. Overall, it was just ok and I'm not in any rush to get back there.
Chateau ZZ's - Brickell: Chateau ZZ’s ambiance really stood out to me, and I loved the way the restaurant decor - it was probably my favorite setting of all the places we visited. The service was great; the waiters were attentive and entertaining. While the food was good overall, the appetizers honestly outshined the main course quite a bit for me. We ordered a ton of appetizers to try a variety of dishes, and by the time the Grilled Chicken Verde entree arrived, we were already pretty full. Honestly, being full aside, I could’ve skipped that entree altogether. The standout dishes for me were the Coconut Snapper Ceviche, the Lobster & Jalapeño Tostada, and The Mexican Caesar. I would definitely go back for drinks, and split shareable plates again.
Mandolin - Design District: When I arrived at Mandolin for lunch, there was already a crowd gathered out front before the doors even opened. Thankfully, we had a reservation because the restaurant filled up almost immediately, and it’s easy to see why. The patio seating is beautiful, with a Mediterranean charm that reminded me a lot of Greece. We ordered one of their well-known dishes, the Manti Dumplings with beef, Aleppo pepper, and a garlic yogurt sauce. I thought it was really good, but I thought the yogurt sauce was a bit overpowering. A few dishes that really stood out to me were the Roasted Beets, the Saganaki, and the crispy Zucchini Chips—all flavorful, fresh, and worth going back for.
MILA - South Beach: MILA was hands-down the standout meal of the trip for me. I’d been before just for drinks, and it's a great, high-energy atmosphere. I was excited to finally try the food, and it completely exceeded my expectations. Every dish was fantastic, and the cocktails were both creative and good. We had an amazing table outside, right next to the fire dancers, which made the experience even more memorable. It’s tough to choose favorites, but if I had to pick the dishes I’d absolutely order again, they’d be the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Snow Crab Salad, Grilled Octopus Skewer, Truffle Cream Spaghetti, Mediterrasian Black Cod, and the Crispy Shrimp Maki. 6 favorites. See, I told you it was hard.
ETIENNE MOYAT
Pura Vida - South Beach: LLike MILA, Pura Vida was one of those places I kept thinking about even after we got home. The iced latte was incredible, and the food didn’t disappoint either. The Perfect Egg Sandwich and the Toasted Chicken Wrap were both delicious, but the real star was the Pura Vida green sauce, it was addicting. It’s a laid-back, casual spot, and we grabbed our orders to-go after the beach, which was perfect. Definitely a go-to for a tasty post-beach bite.
Delilah's - Brickell: Delilah’s definitely delivers on atmosphere—it’s a classic Miami high-energy, spot that’s perfect for a girls' night out. The vibe is fun and lively, with that classic supper club feel, but unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the hype for me. Nothing on the menu really stood out, and for the price, I expected a lot more in terms of flavor. While it’s a great scene, and could be fun for drinks, I personally wouldn’t go back for the food alone.
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