eat with locals in miami

Miami is the perfect resort: it’s got it all. Yes, its incredible sun-drenched beaches and sparkling sand are impossible to miss, but once your tan is topped up, there are a million other spectacles to keep you entertained, amazed, and enlightened.

What about an airboat ride through the Everglades? You’ll spot some of nature’s scariest residents, with alligators swimming freely in the wild.

If Mother Nature is your gal, perhaps try a swim with the dolphins—and Miami loves its dolphins! At the Miami Seaquarium, you can get up close and personal with manatees, sea turtles, and Miami’s share of bright pink Caribbean flamingos. It never fails to entertain with its performing dolphins, sea lion shows, manatees, and more.

The Pérez Art Museum Miami offers a beautiful experience inside and out for culture lovers. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science has all kinds of exhibits for enquiring brains of all ages.

And if you're looking for a thrill? You can find skydiving, helicopter rides, speedboats, and the speedway (Miami is a former NASCAR Championship host)—there’s even a roller derby league!

One thing’s for sure—there won’t be time to get bored, which means you’re going to work up a great appetite!

Miami’s food culture is as diverse as its heritage. From street to street, you’ll find a surprise around every corner, including its restaurants, street foods, and pop-ups.

With a Latin American and Caribbean background, sat on the edge of the bluest of oceans, the local ingredients are exquisite, and the menus they make up are unlike anything you’ll find across the rest of the country.

the food checklist of miami

Chicharrón

Chicharrón is a Latin American Caribbean-style fried pork belly or rinds. It doesn’t sound all that glamorous when you put it like that—in fact, you’d be forgiven for thinking it sounds rather plain—but taste it for yourself, and you’ll realize why it’s one of the top Miami staples.

Stone Crabs

October to March sees the stone crab season. If you’re in town during those months, you’re in for a fabulous seafood treat. Typically served ice-chilled and seasoned, their succulent meat is delicious.

Grilled Fish Sandwich

Another dish that sounds far too simple to garner such a strong reputation, but with local grouper fillet served in a brioche bun, so juicy and tender, they melt in your mouth to create an authentic taste sensation.

Arepas

Sticking with the Latin American theme, arepas are versatile enough to provide a snack or a hearty meal. Pick and choose your fillings—or keep it super simple and plain—from a variety of specially seasoned meats and veggies, all topped with melted cheese.

Ceviche

This uncooked fresh fish dish, soaked in lemon and lime juices, topped with a touch of aji or chili peppers, appears on almost every menu, wherever you choose to eat. It’s an ideal meal in the hot weather and so deliciously fresh.

Cuban Sandwich

With so many sensational dishes to choose from, it’s surprising that sandwiches feature so strongly among Miami’s most popular. ‘The Cuban’ comes with roasted pork, Swiss cheese, baked ham, yellow mustard, and dill pickles, all meticulously arranged to deliver a unique taste triumph from vendor to vendor.

Churrasco

This is Argentinian grilled steak with a twist. The twist is that the chimichurri sauce topped steak isn’t always steak! Instead, you can choose several cuts of meat served churrasco style, expanding the flavors of this authentic Argentinian dish.

Key Lime Pie

Finally, we have Miami’s most famous dessert, especially for you sugar lovers. A light, sweet, crunchy, creamy pie that delights the taste buds whether you’ve got a super sweet tooth or not.

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Whether you're planning a trip to New York or exploring the culinary delights of San Francisco, Eatwith hosts in Miami and beyond are ready to make your journey unforgettable.