Hola amigos! Our favorite way to extend summer is to head to warmer places. We are excited to share Miami’s favorite eats, day and night with you. Our recent Miami and Puerto Rico trip gave us the fall glow we were looking for and made our Thanksgiving week extra memorable. Miami is an iconic US city where you can find all sorts of ethnically diverse culinary delights. We LOVE that MIA loves health and wellness and it is comforting to know we can eat right while traveling here.
We had 2 food musts for this portion of our trip. The first was dinner somewhere cool and trendy in the Wynwood neighborhood, and the second was a casual and healthy flavor bomb meal. Our time in Miami was only a couple of days, so this guide is short and sweet. As you know, if it’s mentioned in the guide, it’s great and worth your time!
*If you love the tropics, be sure to check out our Unbeatable 1 Week Itinerary for Puerto Rico guide here!
Fabel
Lucky for us, our first must visit restaurant was easily achievable as our friends recently opened Fabel in the Wynwood district. The creators Matt and Bridgette, are longtime LA friends who live life to the fullest through travel, fashion, friends and now Fabel. Here they have perfectly blended the artistic feel of Tulum, the food of the Mediterranean, design aspects of Greece and the soul of Miami. If you are new to the Wynwood hype, this neighborhood is known for its vibrant and dynamic art scene. You can spend the day getting lost in the colorful street murals and zigzagging around cute cafes and trendy restaurants.
It Is All a Sensory Feast
The best part about Fabel is that it’s so much more than a popular dinner or brunch spot. In each nook and cranny, there is a detail pulling at one of your senses. From the watery metal overhangs to the smoky copal burning, or the wait staff floating around in linen to the groovy deep house DJ~ it is all a sensory feast. Fabel is a creative and interactive dining experience with little adherence to convention. Imagine taking a few bites and sips then meandering to the dance floor while the music kicks up a notch, cowbell in your hand. Or perhaps the fire dancers and live musicians have stolen the show. The theatrics and food strike a harmonious balance and the friendly staff are the icing on the cake.
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Flavors
The food was equally as thoughtful and whimsical as the design. Fabel is the perfect place to share plates with the table so everyone can try more dishes. 😉 The creamy dips of hummus, muhammara and labneh were satiating starters that brought us back to eating on the sidewalks of Turkey. Don’t miss pairing them with the freshly baked dipping bread (we had to order a second). For mushroom lovers the schwarma spiced oyster mushrooms were delectable. Perfectly seasoned and juicy letting the mushrooms shine. Unforgettable mains were the whole cauliflower and the salt-crusted fish that comes with a table-side blowtorch show.
If you are anything like us and you can’t get enough of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, this is your spot. You will be comforted with the classic notes and enjoy a modern twist on each plate. It is easy to see why this newcomer is one of Miami’s favorite eats. Bravo to Matt, Bridgette and the whole team. Did we mention Matt is the founder of the uber-cool architecture firm M-rad? Enjoy that design rabbit hole.
Pura Vida
Raise your hand if travel days make you hungry, hangry and sometimes grumpy. All our hands are way up. We are getting better at planning our first meal upon landing and looking at menus during transit. Thankfully the lovely joint Pura Vida was less than a 5-minute walk from our Kindred home and another of Miami’s favorite eats. This restaurant did not disappoint with its diverse menu, large portions, healthy options and earthy decor. Upon first bites we landed our hangry planes and lucky for all of us, there are 12+ locations in the greater Miami area.
*If you know you won’t be cooking a lot during a trip, it always helps to scout your local, healthy, fast-casual place. Memorize their hours of operation as no one likes to eat dinner from the gas station.
Pura Vida’s mission is centered around promoting health and well-being by creating nourishing food. This eatery is dedicated to fresh ingredients and sustainability is at their core. The menu caters to diverse dietary preferences (pescatarian, vegan, gluten-fee avail), and supports a balanced and mindful approach to eating. Whether it’s vibrant salads, nutrient-packed bowls, or innovative wellness-inspired main dishes, Pura Vida makes healthy options delicious. We both loved the Vida Veggie Bowl, topped with their signature plant based veggie bites. These tasty bites are made with whole vegetables and not fried which isn’t as easy as it sounds! Don’t forget to ask for their homemade hot sauce. You will hear us say this often (as we are spice junkies), however, there’s is incredible. The green tahini dressing was a perfect punch as well, not oily or overly salted. Take us back!
All the Juicy Deets
We know this is a quick peek into the food journey that awaits you in Miami. These recommendations will start you on the right foot, one for the ultimate night out and the other for a healthy fast casual win. So tell us, did you find some delectable Cuban, Nicaraguan or Jamaican food? We want to hear about it all. Which of Miami’s favorite eats- day and night, made your list? Drop us a line with all the juicy deets.
Buen provecho,
<3 Rach
PS ~ Don’t forget to check out details about our amazing week in Puerto Rico here!
PPS ~ If you happen to visit Miami in early December don’t miss Art Basel. It is their annual international art fair, renowned for showcasing contemporary and modern artworks from leading galleries worldwide. This event attracts artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts who are there to explore the forefront of the global art scene. There are also tons of parties with world-class DJs playing throughout the festivities.
