After a long day of shopping in the Miami Design District – or (who are we kidding?), when you just want to take a quick break – you’ll need some food to refuel and get back to those fitting rooms.
Fortunately for shoppers, our dazzling neighborhood has quite a few delicious restaurants to choose from, all of which are perfect for whatever length of a lunch you want to take. From namesake restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chefs, to casual, café-style eateries where you can get a quick sandwich to go, check out the four mouthwatering spots, listed below, where we love to lunch at the most.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink: The firstborn (restaurant) child of James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, this namesake restaurant is a farm-to-table American bistro with relaxed vibes and unpretentious, but inventive cuisine. At lunch, try out some new dishes by its chef de cuisine Saul Ramos like wood-oven roasted eggplant, shrimp toast “bahn mi” or short rib croquettes, or indulge in one of Genuine’s classics like the lamb sausage pizza, sweet-and-spicy pork belly with kimchi, or crispy pig. Whatever you choose, it’s always a win.
Crumb on Parchment: The brainchild of Miami’s own chef Michelle Bernstein, Crumb on Parchment is where you go for breakfast or lunch for a slice of house-made banana bread, rich chocolate brownies, roast beef sandwiches with creamy horseradish, sweet onions and greens and veggie-filled salads. The menu sounds simple, but the dishes are better than any version of them you’ve ever tried to make at home. Remember, Chef Bernstein is a James Beard Award-winning chef, after all.
ella: Here in Miami, there’s nothing we don’t like about chef Michael Schwartz. So when he opened another Design District restaurant, this time named after his daughter, we couldn’t wait to see what it was all about. This casual eatery serves everything from chilled rosé, avocado toast and Parmesan-crusted grilled cheese, to a “Power Breakfast” with Greek yogurt, chia jelly, banana, blueberries, granola, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and dried mulberries. Of course, you have to try one of its gourmet donuts – the flavors change daily, and includes favorites like chocolate, toffee, white chocolate and macadamia, and even a donut dipped in double chocolate and Honey Bee Pollen.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro: Occupying a 1940’s-style home on the edge of Miami Design District, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, known for its authentic Greek and Turkish cuisine, is an “oldie, but a goodie.” Go for lunch, and choose from rustic dishes made with simple Mediterranean ingredients; like locally caught fish, fresh vegetables, homemade bread, feta cheese and yogurt, or maybe a “mezze” plate with hummus, tomato walnut dip and beet purée. A meal at Mandolin Aegean Bistro fuses flavorful food with the ability to transport you halfway across the globe, teasing your palate while delighting your mind, body and soul.
