Brunch isn’t just a staple in South Florida—it’s a way of life. And here #atMDD, we’re all about celebrating the best things life has to offer. Here’s where you can do your weekend brunching in the Miami Design District:
Swan
The brainchild of two superstars—hospitality guru David Grutman and singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams—Swan & Bevy is a chic new restaurant and bar concept that’s a standout for both food and design. The kitchen at Swan is led by a winner of Europe’s Top Chef, French chef Jean Imbert, and the decor reflects a palette of soft pinks and grays, with jewel-like finishes and a horseshoe bar with scalloped tile and a pink onyx backdrop. Go every Saturday and Sunday, and feast on a brunch as unique as the surroundings. Think: bourbon caramel cinnamon rolls with sea salt, baked eggs with stracciatella and grilled filone, coconut pancakes with banana ice cream and maple syrup, Wagyu pastrami hash with crispy potatoes and Brussels sprouts, and even a smoked salmon tier with three levels of smoked salmon, bagels, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, capers, pickled red onions and herbed cream cheese.
Swan & Bevy is located at 90 NE 39th Street. Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
When dining in the Design District, it’s almost sacrilege not to eat at its O.G. spot: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink. Credited with bringing life back to the neighborhood, this Michael Schwartz gem opened in 2007 with a menu of unpretentious, delectable recipes inspired by what’s available and local. Next time you’re looking for a good Sunday brunch, go here for savory dishes like Knaus Berry Farms strawberries salad, kimchi benedict, and shrimp and grits. If you’re craving something sweeter, try the “Thai Donut” french toast, beignets or monkey bread with caramel.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is located at 130 NE 40th Street. Brunch is available every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Estefan Kitchen
Brought to us by superstar music duo Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Estefan Kitchen is a haute Cuban restaurant that’s all about two things: good Cuban food and a solid live music scene. Go on the weekends when you can enjoy the purple mood lighting, live pianists, sultry singers and dancers while feasting on plates like vaca frita hash with fried potato hash and Estefan guava cream or try the huevos habaneros or lechón and eggs with mashed yucca and truffle oil. Craving something to wash it down with? Order a Cuban Bloody Mary, which mixes Grey Goose Vodka and spicy tomato juice and tops it with a crispy pork bite.
Estefan Kitchen is located at 40 NE 39th Street #133. Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11:30 a.m.
MC Kitchen
For a modern Italian brunch, there’s nowhere better than MC Kitchen. Known for its seasonal organic ingredients, house-cured meats and sausages, house-made cheeses and fresh pastas, MC Kitchen’s weekend brunch is a taste of Italy like you’ve never had before. Pro tip: Whatever you do, start with the Black Mission Fig Pizzetta with cippolini marmalade, parma prosciutto, fontina cheese, arugula, and saba—it’s a must-try! Then, move on to plates like jumbo lump crab benedetto with toasted brioche, sunny side-up farm egg pizza topped with thick-cut bacon and broccoli rabe, or the truffled tater tot waffle with poached egg and shaved black perigord truffles.
MC Kitchen is located at 4141 NE 2nd Avenue #101A. Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
OTL
Nightlife guru Dave Grutman surprised everyone when he decided to open a laid back, trendy café—and sure enough, it is a hit. Named OTL (for “Out to Lunch”), it has a coffee house-like atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from a quick coffee refuel or a work lunch, to a long catch-up with your best friends. There’s no brunch menu, but as OTL fans know, it serves breakfast all day, every day. Committed to whipping up good-for-you-good food, go here for overnight oats with kiwi and berries, OTL granola with rolled oats and dates, banana quinoa muffins, and of course, the super seed butter toast. (The latter is a fan favorite, and tops toasted brioche with blueberries, banana, lemon zest, sea salt and OTL’s housemade super seed butter.)
OTL is located at 160 NE 40th Street. Breakfast is available all day Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9 a.m.
ella
The brainchild of celebrity chef Michael Schwartz who named the cafe after his daughter, ella is a light, airy, indoor-outdoor café right in the heart of Palm Court. With its daily-changing chalkboard menu, popular pastries, and everything from coffee to wine—depending on your needs—ella is a place where you can come and stay awhile. While it doesn’t have an official brunch menu, it does serve breakfast all day, every day. Go on Saturday or Sunday and get your fix of egg- and bacon-topped avocado toast on true loaf wheat bread; overnight oats with apricot and pistachio; the fresh-baked donut of the day; ham and cheese croissants or Greek yogurt with chia jelly, fresh fruit, pumpkin and hemp seeds.
ella is located at 140 NE 39th Street #136. Breakfast is available all day, starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Buena Vista Deli
Open from early morning to night time, Buena Vista Deli is a charming, Parisian-style café. During the weekend, this bustling neighborhood favorite serves a trusty brunch locals count on. Choose eggs benedict, an omelette or scrambled eggs with your choice of sides or add-ins or treat yourself and get the Gaufre (waffle) with Nutella. You can also go with the Buena Vista Brunch which includes coffee or tea, a mimosa, a croissant, two toasted baguettes, yogurt with granola and berries, and your choice of scrambled eggs or an omelette with two sides.
Buena Vista Deli is located at 4590 NE 2nd Avenue. Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7 a.m.
Lemoni Café
At Lemoni Café, you’ll discover a European-style café that caters to everyone: from working professionals, neighborhood locals and creative types to health-conscious diners, writers and more. Led by French-Moroccan Chef, Assia Dahrouch, this is where you’ll find crave-inducing Mediterranean-inspired plates. Go for brunch every Saturday and Sunday, and choose from dishes like Moroccan fruit salad with honey mascarpone, quinoa omelette stuffed with avocado and goat cheese, or a scrambled egg panini topped with bacon and a house-made paprika mayo.
Lemoni Café is located at 4600 NE 2nd Avenue. Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
