Sam Tracy Sam Tracy | November 25, 2020 | Food & Drink
Let's talk about pie. Arguably less appreciated that other desserts, the crunchy, sweet confection makes the perfect year-round treat.
Because it's all about the filling, pie can come in nearly unlimited varieties and satisfy fruit lovers and chocoholics alike. Pie's star moment comes each autumn as the days get shorter and the air becomes crisp. Pumpkin, pecans and apple slices fill the puff pastry, but we think summer pie is just as good thanks to berries.
If you're willing to give pie a try, we found the Miami bakeries serving the best slices.
See also: Top 12 Pie Spots in Chicago
Fireman Derek's Bake Shop
2818 N Miami Ave.; 3435 Main Hwy. / Website
This bakery started as a food truck and blossomed into one of Miami’s most popular stops. Take a peek through the glass display and you'll understand the demand. fireman Derek’s offers a wide variety of sugary-sweet pies. Chocoholics will love their Brownie Bomb pie. For a tropical twist, dig into a slice of the Coconut Custard pie, topped off with melt-in-your-mouth fresh whipped cream. You have to try the Guava Berry, which comes with a crumbly homemade streusel topping.
Casa Gioia
9351 SW 56th St. / Website
Gioia means “joy” in Italian, and you'll feel it in your soul after just one bite. Touted as having the “most indulgent desserts in Miami,” this bakery is a can’t-miss spot. Their fan-favorite pumpkin pies are thick and creamy. Each bite is simply unforgettable. Try the pumpkin tart during holiday season, which comes with a pretzel crust, pumpkin filling and torched spiced meringue. It's the perfect mix of salty, sour and sweet. The guava empanaditas are undoubtedly one of their most unique and mouthwatering creations. These crescent-shaped pastries strike the perfect balance between the sour tang of guava and the sweetness of puff pastry. Casa Gioia additionally offers nationwide shipping, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth no matter where or when your craving strikes.
Rosetta Bakery
550 NW 1st Ave Suite 240-C15; 850 S Miami Ave; 1666 Lenox Ave.; 929 Collins Ave.; 1666 Collins Ave. / Website
This bakery with Italian roots offers the comforts of homemade dessert with only the highest quality ingredients. Alongside its menu of traditional Italian fare (pizza, anyone?), Rosetta has a plethora of sweet specialties. Their pies are Italian versions of American classics. You won't be disappointed by the crostatina, filled with your choice of apricot or raspberry jam. It also comes in nutella. Do check out "The beautiful Fruit Tart," which surely lives up to its name as a sugar-dusted sweet treat filled with chocolate or lemon cream and topped with a seasonal fruit mix.
See also: Top 7 Pie Shops in Las Vegas
Pink Pie
170 NW 26th St. / Website
Looking for a modern take on a classic dessert? Pink Pie is the place. Because this shop bakes its desserts in glass jars, each pie is three inches across for a perfect petite personal indulgence. The glass jars are a fresh twist on traditional presentation and a drool-worthy way to display the layers. Pink Pie specializes in more than 30 different flavors including vegan and gluten-free options. Their top sellers are Key Lime, Oreo Nutella, Red Velvet, Birthday Cake and Coconut Dulce de Leche. These pies are fun, cute and so good enough to enjoy a few at a time. What goes great alongside dessert? Coffee, of course! Lucky for you, Pink Pie whips up some of the prettiest (and tastiest) hot drinks to sip alongside your dessert.
Zak the Baker
295 NW 26th St. / Website
This hip Wynwood cafe has all of your baked good needs: fresh sourdough, rich coffee, freshly baked cookies and best of all, a wide range of mouthwatering pies. Their rhubarb pie is equal parts tart, sweet and delicious. For a chocolatey indulgence, dig into Zak's Chocolate Caramel Pie, dusted with sugar. The cafe bakery's vibrantly colorful exterior is eye-catching, and the aroma of coffee and fresh-out-of-the-oven goods welcomes you in. Zak the Baker offers a laidback atmosphere and chill vibe to enjoy a slice or two. No wonder it's a local favorite!
Madruga Bakery
1430 S Dixie Hwy Ste 117 / Website
Bakery founder Naomi wakes up at dawn each morning to get the oven started (the bakery's name coming from madrugar, the Spanish word for "to rise early"). Using the freshest ingredients, Madruga bakes up your favorite seasonal pie flavors with a freshness you can taste. Their pies flavors rotate and incorporate the season's best offerings, meaning all things "berry" in the summertime and all things "pumpkin" in the fall. Just a forkful of these sugar-dusted beauties and you'll be coming back for more!
Photography by: REDA&CO;