There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying a delicious meal at a great restaurant, but sometimes all you want is something filling enough to make you happy while you are in the company of someone special or even just by yourself because sometimes all we want is a filling bite. Appetizers are the best dishes for that, and some of them are just as filling as an entree or a full meal, offering versatility and innovation. Below find seven must-try appetizers at some of Miami's most iconic restaurants for when you don't want a full meal.
See Also: Best Of Miami Spice
3252 NE 1st Ave / Website
Maü Miami's elevated Mediterranean cuisine honors Greek food and culture with a quick menu of appetizers, soups, and salads. There are classic and traditional dishes and updated interpretations that combine Miami produce with Greek flavor. Guests can build a full meal of appetizers from vegetarian, seafood, and meat options. One of their must-try appetizers is their refreshing ($26) Coconut Ceviche (snapper, papaya, lime), which guarantees a flavor explosion! Other delectable appetizers suitable for a mid-day snack include their ($26) Blackened Mahi Tacos and ($28) Gambas al Ajillo (large prawns, white wine & garlic). This Modern-Bohemian restaurant's Happy Hour menu options include the ($18) Maü Burger and ($13) Oysters.
1022 Lincoln Road / Website
Issabella's Mediterranean restaurant encourages guests to share many delicious European dishes from Spain, Greece, and Italy by serving family-style dishes, tapas, and charcuterie. The ($15) Gambas al Ajillo with shrimp, roasted garlic, chili, and olive oil, as well as the ($28) Grilled Spanish Octopus prepared with nduja aioli, romesco, potatoes, and Calabrian chili oil, are two of the many highlights of the Mediterranean-inspired menu at Issabella's. With this in mind, the best way to enjoy the delectable menu and artisanal cocktails are to order various appetizers to share with friends and family. Issabella's also offers Happy Hour from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Grilled Bruschetta ($7), Shrimp & Chorizo ($9), and Beef Bites ($11) with chimichurri dipping sauce are all must-order happy hour appetizers. Issabella's tasty appetizers are sure to please no matter the occasion. It's a great way to sample a restaurant's cuisine, fun to share with friends, and perfect if you want a light snack to complement your cocktail.
901 S Miami Ave / Website
Balan's Bar & Brasserie, a savory home for hungry locals, executive lunch-goers, fine diners, late-night drinkers, and festive brunchers, invites guests to join them in a contemporary setting where the menu shines, and the service excels. Balan's delivers fantastic Modern-European bistro bites like ($16.95) Lamb Meatballs and ($21.95) Ahi Tuna Tartare made with Umeboshi Aioli, Togarashi spice, citrus gelee, radish, cilantro & served with sesame rice crackers to complement its specialty crafted cocktails. Balan's is the go-to local neighborhood restaurant if you're strolling through Mary Brickell Village for a quick Happy Hour bite or don't want a full meal. From 3 to 7 p.m. daily, Happy Hour offers $5 select wine/beer, $8 cocktails, $7 liquor, and light bites. Twelve dozen oysters, sundried tomato & lentil hummus, mushroom sliders, beef skewers, lamb meatballs, and shrimp tempura are among the light appetizers.
1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables / Website
Mamey at Thesis Hotel highlights the exotic flavors and spices found in Asia, French Polynesia, and the Caribbean, with seasonal offerings that will transport anyone to the tropics. The Ghee Roasted Plantains ($9), helmed by Chef Niven Patel, is a delicious appetizer cooked and served with a creamy tamarind yogurt and topped with coconut, cilantro, and crispy chickpea. Another fan favorite is the White Truffle & Brie Grilled Cheese ($14), a cheesy dish served with a sweet Florida Mango Jam for dipping on Sullivan Street Bread.
1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables / Website
Orno, located within THesis Hotel, provides guests with a true farm-to-table experience, using produce from Chef Niven Patel's farm, Rancho Patel. The wood-fired culinary creations on the Orno menu include the Vadouvan Cauliflower ($14), served with crème fraîche and seasoned with green apple, Aleppo pepper, and lemon.
1801 Collins Ave / Website
2 Korean Girls is a pop-up restaurant in The Shelborne South Beach's Oasis Garden known for serving Bibimbap and modern twists on traditional Korean dishes. Enjoy a Southern classic with a Korean twist, such as their Korean Fried Chicken, which is made with secret seasonings, perfectly crispy, and coated in "Hot Hunny" sauce, and the 2KG Korean Fried Chicken Sammies, which are crispy Korean fried chicken thighs, sweet and sour radish, cucumber kimchi, Kewpie mayo, on a toasted potato bun.
310 NW 24th St. / Website
Le Chick knows how to pack a punch in a small package. They're well-known not only for their rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, burgers, and excellent cocktails but also for their appetizers. Whether you're looking for a quick bite before a night out or simply don't want a full meal, Le Chick invites you to skip dinner and stop at the bar for some delicious appetizers like their famous fried chicken ($17), which is made with crispy buttermilk fried chicken, spicy maple syrup, and house-made ranch. Grilled Spanish Octopus ($26), served with avocado puree, confit potatoes, zatar aioli, and grilled tomato, is another must-order appetizer. These appetizers are not only delicious, but they are also ideal for sharing with friends or family. Le Chick also serves a variety of $7-$10 bites during Happy Hour, which runs from 3:30 to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday. Try the Royale with Cheese ($10) (dry-aged brisket 3oz double patties, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, house pickles, & secret sauce on a brioche bun) and the Fried Chicken ($9).
Photography by: Courtesy The Louis Collection, Balan's, Le Chick, Ruben Cabrera, 2 Korean Girls at The Shelborne South Beach, Orno At THesis Hotel, Mamey At THesis Hotel
