Miami is known for its vibrant and dynamic Hispanic community; around 70 % of the city’s population identifies as Hispanic. For that reason, there is no better place to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month than in the Magic City while indulging in some fantastic restaurants. Whether it is Hispanic-owned or the food is Hispanic-inspired, below, you will find 12 restaurants to celebrate this special annual celebration.
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1300 Brickell Bay Drive / Website
Background: Peruvian
Brickell's hotspot, Osaka Nikkei, allows guests to indulge in a multi-sensory Nikkei experience. Diego Herrera and Diego de la Puente, two friends whose surfing world travels resulted in the construction of a restaurant influenced by both their Peruvian backgrounds and their love and passion for the water and Asian culture, conceptualized Osaka. Chefs Juan Urrutia and Adonay Tafur lead Osaka, combining the millenary precision of Japanese techniques with the distinct flavors of Peruvian cuisine to perfection.
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1111 Lincoln Road / Website
Background: Venezuelan owners, Peruvian fusion cuisine
Juvia is a spectacular 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant and lounge on the 1111 Lincoln Road's rooftop Herzog & de Meuron building, owned and operated by famed restaurateurs Jonas and Alexandra Millan, serving tri-fusion cuisine - a blend of French, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines.
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2801 NW 2nd Ave / Website
Background: Mexican
Bakan, from the renowned DZO Hospitality Group and Grupo Gaval, transports guests to Mexico with its earthy, creative, and modern atmosphere, vast variety of original regional meals, extensive mezcal and tequila selections, and artisan tortilla assortment. Bakan's Mexican eating experience revolves around three pre-Hispanic elements: nixtamal, mezcal, and wood fire.
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1513 SW 8th St. / Website
Background: Cuban
Ball & Chain is one of Miami's most historic venues on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. The venue first opened in 1935 as a jazz club and hosted great singers such as Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole until 1957. Ball & Chain is currently recognized for its all-day live Latin music performed by the Ball & Chain trio, which includes legendary percussionist Miguel Cruz. By night, the renowned tourist site transforms into a local hangout, complete with local DJs, salsa courses, and a famed midnight conga line. Apart from being a full-fledged club, Ball & Chain is also known for its authentic Cuban cuisine, and they have recently unveiled a new menu featuring Latin meals including Chicharrones, Congri Fritters, and Cuban Spring Roll, as well as drinks like the Pastelito Daiquiri, Cañita, and Regal Nacional. From the venue to the music to the menu choices, everything at Ball & Chain is primarily Latin-influenced.
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Multiple Location / Website
Background: Mexican
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, founded in South Beach in 2015 by Menin Hospitality's Keith Menin and Jared Galbut, is South Florida's renowned brand, presenting an array of Mexican street food as well as a unique nightlife experience with award-winning tequila and cocktails. The Mexican-inspired concept offers a diverse menu that includes classic Mexican staples and unique and innovative versions. This spot is celebrating Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month in grand style! The lounges will be decorated with Mexican flags, and there will be exciting giveaways, surprise Mexican entertainment inspired by Mexican culture (think dancers and Mariachi! ), and Casamigos offers including $8 shots, $12 margaritas, and $250 bottles (please note minimums for tables may apply after 10 :00 p.m. at select locations). Each of the locations will also have DJs, including DJ Felva (SOBE), DJ Spiff (FLL), DJ Belly (WPB), and DJ Burton (CG). We'll have Ilegal Mezcal special cocktails and flights available at our Coconut Grove mezcaleria, including a $12 Tropical Negroni, a $18 Smoked Mezcal Old Fashioned, and an Ilegal Mezcal flight (Joven, Reposado, Anejo) with reservations through Resy.
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971 SW 8th St. / Website
Background: Cuban
Cafe La Trova will commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with a unique cocktail menu incorporating ingredients from local South Florida-based Cuban suppliers, such as honey from The Native Guy (located in Homestead), guava marmalade from PG Tropicals (based in Homestead), and fresh limes from Yes Fresh (based in Doral). The Canchánchara (plus 1 La Trova cigar) is made with Saint Benevolence Rum from Haiti, honey syrup, and lime juice; the Calle Ocho Daiquiri (plus 1 La Trova cigar) is made with Bacardi Superior rum from Cuba/Puerto Rico, Habanero-Guava syrup, and lime juice; and the Mi Tierra Old Fashioned (plus 1 La Trova cigar) is made with Flor de Caa 12 from Nicaragua, demerara syrup With each purchase of these limited-time-only cocktails priced between $14 and $15, $1 will be contributed to the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora. Join us all month as we celebrate our Cuban/Hispanic culture.
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1100 NW 23rd St. / Website
Background: Spanish
LEKU, located in Miami's lively Allapattah neighborhood and featured on the 2022 Michelin Guide, delivers the delights of eating in Spain's charming Côte Basque to the city. The restaurant's Executive Chef Mikel Goikolea adheres to the same philosophy of seasonal local ingredients and cooking methods based on tried and true traditions, offering new food without losing sight of its Basque heritage. LEKU's beverage program, in addition to its unique cuisine, is in a class of its own, showcasing innovative libations and refined wine options, which just earned them the Wine Spectator's 2022 Award of Excellence.
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5205 NE 2nd Ave / Website
Background: Chilean/Cuban Chef & Partner
Boia De is a local restaurant by culinary duo Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer in Miami's up-and-coming Buena Vista area. The quirky, tiny café is the first brick-and-mortar idea from the culinary pair, who previously ran La Pollita, a popular Mexican food cart in the adjacent Design District. Its retro-modern design, comfortable, elegant furniture, and sophisticated Italian-influenced menu welcome neighbors, friends, and South Florida foodies. The simple cuisine encourages sharing, emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients and quality meat, while the wine list features 75 options from both the Old and New Worlds, focusing on natural wines. Boia De, located at 5205 Northeast Second Avenue, is open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Mondays and until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
On Sunday, September 18, Boia De will throw its fourth annual Chilean Independence Day celebration in honor of co-owner Luciana (Luci) Giangrandi's Chilean ancestry. The restaurant will feature an all-Chilean by-the-glass wine list and a few typical Chilean food specialties, including empanadas de pino, Boia De's version of ensalada Chilena, leche asada, and possibly a terremoto drink or two. The normal menu of the restaurant will also be available.
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7100 Biscayne Blvd / Website
Background: Colombian Owner
Chef Cesar Zapata and business partner/restaurateur Aniece Meinhold created the famed modern-Vietnamese restaurant Phuc Yea. Phuc Yea, located in the center of the 305's MiMo District, is a popular hangout for Zapata's inventive, globe-trotting food, inspired by his Colombian history and based in Meinhold's Vietnamese family. Nowhere in Miami can you find such an intoxicating blend of soul, flair, substance, and sizzle. A Sunday hangover should #FearThePhuc with the return of their wonderful Sancocho recipe and other strange brunch items.
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396 Alhambra Circle / Website
Background: Colombian Owner
Zitz Sum, one of Miami's most surprising culinary successes, began as a passion project and COVID pivot for Colombian Chef Pablo Zitzmann. The concept started as a buzzy pop-up and quickly gained a cult following, becoming a must-try for foodies in the know. Packed seats and long wait lists established the framework for the pop-metamorphosis up's into a permanent brick-and-mortar in the heart of Coral Gables, which is now one of the city's hottest reservations. Zitz Sum was selected as a long-list nominee for "Best New Restaurant" by the James Beard Foundation in March 2022, just shy of a year of business, a nod that honored and humbled Zitzmann and pushed the restaurant onto the national food map. The Michelin Guide recently gave Zitz Sum a Bib Gourmand award in its inaugural Florida guide.
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3067 Grand Ave / Website
Background: Mexican
Jaguar Restaurant was inspired by Latin America's unique and diverse cuisine. Here you can enjoy Latin staples, such as Jaguar's Creative Ceviches, and current Mexican concoctions, all accompanied by a range of Latin-inspired signature cocktails and boutique wines from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Spain, to mention a few. This fabulous spot is surrounded by warm burgundy and yellow ceilings and walls painted with natural Oaxacan flower colors and exceptional paintings by Dionisio Ceballos, whose reproductions were included in the film Frida. Stop by Hora Jaguar every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for 50% off traditional cocktails, beers, and wines, or start your weekends with a delectable Latin-American breakfast and endless mimosas and sangrias every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Jaguar Restaurant, located in the center of Coconut Grove, invites you to come in and spend a while at a neighborhood favorite dining location.
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28 SW 11th St. / Website
Background: Colombian chef, Mexican owner
Pilo's creator Derek Gonzalez set out to locate the most authentic street tacos in Miami after remembering the tacos his late Aunt Pilo prepared in Mexico when he was a child. Gonzalez built his first Pilo's Street Tacos shop in 2017, dissatisfied with what he found, a quick-service restaurant concept focusing on its original, robust flavors and inclusive environment. Pilo's menu features simple, tasty Mexican cuisine that leaves you wanting more with every taste. The menu offers nearly every protein you can think of, from meat and seafood to vegetarian tacos. Birria Tacos, Carnal Tacos, El Pescadito Beer-battered Taco, El Costeito Beer-battered Taco, and much more are available. Pilo's senior chef, Chef Erick Lopez, was influenced by his childhood in Colombia and real Mexican street food. Combining the two was his method of fusing two cultures into one while preserving Mexico as his primary influence.
Photography by: Courtesy Kharoll Mendoza/Getty, Linka A Odom/Getty
