Diego Oka's List of The Best Food To Try in Miami

Aurora Kreativ / Unsplash

Diego Oka's List of The Best Food To Try in Miami

25 February, 2021

Miami is often overlooked when it comes to the great food destinations of America, but the city, part of Florida State, is bubbling with different influences and culture that makes Miami's food scene one of the most diverse around.

From BBQ, to Latin American fare, zesty Peruvian ceviche, to crispy Cuban sandwiches, Miami has some truly delicious food to enjoy. This is especially true if you're in the know and have a good local guide on where to try the best foods in Miami. With this in mind, we reached out to local chef Diego Oka, who runs the kitchen at La Mar, to share with us his best suggestions for where to eat in Miami.

The chef has been an integral part of Miami's food scene for years, and his insider knowledge makes this one of the best maps for places to eat in Miami. Oka loves discovering and unearthing the lesser-known gems of his local dining scene, and his list of foods to try in Miami is the perfect starting point for a taste of the city's best plates.

Diego's Oka's Best Foods to Try in Miami

Hometown BBQ

Hometown Barbecue / Facebook

"Beside the fact that Hometown serves some of the most amazing ribs in Miami, their briskets, corn cakes and amazing turkey breast is also worth ordering. The decor and the feeling is great. Located in a warehouse next to produce distributors."

Leku

"Leku is the new Spanish restaurant in town, inside the Rubell museum, now you can enjoy contemporary art like Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami, and eat spectacular Spanish food by Michelin-star chef Mikel Goikolea - all in a relaxed environment."

Ariete

"Contemporary Cuban-American food from chef Michael Beltran, if you want to try an elevated Cuban-inspired restaurant in Miami, this is the place."

Itamae

"Peruvian-Japanese food in Miami. This Nikkei restaurant from the Chang Gang (Papa Fernando Chang, Son Nando and Daughter Valerie) who make the most delicious makis and ceviches in Miami. I'm looking forward a lot for the opening of their new location."

WTF What the Food (Food Truck)

WTF What the Food / Instagram

"Spots for late night dinner after service are hard to find here in Miami, but lately we've been going to What the Food. It's a food truck and they make different types of grilled, juicy burgers and really good, spicy, hot wings."

Panya Thai

Panya Thai / Facebook

"After one of my favorite Thai restaurants closed (Cake Thai) I have this constant craving for great Thai food in Miami and Panya Thai is both authentic and addictive."

Boia De

Boia De / Instagram

"Chef Luciana Giangrandi and chef Alex Meyer make modern Italian-American food. It's a small restaurant with just 27 seats but every plate is packed full of flavors, the vibe is fun, eclectic and intimate."

Mandoline Aegean Bistro

Mandoline Aegean Bistro / Facebook

"Always in my list of best places to eat since I moved to Miami. The food, the setting and service is what I always look for in a casual restaurant with simple and delicious food."

Bachour

Bachour Doral

"Want beautiful and perhaps the best dessert in Miami? This is the place to come, but they don't just do desserts - the crossaints at Bachour are insane."

Phuc Yea

Phuc Yea / Facebook

"Chef Cesar Zapata created this Cajun-Vietnamese fusion of flavors that are delicious, he sometimes mixed in his Colombia heritage alongside Vietnamese flavor. Enjoy."

See another list of our best places to eat in Miami....