8 Dishes That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re in Miami
The annual pilgrimage has begun and migration is in full effect. Similar to wildebeests across the Serengeti, each winter New Yorkers flock to Miami like the salmon of Capistrano. Feeling left out of all the South Beach selfies and and blurry videos from E11even you see on social media? Fear not - if you’ve got an itch to go south like a 70 year old Midwestern snow-bird, we’ve curated 8 must-eat dishes here in NYC to help you feel like you are in Miami, but without the sunburn and maybe a lower concentration of crypto-bros (maybe).
Cubano
Margon
📸: @pooryounggentleman
A Cuban sandwich is a perfect dish and you shouldn’t mess with perfection. Too often restaurants are “updating” or doing a “take” on this classic, but not at Margon. They execute the classic Cuban flawlessly. It has crispy bread hugging slow-roasted pork, ham, and Swiss cheese, lathered with mustard and a crunch of pickles. You might have elbow your way through some UPS drivers & construction workers to get it, but each bite is a journey to Little Havana, without leaving Manhattan.
This dish is recommended by: 8it
Pastelitos
Rossy’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
📸: Adam Friedlander
These delicately crisp pastelitos will scratch the Miami itch. Whether chicken, cheese, or beef and cheese, these fried delights will have you forgetting you’re not getting fried by that Miami sunshine.
This dish is recommended by: Infatuation
Raw Bar (Stone Crabs)
Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar
📸: Opentable
Don’t worry, your friends in Miami have about as much luck getting a reservation at Joe’s Stone Crab as you do in NYC. Instead, go to Cull & Pistol for their raw bar and get the boldly sweet, firm and meaty stone crab there. You will make all of your Miami-going friends jealous.
This dish is recommended by: Eater
Mofongo
La Fonda
📸: @lafondanyc
This is some of the best mofongo you can find in Manhattan. Try the shrimp version with chunks of plantains. It comes drenched in your choice of tomato or garlic sauce - you can’t go wrong with either. These would even make David Ortiz happy.
This dish is recommended by: Infatuation
Pan Con Bistec
Dos Amigos
📸: Robert Sietsema
Feel like making a trip but not all the way to Miami? Head to Jersey and slide into Dos Amigos in Union City—it's like teleporting to South Beach without dealing with TSA. You come here for the Pan con Bistec. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this ancient lunch counter turned modern hotspot, one dish reigns supreme: the Pan con Bistec. Succulent steak pressed between slices of pillowy bread, mingling with caramelized onions and crispy French fries. With each bite, you'll feel the warmth of Miami's sun and the zest of its culinary spirit, making Dos Amigos a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast craving a taste of Cuban magic.
This dish is recommended by: Eater
Key Lime Pie
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie
📸: Luke Fortney
This key lime pie is about as legit as you can get, even in South Florida. Steve’s has their key limes shipped in to this shop for next level authenticity. Properly tart, a crunchy graham cracker crust and smooth filling with a touch of sugar, this bite will instantly transport you to a warm beach.
This dish is recommended by: Eater
Ceviche Classico
Mission Ceviche
📸: Alredo Chiarappa
There is nothing better than a cold ceviche accompanied by a colder beer on a hot beach. This ceviche, served in a leche de tigre marinade - a bright cocktail of lime and rocoto chiles, achieves one third of that aforementioned scenario. Ask for their coldest bottle of beer and close your eyes, you’ll find that hot beach in no time.
This dish is recommended by: New York Times
Ropa Vieja
Victor’s Cafe
📸: Ryan Sutton
If you find yourself in the Theater District, there’s a new star of the show: Ropa Vieja from Victor’s Cafe. It’s not just any Ropa Vieja, it's the city's most elegant rendition. Tender shreds of beef, slow-cooked to perfection, mingling with vibrant peppers, onions, and a symphony of spices. So if you're in the mood for a taste of Havana without leaving the Big Apple, Victor's Cafe is your ticket to culinary bliss. Trust me, one bite of their Ropa Vieja, and you'll be transported to Little Havana.
This dish is recommended by: Eater
