The best restaurants in Coconut Grove
Covering Indian, Thai and the best corn tortillas in Miami
Aug
31
2022
Coconut Grove has evolved in the last few years yet its charm is still intact. To this day, it remains one of our favorite neighborhoods in Miami. We don’t even mind the tourists that have made their way to the Grove. There are enough restaurants that provide a variety of cuisines and ambiances when dining out.
Sure, parking gives us a little bit of anxiety but if we are strategic and get there with time, we usually find a spot. Our list includes Thai, a veggie-friendly dim sum experience, Indian comfort, and seafood dishes we love.
Check out our local guide covering the best restaurants in Coconut Grove.
SUSHI BY SCRATCH RESTAURANTS: MIAMI
Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
Address: 3242 Charles Ave
Cuisine: Japanese
If you love Omakase experiences, add this one to the top of your list. This is a special and highly creative restaurant concept. And also, where else can you get sushi with sourdough starter or poblano kosho?!
From LA to Miami, Chefs Margarita Kallas-Lee and Phillip Frankland Lee have opened the fourth Sushi by Scratch Restaurant at Coconut Grove’s historic Stirrup House. This non-traditional Michelin-starred omakase den serves 17 courses for 10 guests at a time in a counter setting. So yeah, you’ll probably make friends with your neighbors.
Make sure to arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled seating time to enjoy your complimentary welcome cocktail before the full-on nigiri night. Flavor profiles won’t be traditional however everything is made from scratch, including the soy sauce and vinegars. The menu changes often however their signature roasted bone marrow nigiri will probably make an appearance.
The tasting menu is priced at $165 per person plus tax and service with the option of three different seatings (5 PM, 7:15 PM, and 9:30 PM). There are also two beverage pairing options: $85 (featuring three different sakes, two cocktails, and one beer) and $110 (featuring six different pours of sake).
Sushi of Scratch books up quickly. Mark your calendar for the first of every month at 1 PM to score a reservation a month out.
View this post on Instagram
KRUS KITCHEN
Address: 3413 Main Hwy
Cuisine: Globally-inspired, seasonal kitchen
If you haven’t been to Krus Kitchen in Coconut Grove for dinner, NOW is the time. Chef Sebas Vargas and the incredible Krus team have created a menu from the heart. Everything has been carefully thought out and made from scratch (even the bread and butter).
This is the food of fine dining except it’s in a chill, market setting located on a second floor. Enter through sister restaurant Los Felix, and head upstairs to Krus Kitchen. The space is vibrant, with so much natural light and a cornered open kitchen. It is decorated with biodynamic wines and other products on display, which is always nice to look at while waiting for your dishes to arrive.
And speaking of, this evolving menu will change with the seasons but for now, after trying the entire menu with maybe two exceptions, our favorites include the agnolotti stuffed with taleggio cheese, smoked corn, porcini broth, and hazelnut oil; Krus bread with an anchovy brown butter, black garlic, and sea salt; oyster mushrooms with a red miso potato foam, quinoa, and green onions; chitarra with mussel emulsion, caviar, and Meyer lemon; the Day’s catch crudo with wasabi radish, finger lime ponzu, bonito, and avocado.
View this post on Instagram
LOS FÉLIX
Address: 3413 Main Hwy
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
If you love a freshly made corn tortilla and/or arepa, then you need to check out Los Felix. Founders Pili Restrepo, Josh Hackler, and chef Sebastián Vargas have created a menu that respects and follows the traditional and almost extinct Milpa farming techniques of heirloom corn. Here you will find familiar and comforting Latin flavors presented in a refined way.
Some of our favorite dishes for dinner include the Sope with black beans, cotija, sofrito, grilled mushrooms, and a hazelnut macha salsa originating from Vera Cruz, Mexico; the Crudo, an aguachile with the daily catch, jicama, avocado aioli, pepitas oil served with a corn tostada; and the arepa with braised pork belly, plantain, queso fresco, and avocado. They also offer brunch with dishes like Arepa e’ Huevo, putting their spin on a typical Colombian breakfast dish and their version of Mexican Chilaquiles. Your meal should be paired with a bottle of their thorough selection of natural wine or one of the best Micheladas we’ve had in town while listening to some vinyl records. We hope more places like this pop-up in Miami, where the vibe is chill and there’s so much thought into the sourcing of ingredients.
View this post on Instagram
SAPORE DI MARE
Address: 3111 Grand Ave
Cuisine: Italian
The cutest, most picturesque Italian spot in Coconut Grove is of course the beloved Sapore di Mare. Locals have been coming here since 2014 but honestly, it feels like it’s been longer. It’s a great spot for a cute rom-com dinner scene or a lunch spot para hechar el chisme. If you don’t have a reservation and are trying to go for dinner, you’ll wait a while. Luckily for you, Cudas (Barracudas) is just a street over, ready for you with a nice cold beer pitcher.
Anyways, if you’re coming here because of the cacio e pepe post you saw on Instagram, that’s perfect because it’s actually as good as it looks. However, we’d also like to note that they offer daily specials that are worthy. During our most recent visit, we had this rich gnocchi with cherry tomatoes and tiger prawns and we’d get it again.
View this post on Instagram
BOMBAY DARBAR
Address: 2901 Florida Ave
Cuisine: Indian
Bombay Darbar is one of our favorite Coconut Grove staples. It’s pure Indian comfort in every bite with the warmest hospitality. Don’t miss the paneer pakoras, chicken tikka masala, and samosa chaat. Oh and order a side of Raita, a traditional yogurt sauce. Come with the fam or a group of friends so that you can all share. It’s also a great option for pick up or takeout.
View this post on Instagram
KUSH BY SPILLOVER
Address: 2911 Grand Ave #400d
Cuisine: American
Kush by Spillover is where you’re going for great cider, burgers, seafood sandwiches, and to feel thatMiami pride. The mastermind behind all the thoughtful, quirky details of the restaurant is Matt Kuscher. The menu has lots of sections so brace yourself cause you have decisions to make. We love the Heirloom Tomatoes with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, croutons, basil, blue cheese, and their housemade vinaigrette, the fried Florida Alligator Bites with Old Bay seasoning, served with a creamy garlic sauce and cocktail sauce for dipping as well as the Snapper Scraps with buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, and creamy garlic sauce. From the sandwich section, go for the cajun Grouper Reuben with swiss cheese, homemade slaw, and sauce.
This is unrelated to the menu but make sure you visit the bathrooms at Kush by Spillover. Bring your phone cause you’ll want to do a photoshoot with Don Francisco. Oh and bring your pups cause there’s a dog menu!
View this post on Instagram
MONTY’S RAW BAR
Address: 2550 S Bayshore Dr
Cuisine: American Seafood
Monty’s Raw Bar has been around since 1969. There are two locations but our favorite is the one in Coconut Grove. The iconic and tiki-inspired eatery serves tropical drinks and seafood fare dockside.
It’s informal, for all ages and has outdoor covered seating. If you’re a high roller you can park your boat in the Bayshore Landing Marina. Happy Hour is available from Monday – Friday 4 PM-7 PM. Specials include $6 pain removers, mojitos, and frozen drinks as well as $1 oysters, $1 shrimp, and pacific stone crabs at a discount. Our order includes the House-Smoked Fish Dip with Applewood smoked Mahi & wahoo, Peel and Eat Shrimp with Old Bay, the Curly Fries which is literally a huge brick of seasoned curly fries and the Baja Fish Tacos.
View this post on Instagram
MINTY Z
Address: 3206 Grand Ave
Cuisine: Plant-friendly Asian
This Asian and Dim Sum restaurant in Coconut Grove is perfect for those looking for a plant-based dumpling feast. We love the sticky rice with BBQ Jackfruit Lo Mai Gai wrapped in lotus leaves; General Tso’s Brussels with sweet pearl onion and a housemade glaze; pan-fried Prosperity “Beef” Gyozas made with their housemade plant-based meat and napa cabbage; and the Carrot & Black Sesame Bao Buns with a coconut yogurt sauce for dipping. They also offer brunch that includes fluffy Matcha Pancakes made with gluten-free flour, served with strawberries and agave; Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches; and Bao Beignets.
View this post on Instagram
ARIETE
Address: 3540 Main Hwy
Cuisine: American
Ariete is Chef Michael Beltran’s James Beard Award semi-finalist restaurant of 2022. It’s right next to sister restaurant Nave. Dine inside and catch the view of their open-style kitchen. The menu merges French fine dining with Cuban influence. You’re coming here for the Canard a La Presse, that’s French for duck press. The Rohan Duck feeds two guests with limited quantities available every night.
We recommend scoring an early reservation to secure this dish. This is one of the only four restaurants in the U.S. carrying out what is known traditionally in France as The Duck Press. The Rohan Duck is dry-aged for approximately 20 days and lightly glazed with guarapo (sugarcane) and local honey. Part of the preparation is presented tableside and served with different sides that include the roasted calabaza duck tamal, wild mushroom and foie gravy, duck fricasse pastelitos, and a delicious and simple French-inspired salad. Feeling decadent, add foie gras to your duck feast for $25.
View this post on Instagram
SADELLE’S
Address: 3321 Mary St
Cuisine: American
We first experience Sadelle’s in New York City and loved how they elevated the New York deli concept. Now in Coconut Grove, Sadelle’s is a pricey Major Food Group experience for those that want to indulge in New York staples. Expect bagel towers with all the fixins including tomato, cucumber, onion & capers. When ordering fish to pair with your bagel we’d get the Strugeon. We also enjoyed their version of a Tuna Melt that comes in the bagel of your choice, the Crispy Latkes, Veal Dumplings, and the enormous Cobb Salad.
View this post on Instagram
ATCHANA’S HOMEGROWN THAI
Address: 3194 Commodore Plaza
Cuisine: Thai
It’s not easy to get good Thai food in Miami. However, neighborhood spot, Atchana’s hits the spot. It’s informal and a great spot for a weekday dinner. We recommend the Basil Pork Ribs, the Pla Lad Prig (crispy, deep-fried local whole red snapper), and the Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles with green peppercorns, chili, and basil).
View this post on Instagram
CHUG’S DINER
Address: 3444 Main Hwy Suite 21
Cuisine: Cuban American
This is a diner for Miami. And yes, it includes a ventanita but also a full bar. If you’re going with one other person, the best seat in the house is at the bar. Ask Jeff to free-style a cocktail for you and you’ll be here for a while.
You can pretty much stop by Chug’s at any time of the day. In the morning after a little work out for a cafecito and a ham croqueta (you earned it); for a full-on breakfast with the best Cast Iron Pancake, slow-cooked in clarified butter and warm maple syrup. For lunch get yourself a non-traditional Pan con Lechon with mojo and tonnato sauce. If you’re looking for comfort at dinner get the Meatloaf. We didn’t grow up eating this dish at home but if we did, we imagine it one be exactly like the one at Chug’s. For the perfect bite grab a piece of the tender meatloaf with tamarind ketchup, whipped mashed potato, peas, and carrots.
View this post on Instagram
