📍 Added in April: Most of the best Cuban food comes out of places like these: hole-in-the-wall establishments with eclectic decor and friendly faces who will recognize you after just a few visits. Located in an industrial area, Bread and Pan is the perfect spot for a hearty, cheap, filling lunch. I usually get the special of the day (typically a classic Cuban dish) or the pan con bistec.

📍 Added in April: I’ve resisted adding Cote to this list, mostly because I prefer to prioritize homegrown restaurants, and adding another NYC transplant pains me. But, you know what, every time I eat at Cote, I leave happy, and that’s worth sharing! I like to go with the family-style Butcher’s Feast: the scallion salad, wedge salad, and kimchi paella are must-tries. IMO, the best part is the complimentary dessert: a little cup of soft serve with soy-sauce caramel.

📍 Added in April: I’m not quite sure what Four calls itself. A bakery? A coffee shop? A pop-up? Honestly, it shouldn’t matter, because everything that happens here is exciting, unique, and made with a lot of local love. With a rotating cast of bakers and chefs, the menu changes weekly. On a recent visit, I had one of the most amazing coffees: I’m A Star, which is an iced cappuccino with star anise and cinnamon syrup. Hours and menu vary wildly, so check out their Instagram before heading out.

📍 Added in April: Just finished dinner at Joe’s and want to keep the party going? Mac’s got you. Just look for the iconic neon sign and follow the crowd in. What you’ll find is an old-school dive bar that Anthony Bourdain once called his “favorite place in the world.” That’s probably because Mac’s isn’t trying to be anything other than what it is: a laid-back spot for nothing-fancy drinks with a group of friends.

📍 Added in April: Façade is a new, beautifully designed coffee shop and bakery that’s become popular among the Gables locals, which is why you might find a long line outside on a weekend morning, and why I recommend visiting on a weekday instead! You can expect amazing baked goods, delicious coffee, and a warm and welcoming environment.

If you find yourself in Miami during the summer, you might feel like your face is melting off from how intense the heat and humidity can be. Thankfully, we Miamians know a thing or two about keeping cool, and one of the tricks is to order a very large icee from A.C.’s Icees. The A.C.’s truck has been around forever, parked in the same exact spot in Coconut Grove’s Kennedy Park. My order: an off-menu mix of lemon and piña colada flavors—the perfect fusion of tart and sweet.

One of the few reasons I’d consider moving to L.A. (controversial!) is for its abundance of Mexican food—I long to wake up and satiate that morning hunger with a juicy breakfast burrito. Recently, that became easier to achieve in Miami thanks to Adrian’s, a pop-up at Imperial Moto Thursday–Sunday and at the Coconut Grove Farmers Market on Saturdays. The move is to get the OG Breakfast Burrito and upgrade it to include the carne asada. You’ll leave full and happy, trust me!

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a really good hot dog. Lucky for me, Arbetter's is a Miami institution that’s been around for 60 years serving just that. It’s clear the place has been around for decades—everything looks as if it has gone untouched. I keep my hot dog order pretty simple: onions, both mustard and ketchup (controversial, I know!), and sometimes sauerkraut, depending on my mood. In my opinion, a Coca-Cola and cheese fries are absolutely necessary accoutrements.

Don’t let the hordes of tourists turn you off from stepping into Azucar. What awaits inside is a very Miami ice cream experience. Think flavors like “Abuela Maria”—the ice cream version of a classic Cuban guava paste snack—and “Café Con Leche”—Cuban coffee ice cream mixed with Oreos. Whichever flavor you end up choosing, there’s nothing more Miami than walking down calle ocho with a huge cone of Azucar ice cream.

If it wasn’t clear from the name, Baker and Barista is a small, quaint bakery owned by a baker and a barista, who clearly put a lot of love into everything they make. If you find yourself here with no clue what to order, try any of the focaccia pizzas, the egg za’atar danish, or whatever special sandwich is on rotation. I suggest going for a late, leisurely breakfast on a weekday, when tourists from the Design District aren’t spilling in.