If you're planning a visit to Miami and are in search of new culinary experiences, the Design District is your perfect destination for discovery. American Butler recommends the best restaurants in this area, which has transformed from a neglected warehouse district with art galleries and cafes into a trendy hub for elite retail. Today, the Design District is renowned as a meeting place for art, design, and fashion, where over 130 galleries, creative studios, architectural firms, and luxury stores merge with a variety of unique restaurants and bars.
Here, you'll find exquisite dining spots such as the award-winning Michael's Genuine by Michael Schwartz and the cozy Cypress Tavern. Also, don't miss other culinary gems of the area, including MC Kitchen, Harry’s Pizzeria, and Mandolin Aegean Bistro. Each of these restaurants offers a unique gastronomic experience, blending local flavors with global culinary trends.
What attracts Miami Design District
The Miami Design District, once a tranquil area with showrooms, has today transformed into a bubbling cauldron of creativity and style. Stepping away from the usual scene of South Beach, this district attracts celebrities, renowned chefs, and fashion icons. Although the Design District continues to evolve, its streets are already pulsating with life, drawing the attention of everyone interested in culture and fashion.
During the day, the area is lively and full of energy, but it becomes quieter in the evening as most stores close their doors quite early. Despite this, the district is famous for its high-class restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite dishes, relish Sunday brunches, and witness vibrant cultural events. It's no surprise to see celebrities calmly dining in one of the many restaurants or to come across photoshoots and fashion shows that often take place in this area. Miami's Design District is a place where there's always something to do and see.
Popular restaurants in Miami's trendy district
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
Arguably, the most influential person in the development of the Design District is Chef Michael Schwartz, owner of Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink, the center of a new culinary Mecca. The restaurant is divided into two worlds: an open-air courtyard and a cozy dining room.
Guests can watch the presentation of dishes while strolling through the open-air kitchen. Culinary enthusiasts vie for a place in the kitchen so they can interact personally with the chef. You can also savor exquisite appetizers and hot dishes from the wood oven, including chicken, fish, pork shoulder, and a cheese plate — Michael’s signature dish.
Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith adds sweet touches to the meal, so be sure to save some room for her innovative desserts. It's highly recommended to book a table in advance, especially for the Sunday brunch.
- Address: 130 NE 40th St, Miami
- Phone: +1-305-573-5550
- Website: michaelsgenuine.com
MC Kitchen
The Italian restaurant MC Kitchen is the creation of Chef Dena Marino and her business partner Brandy Coletta. Marino honed her skills in Aspen, Colorado, and continued to master modern Italian cuisine with Chef Michael Chiarello, whose restaurant Tra Vigne in Napa sets a high bar in seasonal cooking.
Blending her family’s rustic Italian recipes with high standards of service, Marino brings a fresh wave of updated traditional cuisine to Miami. The open kitchen at MC Kitchen features a wood-burning hearth used for making crispy pizza and piadina, the basis of the lunch menu. The chef also offers antipasti, salads, pasta, and a popular half-pound Angus beef burger.
As evening approaches, the menu expands to include lasagna topped with béchamel sauce and pumpkin-filled tortellini in braised rabbit ragout. Grilled pork chops, tender Colorado lamb rack, and a hefty bone-in steak are perfect dishes to share with friends.
- Address: 4141 NE 2nd Ave, Miami
- Phone: +1-305-573-5550
Harry’s Pizzeria
There are few chefs in Miami as popular as Michael Schwartz, who opened Harry’s Pizzeria in a small shop just a few blocks from his bustling urban bistro. You might wonder why it's named Harry's and not Michael's? It’s simple — the chef named the place after his son. The restaurant has only 40 seats, and its menu is quite limited, featuring exquisite pies with a variety of toppings, from shrimp and braised pork to caramelized onions and homemade cheese.
Schwartz and his assistants are not shy about innovating and changing the menu. Ingredients are fresh, sourced from local suppliers. The craft beer Schwartz brings in from cool Florida breweries. The service is friendly, but expect a bit of a wait.
- Address: 3918 N Miami Ave Miami
- Phone: +1-786 275-4963
- Website: genuinepizza.com
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
The bistro is located between the Design District and the historic Buena Vista area in a unique 1940s house.
Devoted restaurateurs have created a romantic setting that is the perfect spot for al fresco dining. The menu includes small appetizers: poached leek, crispy calamari, tomato fondue, eggplant and bean pate, ready to be spread on baked pide bread. Simple country dishes include sea bass, a tender lamb sandwich with crispy fries, and traditional moussaka with layers of meat and eggplant baked under a béchamel sauce.
Guests should call ahead to reserve a table outdoors or in the tiny 17-seat dining room. Enjoy the various flavors of the dishes and reconnect with friends and family.
- Address: 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami
- Phone: +1-305-749-9140
- Website: mandolinmiami.com
The Miami Design District is not just a neighborhood, it's a whole cultural platform where art, fashion, and gastronomy intertwine into a unique tapestry of experiences. Here, every corner comes alive with its own unique story, and each restaurant offers not just food, but a genuine culinary adventure.
In this area, you can enjoy exquisite dishes from world-renowned chefs, feel the atmosphere of the real world of high fashion and art. It's the perfect place for those looking for something more than just visiting the usual tourist spots. It's a district that offers a unique experience and memories that last a lifetime.
When visiting Miami, don't miss the opportunity to dive into this amazing world with American Butler. We will help you explore the best places in the Design District and ensure that your journey is unforgettable.
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