Where to find the best breakfast in Miami

The idea behind chef Michael Beltran’s ode to the American diner is to reinvent dishes we’ve known all our lives. He does it by adding a bit of flavor from his Cuban heritage and Miami upbringing to mostly traditional dishes. That’s evident in the chicharrones-like hunks of bacon on the wedge salad, a downright incredible burger inspired by a Big Mac and a decadent chocolate cake reminiscent of the ones that come in triangle boxes from Burger King. The vibe here is also spot-on, looking simultaneously hip and historic, with lots of natural wood tones, comfy booths and ’50s rock just loud enough to kick your day into party mode.

Owners Jamila and Akino West have relocated their Southern brunch concept indoors for the summer—a good thing since the charming Little River spot has become a neighborhood staple earning widespread acclaim, including a Bib Gourmand from Michelin. Expect fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, a poached egg with greens and mushrooms and buttery, sky-high biscuits. All this is served in a simple cafe-style indoor area or a patio as sunny as the servers.

After a short hiatus, All Day Cafe returned to a section of downtown best known for all-night clubs, giving the blurry-eyed a great spot to start working on killing that hangover. All Day also serves as one of the finest spots to set up with a laptop and cappuccino to start the morning. Go full-bore into the day with two-egg plates, fruit-spiked overnight oats that will forever redefine overnight oats for you and bagels so good they’ve spun them off as their own thing.

The phrase artisanal bakery gets thrown around quite a bit but there’s no better usage for it than to describe Madruga Bakery, where owner Naomi Harris mills organic whole grains into flour practically daily. Likewise, it’s the people, not the milling machines, who make this place special. Even during the morning rush, when its irresistible bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwiches on onion poppy rolls are flying off the counter, service is speedy and pleasant.

Few faces have defined the Miami food scene like Zak Stern, the bohemian baker who began his now quite famous Wynwood spot as a Kickstarter project. The kosher menu—think breakfast sandwiches, whitefish platter, avo toast—highlights the bread and sweets baked in the back. Pro tip: Keep up with Zak’s baking antics on Instagram to hear first about new creations, like these Klamstwo bagels (no, we hadn’t heard of them before either). 

At Sadelle’s, the Major Food Group’s largesse (Carbone, Dirty French, et al) is directed squarely at creating a lovely brunch, often attracting a crowd of pretty people to this leaf-shaded spot in Coconut Grove. There, you’ll serve as the background to pancake-smile selfies and gawk at the arrival of a $139 bagel tower, a signature here with six of them speared above a gleaming tray with all the fixings. For those who don’t want to navigate the Grove, there’s a lunch-counter-sized Sadelle’s offshoot offering menu highlights inside Kith in the Design District.

From food truck to local phenom, El Bagel is the little upstart that’s taken Miami by storm. Bagels are the main—and, well, only—attraction here but these things are good. How good? Folks wake up quite early to order from the takeout-only spot in MiMo (though there are a few shaded benches out front on which to unceremoniously scarf your bounty, should you choose that route). First time? Allow us to suggest the perfect B.E.C.: bacon, a fried egg and American cheese smushed between a fresh, warm bagel of your choosing.

Hotel restaurants must, if nothing else, serve a passable breakfast for overnight guests. But nobody told local-legend chef Niven Patel that he could phone it in. Instead, Patel’s restaurant in the THesis Hotel puts out dishes that show why he’s one of the most lauded chefs in town, like churrasco steak and eggs and pancakes kicked up hard with mango butter.

If it’s buttered, baked or toasted, you’ll find it at Henry Hané’s popular Brickell spot. Mornings start with flaky croissants in an assortment of flavors, from gooey Nutella to sweet red velvet and classic chocolate, plus beautiful tarts that serve as the perfect excuse to indulge in dessert for breakfast. B Bistro doubles down during brunch, when its superb baked goods become part of signature dishes like the Croque madame.

This New York-style deli is a refreshing alternative to the usual Miami Beach fare, with creative offerings such as the Jewban sandwich—which piles pastrami, roast pork, pickles and Swiss cheese on Cuban bread—and the crave-able spicy tuna latkes topped with fresh, sashimi-grade tuna. Purists will appreciate the slew of Jewish favorites, like matzo ball soup and hand-cut corned beef. Josh’s is small and crowds are a given here, even on weekdays. Good things are worth waiting for.

With locations in Doral and the historic MiMo District on Biscayne Boulevard, this family-run Venezuelan bakery and breakfast spot churns out pastry classics like Danishes, almond croissants, quiche and loaf cakes alongside Venezuelan staples like crispy, sweet palmeritas and new-wave stuff like cruffins and avocado toast topped with soft-scrambled eggs. Though you'll often find a line during peak weekend breakfast hours, it moves quickly and the smattering of indoor and outdoor tables is lively and welcoming.

Our favorite vegan spot in town opens at 9am every day and is a great healthy option to start the day. Grab an avocado toast, smoothie or acai bowl and you’ll be feeling like a million bucks by noon. Need something heartier? Fill up on an egg and cheese croissant made with all plant-based ingredients and served with a side of golden roasted potatoes—because balance.

Chef Aaron Brooks plates up a breakfast worthy of its gorgeous location in the Four Seasons Brickell. There's a squash frittata with marinated feta, an eggs bene with smoked salmon and a French toast plate made with brioche cut thicker than War and Peace. You should probably wear something nice for the upscale indoor space, but the garden out back is a fine spot for a business breakfast.

You might recognize this beloved neighborhood spot from that one scene in Moonlight. But even before its Hollywood moment, Jimmy’s was famous among the MiMo locals as one of the great greasy spoon experiences one can have in this city. It may not be your scene but give it a go for the sake of nostalgia. The clientele and decor have not changed much in 40 years.

With locations throughout South Florida, Pura Vida is ground zero for Miami’s health-obsessed set. You’ll see lots of people clad in designer workout gear parading through Pura Vida and so many adorable dogs accompanying their owners while they nosh on a variety of toasts (avo, nut butter, and others), delicious egg sandwiches and the requisite acai bowl. The best part? Pura Vida serves breakfast all day, making it just the place to visit on the days you’re sleeping in.

Enriqueta’s is hands down one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami. And it wouldn’t be one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami if it didn’t serve a classic Cuban breakfast. Here, chowing down on a tostada while dipping your freshly baked-and-buttered Cuban bread in café con leche creates a flavor that is pure Magic City.

This is the nexus of Miami’s doughnut scene, where hand-made confections are rolled fresh and baked daily. Pick from assorted flavors, vegan varieties and boozy holes, plus freshly brewed Intelligentsia coffee. Get Salty staples like the maple bacon brioche with Miami Smokers’ bacon crackling topping or the guava-and-cheese doughnut, which is basically Miami in dessert form. The bakery is known for secret releases and special collabs, so keep an eye on their Instagram page for deets.

There’s American breakfast and then there’s what other countries consider a suitable morning meal, which is seldom eggs, potatoes and the other heavy food we’re used to. At Buena Vista Deli, breakfast is done the French way with flaky croissants and toasted baguettes served alongside fresh jam. Throw in a cappuccino and you’re ready to hit the road.

The always-bustling, charming spot serves classic and budget-friendly options like French toast, omelets, pancakes and more. Be warned, though, the line for weekend brunch can be quite intimidating. Don’t be discouraged: Green Street’s placement on a bustling corner in Coconut Grove makes it ground zero for breakfast people-watching while you wait.

Roasters ‘N Toasters provides some familiar comfort to northerners who have flocked south thanks to its classic bagels, smoked fish platters and towering pastrami sandwiches. The food is all great, and portions are huge, though it’s the fresh-baked bagels that keep folks coming back. Get them topped with pastrami, nova or—if you dare—both. The New York-style deli has a few locations throughout Miami, so there’s a taste of home close by.

Head here for eggs in all forms and presentations—scrambled with chorizo, poached over avocado toast and fried atop strips of sizzling bacon. Chicken & the Egg also offers cures for hangovers, like a hulking BELT (that’s a BLT with eggs) and a nutrient-packed power bowl that tastes too good to be healthy, but we’ll go with it. Don’t sleep on the sweet stuff here, especially the oreo cookie pancake—it’s basically dessert disguised as breakfast.

Toasted is Brickell’s tastiest bagel spot, where folks line up (especially on the weekend) for some truly delicious bagel sandwiches named after different Miami neighborhoods. For example, the Little Havana, a formidable bagel topped with eggs, steak, onions and American cheese. Iced coffee addicts will appreciate the frozen coffee ice cubes served with every cup.

The Daily is one of the rare places where you can throw a dart at the menu and always end up with something delicious (and quite filling). Hankering for a giant breakfast? Try the Me So Hungry: fried rice with cilantro and sriracha topped with sunny-side-up eggs. The challah French toast is always a winner, as is the decadent Elvis sandwich with peanut butter, banana and bacon. Service here is good and efficient, so you don’t have to spend your Saturday morning waiting for a hostess to call your name.

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