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Miami isn’t lacking for places to buy a $25++ salad, but it’s rare to find a health-food-leaning restaurant with character. Part Parisian bistro and part hip Tel Aviv café, Madame Olivia serves up wellness and charm in equal measure in a quiet North Miami strip mall.
The vibe: The expected athleisure-mom crowd is only one small sector of diners. From digital nomads sipping coffee as they type on laptops to businessmen and grandmas who lunch, it’s an eclectic group. On my visit, an adorable elderly man stopped in to buy coffee for his wife, who apparently has a cup of Madame Olivia brew daily. From the wafting aroma of roasting beans, I wholly agreed.
The food: “Taste comes first, but health is important,” is the guiding principle, shared by Doron Stephane Laurent, co-owner and baker who worked as a pastry chef for the famed Parisian restaurant Arpège. That said, ingredients matter. The sourdough bread you’re served alongside Madame Olivia’s signature shakshuka is made with French-sourced flour. Desserts, many of which are gluten-free, start with a house-made mix of tapioca, cornstarch, and almond flour. Don’t miss the oven-roasted chimichurri salmon with labneh and a side of lentil rice—and be sure to save room for dessert.
The drink: Prepare to caffeinate properly. Coffee beans from Brazil and Costa Rica are roasted in-house twice a month and ground fresh in an exclusive Strada S machine for each and every brew. The menu also features organic teas, hot chocolate and fruit smoothies.
Time Out tip: Food allergies and dietary restrictions don’t even register here, with so many friendly options, including a dairy- and gluten-free dark chocolate mousse sweetened with only a hint of honey.