Little Havana
Everything about Little Havana is authentic. From the imported rocking chairs at the entrance, to being greeted in Spanish. You can enjoy any dish accompanied by arguably the best chimichurri sauce in town while listening to Salsa and admiring Cuban art. Best part, the entrees are so large the sides have to be served in different plates, and most lunch specials are under $10.
CHEF CREOLE
The famous Caribbean restaurant has one of its three locations in North Miami. Chef Creole offers some of the best, spiced seafood in town and other traditional Haitian recipes such as queue boeuf. The grilled red snapper with a side of rice and sweet plantains is a must try. If you fall in love with Ken Sejour’s special sauce, which you will, you can purchase it on your way out and drench anything you find in your kitchen with it.
Red Snapper // Photo: Property of Trip Advisor
FINGA LICKING
Finga Licking proves you don’t need a fortune to eat like a celebrity. Finga Licking’s fried chicken and lobster is so good even Flo Rida, Diddy and DjKhaled have made it their go-to restaurant. Entrée prices start as little as $9.99, while their most popular dish, fried lobster, is $22.99 and worth every penny. The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday until 2 a.m., making it the perfect after-party destination.
PETIT ROUGE
Petit Rouge is a French bistro located in an obscure strip mall off Biscayne Boulevard that only sits about 20. However, don’t let the size fool you; everything in the menu is as French as the Eiffel Tower, ranging from typical escargots, to steak tartar to their homemade pâté. They offer an extensive list of wine, but if you have a bottle at home you’ve been waiting to pair with the perfect meal, Petit Rouge lets you bring it in for a corkage fee of $30.
PRIMO TRATTORIAITALIANA
If you love Italian food but can never find a place where the pasta is not Americanized, Primo Trattoria is the place to go. In 2014, it received the Genuine Italian Cuisine award from The Consul of Italy in Miami and for a good reason. The family owned restaurant makes all their pastas and pizzas from scratch and you eat atunbeatable prices. The chef and staff set up a friendly, quiet ambiance that will make you want to take off your shoes and feel at home as you indulge in mouthwatering, bold flavors.
ZAIKA INDIAN CUISINE
Finding authentic Indian cuisine in Miami happens sporadically, but fortunately one of these few hidden gems is situated in North Miami. Naan comes warm, fresh out of the oven accompanied by tasty chicken curry, and the quality is top-notch. Though the restaurant is small and has a seemingly mundane façade, the chef comes straight from the TajMahal Hotel in New Delhi, so you know you are getting the five-star experience at unbelievably low costs.
