In the last year, Miami’s food hall scene has blossomed with the opening of almost a dozen upscale communal food courts featuring local chefs and purveyors pedaling their best fast-casual dishes. From the pedestrian-friendly mecca of Lincoln Road to the graffiti-clad wilds of Wynwood, here are our top food hall destinations and the must-try dishes you’ll find there.
THE CITADEL
Located in the up-and-coming Little River neighborhood, this community-centric food hall features a rooftop deck which hosts weekend exercise classes and performances as well as a pop-up space for festivals and a maker-driven retail space. The mixed-use building mindfully integrates a food hall and bar, retail shops, a rooftop bar, radio and production studios and a music and entertainment venue. But we’re here for the food, and with a dozen outlets there’s plenty to satisfy. Go from Palmar specializing in Chinese food to Taquiza with Mexican street food and Manjay’s Caribbean dishes to Bachour presenting pastries and gourmet chocolates.
Must try: Ash! Pizza Parlor is the brainchild of Ashley Stanzione, half of the husband-wife team behind downtown’s popular pizza spot Stanzione 87. These pies are more playful than the purist varieties at Stanzione, but they all boast that same chewy crust and perfect char. Try the Nancy Sinatra, a white pizza with shallots and garlic, a white truffle pizza, and of course, pepperoni.
LINCOLN EATERY
Located just off Lincoln Road’s main thoroughfare is this modern cathedral of food with both indoor and outdoor seating. The hall features 16 fast-casual, artisan and grab-and-go concepts including a nitrogen ice cream place, a sushi counter, South American staples like empanadas and pastries, garden salad bowls and a farm-to-table sandwich shop.
Must try: Marble & Rye, a contemporary take on the New York deli, serving traditional kosher dishes and stuffed sandwiches like the classic pastrami on rye, or the belly-filling Black Angus prime aged rib-eye sandwich served with horseradish aioli and sauteed onions.
1-800-LUCKY
Wynwood’s first Asian-themed marketplace has seven food vendors offering a variety of Asian cuisine, a karaoke bar and a small theater for private events, and is accessed via a kitschy record store doubling as a convenience store.
Must try: At the center of the food hall, Poke OG is a self-described concept with “Hawaiian roots and California soul.” Founder Andrew Mayer perfected his recipes working with culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi (known for Roy’s restaurants). The spot serves a variety of poke bowls utilizing Hawaiian techniques combined with Asian ingredients. Guests also have the option of building their own bowl like the “Big Island OG” made with tuna, green onions, fried onions and cucumber, tossed in Hawaiian OG sauce and served over white rice.