Anthony Bourdain may have traveled the world in search of unforgettable meals, but some of his most cherished discoveries were here in Miami. The renowned chef, writer and TV personality spent years highlighting the city’s diverse melting pot, from decades-old Caribbean institutions to neighborhood dive bars.
“I love Miami for the same reason I love the places I love most around the world,” he once said in a Parts Unknown episode. “It’s the mix here, this big, messy, dysfunctional hell broth of people from all over the world that make it so awesome and make it a place I want to keep coming back to. Also the food’s good.”
Now with the release of A24’s Tony, a biographical film bringing Bourdain’s 2000 memoir to the big screen, there’s no better time to honor his memory and pull up a chair at the local establishments he loved most! Here are 10 overlooked (not so) hidden gems of his that you can visit.
Mac’s Club Deuce
Though it’s a bar rather than a restaurant, no list of Bourdain’s Miami favorites is complete without mentioning Mac’s Club Deuce. He famously called the city’s oldest dive bar one of his “favorite places on Earth” and would visit often for its gritty charm. It’s dark, cash-only, features pool tables and an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. happy hour that locals have been enjoying for decades.
Opened in 1926, the bar will actually celebrate its 100th anniversary with a block party, giving locals more of an excuse to visit the iconic watering hole this September!
Islas Canarias Restaurant
This beloved Cuban institution earned a spot on a Miami episode of Parts Unknown (Season 5, Episode 2), in which Bourdain visited with acclaimed local chef Michelle Bernstein. At the restaurant’s ventanita, the late chef and author enjoyed a Cuban colada, pastries and a medianoche sandwich stacked with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Bourdain spent an entire day exploring the city and filming The Layover (Season 1, Episode 4) with award-winning chef Michael Schwartz before sitting down at the Miami Design District eatery. He was impressed by its farm-to-table focus and declared it “probably the best restaurant in Miami right now.”
If you want to eat like Bourdain, order the crispy pig ears, which exploded in popularity and became a permanent staple after the show aired.
Chef Creole Seasoned Kitchen
Bringing bold Haitian and Bahamian flavors to multiple locations throughout the city, Bourdain met with owner Wilkinson “Ken” Sejour in Little Haiti during an early episode of No Reservations. He fell in love with the outdoor grill, digging into fresh conch stew with sweet plantains alongside a grilled snapper with scotch bonnet.
B & M Market
Hidden inside a neighborhood grocery store lies some of the most authentic (and delicious) Caribbean food in the city. This West Indian bodega was featured on in Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, where he took a seat at the counter to enjoy jerk chicken, curry goat, roti and cow-foot soup that he described as “next-level stuff.”
MLK (My Little Kitchen) Restaurant
This time teaming up with Miami rap legend Uncle Luke (Luther Campbell) for Parts Unknown, Bourdain took to this homestyle Liberty City spot to share a Bahamian comfort food classic: fish and grits. The soul-food staple is known for serving up hearty breakfast and lunch plates.
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market
One of the best places to enjoy stone crab during the season — as well as all kinds of fresh seafood — Garcia’s Seafood Grill on the Miami River has been operating for more than 60 years. This unpretentious spot boasts its own fleet of fishing boats to ensure that daily catch is fresh, something Bourdain praised on The Layover.
Pepito’s Plaza
This late-night Venezuelan joint in Doral (with a second location in Brickell) made an appearance in Parts Unknown, where Bourdain and Michelle Bernstein dug into the gargantuan “Doralzuela” burger — a loaded beef patty with ham, egg, cheese, shoestring potatoes, avocado and six different sauces.
Chez Le Bebe
While putting together his Miami guide on The Layover, Bourdain shouted out this no-frills neighborhood eatery for those looking to enjoy some of the city’s best Haitian fare. Chez Le Bebe is the ultimate spot for griot (crispy Haitian fried pork), legim (vegetable stew), fried fish and much more. Just be sure to bring cash!
El Rey de las Fritas
Last but not least, Bourdain hit up El Rey de las Fritas to try a true local culinary staple: the frita Cubana — alongside other Cuban classics. The hamburger is wonderfully greasy, authentic and exactly the kind of comfort food Bourdain loved to champion.
