A Taste of South Beach with Miami Culinary Tours

Those of us who travel frequently know what it’s like to show up in a new city with absolutely no idea how to get around or where to find quality food at reasonable prices.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve showed up to a city with no prior knowledge of where the best places are to eat and then end up spending an exorbitant amount of money on food that tastes like it came from a canteen truck. Yuck!

While I may not be able to recommend a solution to this issue in your city, I do believe that I have found the best Culinary Food Tour for those of you planning to visit Miami in the near future!

Meet Miami Culinary Tours

Miami Culinary Tours not only invite you to taste bits and pieces of some of Miami’s most delicious food but they also offer tours which take you on a guided cultural experience through some of Miami’s most popular areas such as South Beach, Little Havana, and more.

South Beach Food Tour

Since Liz and I were visiting Miami for the first time we thought that there would be no better way to get our bearings for South Beach than to take a South Beach Food Tour with Miami Culinary Tours.

Prior to arriving in Miami, I reached out to Grace Della, the founder of Miami Culinary Tours. Within minutes Grace replied with our reservation, information on the meeting point and a short blurb about our upcoming food tour. Talk about someone who is fast, professional, and knows what customer service is all about!

We met up with our tour around 6PM and we were introduced to Mirka, the Senior Epicurean Guide here at Miami Culinary Tours. As it turns out, we were in for a real treat. We had read some excellent reviews about Mirka prior to joining the tour so as soon as she introduced ourselves, both Liz and I looked at each other and thought “YES!“.

#1 – 660 at The Angler’s

Our first stop of the tour was to 660 at The Angler’s. Coincidentally enough Liz and I had plans to dine here for dinner later on in the week so we were really excited when we had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at what 660 at The Angler’s had to offer.

Food: Gazpacho

Facebook: 660 at the Angler’s

#2 – Bolivar

Our next stop on the food tour happened to be right across the street at Bolivar, a Colombian, Peruvian, and Venezuelan gastronomical fusion with a upscale lounge vibe. The food here was incredibly tasty and we said that we would definitely be back to Bolivar the next time we were in Miami.

Food: Plantain patacon with shredded beef and an Empanada w/ Aji sauce

My favorite part of the whole Bolivar experience was the glass of Refajo Colombiano which is two parts Colombiana to one part Aguila (see below). I’m personally not much of a beer drinker and neither is Liz but we both thoroughly enjoyed our Refajo Colombianos!

Drink: Refajo Colombiano

Facebook: Bolivar

#3 – Larios on the Beach

Larios on the beach is a restaurant located right on Ocean Drive in South Beach. It serves up traditional Cuban food surrounded by it’s 1950’s Old Cuba decor.

Food: Vaca Frita, Moros and Cristianos and Maduros.

Facebook: Larios on the Beach

#4 – David’s Cafe

After Larios we took a stroll over to Collins Ave to check out the “Best Cuban Coffee” in Miami according to our guide. I’m not much of a coffee drinker but Liz absolutely loved the coffee here. When I say loved, I mean we must have went back there 4 or 5 times for coffee over the course of our stay in Miami.

Note: I’m still a little skeptical because I’m not sure if Liz wanted to go back to David’s over and over for the coffee or for the fact that this is where Jennifer Lopez goes to get her coffee. Hmm…

Drink: Traditional Cuban Coffee

Facebook: David’s Cafe

#5 – Miami Beach Cafe & Restaurant

The fifth stop on our South Beach Food Tour was at Miami Beach Cafe & Restaurant located on the northern end of Ocean Drive. Here we had a chance to sample the Amuse Bouche and witness the chef create strawberry ice cream using liquid nitrogen!

Food: Amuse Bouche and Strawberry Ice Cream

#6 – Jerry’s Famous Deli

After our incredible experience at the Miami Beach Cafe & Restaurant, we headed for Jerry’s Famous Deli over on Collins Avenue. Here we had a taste of several Jewish pastries.

Dessert: Assorted Jewish pastries

#7 – Milani Gelateria

Our last and final stop of the South Beach Food Tour brought us to Milani Gelateria over on the tourist-ridden Espanola Way. Here we got to sample some of the best gelato in Miami. Psst… I highly recommend the Mango!

Dessert: Mango Gelato

Facebook: Milani Gelateria

Conclusion:

After all was said and done we had visited seven different restaurants and establishments throughout the Miami Culinary Tours South Beach Food Tour. The South Beach Food Tour had us doing three things that we absolutely love to do; walking, talking and EATING!

Our guide Mirka was one of the best guides I have encountered on any tour and let me tell you that I’ve been on a lot of tours over the course of the last four years. If possible, I recommend that you request a tour that Mirka is leading. She will have your undivided attention through out the entire tour and if you’re lucky she might even give you some insider tips on which places on South Beach that celebrities frequent most.

Note: The Miami Culinary Tours: South Beach Food Tour runs about 2.5 hours and while you do get a chance to sample some excellent food along the way, I wouldn’t recommend that you rely on this being your lunch or your dinner. To reiterate, this is a food tour in which you get to try a little of everything, not a 5-course meal. The portions are small, yet incredibly delicious!

Heading to Miami? Be sure to book your South Beach Food Tour here: Miami Culinary Tours: South Beach Food Tour

Have you been on a food tour before? If so, where? Leave a comment below letting us know about your own personal food tour experiences!

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Disclosure: Miami Culinary Tours provided us with two complimentary tickets to the South Beach Food Tour in exchange for an honest review of the tour. As always, all views and opinions expressed above are my own.