Where there is wine, there is (hopefully) food. Here’s our nod to some great dishes.

It’s time for the end-of-year wrap-up articles! We have one for you here on Wine Guide Miami.

What makes this one different is that this list is extremely craveable. This isn’t just a countdown of the best restaurants for XYZ or the top scenes to be seen in Miami, this is a list of food that is sure to leave you desiring more, even with a full belly. These are items that I regularly crave from some of the amazing restaurants in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood.

By all means, don’t take my word for it… you must try them yourself!

But before we get into the top 5, I want to shout out a few “honorable mention” dishes that could very easily be in the top 5, but we have to draw the line somewhere, right?

Here is a list of my “honorable mention” dishes by category of craveability.

Most Craveable Breakfast Dish

Lechon Hash at Chug’s Diner

This is my most craveable breakfast dish from maybe anywhere in the world. There are mornings that I wake up, and only a Lechon Hash from Chug’s will do to get the day started. It’s the most satisfying mix of savory lechon and spiced mojo onions, along with potatoes and that amazing sauce. I opt for no fried egg, and it’s incredible just the same. Pair it with the perfect café con leche made fresh at Chug’s for a completely balanced Cuban breakfast.

Most Craveable Seafood Dish

Day’s Catch Crudo at Los Félix

Los Félix may have a Michelin Star, but I don’t even care. This is the neighborhood restaurant and bar where I can walk in, sit at the bar, order a glass of wine, and chat with Teddy (my favorite bartender), then, enjoy the most incredible creatively textured and nuanced crudo. The Day’s Catch Crudo is a fresh catch of the day, and currently, it is presented with pickled pineapple, guanabana, avocado, lime caviar, and corn oil. It’s a perfectly prepared crudo with an explosion of textures and flavors in the mouth. Seriously craveable. You may not want to share.

Most Craveable Off-Menu Item

Cacio e Pepe at Sapore di Mare

Every Grovite knows to ask for the Cacio e Pepe at our charming neighborhood Italian seaside restaurant, Sapore di Mare. The pasta is made tableside in a parmesan bowl and can be split if you are dining with two. But I wouldn’t split it any further, as you’ll want this creamy deliciousness all to yourself. The pasta is rich, and worth every last noodle. I promise you’ll be thinking about this one long after your meal is over.

Most Craveable Salad

La Classica at Loretta & the Butcher

This is skirt steak and French fries in a salad. Do I need to say anything else??

And the Dijon vinaigrette at Loretta & the Butcher is crave-worthy itself. It’s one of my favorite salad dressings in the Grove. They put just the right amount in their salads every time.

I know this is an Argentine steak place, but you really should try the salads.

Most Craveable Dessert

Literally Anything at Fireman Derek’s

I really don’t need to say much here, other than I regularly crave a sweet from Fireman Derek’s Bakeshop. And anyone who has ever stepped foot in there knows they do too.

Some favorites: Carrot Cake and Cookies and Cream Pie.

Enter at your own risk. You will never be disappointed in any cake or pie you choose.

Coconut Grove’s Top 5 Craveable Dishes of 2023

Finally, the top 5 craveable dishes of all! This list wasn’t too, too hard to make. These are truly the dishes I revisit over and over again because … I just crave them. You will too once you try them. Or maybe you already do.

NUMBER 5

Chicken Goddess Ciabatta at Carrot Express

Few days go by that I don’t crave something from Carrot Express, but this splendidly assembled sandwich is usually the top item.

Owner, Mario, told us that he created this absolute work of art on his own, and really… the man is a culinary genius.

How you get a lightly panko-crusted piece of chicken with red onion, Swiss cheese, tomato, and a citrus-honey mustard slaw into the most ideal sequence to make for such a delicious symphony in the mouth, I’ll never know. I don’t think I could recreate it. It’s just a Carrot Express specialty, and I’ll continue to crave it.

NUMBER 4

Frita Burger by Kush at Lokal

To be honest, I’ve been craving this burger for years. Even before I lived in the Grove. I would think of the Frita whenever that all-too-familiar burger craving hit. This is an incredibly engineered burger with the right amount of sweet and savory, unlike any other cheeseburger around. It has regularly been on “top burger” lists, but that’s not important here. It’s on MY top burger list, and that’s all that matters.

The Frita comes with guava jelly (I’ll stop here so you can drool), potato stix, bacon, Swiss cheese, and special Lokal sauce. Make sure you get extra honey mustard sauce (which is also super craveable). I’ll even dip the burger in that for bonus tastiness. An all-around craveable spot, Lokal has some of the best burgers in town no matter what you order.

NUMBER 3

Amal’s Hummus at Amal

You’ve had hummus, but have you had Amal’s Hummus? This delectable take on an otherwise basic Mediterranean dish will leave you moaning in your seat.

Amal’s Hummus is saucy tender beef tenderloin with pomegranate and pine nuts inside the most creamy hummus. Dip that flawless pita bread into there and get ready to enjoy a masterpiece of flavor. I never knew I needed beef and pomegranate in my hummus until now, but I’m not sure I can live without it. There are so many great dishes on Amal’s menu, but this one will make you want to savor every last dip of your pita, and then come back for more.

NUMBER 2

Al Pastor Tacos at Los Félix

Here we are again at Los Félix. I guess I’m not the only one who really enjoys dining here, but it’s hard to deny the textural and vibrant flavor experience that this little unassuming Grove spot offers.

The Al Pastor tacos are one of those dishes that makes me wonder if I should order another one each time we finish. Truly. Two come in each order, and if you are sharing, it’s just not enough.

The tender pork butt is marinated perfectly with chiles and spices, and it’s served with pineapple, onions, and cilantro in just the right proportion. The corn tortilla is made in such a way that it does not crumble the minute you bite into it. And the explosion of flavors from each element of this taco is what makes it so darn craveable.

There is not a single visit to Los Félix that I don’t order these tacos.

NUMBER 1

Arroz Ibérico at Casa Xabi

I feel as though I can’t put into words how much I love this dish. From the first time I tried it, I knew that this would be a favorite dish of mine in all of Miami. Honestly, it was an emotional response.

Listen, I love Ibérico ham. There may not be many food items that I love more. And Casa Xabi just does it so, so well. It’s really not that complicated. This is creamy rice, topped with ham and aioli. But it’s the combination of flavors that sets it over the top. An absolute culinary coup! Chef Xabi from San Sebastián is a wonderful chef who (lucky for us) has brought his Basque cooking to our little town.

Congrats to Casa Xabi for making this incredible dish that lives rent-free in my head every day.

Find more craveable dishes and wine pairings in Miami on our Wine Guide Miami Dining page.