Practical information : Eating out Miami
Timetable
Most restaurants are open all day, non-stop. Restaurant opening hours are a little later than in France, because Americans dine earlier than we do. So you can easily get a table at 5 p.m. and the restaurant will close around 10 p.m., or later if it has a bar. So it's best to check times in advance to avoid disappointment. Some fast-food restaurants and diners operate 24 hours a day.
Budget & Tips
You can eat on the run for around US$10, but it's usually tacos or sandwiches. In a traditional restaurant, you'll find dishes starting at US$15, rising to US$60 or more depending on the range. The bill can quickly climb if you add a drink and dessert. It's quite common to ask for a doggy bag if you don't finish your plate.
If you want to eat healthily at a reasonable price, large supermarkets such as Publix or Whole Foods Market have huge catering departments. You'll find salads to choose from, hot dishes such as soups, marinated meats and cooked vegetables. The principle: you choose a tray (with a choice of sizes) and fill it with whatever you like. The price per kilo is indicated next to each dish, and you pay in full at the checkout. Traditional pizza slices and sushi are also available. You can also customize your sandwich on the spot. You'll find plenty of locals in the aisles, especially in the evenings. Indeed, Miami locals, like Americans in general, cook less than Europeans.
What costs extra
Prices shown on menus are exclusive of tax. You must therefore add a 6% tax as well as tips. It's very bad form not to leave a tip. In general, the minimum is 15% of the price before tax. So bear in mind that the final cost of your meal will inevitably be higher. You can leave tips in cash, or add them manually via the TPE when paying by credit card. Tipping is not mandatory in fast-food establishments.
In some tourist areas, such as South Beach, tips are automatically included in the bill. Be sure to check this before you pay, or you risk paying them twice!
The local way
Most Miami bars and restaurants offer happy hours on weeknights, usually between 4pm and 7pm. This is your chance to enjoy drinks and food at reduced prices. On weekends, brunch is the order of the day in most of the city's restaurants: pancakes, waffles and eggs Benedict are yours for the taking! It's also not uncommon to find restaurants offering breakfast at all hours of the day (the famous all-day breakfast).
Before heading to the beach, Floridians pick up drinks and a sub (a sandwich they customize) at Publix.
Traveling to Miami is also an opportunity to discover cuisines from around the world, especially Cuban. Enjoy a Cuban sandwich (hot sandwich with ham, roast pork and cheese) orarroz con pollo (rice with chicken), accompanied by guava pastries and Cuban coffee (sweetened during extraction). You'll find the most choice in the Little Havana district.
Finally, don't be surprised when you read the menus: the appetizer is called appetizer, and the main course is called entree.
Smokers
Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, but some allow smoking on the terrace. Otherwise, there are smoking areas nearby.
Tourist traps
On Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, very touristy streets, it is interesting to compare the prices of the restaurants and the reviews on the platforms. Indeed, some restaurants do not hesitate to inflate their prices while the quality is not necessarily there.