Carlos C Olaechea
Former Miami Staff Writer
Carlos C. Olaechea was born in Peru but grew up in Kendall and has lived and worked throughout Miami-Dade County. He has been writing about food since he was 11 years old, starting with restaurant reviews for the Southwood Middle School newspaper and later the FIU student newspaper before moving on to cover the local dining scene for various food blogs. He did his bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology at FIU where he developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of Miami’s unique history and culture. FIU is also where he developed a passion for Haitian culture and cuisine and even learned to read and speak Haitian Creole. His experiences at FIU have opened the doors to learning about the various communities that form part of Miami’s vibrant cultural landscape. Carlos later went on to pursue a master’s degree in gastronomy at Boston University and has since been a contributor to the Boston Globe, Food52, Saveur, and Food Network. He has also appeared in several academic publications on food on top of regularly giving culinary presentations and workshops throughout the country on topics ranging from Peruvian cuisine to queer food culture. His deepest passion is organizing immersive culinary experiences, including food tours and pop-up dinners that explore specific local neighborhoods or cultures. Carlos is extremely passionate about Miami’s unique culture and foodways and promoting its cultural assets as viable tourism attractions that can benefit the local economy at the grassroots level. Much of his academic research has been on the development of Miami’s contemporary food culture and what makes it unique within the United States, from how mangos are a symbol of the city’s cultural melting pot to how Cuban coffee became so ubiquitous beyond the Cuban-American community. He is excited to share with readers his favorite places to find an authentic taste of the “Magic City” and get them to explore every corner of the town he truly calls home.
All Posts
Page 3Maison Valentine
Maison Valentine is a French bakery in South Beach serving some of the best French pastries in Miami.
Icebox Cafe Hallandale Beach
Icebox Cafe Hallandale Beach is the second location of this South Beach restaurant. This one has three enormous dining rooms, a diverse menu, and is perfect for big groups.
Long Gong Chinese Restaurant
Long Gong is an excellent Chinese restaurant in University Park. The casual spot specializes in unique dishes from Guanxi.
Land N Sea Cajun Seafood
Land N Sea Cajun Seafood is located inside North Miami Beach's iFresh supermarket. They make excellent Peking duck, soy sauce chicken, and more roasted meats.
Hi Pot
Hi Pot is a great Taiwanese restaurant in University Park serving hot pots that cook at the table over portable gas burners.
King Duck Chinese BBQ
This Fontainebleau spot is good for Cantonese barbecue—especially duck, chicken, and pork. It's a takeout operation.
Chang's Chinese Restaurant
Chang's is one of the best restaurants for solid Cantonese dishes around FIU South Campus.
Carmela's
Carmela's is a quiet Italian restaurant in Downtown Hollywood making excellent homemade pastas.
Hammond's Bakery Lauderhill
Hammond's Bakery is a Jamaican bakery with locations throughout South Florida, including Lauderhill. They specialize in Jamaican patties with thin crusts and juicy fillings.
Club Típico Dominicano
Club Tipico Dominicano is a classic Dominican restaurant and nightclub in Allapattah. It's a party on the weekends, but a good place to sit and eat during the week.
Nitin Bakery
Nitin is a classic Dominican bakery in Allapattah serving a really great selection of Dominican desserts and baked goods—both savory and sweet.
Mexico 1810 Taqueria
Mexico 1810 is a casual spot in Allapattah serving some of the best Mexican food in the City of Miami.
Miami Bakery
Miami Bakery is a classic Cuban bakery in Allapattah where you can get pastelitos along with hot lunches.
Típico Hondureño
Típico Hondureño is a good Honduran spot in Allapattah with some of the best baleadas in Miami.
Jacqueline's Fried Chicken
Jacqueline's Fried Chicken is a quick takeout option for Dominican-style fried chicken and tostones in Allapattah.
Chimichurri Donde El Primo
Chimichurri Donde El Primo is an Allapattah food truck serving great chimichurri sandwiches at night.
Chicken House #2
Chicken House #2 in Allapattah is a Honduran restaurant specializing in pollo frito ceibeño (a.k.a. Honduran fried chicken).
Melitones By La Tortoleta
Melitones by la Tortoleta is a cottage business in Allapattah solely specializing in melitones, a hard-to-find Cuban pastry.
Hakkasan
Hakkasan is an upscale Chinese restaurant in the Fontainebleau, and it's the best spot to eat inside the Miami Beach hotel.
Taco Taco Pizza Pizza
Taco Taco Pizza Pizza is a combination pizzeria and taqueria in Hollywood where you can get Mexican and Costa Rican toppings on a pizza.
Blind Tiger
Blind Tiger is a hidden sushi bar inside Aventura's Reunion Ktchn Bar. They make some interesting sushi.
Conch Town USA
Conch Town USA is a classic Allapattah spot making some of the best Bahamian-style conch dishes in Miami.
Subs On The Run
Subs on the Run is an old-school sub shop in Allapattah with a lot of options and opportunities for customization.
Ghee Indian Kitchen
Ghee is a phenomenal Indian restaurant in Downtown Dadeland. The menu has Indian staples—but the best stuff here is uniquely Miami.