When noon strikes, determining “where should we go for lunch” ends up being one of the most trying parts of the day. This is especially true in Wynwood, where there's never a shortage of hungry people walking around aimlessly. We'd like to help said hungry people, so we made this guide. It has our favorite lunch restaurants in the neighborhood, from quick takeout spots to places perfect for long work lunches involving corporate cards.
THE SPOTS
Joe's is an NYC pizza institution, and like so many New Yorkers, they now have a second home in Miami. This place's reputation is deserved. They make a deliciously uncomplicated New York slice. It's big, foldable, and hangs off a paper plate like a teen who outgrew their bed. Joe’s is also efficient. You can stop in and, even if they're busy, be holding a slice in a matter of minutes.
photo credit: Emily Schindler
If you’re in Wynwood and don't stop by Zak the Baker, you better have a good excuse. Maybe you tripped over a selfie stick and fell onto a tour bus and woke up in Little Havana. Fine. But anything short of that is unacceptable. This minimal bakery continues to make Miami’s best bread and an assortment of excellent pastries and sandwiches. And just a warning: crowds here can be intense. Order in advance online if you don't have time to wait for your salmon reuben.
photo credit: Tasty Planet
This spot is Temporarily Closed.
Kush is a casual spot right on the edge of Wynwood where the burgers are the main attractions. There are a handful of them on the menu—from the sweet and salty Frita (our favorite) to the pastrami-topped Johnny Utah. These are some of Miami's best burgers, with patties thin enough to get a nice even crust on both sides, but thick enough to let you know you’re biting into a good slab of beef. They are quite large and come with a generous scoop of fries, so don't expect to have a light lunch here.
There are certain things Miami needs less of—like tow trucks, flooding, and boaters who don’t respect no-wake manatee zones. And then there are things we are happy to see throughout the city, like La Sandwicherie. Our favorite South Beach sandwich shop thankfully has multiple locations, including one in Wynwood. This one not only has AC, but is also open till 5am. It's also still a perfectly fine option for lunch, as long as you're cool with eating a massive, bread-y sandwich in the middle of the day.
We tend to be as suspicious of big Wynwood restaurants as we are of an unknown number that wants to talk to us about the money we’re owed by the IRS. But Doya is a wonderful surprise, and a meal here is as delightful as finding out the IRS does, in fact, owe you $5,000. There’s really nothing we don’t enjoy about Doya. The big Aegean restaurant has lovely outdoor seating and a spacious dining room. The best part about Doya is the food, though. The menu is a huge list of very good meze plates. The octopus in the octopus salad is as tender as fresh mozzarella, and the lamb kebab is beautifully cooked.
Sometimes, you just want a casual, tasty meal where you don’t have to spend more than $10. There really aren’t any places in Wynwood where you can reliably do that, except for The Taco Stand. That’s why this place is usually pretty crowded—but the line out the door is also because the food is good. Plus, it's one of the only places in Miami for California-style tacos and burritos. So if you’re a bit burnt out on $16 cocktails and $18 small plates, just come here and drop $9 on a very good California burrito, stuffed with beef, cheese, guac, salsa, and French fries.
Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then. It’s a small spot with some tables and countertop seating. The food is mostly familiar Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias—order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers.
photo credit: Photo Courtesy Miam
Miam is a great little safe haven for folks looking for some peace and quiet in Wynwood. The bright French cafe is very relaxed, with free Wi-Fi and a good amount of seating perfect for small groups or working solo with some coffee and a sandwich. They have plenty of coffee options ranging from cappuccino to cold brew and a solid menu of sandwiches, toast, bowls, and salads.
photo credit: Tasty Planet
1-800-Lucky is a small food hall in Wynwood. Vendors fluctuate, but there are usually around seven different Asian stalls going at any one time. Options range from ramen to dim sum and ice cream, but your best bet is the little sushi counter called B-Side or the great Filipino vendor Jeepney. Things can get a little loud and congested when it’s busy, especially on the weekend, so come with a few friends rather than a big group that wants to sit together. And then stick around for drinks at the outside bar if it’s nice out.
Pizza Tropical is a little pizza stand located in the backyard of Gramps, one of our favorite bars in Wynwood. But it’s good enough to justify coming here whether or not you want to drink. Head straight to the bar’s back patio if you’re not in a cocktail mood. There, you’ll find a yellow and red counter where you can order a whole pie or get a slice that’s simple, thin, foldable, and a very worthwhile pitstop in Wynwood. The wings are also great.
photo credit: Courtesy Love Life Cafe
Love Life Cafe is a casual vegan restaurant with long communal wooden tables and a couch in the corner where you can just sit down and enjoy your smoothie in peace. The food includes some things you expect, like smoothies and acai bowls, and other things you don’t—like vegan arepas, pizza, and a great meat-free burger with very convincing plant-based cheddar and a bun brushed with coconut oil.
Omakai in Wynwood is a good choice if you want to have an omakase experience without paying $200 and going somewhere that requires weeks of reservation hunting. A seat at this casual Wynwood restaurant is much easier to nab (although making a reservation isn’t a bad idea). They offer a few different omakase options ranging from $26 for six courses to $95 for over ten courses. Don’t expect to sit at a sushi counter and receive your sushi directly from the chef. It’s table service here, and you can’t even see the kitchen. But the sushi is very good and the $50 Oma Deluxe menu—which comes with 10 pieces of sushi, sashimi, an appetizer, and a couple hand rolls—should be more than enough to fill you up.
