MIAReview
Included In
On paper, Stubborn Seed is the kind of restaurant that could go very wrong. It’s an upscale, expensive South Beach spot with a menu that often features words like “wagyu” and “foam” and (at the time of this writing) several mentions of the word “truffle.”
None of those things are inherently bad, but in South Beach they’re often red flags for sceney, overpriced spots you and your wallet should avoid at all costs. But thankfully, Stubborn Seed is none of those things. Instead, the South of Fifth restaurant is consistently delicious, interesting, and so not the kind of place where your reservation will be bumped for a D-list celebrity’s last-minute party of eight.
Instead, Stubborn Seed is the kind of restaurant to visit when you want a snapper crudo that’ll make you drop your fork, sprint to the ocean, and scream, “Thank you!” It’s a place where foie gras and truffle are deployed not simply to drain your bank account, but because they actually make the dish in front of you better.
photo credit: Karli Evans
The food is certainly the main reason to come here. The rotating menu is small, with generally about a dozen dishes that strike a great balance between looking like things you’d nod thoughtfully towards at Art Basel and food you actually want to eat.
There’s nothing too remarkable about the restaurant itself that’ll draw your attention away from the plate. The dining room has an industrial vibe, with metal pipes, dark walls, and a rock-heavy soundtrack. It’s a sort of dreary aesthetic that might make you sleepy if you’re not eating with someone interesting. But even if the person sitting across from you only wants to talk about a dream they had about doing their taxes, you’ll inevitably be jolted back to life by something you eat. And if you do feel the desire to shout your gratitude into the waves, the beach is only three blocks away. Just try not to scare the tourists.
The menu at Stubborn Seed changes frequently, but here are a few examples of the kind of dishes you might find here.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Karli Evans
Kusshi Oysters
Cacio E Pepe Cheesy Puffs
photo credit: Karli Evans
Crudo
Gooey Jalapeño Fritters
photo credit: Karli Evans