The best breakfast in Miami for the perfect start to your day

The idea behind chef Michael Beltran’s ode to the American diner is to reinvent dishes we’ve known all our lives. He does it by adding a bit of flavor from his Cuban heritage and Miami upbringing to mostly traditional dishes, evident at breakfast with the lechon asado hash. The vibe here is also spot-on, looking simultaneously hip and historic, with lots of natural wood tones, comfy booths and ’50s rock just loud enough to kick your day into party mode.

Try this: The Breakfast Sandwich is a legend, with a sunny side-up egg, Taylor ham, American cheese, Duke's mayo, Cuban bread and papitas.

The phrase artisanal bakery gets thrown around quite a bit but there’s no better usage for it than to describe Madruga Bakery, where owner Naomi Harris mills organic whole grains into flour practically daily. Likewise, it’s the people, not the milling machines, who make this place special. 

Try this: The irresistible bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwiches come on the most glorious onion poppy rolls.

From food truck to local phenom, El Bagel is the little upstart that’s taken Miami by storm. Bagels are the main—and, well, only—attraction here but these things are good. How good? Folks wake up quite early to order from the takeout-only spot in MiMo (though there are a few shaded benches out front on which to unceremoniously scarf your bounty, should you choose that route). 

Try this: First time? Allow us to suggest the perfect B.E.C.: bacon, a fried egg and American cheese smushed between a fresh, warm bagel of your choosing.

One of my favorite weekend brunch spots also does a weekday breakfast buffet from 7 to 11am at $44 for adults and half off for kids. Expect all the breakfast regulars: waffles, pancakes and made-to-order-omelets.

Time Out tip: Those who aren’t down with the buffet can order from an ala carte menu, with dishes like eggs bene or French toast with caramelized apples.  

Few faces have defined the Miami food scene like Zak Stern, the bohemian baker who began his now quite famous Wynwood spot as a Kickstarter project. The kosher menu—think breakfast sandwiches, whitefish platter, avo toast—highlights the bread and sweets baked in the back. 

Time Out tip: Keep up with Zak’s baking antics on Instagram to hear first about new creations, like these Klamstwo bagels (no, we hadn’t heard of them before either). 

With locations in Doral and the historic MiMo District on Biscayne Boulevard, this family-run Venezuelan bakery and breakfast spot churns out pastry classics like Danishes, almond croissants, quiche and loaf cakes alongside Venezuelan staples like crispy, sweet palmeritas and new-wave stuff like cruffins and avocado toast topped with soft-scrambled eggs. 

Time Out tip: Though you'll often find a line during peak weekend breakfast hours, it moves quickly and the smattering of indoor and outdoor tables is lively and welcoming.

At Sadelle’s, the Major Food Group’s largesse (Carbone, Dirty French Steakhouse, et al) is directed squarely at creating a lovely brunch, often attracting a crowd of pretty people to this leaf-shaded spot in Coconut Grove. There, you’ll serve as the background to pancake-smile selfies and gawk at the arrival of a $139 bagel tower, a signature here with six of them speared above a gleaming tray with all the fixings. 

Time Out tip: For those who don’t want to navigate the Grove, there’s a lunch-counter-sized Sadelle’s outpost offering menu highlights inside Kith in the Design District.

The team behind Miami’s much-loved Middle Eastern spot Motek Cafe has opened up Sesame, a bakery in North Miami in the SoLé Mia development. The all-day menu hits on favorites like avocado toast, shakshuka and a salmon bagel sandwich.

Hotel restaurants must, if nothing else, serve a passable breakfast for overnight guests. But nobody told the THesis Hotel that they could phone it in. Mamey puts out dishes like short rib eggs benedict and a croque monsieur with Niman Ranch ham.

If it’s buttered, baked or toasted, you’ll find it at Henry Hané’s popular Brickell spot. B Bistro doubles down during brunch, when its superb baked goods become part of signature dishes like the Croque madame and tarts that serve as the perfect excuse to indulge in dessert for breakfast

Try this: Mornings at B Bistro start with flaky croissants in an assortment of flavors, from gooey Nutella to sweet red velvet and classic chocolate. 

This New York-style deli is a refreshing alternative to the usual Miami Beach fare, with creative offerings like a BLT with beef bacon. Purists will appreciate the slew of Jewish favorites, like matzo ball soup and hand-cut corned beef. Josh’s is small and crowds are a given here, even on weekdays. There’s also good news for those who keep to the rules: Josh’s recently went kosher.

Try this: The sandwich that helped give this place such a loyal following is the Jewban, which piles pastrami and roast pork with pickles and Swiss cheese on Cuban bread.

With locations throughout South Florida, Pura Vida is ground zero for Miami’s health-obsessed set. You’ll see lots of people clad in designer workout gear parading through Pura Vida and so many adorable dogs accompanying their owners while they nosh on a variety of toasts (avo, nut butter, and others), delicious egg sandwiches and the requisite acai bowl. 

Time Out tip: Pura Vida serves breakfast all day, making it just the place to visit on the days you’re sleeping in.

Enriqueta’s is hands down one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami. And it wouldn’t be one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami if it didn’t serve a classic Cuban breakfast. Here, chowing down on a tostada while dipping your freshly baked-and-buttered Cuban bread in café con leche creates a flavor that is pure Magic City.

Time Out tip: The platters at Enriquetta’s are gut-busting big, but there are few things more Miami than ordering at the window a cafe con leche and a couple ham croquetas and devouring it all in the parking lot. 

This is the nexus of Miami’s doughnut scene, where hand-made confections are rolled fresh and baked daily. Pick from assorted flavors, vegan varieties and boozy holes, plus freshly brewed Intelligentsia coffee. The bakery is known for secret releases and special collabs, so keep an eye on their Instagram page for deets.

Try this: Salty staples like the maple bacon brioche with Miami Smokers’ bacon crackling topping or the guava-and-cheese doughnut are basically Miami in dessert form.

More upscale than your average Cuban cafe, Havana Harry’s adds a Cuban twist to breakfast. Expect dishes like the vaca frita breakfast sandwich, breakfast tacos with chorizo and the Harry’s Omelet with avocado slices. 

Try this: For those with a Cuban sweet tooth, go for the torrejas, French toast made from baguette, drizzled with a sweet rum pudding sauce. 

With locations from Dadeland to Las Olas, Carrot Express serves up order-at-the-counter healthy breakfasts like overnight oats with berries, granola with almond butter and a turkey bacon wrap with kale and mushrooms. 

Time Out tip: For the health-conscious but also bleary-eyed, there’s a new Imperial Moto-roasted coffee and matcha program rolling out to all locations. 

Lilikoi is a fresh concept from some Maui transplants that recently reopened under partnership with their new South of Fifth neighbor Kissaki Miami. Think avocado chickpea toast, a veggie egg frittatta and a matcha pancake. 

Try this: The cute restaurant is a great place for the health-conscious who still want something yummy, plus the acai bowl (served all day) is one of the best in Miami.

A staple in Miami since 1977, Islas Canarias is loved as much for its crispy ham croquettes—voted among the best in the city—as it is for its wide-ranging menu. The food is inexpensive, the dining room inviting and the service authentically Latin—warm, welcoming and at times even affectionate. 

Try this: Beyond the warmth of the staff, it’s the solid ropa vieja that keeps diners coming back after all these years.

There’s American breakfast and then there’s what other countries consider a suitable morning meal, which is seldom eggs, potatoes and the other heavy food we’re used to. 

Try this: At Buena Vista Deli, breakfast is done the French way with flaky croissants and toasted baguettes served alongside fresh jam. Throw in a cappuccino and you’re ready to hit the road.

Our favorite vegan spot in town opens at 9am every day and is a great healthy option to start the day. Grab an avocado toast, smoothie or acai bowl and you’ll be feeling like a million bucks by noon. 

Try this: Need something heartier? Fill up on an egg and cheese croissant made with all plant-based ingredients and served with a side of golden roasted potatoes—because balance.

The always-bustling, charming spot serves classic and budget-friendly options like French toast, omelets, pancakes and more. Be warned, though, the line for weekend brunch can be quite intimidating. 

Time Out tip: Green Street’s placement on a bustling corner in Coconut Grove makes it ground zero for breakfast people-watching while you wait.

Roasters ‘N Toasters provides some familiar comfort to northerners who have flocked south thanks to its classic bagels, smoked fish platters and towering pastrami sandwiches. The food is all great, and portions are huge, though it’s the fresh-baked bagels that keep folks coming back. Get them topped with pastrami, nova or—if you dare—both. 

Time Out tip: The New York-style deli has a few locations throughout Miami, so there’s a taste of home close by.

Head here for eggs in all forms and presentations—scrambled with chorizo, poached over avocado toast and fried atop strips of sizzling bacon. Chicken & the Egg also offers cures for hangovers, like a hulking BELT (that’s a BLT with eggs) and a nutrient-packed power bowl that tastes too good to be healthy, but we’ll go with it. 

Try this: Don’t sleep on the sweet stuff here, especially the oreo cookie pancake—it’s basically dessert disguised as breakfast.