The best comfort food dishes in Miami for these trying times

What kind of O.G. Miami girl would I be if Sir Pizza didn’t top this list of comfort foods? From my high schools days ‘til now, nothing hits quite like Sir Pizza’s thick, cheesy, square-shaped slices dipped into a generous container of ranch. If you want to get a little crazy, go for a half-cheese, half-BBQ chicken pie. Just trust me.

While you’re already on Key Biscayne getting your pizza fix, I give you full permission to double down by scooping the best strawberry pavlova in town at Piononos. This tiny, unassuming bakery packs a big punch, with takeout orders flying off the shelves on a daily basis. While most famous for its dulce de leche version, I have to drop this pro tip: you can order half dulce and half Nutella. In my humble opinion, it’s the move.

The wannabe Latina in me has to give a nod to Sanguich for one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town—and if you don’t trust this gringa’s opinion (fair), you can rest assured that I’ve also fact-checked with my Cuban friends (the Michelin guide is a pretty good source, too). I’m not even a pork lover, but the savory combination of lechon, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between perfectly grilled slices of Cuban bread simply does the trick.

For my high-brow/low-brow friends, nothing fits the bill of “comfort food” quite like Giorgio Rapicavoli’s salt and vinegar tater tots with a serious side of “everything” crème fraiche topped with a heaping pile of caviar. This dish is super decadent and has this perfect creamy, crunchy combo goin’ on. Comfort food, but make it boujee because #Miami.

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As no stranger to the Downtown Miami bar scene, I’ve (gracefully) stumbled into quite a few establishments for a post-happy hour bite. Nothing has wowed me like the cheeseburger at Over Under (and I swear, it’s not just the drinks talking). This grass-fed Florida beef bad boy is loaded with American cheese, shredded lettuce, griddled onions, pickles and house-made Thousand Island dressing. Cue the instant, head-nodding state of euphoria. 

Cinnamon rolls the size of your face, anyone? If you’re having a bad day, I can’t think of a bigger, better pastry to sink your teeth into as tears fall gently into its numerous beautiful, delicate curves. You’ll get in your car and think: “I’ll just have a few nibbles on the way home.” And then you’ll black out and find yourself with a sticky steering wheel and an empty paper bag shoved into your cup holder.

Any Michelle Bernstein concept has my stamp of approval, and Michy’s Fried Chicken Shack inside Julia & Henry’s is no exception. Not only does her spot stand out amongst a sea of options within the food hall, but the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich will truly blow your mind. I thought I could just take a bite or two, but I quickly admitted defeat and ate the whole thing with zero regrets.

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If you know me, I’ve likely verbally assaulted you to “Try this cheesecake or we cannot be friends.” I dream of Leku’s gooey basque cheesecake nightly, and when you finally get your hands on one and gingerly put your spoon into the firm top and through its creamy center, you’ll quickly understand the hype and immediately forgive me for being such a bully.

Come for the BBQ, stay for the cornbread. Just when you think your body can’t possibly handle another morsel of food and the meat sweats are fully kicking in, you must prevail. Do not sleep on the cornbread, as it is debatably the best thing on the menu. (Because what could be better than thick slices of cornbread topped with sea salt flakes and a side of honey butter?)

Sometimes you need to walk into a charming little bakery and say, “Eff it: I deserve a pastry.” For those times, Bastille will be waiting with open arms. You’ll likely step foot inside, have an existential crisis about which one to order, and then get a nice little sampling because variety is the spice of life, right? You can’t go wrong with any of their croissants, monkey bread and cruffins.

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