The best diners in Miami for all-day nostalgia and delightfully greasy eats

For decades, the Upper Eastside staple has attracted the hungry with its homespun curtains, pleather booths and all-day breakfast classics. Eggs with corned beef hash and ham steak share the menu with hot cakes and biscuits. The diner might look familiar, too—it was featured in the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight.

What to order: The hash browns are the ones you remember from childhood.

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.

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

This New York-style deli is a refreshing alternative to the usual Miami Beach fare, with offerings such as corned beef on rye, house-cured tongue (subject to availability), matzo ball soup, cold cuts, plus a slew of other Jewish favorites. Crowds flock here on weekends for the famous breakfasts and brunches.

What to order: If you're after something savory, try the house Jewban, which piles pastrami, roast pork, pickles and Swiss cheese on Cuban bread.

Enriqueta’s is hands down one of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami. That’s true not only for the massive platters of breakfast and Cuban classics but also for the only-in-Miami diner lunch counter, where you’ll saddle up next to every manner of person. 

Time Out tip: Few things are more Miami than ordering a cafe con leche and a couple of ham croquetas from the window and devouring it all in the cramped parking lot. 

A bakery first—no doubt about it—but Zak the Baker also has a super delicious deli component to it. Its soups and sandwiches are fresh and constantly shifting to accommodate fresh ingredients.

Time Out tip: Take home one of Zak’s miraculous loaves, which you will scarf down in mere days.

This simply charming neighborhood French deli and bakery has been a local favorite for years. The secret of BVD’s success are the fluffy croissants, French sandwiches and tasty dessert is spreading.

Time Out tip: The weekend brunch is clutch if you don’t feel like fighting mimosa-chugging crowds elsewhere. Sit outside if it’s nice out and let a basket of beignets bring you back to life.

Another New York-style deli known for dishing out fresh bagels piled high with lox, this local chain does the deli essentials: pastrami, corned beef and Reuben sandwiches.

Why go? They do traditional to-go Shabbat dinners every Friday featuring matzo ball soup, challah and more kosher treats.

Hangover cures don’t get much better than a loaded greasy omelet paired with one of this joint’s epic bagels. And for that reason alone, you’ll usually find a line snaking its way out the door and onto the sidewalk on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 

Time Out tip: Gators and ‘Nole fans, you’ve been warned: vintage University of Miami photos and paraphernalia line the walls and shelves. 

Aventura locals know and love Mo’s, a classic kosher deli that does the requisite smoked fish and sandwiches such as corned beef, pastrami, brisket and a lot more. Mo’s is a rare thing both grandparents and grandkids can agree on.

Time Out tip: Mo’s is only a five-minute drive from the Aventura Mall, which makes it a perfect place to fuel up before a day of shopping (and you will need an entire day at this mall).

A favorite of Sunny Isles' huge Russian population, Kalinka serves Russian and Eastern European expats a slice of home in the form of authentic deli dishes you really can’t find anywhere else in the city. It’s a damn fun eating experience and a rare opportunity to expand your palate without buying a plane ticket.

What to order: You’ve never had borscht this, uh, borscht-y.

In addition to the (very, very good) bagels, this mini Miami chain serves overstuffed sandwiches bursting with roast beef, whitefish, egg salad and more. 

What to order: To tear into the Tiger Tail Bagel, a bagel sandwich featuring your choice of bacon, ham, sausage or turkey with egg and cheese.

Built in 1948, this Art Deco diner spent most of its life serving traditional American food in Pennsylvania. Fast forward 44 years, and the dining car was dismantled and rebuilt in South Beach, where it still stands today. You can get your fill of milkshakes (they have 26 kinds), chili, burgers and hot sandwiches. 

Time Out tip: While this is no longer a 24-hour affair, you can still score a tuna melt and coquito milkshake until midnight. 

Walter’s counter serves up classic American diner food and homespun Southern fare. With a storied history that traces back to Long Island, the restaurant has a long history of making customers happy with its generous portions and soul-warming food. 

What to order: Walter’s vast menu goes beyond the typical breakfast staples, detouring in favor of dishes like the redneck Benedict smothered in sausage gravy and the seafood omelet.

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. 

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

A dispute with the previous landlord nearly led to the demise of this greasy spoon that’s been serving Key Biscayne since 1972. A new location in 2023 didn’t change much about the classic breakfast and casual lunch items.

What to order: The Ted’s Special includes bacon, ham, cheese, tomato and egg on an open-faced English muffin.