A few years ago, Miami was nowhere on the foodie map but slowly earned its rankings at the top of the list for best cities in the United States to grub out. Miami is a relatively spread out city and has numerous suburbs that offer different things to do, including parks, beaches, shopping, and, of course, food and drink.

We like to think that we have a solid idea of where to go for what cuisine, but when we are unsure what we want, one part of Miami is always on our mind- Alton Road. This road stretches from the furthest south point of Miami and runs north up the beach with many landmarks on either side and the sand a mere 5-minute walk away. Below we detail our favorite spots on Alton Road to get something to eat or drink, all within a ten-minute walk of each other!

 

 

 

Macchialina

4.4 Stars on Google

$$$

820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

My ride or die. The best Italian food in all of Miami. The craziest part? On Thursday nights, all of their pasta is only $10! Yes, you heard that right. Every Thursday I am available, I do my best to snag a reservation at this popular, small trattoria to get my fix of homemade pasta with the best sauces. Macchialina‘s wine menu is something out of the ordinary as well, with glasses, carafes, and full bottles available for purchase. Because of the coronavirus, they are offering limited inside seating but created a nice covered patio with numerous tables to dine outdoors. Even without the fantastic $10 special, their food is more than worth stopping by for. They have a nice selection of appetizers, entrees, and different kinds of pasta every day of the week. If you plan to stop by on a Thursday, make sure to get a reservation as you’ll have to wait at least 2 hours to hopefully sit down before the night is over.

 

 

Drunken Dragon

4.1 Stars on Google

$$

1424 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Drunken Dragon is an unassuming speakeasy-style Korean bbq spot with tiki-themed decor and dim-lighting for a nice late-nice grub sesh or dinner filled with sake bombs and truffle popcorn. Their menu is unique and has some unique variations of regular food you might not find anywhere else. For example, their lobster rolls come with 6 mini-sized rolls that are the size of crispy tuna. Their sake menu is extensive, and the one thing in my opinion they are missing is sushi. Although this is a Korean spot, they do have other cuisines on their menu. I like to come here when I’m looking for a place to drink late-night with specials. They have a late-night happy hour menu that also includes some food items. Leave not before you try some of their spectacular desserts, like the Condensed Milk Bread Pudding with Cortadito Ice Cream! Miami infused in a dessert tastes just like this. We love Drunken Dragon. It’s located in a small shopping plaza next to a Subway and has an unassuming “Market” sign above its door. You would never guess it’s this popular Korean BBQ spot! DD is our number one recommendation for unique drinks and happy hour on Alton Road. Take out of towners here, and they will be positively surprised at what is going on inside this speakeasy.

 

 

 

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Carrot Express

4.4 Stars on Google

$

1755 Alton Rd #2495, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Carrot Express is a daytime spot for healthy food and smoothies with a few locations around Miami. Carrot Express is a widely-known spot if you ask the locals in Miami, and vegans love their healthy, plant-based desserts along with their long list of vegan options as well. We had to recommend a good lunch spot on our list, and Carrot Express might not be the most exciting place we order from, but it is always consistent, fast, and delicious! Try their veggie burger or kale salad- I have personally ordered both well over 50 times, and not once have I been disappointed!

 

 

 

Summary

Well, that’s our shortlist of must-try places on Alton road. There are a ton of other restaurants that need to be tried in this area, but the top 3 were some that we’ve been to many, many times that always give us quality food, services, and experiences. Thank you for reading and let us know if you have been to any of the above!