The Best Cheap Eats in Miami

One of the most rockin' spots in all of town is also the place to go get some of the best cheap eats in Miami. Electric and colorful in the true Miami spirit, the Hard Rock Cafe is the place to go for superb food and a super-fun time. Grab a seat in the dining room decorated with rock memorabilia and enjoy starters like the "One Night in Bangkok" spicy shrimp or classic nachos with ranch-style beans. The "legendary" steakburger menu includes the 24-Karat Gold Leaf steak burger and a barbecue bacon cheeseburger with crispy shoestring fries.

A relaxing spot on Ocean Drive, the Front Porch Cafe is a town institution, and a place for some of the best cheap eats in Miami. It's a go-to spot for people strolling the beach and looking for excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. Start the day with the "Beach Breakfast Bonanza," including three scrambled eggs, dressed garden greens, and raisin pumpernickel toast. For lunch, try the signature steak kebabs wrapped in bacon and skewered with red onion, red pepper, and shiitake mushroom. Finish the day with dinner and the grilled, blackened mahi-mahi sandwich with lemon mayo.

This sprawling, epic Fort Lauderdale favorite is a colorful, Miami-accented take on Mexican bar food. Grab a drink at the rooftop margarita bar to party the night away and pair it with the "holy guacamole" menu. Try the spicy tuna and mango guacamole, with hand-chopped, sushi-grade tuna and sriracha. For dinner, try some of the signature Rita taco platters. Flame-grilled chicken tacos include guacamole sauce, pico, and cilantro. The Baja-grilled shrimp tacos include Baja and Verde sauces along with pico. For an entree, try the red chile chicken enchiladas served with Oaxaca cheese and red chile sauce.

After a day spent shopping in Boca Raton, finish off the purchases at NORDSTROM and enjoy a meal in the in-house restaurant. Bazille is a beautiful spot that's also the place for some of the best cheap eats in Miami. Bazille boasts a creative, engaging menu of favorites. Start with the share-plates smoked bacon and egg pizza with farm eggs or the maple bacon deviled eggs with scallion. Cilantro-lime chicken tacos include romaine lettuce, yellow pepper, and tomato. Don't miss the Bazille burger, with sharp white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and a toasted artisan bun.

A prime rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the city, Astra is a place to enjoy some of the best cheap eats in Miami. Head out to the electric Wynwood area to take in the wonders of Miami and enjoy an excellent dinner, brunch, or "sunset hour" menu. For dinner, start with the spanakopita, calamari, or seafood saganaki. Entree favorites include the fresh fish of the day, grilled vegetarian plate, or grilled tuna filet. Head in during the "sunset hour" for incredible views and specials on grilled octopus, grilled halloumi, or fried calamari. For brunch, enjoy eggs benedict, baklava pancakes, or cast-iron skillet poached eggs.

After a day spent exploring Miami and Fort Lauderdale, The Grill at Cavalry Chapel features some of the best cheap eats in town. This reliable, classic restaurant features a full menu of straightforward American favorites. Start with spicy tuna toast, brisket nachos, or stir-fried Brussels sprouts with sriracha honey. Sandwiches include the "breakfast all day sandwich" with fried eggs and tomato and a beef brisket quesadilla with cheddar and jack cheese. Stick around for dessert and try the cinnamon apple bread pudding or the warm flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.

A standout partnership between celebrated television personality Julian Gil and chef Jose Mendin, La Placita features some of the best cheap eats in Miami. This highlight restaurant boasts some of the best Puerto Rican cuisine in all of Miami. Try one of the restaurant's signature sandwiches, like the "La Tripleta" with roasted pork, Angus steak, and pastrami. The Puerto Rican fried chicken sandwich and "frita boricua" with sirloin and longaniza pattie are other favorites. House specialties also include roasted pork with onions and mojo and oxtail stew with sofrito, onions, and peppers.

The Fort Lauderdale outlet of this national-favorite chain features some of the best cheap eats in Miami. A lively and fun restaurant, P.F. Chang's is an excellent option for a night out with a special someone or a party with friends. Start with the signature chicken lettuce wraps, crispy green beans, or dynamite shrimp with sriracha aioli. Hokkien street noodles are an excellent main course option. This menu highlight features chicken, shrimp, onion, and julienned vegetables. For a ramen dish, try the spicy miso ramen with shiitakes, edamame, and bean sprouts.

Head up to Fort Lauderdale to find some of the best cheap eats in Miami at Sky Thai Sushi. Stylish and colorful, Sky Thai Sushi is one of the most charming restaurants in the area. Stop in during the "Happy Hour" from 4 to 7 PM every day for small-plate specials like chicken wings, Thai fries, and seaweed salad. Start a meal with the lobster wonton soup, wonton noodle soup, or "King of the Sea" with a selection of prime seafood. On the hot small plate menu, try the Thai banana fritters, chicken satay, or grilled whole calamari with a savory sauce.

"Contemporary comfort food" is ton the menu of this Biscayne Boulevard local favorite. Blue Collar presents a menu of hearty, filling dishes with a Florida touch. For lunch or dinner, start with the fried smoked gouda, conch fritters, or Cuban sandwich spring rolls. Entrees include crispy skin snapper, Cedar River Farm New York strip, or a dry-aged cheeseburger on a Portuguese muffin. Pair the meal with a bottle of the Florida Beer Company "Native Lager."

The Coral Gables installment of this Florida favorite is a standout, straightforward American bar and grill. It's an excellent option for lunch, dinner, or happy hour. Appetizers include house-made guacamole with the "famous" sweet potato chips and oven-roasted chicken wings with chimichurri and Reggiano. Try the Palm Beach skirt steak for an entree, alongside citrus-soy marinade and smashed potatoes. For happy hour, enjoy specials of buffalo-style potatoes, oven-roasted chicken wings, and mini pepperoni pizzas.

Aventura's location of the Florida Tap 42 chain is an excellent location for cheap eats and unique beers. Stop into this sunny, colorful restaurant for a full menu of American pub classics. Start with the flame-grilled chicken wings, chicken lettuce wraps, or short rib beef sliders with melted cheddar. The must-have burger is "The Prohibition," with the signature Tap 42 burger blend, white cheddar, and applewood bacon. A truffle fillet steak sandwich features grilled filet mignon, melted white cheddar, and caramelized onions. Don't miss the free-range citrus grilled chicken, with chopped romaine salad, parmesan, and a balsamic glaze.

Those enjoying the shopping delights of Sawgrass Mills can find some of the best cheap eats in Miami at Matchbox. Grab a bite in this upscale, two-level restaurant with excellent views of the open kitchen. The must-have is the restaurant's signature wood-fired pizza. Try the "Matchbox Meat" with pepperoni, hot Italian sausage, and crispy bacon. A prosciutto and fig pie features roasted garlic puree, blue cheese, and black pepper honey. For a sandwich, try the grilled chicken and pesto with sauteed onions and sun-dried tomato.

A neighborhood favorite in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Pelican Landing delivers fine cuisine amid a beautiful waterfront view. Take a seat to take in the atmosphere and enjoy some of the finest cheap eats in Miami. On the "teasers" menu, try the ropa vieja smothered tostones, curly fries poutine, or crisp fried Buffalo shrimp. For the main course, go for the smoked beef brisket sandwich with pepper jack or the pan-roasted salmon with guava BBQ glaze.

One of the most stylish restaurants in the world, Wynwood Kitchen and Bar is also the place for some of the best cheap eats in Miami. Head into the colorful, atmospheric dining room or comfortable patio to enjoy Miami dining with a Latin flair. Try the avocado toast with grilled sourdough or baby beets with whipped goat cheese and champagne honey vinaigrette. "Hot" dishes include seared foie gras, shrimp tacos, or patacon sliders with beef and fontina.

This traditional American restaurant brings farmland-style cooking to the heart of Miami. Stop into this welcoming restaurant to enjoy traditional dishes like a Southern pickle jar, "Drunken deviled eggs," or angel biscuits with sea salt and benne seeds. Small plates include chicken biscuits, grilled pumpkin, and shrimp and avocado ceviche. It's also a standout spot for fine barbecue. Try the barbecued, bruleed spare ribs with tangy barbecue or sweet tea brined fried chicken with honey Tabasco.

For some of the best Cuban cuisine and cheap eats in Miami, Padrino's is the spot to go. Featuring a standout menu of authentic Cuban favorites, Padrino's is a sunny, colorful local favorite with an engaging menu. Appetizers include ropa vieja quesadillas, crispy plantain chips, and ham croquettes. Try a traditional Cuban sandwich with ham and sliced roast pork or a "Media Noche" on a golden egg roll. For an entree, go for the "Masas de Puerco," fried pork chunks topped with grilled onion. The "Chilindron de Carnero" features fall-off-the-bone lamb shank slow-roasted in a Creole sauce.

This standout pizza spot is also the location for some of the best cheap eats in Miami. Wood-fired pizza comes from old-world techniques with a signature charred crust. Try the "Forager," with truffle cream, mozzarella, and wild "exotic" mushrooms. The "Dolce Vita" features gorgonzola, mozzarella, fig jam, and 600-day prosciutto di parma. A vegan pie will appeal to those specific tastes. This pizza includes vegan tomato sauce, mozzarella, and torn basil. Other menu highlights? The House-made pasta like rigatoni vodka or cavatelli braised oxtail.

Right in the heart of South Beach, Naked Taco is one of the destination spots for anyone wanting a great meal after strolling around the water. It's also one of the best places for cheap eats in Miami. Grab one of their top-ranked margaritas and pair it with starters like chicharrones with mango habanero or tuna nachos with crispy wonton. On the house specialty menu, try the grilled Churrasco steak with garlic salsa rosa or "Big Frank" burger with a fried egg and special sauce. The taco menu features standouts like the "L'americano" with ground beef and cheddar or the "carne asada" with grilled corn salsa and cilantro crema.

For an authentic Latin taste in the heart of Miami, the airy and bright Obra "Kitchen Table" is the place to go. This eclectic restaurant features some of the best cheap eats in Miami. For starters, try favorites like cured yellowfin tuna toast, fish soup, and foie gras brioche. Rice and pasta dishes include corn and avocado risotto, and bucatini clams "cacio e pepe." For seafood, go with the whole fried snapper with coleslaw and corn hallaquitas. Stick around for dessert and the citrus pie, "berry bomb," or Venezuelan quesillo.