Restaurant
Joe’s Stone Crab
Joe's Stone Crab has been a Miami Beach institution since 1913, serving chilled stone crab claws with mustard sauce near the southern tip of South Beach.
Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink
Michael's Genuine Food and Drink has been a neighbourhood restaurant in the Design District since 2007, cooking seasonal and wood-fired dishes, with brunch on Sundays.
At a glance
- Type
- Seasonal American, wood-fired
- Area
- Design District, Miami, United States
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- michaelsgenuine.com
Good to know
- Sunday brunch
- Wood-fired cooking
- Seasonal menu
Why we recommend it
Michael's Genuine Food and Drink opened in the Miami Design District in 2007 and is part of the Genuine Hospitality Group associated with chef Michael Schwartz. It describes itself as a neighbourhood restaurant, and its long run in a district that has changed enormously around it says a lot about its staying power.
The cooking is built on fresh, seasonal ingredients, with wood-fired fare at the centre of the menu, and the dishes change with what is available. Recent items promoted by the restaurant have included crispy stuffed sardines and wood-baked lasagnette at dinner, and Turkish eggs, buttermilk pancakes and a wood-baked frittata at brunch, alongside seasonal cocktails. When stone crab season opens, the restaurant also announces stone crabs on its menu. Because the menu shifts often, it is worth looking at the current version online before you go.
Sunday brunch runs from 11am to 4pm and is one of the most popular times to visit, so book ahead if you want a weekend table. For other days, check the website or call for current opening times and reservations.
The restaurant suits couples, friends meeting for a relaxed meal and families looking for a reliable all-rounder in the Design District. Prices are moderate to high for Miami, in line with the area, so check the current menu online before you go.
Because the restaurant has been part of the Design District since its early days, it is also a good place to start if you want a feel for how the neighbourhood has developed, before exploring its newer boutiques and galleries on foot. Seasonal news, such as the start of stone crab season and new cocktails, is posted on the restaurant's website, so check it before your visit.
Michael's Genuine is at 130 NE 40th Street, in the heart of the Design District. Palm Court Garage at 140 NE 39th Street and Museum Garage at 90 NE 41st Street are both close by, and the restaurant is a short walk from the Fly's Eye Dome in Palm Court and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami. It makes a good lunch stop on a day of browsing the district, and COTE Miami and Mandolin Aegean Bistro are nearby alternatives for dinner.
Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink FAQs
When did Michael's Genuine open?
It has been serving guests since 2007.
What kind of food does it serve?
Seasonal dishes with a focus on wood-fired cooking.
Is there brunch?
Yes, on Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
Do I need to book?
Booking is advisable, especially for Sunday brunch.
Who is behind the restaurant?
It is part of the Genuine Hospitality Group associated with chef Michael Schwartz.
Where can I park?
Palm Court Garage at 140 NE 39th Street and Museum Garage at 90 NE 41st Street are nearby.
Does the menu change?
Yes, dishes change with the seasons, so check the current menu online.
What has been on the brunch menu?
Recent brunch dishes have included Turkish eggs, buttermilk pancakes and a wood-baked frittata.