Haute 5 Comfort Foods in Miami: When the Holidays Call for Yummy Relief

Without the palm trees that are suddenly illuminated and the dramatic increase in tourists, many people find it hard to recognize the holidays have even arrived in Miami. With flip-flops in tow, many Miami locals head to the beach and go about business as usual, while much of the rest of the country shovels snow and scraps ice off of their cars. If you’re looking for some compensation for the fact that you won’t be having a white Christmas in Miami, read on to find out some of the areas hautest spots for all your holiday comfort food needs.

Delightful Cupcakes

Stella’s Sweet Shoppe is a fantastic comfort food stop to sweeten any day of the week. As an old-fashioned cupcake emporium with a modern twist, Stella’s Sweet Shoppe creates designer cupcakes that are chic, elegant, and delicious. Each cupcake is handmade for the perfect cross between “grandma’s cooking and the minimalism of the fashion world.” Stella’s Sweet Shoppe was launched in January 2009 and has already become the haute choice of Miami’s socialites.

Stella’s Sweet Shoppe is located at 666 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL Tel: (305) 479-9098

Cupcakes Nouveau specializes in gourmet couture cupcakes, so that haute factor is pretty clear. The locale uses only the finest ingredients such as Scharfeen Berger Premium Cocoa and Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Boubon Vanilla. Each cupcake is fresh, homemade, and custom designed for every customer and their special occasion.

Cupcakes Nouveau is located at 4712 South Le Jeune Road Coral Gables, FL 33146 Tel: (305) 448-0011

Truffle Mac-and-Cheese

Prime 112 is typically known for its exquisite selection of prime steaks, but this week we want to draw some attention to its equally exquisite dish, which is extremely worthy of the “comfort food” label: the Four Cheese Truffle “Mac.” Prime 112 is known as one of the hautest places to be seen if you’re in Miami, so combining your social responsibilities with a full stomach can all be done in one fantastically popular spot just steps away from the beach.

Prime 112 is located at 112 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139-7213 Tel: (305) 532-8112

The Capital Grille not only provides some of the city’s best truffle Mac-and-cheese but it also is a beautifully designed space with hand-crafted mahogany, plush leather, and distinctive art. The Miami Herald refers to The Capital Grille as a “culinary theme park full of deak wood, stuffed game heads, cigars, high-end drinks, wines, and dry aged steaks.” But if meat isn’t your thing, or you’d just prefer a more soul soothing meal, try the truffle Mac-and-cheese, you won’t be disappointed.

The Capital Grille is located at 444 Brickell Avenue Miami, FL 33131 Tel: (305) 374-4500

Creative Potatoes

La Marea is located inside the Tides Hotel on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Diners can enjoy dramatic ocean views with seating on the terrace, or an intimate setting at the Coral Bar. Reviews rave that La Marea has “a menu that has all the flavors of a seaside resort.” The potato puree at La Marea is a perfect complement to any of the light yet flavorful dishes.

La Marea is located at 1220 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

The Grill at The Setai is the perfect retreat spot for exquisitely luxurious meals in an Asian-inspired setting. The Grill features an interactive Chef’s counter that showcases dishes which are predominantly European with an emphasis on French and Mediterranean. There is a frequently changing season menu comprised with small, medium, and large plates. To get your succulently creative potato fix, try the fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and garlic aioli.

The Setai is located at 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Tel: (305) 520 6400

Succulent Chocolates

Mister Ganache produces handcrafted French chocolate with spices from India. The store was just opened by master chocolatier, Eric Girerd, who has been honing his craft in his coco studio in Paris for the past 30 years. His secret weapon is injecting square truffles with curry, wasabi, ginger, or Vietnamese mint, but you can also have amazing selections such as a half a dozen champagne truffles (made with Veuve Clicquot), or Evasions which are made with fresh ginger and strawberries.

Mister Ganache is located at 900 S. Miami Ave Suite 176 Miami, FL 33139

Cuban Coffee

David’s Café South Beach is located just off of popular pedestrian street, Lincoln Road, although they do have multiple other locations around town. The Cuban food is extremely popular amongst locals and tourist who want an authentic taste of Cuba. Their strong flavorful Cuban coffees are memorable and a great way to start or finish you day in Miami.

David’s Café South Beach is located at 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Café Bustelo is the country’s best-selling Cuban coffee locale and the café serves all of the brewed flavors exactly the way they were meant to be served. All of the coffee here is roasted and manufactured just a few miles away from the café. The food here is all Hispanic or Hispanic-inspired, including gourmet croquetas and mojo chicken-stuffed pastries.

Café Bustelo is located at 2319 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL