Finding a restaurant to please your parents when they visit the 305 can be difficult. Below you will find Distraction’s guide that will make them love the Miami food scene as much as we do!

The Picky Eaters: Deli Lane ($)

If your folks aren’t known for a diverse palette; Deli Lane is the spot. Just five minutes from campus, this charming eatery is in the heart of South Miami, making it ultra-convenient if they are staying nearby. Serving all the classics that a hearty American restaurant encompasses, it is bound to please.

The Splurgers: Joe’s Stone Crab ($$$$)

Do your parents have a penchant for enjoying the finer things in life? Chances are they have already been to Joes. Stone crabs may live among fish, but their taste is anything but fishy; this unique shellfish is in season from mid-October through Mother’s Day. Coveting the Joe’s experience, non-Florida natives come from near and far. Career waiters in crisp white jackets serve hundred-year-old recipes that never fail. Do not forget to bribe the maitre d’ unless you want to wait for two hours!

The Cultured: Versailles ($$)

Get a true taste of Cuban food at the authentic restaurant, Versailles. Four miles from campus, this iconic spot is worth the drive out of Coral Gables. Doors open at 9 AM on Sundays for the breakfast buffet – Cuban style of course! From cafe con leche to pastelitos (pastries often filled with guava and creme cheese) your parents will feel like they’ve entered another world without even getting a stamp on their passport.

The Trendy: Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita ($$)

If you want to give your folks the Brickell experience, Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita is a fantastic option. It is bustling with young people, yet not too crowded nor overly noisy, making room for great conversation. The only word to do its menu justice is diverse. Options including pizza, tacos, ribs, pad thai, and so many more will leave the whole family satisfied.

The Breakfast Lovers: Coral Bagels ($)

Coral Bagels in Coral Gables.. who doesn’t love a good pun?! Open at 7 AM, this charming diner is the perfect pit stop on the way to the airport before your folks catch a mid-morning flight. In Miami, sometimes brunch can mean spending fifty dollars on one person’s meal. If you want to give your bank account a break, head to Coral Bagels for a meal that’s a steal but tastes like a million bucks. For just $7.99 you can get 2 eggs, choice of breakfast meat, a bagel or toast, one of the many sides, and coffee!

words & photo_coco hull