4 Miami Must Eat Hot Spots

We recently flew from Montana to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, ahead of a cruise sailing out of Miami. On our morning of embarking, we explored downtown Miami and Miami Beach, and after the cruise we stayed overnight in Ft. Lauderdale.

During those days we found some of the coolest and yummiest places to eat for our gluten and dairy free family. If you'll be traveling through downtown Miami, Miami Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale, these spots are worth checking out.

NOTE: THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY A PREVIOUS EATING GLUTEN AND DAIRY FREE TEAM MEMBER. THINGS MAY CHANGE CHANGED SINCE SHE WROTE IT.

A heads up before you go: several places worth eating in Miami are closed on Sundays, so plan your trip around that if you can.

We also want to flag upfront that a couple of the original spots on this list have closed or changed hands since our visit, so we've noted that honestly below and added a couple of current alternatives.

Lilikoi Organic Living, Miami Beach

When we visited, Lilikoi was our go-to breakfast spot: gluten and dairy free tropical smoothies and quinoa waffles topped with coconut whip, fresh fruit, and honey. It was a wonderful, easy breakfast experience.

An important update: Lilikoi has changed ownership since our visit. Kissaki Hospitality Group took it over in 2024, and the menu is now built around a different, more upscale organic concept with a new chef.

The tropical smoothies and quinoa waffles we had may no longer be on the menu, so check their current menu before you go, or call ahead to confirm gluten and dairy free options.

Under the Mango Tree, Miami Beach

After our cruise, we talked ourselves into experiencing another Miami Beach food hot spot. The gluten and dairy free cruise food had been fine, but nothing to write home about, so we wanted a proper meal on land.

Under the Mango Tree is not 100% gluten free, so if that's a hard requirement for you, this wouldn't be your place. But they showed real urgency in preventing cross-contamination, and their menu is very clearly labeled for what's gluten free, vegan, and neither. Their menu is available online, so you can plan your order ahead of time. This cafe was cheery and earthy, and remains a genuinely great option if you're in Miami Beach looking for something fresh.

Bunnie Cakes, Miami

Bunnie Cakes was a must-visit for us. We made the mistake of tasting a couple of mini cupcakes before leaving the bakery, and of course ended up buying a lot more.

Their cupcake flavors included dark chocolate, chocolate coconut, cinnamon sugar, vanilla with chocolate, and banana chocolate, and the whole family was torn trying to pick favorites.

The physical Bunnie Cakes storefront has since closed, but the brand is still very much alive. You can order their vegan, gluten free, and nut free baked goods through their website, and their products are also sold in the bakery department at Miami-area Whole Foods stores.

Fresh First, Fort Lauderdale (Now Closed) + Fresh Kitchen, Miami

The fourth spot on our original list was Fresh First in Fort Lauderdale, a self-described safe haven for celiacs that was 100% gluten free, peanut free, and GMO free, with a full breakfast and lunch menu. We had a wonderful, worry-free breakfast there: waffles with a banana walnut compote, and a smoothie for the kids.

Fresh First has since closed. In its place, we'd point you to Fresh Kitchen in Miami, a dedicated 100% gluten free restaurant serving customizable bowls with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and housemade sauces.

Reviews consistently praise it for fresh, tasty food with zero cross-contamination worry, which makes it a solid current pick if you want the same peace of mind Fresh First used to offer.

More Miami Spots Worth Checking Out

We haven't personally eaten at these two yet, but they came highly recommended and are worth a mention here.

TAP | 100% Gluten-Free Sandwiches & Acai Bowls

A dedicated 100% gluten free Brazilian cafe in Brickell, so there's no cross-contamination to worry about. They're known for tapioca sandwiches, acai bowls, and pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), with a great selection of dairy free options too.

Naked Farmer

A farm-to-table spot with locations in downtown Miami and Coral Gables. Allergens are clearly marked on the menu, and most mains and harvest sides are gluten free and vegan (dairy free) unless otherwise noted.

Safe Grocery Stores in Miami

Grocery stores are always our first stop after landing, and Miami has a great lineup for stocking up on gluten and dairy free staples.

Whole Foods Market

Miami has several Whole Foods locations with dedicated gluten free and dairy alternative sections, plus a hot bar with clearly labeled options if you want something ready to eat.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's has multiple Miami locations and carries a solid lineup of gluten free and dairy free labeled products, including dairy free chocolate chips and a full canned goods section that's naturally dairy free.

Sprouts Farmers Market

Sprouts also has locations around Miami and is a great source for gluten free and dairy free products, with a strong produce department for stocking up on fresh fruit and veggies.

Is Miami Good for Gluten and Dairy Free Travelers?

Yes, though it pays to plan ahead. Between a dedicated gluten free restaurant, several allergy-aware cafes, and a helpful research resource like Find Me Gluten Free, Miami and the surrounding area can be a genuinely great destination for gluten and dairy free travelers.

Just double check hours (many spots close on Sundays) and call ahead when a place hasn't been on your radar recently, since Miami's restaurant scene changes quickly.

In Conclusion

Miami is such a beautiful place to eat and visit. We only scratched the surface in two days, and we're already looking forward to going back and working through the rest of our list.

Looking for more destinations? Check out our other Food Travel Guides for more gluten and dairy free travel tips.

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