Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink at 130 NE 40th St in Miami's Design District is the flagship restaurant of James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schwartz, and one of the restaurants most responsible for establishing Miami as a serious American food city. Opened in 2007, Michael's Genuine has sustained critical and popular acclaim for nearly two decades on the strength of an unwavering commitment to honest, locally sourced cooking. The menu is organized by portion size — small, medium, large, extra large — encouraging a sharing format that lets the kitchen's range shine. The wood-burning oven dominates the kitchen and produces some of Miami's best thin-crust pizzas, topped with Florida produce and house-cured meats. Whole roasted fish, crispy heritage-breed pork belly, and a daily changing selection of small-batch farm egg preparations reflect Schwartz's philosophy that the best cooking begins with the best local ingredients. Florida farms are named on the menu, and the sourcing is genuine rather than performative. The dining room is warm and unpretentious — exposed brick, warm lighting, open kitchen — occupying a converted warehouse in the Design District's emerging gallery corridor. The covered terrace is particularly pleasant in cooler months. A thoughtfully edited wine list, strong craft cocktail selection, and extensive local beer program make Michael's Genuine a complete evening destination. The Sunday brunch is one of the best in Miami, drawing a neighborhood crowd of residents and Design District gallery visitors. Lunch service runs Monday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended for dinner and weekend brunch; book one to two weeks ahead.