Michelin Bib Gourmand. Michael Schwartz's flagship — the Design District restaurant that put the neighborhood on Miami's culinary map. Farm-to-table American cooking in a warm, indoor-outdoor courtyard setting. One of the best happy hours in the Design District.
Only you see this. What you ordered, what you'd order again, the table to ask for.
Michael Schwartz, a Philadelphia-born chef who trained in kitchens from Los Angeles to New York before settling in Miami in the early 1990s, opened Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in 2007 in the Miami Design District. It was among the first destination restaurants in the neighborhood, widely credited with kickstarting the Design District's transformation from art-gallery enclave to dining hotspot. The restaurant operates under Schwartz's Genuine Hospitality Group, which has since expanded to include multiple concepts. Around its 15th anniversary (circa 2022), the restaurant underwent a full remodel that enlarged the bar, added a new raw bar, and refreshed the interior.
A pioneer of the farm-to-table and sea-to-table movement in Miami. The menu emphasizes creative, contemporary American cuisine built on relationships with local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. Seasonal ingredients drive the menu, with dishes that change regularly. The atmosphere is warm, unpretentious, and neighborhood-focused, a deliberate contrast to Miami's see-and-be-seen dining culture. The pizza, wood-oven dishes, and Sunday brunch are particular draws.
Chef Michael Schwartz won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South in 2010, one of the culinary world's most prestigious honors. The restaurant holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing exceptional meals at great value. The New York Times named it one of the top new restaurants in the country upon its opening, and it was among the Beard Awards' final 15 nominees for Best Restaurant in America.
Dress code is casual: one of the most relaxed dress codes among notable Miami Spice participants. Reservations via OpenTable or Resy; book in advance during Miami Spice, as the value-driven pricing fills the dining room. During peak periods, waits are possible even with reservations. Street and valet parking available in the Design District. Miami Spice 2026: lunch $40 (Mon–Fri) and dinner $50 (Mon–Sun, available every night). The $50 dinner point makes this one of the more affordable high-quality Miami Spice options.
3 deals at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
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The restaurant that put Miami's Design District on the culinary map — and after nearly two decades, still one of the most beloved rooms in the neighborhood. Michael Schwartz's farm-to-table approach is grounded in Florida's seasons, and the shaded courtyard patio feels like the city's best-kept open secret. Go for happy hour; stay through dinner.
MiamiNav is a Miami dining and entertainment guide organized around vibe, experience, and value, not just cuisine. It tracks deals, happy hours, and events across 19 Miami neighborhoods.
