I have a confession… I’m a closet architecture nerd. It’s one of the things that made me want to go to Miami Beach: It’s home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world! I love the style, the history, and perhaps the most unique part–the pastel colors! So what could take an architecture tour to the next level? Make it a food tour! Miami Beach is known as much for its food as its architecture, so when I found out there was an Art Deco Food Tour available from Miami Culinary Tours, I knew I needed to sign up! Here is everything I loved about our South Beach, Miami, Food & Art Deco Tour in Miami Beach.
The Tour
Iris and I were so excited for her first food tour. How would a toddler do on a food tour? We were about to find out. As it happened, she did great! We chose the South Beach, Miami, Food & Art Deco Tour, and funnily enough, our guide, Hoji, has a two-year-old daughter himself! This definitely put my anxiety at ease, because I knew he would get it–toddlers have a mind of their own, but no reasoning ability. I knew Hoji would be understanding and helpful, and he definitely was!
Miami Culinary Tours has several tour options to choose from, including a Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour, Wynwood Food and Street Art Tour, and Miami Design District Walking Food Tour. Next time I’m in Miami or Miami Beach, I’d love to try another one. Prices as of 2026 range from $69.99-$89.99 per adult 14 and up, and $49.99-$69.99 per child ages 3-13. Iris was mostly happy eating off of my plate (story of a mother’s life, right?), but trust me, I did not leave hungry. We met up for the tour at Taco Rumba on Washington Street and were greeted with a passion fruit shot, which, if I’m honest, is how every tour on an island should start!
Keep reading: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Miami Beach
The Art Deco
This is what makes the tour we chose so unique. Miami Beach is home to the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. How many? That would be 1,400! The buildings are all over South Beach and the surrounding area, and they have been protected and preserved since 1976. All these buildings were built between the mid-1920s, after a massive hurricane swept through Miami Beach, to the mid-1950s. You may note, especially if you’re staying in one, that the historic hotels are quite small. They were only allowed to be built up to three stories, but they found ways to work around that to make the hotels look taller. Also at the time, all the hotels were required to be painted white. In 1977, with their preservation, the hotel owners were allowed to pick from a select color palette, which is how the hotels got their famous pastel shades!
I had so much fun learning about unique Art Deco elements and features, and I highly recommend taking the tour on your trip to Miami Beach so you can see and learn about it all for yourself!
Read on: The Best Restaurants in Miami Beach
The Food
So here’s what you came for: How was the food? The short answer? Delicious. The Long answer? Keep reading!
Dulce Cafeteria: Empanadas
We started our food adventures being treated to freshly-made beef empanadas, and Dulce Cafeteria did not skimp on the beef! I’ve honestly never had an empanada with so much filling. This place is unassuming from the outside, but don’t let that fool you. Follow your nose for the most amazing empanadas and other Latin American favorites!
Havana 1957 at the Breakwater Hotel: Tostones
Wow! I’ve never had plantains like this. These fried plantain tortillas were delicious, just like the shredded beef, called rosa dieja, served with it. Iris was more interested in the plantain tortilla. I was definitely glad to have more of the beef to myself! The restaurant inside the Breakwater is one of several locations of Havana 1957, which I hear is the best Cuban chain in town. I have to agree.
The Naked Taco: Chicken Taco
This was maybe the best taco I’ve ever eaten in my life. The veggies were fresh, the chicken was tender and well-seasoned, but the real winner here was the soft tortilla! I don’t know what kind of magic they put in there, but it worked on me. This restaurant is inside the Dream Hotel, and our guide pointed out the restaurant’s bar: It was once the original hotel’s reception desk! Many restaurants inside the Art Deco hotels use the reception desk the same way. It’s a great repurposing of this element that every hotel has.
Estefan Kitchen Express: Croquettas, Cuban Coffee, and Churros with Dulce de Leche
Our last stop was the biggest. We tried three different items: Potato croquettas, Cuban coffee, and something I’d never tried before–churros with dulce de leche! Leave the chocolate sauce a the door, I’m team dulce de leche. All this came to us at Estefan Kitchen Express. That’s right–that Estefan. As in, Gloria Estefan. I loved the decor (including congas), the food, and the vibes. It was the perfect way to end our tour! Poor Iris was bummed, though. The coffee cups were just her size, but I wouldn’t let her have any.
Special thanks to Miami Culinary Food Tours for hosting us! All opinions my own.
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