Once upon a time, there was a vegetarian burger that didn't pale in comparison to its meaty contemporaries. The hearty and protein-rich patty was made with forbidden rice, turtle beans, and shiitake mushrooms and topped with crushed avocado, goat cheese spread, and roasted tomatoes and red peppers. It was then placed on a fluffy and lightly sweetened bun that was delicious enough to eat plain. To savor this Miami Earth burger ($12), you would have to go to a restaurant called Umami Burger. The chain came to Miami Beach in May 2013 via California, where since 2009 it amassed legions of devoted fans. All the burgers were injected with a magic ingredient known as Umami Master Sauce and served in a laid-back dining room replete with TV sets. The term "umami" was defined as a category of taste that was neither sweet, sour, salty, nor bitter and had a mouthwateringly brothy and meaty flavor that lingered on the tongue. At this eatery, you could also get burgers made with meat, including the Umami burger. It featured shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, a Parmesan crisp, and house ketchup ($12). The smart folks would order it with a side of crispy thin fries ($3.50) and call it a very good day.

France isn't known for its vegetarian-friendly food. Neither is Miami. But la cuisine française with a meatless twist is an unlikely pairing that has found a cozy little love nest in the Roads. Founded by a family of French immigrants, Eden in Eden is a labor of love; its je ne sais quoi stems from brightly colored accents, French flags, and Eiffel Tower imagery. Instead of heavy French standards, the menu offers avant-garde, vegetarian takes on European tradition: baguette sandwiches ($8.50), quiche oignons ($9), crepes fromage ($9.50), and the timeless croque-monsieur ($8.70). Father Eusebi, mother Monique, and son Nathanael Guillaume happily serve these cruelty-free French favorites — artfully prepared salads, soups, sandwiches, fresh juices, natural (made with champignons) coffee, croissants, and sometimes vegan crème brûlée. Charming French accents come à la carte. Bon appétit and vive la France.

Bey: Baby, drunk in love was all well and good last night, but today, I'm hung-over and hungry.

Jay Z: Me too, baby. I need more than your breasteses for my breakfast.

Bey: Remember how trim and tight we felt after our 22 days of veganism? We need to get back on track. I've heard Choices Café UES is Miami's vegan HQ. They say bitches are crazy in love with their chicken's friend wrap ($12) and la pixsa pizza ($15).

Jay Z: I'm down. I got 99 problems, but heart disease ain't one.

Bey: Oh, and we need to snag a double chocolate raisin cookie and cocobliss smoothie ($12) for Blue Ivy. When it comes to my baby, I bring the best.

The view from Area 31, located on the 16th floor of downtown's Epic Hotel, is downright breathtaking. Luckily, the restaurant is familiar with the notion of sharing the love and allows Miamians to enjoy the skyline during breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, happy hour, and dinner. What's more, the food doesn't play second fiddle to the cityscape. Seafood is the main draw at this eatery, which is named after Fishing Area 31, an ecologically sustainable swath of the western central Atlantic Ocean encompassing the coastal waters of Florida. For dinner, executive chef Wolfgang Birk (formerly of Casa Casuarina) offers excellent options such as swordfish with pea shoots, a Yukon gold potato, and a sweet corn and chorizo salsa ($30), as well as a vibrant crab salad plated alongside palm hearts, avocado, and coconut shavings ($17). Brunch at Area 31 is also a must. Pair the eggs Benedict with seared flounder ($21) and one of bartender Dean Feddaoui's unique bloody mary variations ($9 to $33).

Dear Trader Joe's:

It's not every day that I share my feelings, but I had to write to tell you how, like, totally awesome I think you are. For years, I looked longingly at pictures on your website in the hope that one day you would come to Miami. And then I heard the news — you'd be heading right to my neighborhood. Finally, I could walk your aisles and take in all of your colorful yumminess. At long last, I could taste the sweet, sweet nectar of your cookie butter, drink in your Two-Buck Chuck, feel your ripe produce, and inhale the scent of your fresh floral bouquets. I thought that maybe all of this was too good to be true, that maybe you were too cheap for me. But then you gave me a lei on opening day, and your thoughtfulness sealed the deal. You kept luring me back with your cranberry goat cheese and witty packaging. And I know our love is mutual. How else can you explain your generous gift of complimentary coffee every time I see you? Or the fact that you offer me non-genetically modified products? I'm letting you know I broke up with Publix. Now I can spend all of my time with you. Chill a few bottles of that $2.99 Pinot Grigio I adore. I'll be over around 6.

How many times have you shopped at a Miami farmers' market and discovered that the avocados were grown in Mexico? Sure, you won't find too many local apples, but it's a damn shame to buy fruits and vegetables trucked in from far-flung places when South Florida has some great family farms. Nick Bernal agrees. The local forager started this weekly market in the Coconut Grove Playhouse parking lot to give local farmers an opportunity to sell direct to the public. How local? Ninety-five percent of the vendors grow on land within 35 miles of the Grove. Every Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., you can peruse the fresh veggies pulled directly from the ground or buy locally made products such as breads, jams, and treats. The items vary (so you'll just have to go back every week), but there's a treasure trove of goodies each time, such as piña colada preserves from Freakin Flamingo Jams, goat cheese from Hani's Mediterranean Organics, colorful beans (not magic) from Seasons Farm Fresh, and maybe even a giant emu egg that can make an omelet for a family of four. Free parking and live entertainment seal the deal.

Have you ever enjoyed a weekend in one of those quaint little bed-and-breakfast communities by the seashore somewhere? If so, you'll feel at home at the Village Stand. Nestled on a side street in Miami Shores, this adorable shop brims with delights. Hand-crafted chocolates are displayed next to embroidered dish towels. All sorts of deliciousness awaits your perusal — locally made preserves, artisan cheeses, gourmet pastas. But this little spot is so much more than a place to pick up the fixings for your dinner. Every third Friday evening, neighbors gather for a free "wine-down" happy hour, and nearly every Saturday there's some gathering — a crepe social here, a jewelry trunk show there. Back in the day, every town had a place to gather — be it a bar, a coffeehouse, or a barbershop. In Miami Shores, it's the Village Stand. Head over and have a glass of wine and a chat — even if you don't live nearby. As Mr. Rogers famously said: "Won't you be my neighbor?"

The only bad thing about Noa Cafe in Wynwood is that it's open only for lunch on weekdays. That's because chef-owner Adi Kafri's primary business is a catering company, while the miniature restaurant is her side project. That said, the Israeli native's passion for what she calls her "baby" is undeniable. So is her commitment to offering clients fresh and vibrant dishes at surprisingly low prices. The portions are generous and the ingredients topnotch. For $12.95, you can feast on salmon teriyaki with orange peel, scallions, ginger, and lemongrass served with two sides such as sweet potatoes and organic mixed greens. If you dine in the intimate space, you'll easily forget you're at a restaurant and think you're being served by an unusually talented home chef. Other permanent fixtures for lunch include lemon-grilled chicken with rosemary ($11.95), chicken pad thai ($12.95, or $10.95 without the meat), and focaccia sandwiches ($8.95). Each week , Kafri introduces new entrées, such as vodka cheese ravioli with salmon ($14). This blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot has officially upped the ante on affordable, gourmet lunches.

Barbecue should always begin and end with the nose. The smoky aroma will lead the way as you're cruising along NE 167th Street. When you arrive at Bo Legs, someone will be manning the grill and the chatty lady at the counter will ask you a million personal questions and provide you with these sage words: "Chicken is the weekday must-order item. Ribs are for the weekend." There you have it. Barbecue or jerk chicken is $7, and ribs are $9. The sauce is the key to the meat, so squirt away. Sides are $3 for small and $5 for large. The mac 'n' cheese is a favorite that boasts a tasty tang from Muenster cheese and plenty of pep from black pepper. Even after you lick your fingers, the scent lingers. Sniff on.

Imagine this: In mere hours, your dinner party guests will arrive. But you have nothing to serve them. Perhaps you got caught up at work, or maybe you simply didn't feel like cooking. Regardless, you're in a bind. This is where the prepared food section at Epicure Gourmet Market & Café comes in handy. There's everything you can imagine, from prime brisket ($18.95 per pound) and baked herb chicken thighs ($9.95 per pound) to potato salad ($5.95 per pound) and curry lentil salad ($9.95 per pound). Not only is it all made in house, but it also truly tastes homemade. Dinner, lunch, and brunch items are all offered. Epicure is a high-end grocery store with prices to match, but you get superior quality. Besides, having someone else do the dirty work for you while convincing your guests that you did it all is, well, priceless.