The Five Best Avocado Toasts in Miami

Miami likes to be fashionably late, even when it comes to food trends. But in the past few months, the Magic City has begun to get up to speed, with craft doughnut shops, juice bars, and fancy brunch spots sprouting up around town.

The newest gastronomic movement to sweep through the 305 is simpler than the rest but equally Instagram-worthy: avocado toast. The theory is straightforward — a slice of freshly made bread covered in a thick green smear of avocado and topped with a few light and airy ingredients, such as tomatoes, lettuce, or shredded cheese.

Many restaurants, from hole-in-the-wall joints to gourmet eateries, offer the trendy toast. The bite-size treat can cost anywhere from $6 to $15 depending upon size, toppings, and sides. Consider it an appetizer or make it a double order, because even though a slice of bread and a half-cup of smashed avo is tasty, it's the furthest from filling.

These Miami eateries make the best avocado toast. If you start early enough, you might be able to hit all five in one day, which means you definitely won't go hungry.
5. Ella 
Hidden inside the Miami Design District's Palm Court (40 NE 39th St.), Ella is Michael Schwartz's daytime-casual pop-up café. Schwartz's daughter Ella collaborated with her father on the project, which might explain the simple yet trendy menu offerings, including avocado toast ($8). Unlike many iterations, this version takes slices of whole avocado, instead of crushing it into a gooey spread, and places them on a piece of True Loaf wheat. Ella's toast is the exception to the rule of ordering double because each serving is made with almost an entire avocado (not that we're complaining).
4. Threefold Cafe  
The all-day breakfast eatery in Coral Gables is known for its avocado toast because it's plainly not like the rest. The Smashed Avo ($13) takes the basic recipe of bread and avocado and adds feta, lime, basil, and butter-and-thyme-roasted mushrooms. For an extra $2, top it with a soft-poached egg. If you're wondering how all of that fits nicely onto a piece of Zak the Baker bread, just know that it does. But it's bound to get a little messy, so keep a napkin handy.

3. Vagabond Restaurant & Bar
The MiMo District restaurant offers its spin on avocado toast during its daily lunch service. Though this version is the cheapest of the bunch ($6), it's just as tasty. The avocado comes mashed on a thin slice of toast and topped with shredded pecorino. A few pinches of za'atar are sprinkled on top for an added kick.
2. Zak the Baker
Inside Zak the Baker's bakery/café in Wynwood, you'll find a menu of sweet and savory toast options such as tuna, beet, chocolate, and, yep, avocado ($7). Many restaurants use ZTB bread to make their own interpretations of avocado toast, but they can't compare to Zak's personal recipe. Placed atop of a piece of sourdough, the avocado is crushed to a soft, creamy texture. Chunks of whole tomatoes and torn cilantro are placed on top. 
1. The Continental 
At Stephen Starr's Miami Beach hotel restaurant, avocado toast is on the menu for weekend brunch. Besides the fact that the dish uses Zak the Baker bread and flavorful avocado, there's another reason why the Continental's concoction is the best: It's a meal. Two slices of avo-toast are served alongside crisp potato chunks, a small salad, and a pair of poached eggs. At $15, it's about double the price of avocado toasts at other restaurants, but it's a hearty plate that's sure to keep you full the rest of the day.

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