Miami's Five Best Winter Dishes to Warm Your Soul

Winter is a time for food that warms both body and soul. Though the Magic City never gets properly cold, with early sunsets and thermometers sometimes hovering below 60 degrees, this is the time of the year for finding comfort in more substantial dishes: cozy soups, hearty meats, creamy pasta,...

By Juliana Accioly

January 24, 2019

Macchialina's creamy polenta. Courtesy of Macchialna

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Winter is a time for food that warms the body and soul. Though the Magic City never gets properly cold — temps sometimes dip below 60 degrees as the sun dips below the horizon — this is the time of year to find comfort in more substantial dishes: cozy soups, hearty meats, creamy pastas, and decadent desserts. Below is a list of Miami's top winter eats to cheer you up and brighten the days before spring arrives.

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Courtesy of No Name Chinese

1. No Name Chinese. Succulent steak is a house specialty at No Name Chinese, and the rib eye, served with bulgogi vinaigrette, soba noodles, and pickled ginger and finished with kimchee, is the perfect winter meal to share ($58). 7400 SW 57th Ct., South Miami; 786-577-0734; nonamechinese.com.

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Courtesy of Semilla Eatery & Bar

2. Semilla Eatery & Bar. Executive chef/owner Frederic Joulin serves an onion soup au gratin that will warm your belly and leave you longing for your next sojourn in Paris. The classic baked French onion soup is made with vegetable stock, cognac, toasted bread, and melted Gruyère cheese ($12). 1330 Alton Rd., Miami Beach; 305- 674-6522; semillamiami.com.

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Chupe de Camarones

Courtesy of Pisco Y Nazca

3. Pisco y Nasca. This winter, the modern Peruvian gastrobar is offering the country's national dish, chupe de camarones, as a main-course soup. The thick, rich chowder is made with huacatay, queso fresco, a poached egg, and plenty of tender shrimp. It arrives in a large bowl with white rice and house-made bread ($18). 8405 Mills Dr., Miami; 305-630-3844; and 8551 NW 53rd St., A101, Doral; 786-805-4344; piscoynazca.com.

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Macchialina's creamy polenta.

Courtesy of Macchialna

4. Macchialina. Polenta is a nutritious, gluten-free Italian winter staple. At Macchialina, the dish is the perfect canvas for a main of Proper Sausages' duck and pork sausage perfectly paired with Brussels sprouts and chestnuts ($16). 820 Alton Rd., Miami Beach; 305-534-2124; macchialina.com.

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Courtesy of Big Easy Winebar and Grill

5. Big Easy Wine Bar & Grill. Chocolate is a favorite winter flavor, and this South African-inspired eatery offers a mouthwatering option that embraces all that a cold-weather dessert should be. Calories won't matter when you taste the rich, moist Nutella bread pudding — a combination of hazelnut-chocolate spread, salted caramel, and croissants topped with whipped cream ($10). 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 786-814-5955; bigeasy.miami.

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