1. Chef Creole Seasoned Kitchen
(200 NW 54 St. at NW 2nd Ave, Little Haiti, 305-754-2223)
Photo: Martei Korley
Located smack in the middle of Little Haiti at NW 54th St and NW 2nd Ave—and four other locations in northern Miami-Dade—Chef Creole is one of the most classic and unique representations of Miami culture you’ll find in the city. Chef Wilkinson “Ken” Sejour was raised in MIA and the Bahamas by Haitian parents, and his menu reflects each aspect of his upbringing, with a mixture of Haitian specialties (Steamed fish with creole sauce, fried griot), Bahamian favorites (conch fritters, conch salad) and Southern staples (Fried chicken).
While it’s true that you can find similarly tasty variations on all of the above at various other places, Chef Creole is special not only in bringing them all together in one place, but also for its convenience (five locations) and its aesthetics. The thatched-roof outdoor seating areas offer the illusion of eating at a seaside shack in Haiti, while photos on the wall showing nearly every one of Miami’s hip-hop celebrities assure you that you’ve come to the right place for that quintessential Miami meal. Make sure to ask for extra pickliz (Haiti’s moderately spicy pickled pepper garnish) with your dish and, if that’s not enough to satisfy, purchase a whole bottle of the stuff (for $5), and bring it back home.