Michael Schwartz is a James Beard award-winning chef and author, known for his commitment to fresh, simple, and pure cuisine. He is the proprietor of The Genuine Hospitality Group, overseeing several acclaimed...
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AmericanBurgersFrenchMediterraneanVegan-friendlyUpscaleLunchDinnerBrunchAll Day
Last updated: 8/6/2026, 5:14:23 AM
Key Information
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink is a beloved neighborhood restaurant in Miami's Design District, established in 2007. It's known for its commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients and wood-fired cooking, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere with genuine hospitality.
Customers consistently praise the excellent food and drinks, highlighting dishes like the 'insanely good' pig ears and an 'incredible' burger. The service is frequently described as top-notch, attentive, and friendly, making guests feel like they are dining with family or friends. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and vibrant, often enhanced by live jazz music on Wednesdays. While most reviews are highly positive, a few isolated negative experiences mention issues with specific dishes like rotten tomatoes or dry fries.
Additional Details
Located in the vibrant Miami Design District, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink has been a culinary staple since 2007. It offers a diverse menu for lunch, dinner, and brunch, alongside a popular happy hour.
Vegetarian optionsNon-alcoholic drinksGluten-free adaptable (e.g., burger without bun)
Best Times to Visit
The restaurant offers happy hour from 4-7 PM. Wednesdays at 6:30 PM feature live jazz music, making it an ideal evening visit. Brunch is also a popular option, especially on weekends.
As always, feels like we are dining with family. So happy we got to spend Father’s Day here for brunch. Alex was so attentive and every suggestion was delicious. Will be back soon!
Exceeded my expectations. Food and drinks were excellent. Great location right in the center of the design district. The pig ears were insanely good. Burrata and salad were great as well. Service was fast and friendly.
I’ve been here more than once, and I always choose to sit at the bar. The service is absolutely top-notch — you feel like you’re visiting a friend rather than just going to a restaurant.
Jake creates such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The hospitality, attention, and overall vibe make the experience really special.
They have great signature cocktails, and I also appreciate the selection of non-alcoholic options, including good adaptogens drinks and non-alcoholic beer.
The burger is honestly incredible — one of the best I’ve had. I usually order it without the bun, and it’s still amazing. The fries are excellent, and the patty has such a rich, delicious beef flavor. The medium cook was absolutely perfect.
The olives are also delicious — a small detail, but it shows the attention to quality.
They also have happy hours 4-7pm and live jazz music on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, which makes the evening even better. Great crowd, great atmosphere, and a place where you genuinely want to come back.
Highly recommend!
We had such a wonderful experience here! The food was absolutely delicious—every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. You can really tell the kitchen takes pride in what they serve.
What made the experience truly special, though, was our server Alexis Antonio Reyes de la Caridad Cruz. 😂😂😂🩵🫰🏻
Alexis was incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming from the moment we sat down. He gave us excellent recommendations and everyone was happy with their order. It felt like he really cared about making sure we had a great time and we did.
Service like that is rare in Miami and made the whole experience feel extra memorable.
Great food, great atmosphere, and truly amazing service. Alexis Antonio Reyes de la Caridad Cruz thanks for an unforgettable afternoon. We are coming back! 📣
Not good at all! Very average.
I ordered burrata & tomato which was served in the most disgusting way. Tomatoes tested rotten.
The french fries were dry and not good at all. On my salad they poured vinegar only! Sour like a lemon.
This restaurant is popular because it is there for a long time, but it needs more effort from
the kitchen personnel and create dishes matching the beautiful environment of the Design District Miami.
I hope the managers read my review and learn.
