From spicy Latin fare to refreshing tropical cocktails, Miami is often known for its whirlwind of diverse flavors. However, some of the city’s most underrated offerings are its sweets, aside from the classic flan and pastelitos. At these fine eateries, discover some of the best takes on dessert, from twists on traditional indulgences to all-new culinary inventions.
Photo Courtesy: Fireman Derek's Bake Shop
CHICA Miami
At CHICA Miami, the flaming skull is intimidating by name and satisfying with each bite. This dessert boasts a warm lava cake with horchata ice cream, fresh fruit and corn marshmallows topped with a chocolate skull lit in flames to reveal its inner decadence. Whether enjoying it by yourself or with a group of friends, this dessert is sure to leave you mesmerized in more ways than one. 5556 NE 4th Ct., Miami / Website
Aba
Aba, one of Bal Harbour’s newest additions, combines art and cuisine with its innovative bougatsa. A layered tower of flaky phyllo pastry, this dessert features vanilla custard, cinnamon sugar streusel and fresh orange blossoms. Watch as your server slowly takes apart this sweet masterpiece for all to enjoy. 9700 Collins Ave., Suite 101, Bal Harbour / Website
MaryGold’s
Yet another flammable and delicious dessert can be found at MaryGold’s the highly-anticipated new restaurant developed by Chef Brad Kilgore and Bar Lab. The baked Florida, a meringue-like confection made with tropical fruit semifreddo, yogurt and pineapple rum, is lit up to create a creamy and smoky sensation. 2217 NW Miami Ct., Miami / Website
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
With over 50 unique delicacies to choose from, the South Florida classic Fireman Derek’s also offers plenty of options to satisfy a sweet tooth. From hand-churned ice cream combinations such as guava white chocolate cookie dough to decadent pie selections of salted caramel, Nutella, or their Cookies & Cream and the Grasshopper, nothing is off limits at this independent dessert shop. 2545 N Miami Ave., Miami / Webstie
TUR Kitchen
Drawing inspiration from Mediterranean flavors, TUR Kitchen in Coral Gables offers an artistic statement of Middle Eastern cuisine with the Phyllo Napoleon. Its french pastry dough layers are baked to combine delicate texture with smoky and sweet flavors, featuring cardamom-allspice chantilly cream, fresh berries, coffee and pistachio praline. While capping off an exquisite meal, this dish promises to take taste buds on one more culinary adventure before leaving the table. 259 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables / Website
LOVE LIFE CAFE
Though vegan sweets can be harder to find, Love Life Cafe boasts a plant-based menu featuring some unique twists on classic desserts. The plant-based guava cheesecake is both infused with rose water and served on a celestial chunk cookie crust, and the tiramisu is made with a coconut-cashew cream and gluten-free ladyfingers soaked in a coffee-cognac brew. Even for those who don’t live a vegan lifestyle, the desserts here surely will not disappoint. 545 NW 26th St., Miami / Website
The Salty
It’s no secret that The Salty serves up some of the best donuts in South Florida. From delicious classics like the brown butter and salt donut to flavors that highlight Miami's culture like the white chocolate tres leches and guava and cheese donuts, there are few unfamiliar with the wonders of this bakery. One of the latest donut creations is the alluring sticky bun donut, featuring a traditional cinnamon roll cream cheese filling, thin sticky bun caramel glaze and a cinnamon crunch topping that is sure to delight. 6022 S Dixie Hwy., Miami; 50 NW 23rd St. #112, Miami / Website
Il Mulino
A renowned Italian restaurant with roots in New York City, Il Mulino now also offers an elegant dessert selection in the Magic City. Aside from homemade pasta, desserts like the flourless chocolate cake and the tiramisu highlight the restaurant’s dedication to using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients possible to yield the sweetest results. Personalized attention to detail and tableside presentations of the restaurant’s finest dishes make every guest's experience truly memorable in addition to the combination of decadent Italian flavors. 17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach / Website
Tablé by Bachour
Located in the Miami Design District, Tablé by Bachour is the latest restaurant and café concept just steps from some of the best high-end retail in Miami. With a menu rooted in French cuisine, Table provides the spirit of a Parisian brasserie with a Miami twist. Try French spins on desserts with the camembert cheesecake with sable, cherry and raspberry jam, or try The Eggs, which whips together coconut mousse, mango cremeux, almond biscuit, and Katafi nest. Grab-n-go pastries are also available at Tablé for those wanting a French delight as they shop.180 NE 40th St. #102, Miami / Website
MOTEK
Drawing inspiration from Israel, Lebanon, Morocco and other Mediterranean cultures, MOTEK commits itself to a kosher-style menu featuring new takes on Middle Eastern cuisine. For instance, MOTEK’s challah bread pudding creates a delectable twist on a staple kosher specialty. Made with freshly baked challah, the dish adds raisins, pine nuts, cream, lemon and orange zest topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped tahinis and silan dates syrup. Enjoy this sweet spin on tradition at any of MOTEK’s locations in Downtown, Aventura, and soon in Coral Gables. 36 NE First St, Miami; 19565 Biscayne Blvd., #938, Aventura / Website
Papi Steak
No dessert round-up is complete without Papi Steak's baked Alaska. The Louis XIII baked Alaska is truly a once-in-a-lifetime decadence. Served tableside, this $1000 dessert uses three shots of Louis XIII cognac and then lit aflame. In addition to the dessert itself, guests can enjoy two complimentary shots of Louis XIII served in custom Baccarat glasses. 736 First St., Miami Beach / Website
Photography by: Photo Courtesy: Fireman Derek's Bake Shop
