Part of the Art Deco district, A Fish Called Avalon is the place to go for some of the city’s best seafood – all served up in airy, chic surroundings with views over the street and beach opposite. Served to a soundtrack of Latin-Caribbean music, typical dishes include the spiced grilled grouper and Florida snapper with mango relish.

Serving upmarket American classics, Barton G the Restaurant is the place to come for US cuisine with a side of theatrics. Owned by A-list caterer Barton G Weiss, the décor is plush and cosy, and the presentation of the dishes is Instagram-worthy. Expect popcorn shrimp to be served in a real popcorn machine or giant cutlery used as a centrepiece on a plate of steak or tuna.

Begun as a beachside seafood stand in 1913, Joe's Stone Crab is now a Miami institution, made famous by the copious quantities of stone crab claws (Florida's greatest seafood delicacy) served with their signature mustard sauce. The menu also offers other seafood dishes, steaks, ribs and chicken, accompanied by coleslaw and hash browns as sides.

A sleek seafood emporium located in Downtown Miami, Area 31 combines a lounge-style appearance with sustainably-caught crustacea and a very glamorous crowd. Despite its good looks, the prices are not off the charts, and you can eat well here at an affordable price–just try not to miss the excellent crab.

At the heart of the South Beach hustle, this retro diner and sports bar serves classic all-American fare to a young crowd. As the name suggests, practically everything (from the barstools to the menu) is pink. The satisfying American comfort food is the real draw though, especially the TV dinner served in a six-compartment tray.

Casual poolside dining is the name of the game at this charming little restaurant, which is part of the 61-hectare (150-acre) Biltmore Hotel estate. Cascade overlooks the largest pool in the US and has a similarly watery menu with fresh seafood, Caribbean dishes and healthy, organic spa cuisine topping the bill.

Along with the Cuban sandwich, the frita (a burger spiced with industrial quantities of paprika) is one of Cuba’s best contributions to the Miami street food scene. Nowhere does it better than El Mago de las Fritas, where the eponymous ‘El Mago’ (former chef Ortelio Cárdenas) had been making them since 1984.

Proof positive that there is authentic Cuban food outside Calle Ocho, North Miami’s Little Havana is a popular choice with locals thanks to its beautifully cooked dishes. Open daily, specialties include lobster-stuffed yucca pastry and Masas de Puerco, a tender, crispy fried pork dish that is a favourite among patrons.

Occupying a log cabin decorated with mounted boar, caribou heads, saddles and cowboy hats, this barbecue house has Americana written all over it. Very informal, the food here is served at long wooden picnic tables, with specialties that include barbecued ribs accompanied by fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob and chilled, thirst-quenching beers.