Burrowed within the eclectic Coconut Grove are hidden gems waiting to tempt your taste buds. Whether you crave laid-back Mediterranean bistros or wallet-friendly omakase, the cherished Miami neighborhood has something for everyone when it comes to lunch.
Amal
Amal oozes Lebanese hospitality all within a bright and breezy setting inspired by the Mediterranean shores of the motherland. This is an ideal place to hit up with your crew of coworkers and besties, sharing some mezze over lunch. With a plethora of hot and cold appetizers, skewers, lavash wraps, and entrees to choose from, we guarantee even the pickiest of eaters won’t go hungry. Get some mezze to pass around the table with a warm and fluffy pita ready to be dipped. Creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, fire-roasted muhamara—we’re all about that. The aromatic pistachio kabab platter loaded with veggies straight off the grill, hummus, biwaz, pita, and a choice of rice or fries serves as the perfect meal to keep you full till it’s time to clock out. Fancy a sip for lunch? Amal delivers with what might be the best selection of Lebanese wines in town.
Amal is located at 3480 Main Hwy Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Chug’s Diner
Chug’s Diner is a real treat amidst the hustle and bustle of a work week. Stepping into the retroesque establishment, we feel like kids again, and our eyes run wild at the sight of all the scrumptiousness. The three-time Michelin-recommended Cuban-American diner started off as a pop-up and became a neighborhood institution in an eyeblink. We’re not complaining, though, ‘cause Chug’s is where we want to be seated 24/7. Lunch here, however, starts at 11 a.m. sharp and includes a myriad of mouthwatering options from pan con bistec with pickled mojo onions and papitas to the classic Abuela’s plate served with the quintessential white rice, black beans, banana, and your choice of protein. The $19.99 lunch special offers half sandos with fries, like the saucy frita meatball hoagie, served until 3 p.m. on weekdays. To finish the meal, a homemade goat cheese flan and cafecito may be in order.
Chug’s Diner is located at 3444 Main Hwy Suite 21, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Koko by Bakan
At Koko, woodfire cooking, handcrafted tortillas, and smoky pours of mezcal take center stage. Step inside and suddenly Miami fades into the background, replaced by jungle-like greenery, warm woods, desert cacti, and the hypnotic aroma of cherry wood drifting from the open kitchen. Whether you’re perched by the tortilla station watching fresh Oaxacan Criollo corn hit the comal or gathered out on the buzzing patio with friends, lunch here is a full-on occasion.
The menu is all about traditional Mexican flavors with plenty of fire-kissed goodness coming off the grill. Tacos arrive in threes, with lush options like pork pressed carnitas with chicharron, Yucatan-style baked pork in banana leaf, and yuzu-basil Chilean seabass. If you like a lighter lunch, Koko has plenty of salad options that actually pack a punch—filled with avocado, cheese, and your choice of skirt steak, rotisserie chicken, or salmon. Need something hefty to hold you through the day? There’s whole rotisserie chicken, marinated in orange-achiote and served with Oaxaca cheese-stuffed poblano, refried black beans, grilled corn, guacamole, and grilled knob onion. Ready for a midday pour? We don’t judge. After all, Koko is known for their 400 varieties of tequila and mezcal behind the bar, alongside cocktails strong enough to convince you lunch can absolutely turn into dinner.
Koko by Bakan is located at 2856 Tigertail Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Midorie
Omakase for lunch? Yes, please! Midorie offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking a fast-casual Japanese lunch imbued with authentic charm. Step into the cozy haven, where lunchtime transforms into a celebration of the sea’s bounty. The concise menu showcases five classic Japanese dishes, each meticulously prepared: fish donburi, maki rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and temaki. And yes, an omakase to boot. For $100, indulge in the nigiri omakase, which promises some rare delicacies. For something more casual, there’s the chirashi bowl layered with sashimi over pillowy sushi rice and accompanied by your choice of sauce—like wasabi soy or sesame ginger. Midorie beckons as the essential destination for a wholesome, budget-friendly seafood lunch experience.
Pura Vida
Pura Vida has become the unofficial headquarters for Miami’s wellness crowd, and honestly, we get it. The Coconut Grove flagship takes the brand’s signature clean-and-green energy and elevates it with soaring ceilings, breezy coastal interiors, earthy textures, and a massive banyan tree anchoring the entire space. Walking in feels like a reset button after a chaotic morning.
There are smoothies, wraps, salads, and natural juices galore, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free options for just about every type of eater. We’re partial to the spicy tuna bowl, fresh yet hearty, packed with raw wild tuna, jasmine rice, veggies, and dressed in a refreshing yuzu ponzu sauce. The chopped chicken Caesar wrap is another crowd-favorite, loaded with roasted chicken, crushed sourdough croutons, and parmesan. The best part of having lunch here, though? The gelato bar—serving refined sugar-free scoops like the vegan salted pistachio or coconut cream that somehow still nail that rich Italian-style creaminess. Bonus points for the grab-and-go fridge stocked with salads, snacks, and cold-pressed juices for those days when lunch needs to happen at lightning speed.
Pura Vida Miami is located at 3034 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
