Miami might be sunny and fit, but let’s be real—it also runs on carbs. From stacks of pasta and baskets of croquetas to pizzas with the richest of toppings, these spots are proof that sometimes the best meals are the heaviest ones.
Carpaccio
A Bal Harbour institution, Carpaccio has long been the place where pasta lovers gather. The menu is loaded with dishes worth twirling your fork into, from silky spaghetti and rich fettuccine to gnocchi so pillowy it feels like eating clouds. The risottos here deserve equal love, delivering that creamy, comforting carb rush with every spoonful. It’s elegant dining wrapped in carb comfort, and the perfect excuse to dress up for a night where pasta takes center stage.
CJ’s Crab Shack
Seafood may be the main draw at CJ’s Crab Shack, but the carbs make the experience complete. Case in point: the apps. From fried popcorn shrimp and grouper fingers to calamari and crab dip, the menu loads you up before the entrées even arrive. It’s casual, fun, and exactly the kind of beachside indulgence Miami Beach does best. All entrees also come with an option of fries or pasta alfredo; in other words, expect leftovers.
Ironside Pizza
Carbs don’t get more universally loved than pizza, and Ironside Pizza nails it every time. Tucked away in Miami’s Ironside district, this spot is all about perfectly blistered pies that will delight all palates. Toppings run the gamut from prosciutto and Italian sausage to gorgonzola and truffle cream. Add in an order of their baked ricotta dip, and you’ll find yourself in carb heaven before a second slice of pizza makes it on your plate.
Islas Canarias
No carb tour of Miami would be complete without Islas Canarias, home of the city’s most iconic croquetas; they’re the definition of bite-sized carb joy. But don’t stop there: This West Kendall staple also delivers big plates of Cuban comfort food, like shredded roasted pork and fried yuca, that make carbs the centerpiece of every meal. It’s where one order of croquetas turns into four, and you don’t regret it for a second.
Islas Canarias is located at 13695 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33175. For more information, visit their official website.
Kitchen 57
Kitchen 57 doesn’t shy away from hearty, carb-loaded comfort food, and that’s exactly what makes it so crave-worthy. Their menu is filled with dishes that warm you from the inside out—think zucchini fries, smash burgers, mac and cheese, and two-chocolate bread pudding. It’s the kind of South Miami gem where portions and flavors are big, and carbs are celebrated rather than avoided.
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Macondo Coffee Roasters is all about comfort food with a global twist, and carbs are at the heart of it. The menu bounces between cultures, offering everything from empanadas and arepas to sandwiches and bowls that feel both familiar and adventurous. Every plate here feels like an invitation to slow down, sip a strong coffee, and savor the starch.
Macondo Coffee Roasters has multiple locations in South Florida. For more information, visit their official website.
The Lobster Shack
At The Lobster Shack, carbs and seafood are a match made in heaven. The buttery rolls cradle generous portions of lobster, crab, or shrimp, while the lobster mac & cheese adds a creamy, cheesy punch. Tacos and other filling bites complete the spread, turning a simple meal into a full-blown carb celebration. You’ll even find burgers and hot dogs on the menu!
The Lobster Shack has multiple locations on Miami Beach. For more information, visit their official website.
