Farm-to-Table Dining in Southeast Florida

By Julie Landry Laviolette

Glitzy nightlife, luxurious hotels and miles of palm-tree lined beaches are Southeast Florida’s signature items. But did you know that there are hundreds of acres of farmland dotting the Sunshine State’s southern tip?

An active farm-to-table movement boasts chefs partnering with local farmers to bring fresh, tropical fruits and vegetables to the table.

Here’s a sampling of eateries and farms promoting farm-to-fork dining.

Dining

Essensia, Miami Beach - Located in The Palms Hotel & Spa on Miami Beach, Essensia is known as much for its luxe veranda seating as its farm-fresh dining. Mindfully sourced meats, seafood and produce from Florida farms and small businesses are crafted into seasonal dishes touched with Asian and Mediterranean influences. Crafted cocktails feature organic spirits and the wine list highlights sustainable picks.

Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami – Chef Niven Patel’s own two-acre organic Homestead farm, Rancho Patel, helps drive the menu at Ghee, a nod to his love of Indian street food. Patel also sources his produce to his two eateries in Coral Gables’ Thesis Hotel: Mamey and Orno. In 2022, Ghee was named a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami – James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz’s vibrant flagship neighborhood bistro in the Miami Design District builds its creative New American menu on locally sourced ingredients. It was named a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023. Schwartz also has Amara at Paraiso on Biscayne Bay, a melding of Latin American and coastal ingredients, and Harry’s Pizzeria in Coconut Grove and Miami Beach.

27 Restaurant, Miami Beach – Set in a historic home next to a courtyard, this charming communal dining room features produce and herbs from an on-site garden in its eclectic menu.

Schnebly Reland’s Winery, Homestead – Expansive winery and estate highlighting wines made from native tropical fruit like lychees, guava and starfruit. The Redlander Restaurant offers local produce in dishes with a tropical twist. Miami Brewing Company has a large taproom onsite offering brews with local herbs and fruit.

TUR Kitchen, Coral Gables – Elevated Mediterranean dining room focusing on sustainability by sourcing its recipes from family-run farms and fishing boats, seasonal produce and organic, small-batch wineries.

3030 Ocean, Fort Lauderdale – Elegant oceanfront dining in the Marriot Harbor Beach Resort & Spa features outdoor seating and locally sourced seafood, prime meats and produce from small purveyors. Its known for its sophisticated seafood recipes and stylish American plates.

Ol’Days, Fort Lauderdale and Miami – Easygoing, counter-serve spot offering casual plates and all-day brunch highlighting local farmed produce, artisanal products and direct-sourced coffees.

Burlock Coast, Fort Lauderdale – With décor inspired by the Prohibition era, this modern coastal-fare specialist highlights fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and a cheery, rum-focused cocktail menu. It’s located on the waterfront in The Ritz-Carlton.

Kai-Kai Farms, Indiantown – A 40-acre farm that hosts elegant full-service dining experiences featuring premier chefs from Palm Beach and Martin counties. Farm dinners with wine pairings and interactive demonstration dinners are held in a screened dining hall with farm views.

Swank Table, Loxahatchee – Set in the fields of Swank Farm, its al fresco dinners pull together ingredients from Florida’s farmers, ranchers, artisanal producers and wine makers. Tour hydroponic shade houses and savor a five-course dinner paired with spirits at rustic farm tables, all while listening to live music.

The Cooper Craft Kitchen & Bar, Palm Beach Gardens – Imaginative menu with seasonal New American fare crafted from local sources and a warm, inviting outdoor patio. The bar features small-batch distillers and local breweries.

Farmer’s Table, Boca Raton and North Palm Beach – Upscale New American fare in an airy, inviting space concentrating on sustainably sourced, clean ingredients from eco-conscious purveyors.

District Table & Bar, Stuart – High-end, unpretentious shareable plates and mains using fresh seafood and local produce, when available. It has a seasonal menu and an open kitchen in stylish surrounds.

Naked Farmer, throughout Florida – Small chain of fast-casual eateries focusing on New American eats sourced from small and medium-sized regional farmers.

Farms

Michael Borek Farms (formerly Teena’s Pride) Homestead – Specializes in sustainably farmed heirloom tomatoes, cluster tomatoes, yellow tomatoes and bell peppers. Hosts a Saturday farmers market and delivers Community-Supported Agriculture boxes, also known as CSA.

Robert is Here, Homestead – Family farm and legendary farmer’s market known for milkshakes, smoothies, an animal farm and play area. Specializes in rare and exotic tropical fruit.

Little River Cooperative, Miami – Holds workshops on urban gardening, grows plants and builds gardens to help teach people how to grow their own food and medicine at home.

Paradise Farms, Homestead – Certified organic farm featuring specialty greens, mushrooms and medicinal herbs, seasonal produce boxes and farm tours, with plans to develop on-site lodging and healing experiences.

Empower Farms, Florida City – Certified organic farm employing workers with disabilities. Offers produce boxes and egg delivery.

Marando Farms, Davie – Farm, ranch and petting zoo offering a market, tours and field trips.

Resources.

Edible South Florida – Resource for mindfully sourced food, eateries and growers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Localharvest – Lists local farms and produce buying clubs.

Slow Food Miami – A global nonprofit movement to connect people with how their food is grown, foster sustainability, and support local food traditions.

Fresh from Florida – Showcases seasonal produce and seafood.