Boia De Still Doesn’t Miss
Tucked into a strip mall, this Little Haiti staple keeps delivering one of Miami’s best meals
Some restaurants change. Some evolve. Boia De just keeps getting better at being Boia De. The tiny strip mall spot with a glowing pink exclamation point has been one of Miami’s hardest-to-get tables since 2019, and somehow, after all these years, it’s still putting out one of the best meals in the city.
Dinner here feels like being let in on a secret, even though the secret’s been out for years. It’s intimate, a little chaotic (at times), and always delicious.
Is it still worth the hype? Absolutely. The food’s evolved over time, but the heart of Boia De, like thoughtful plates, excellent pacing, and a sense of place, is fully intact. The team knows what works and doesn’t mess with success. Even longtime favorites still land well.
The Space: Boia De sits in an unassuming Little Haiti strip mall, marked only by a glowing pink exclamation point above the door. The dining room is small (even by Miami standards) with forest green walls, an open kitchen, and a handful of tightly packed tables and bar seats. It’s loud, energetic, and walks the line between polished wine bar and neighborhood chef hangout. Outdoor seating, originally added during the pandemic, has stuck around and slightly expanded capacity. Inside, most of the seating is two-tops and bar stools, and if you’re into bar dining, boy do I have some good news for you…
What to Eat & Drink: Start with the beef tartare. It comes on a crispy beef tallow chip and delivers on texture and flavor—rich, salty, a little creamy, and one of the best bites of the night. The baked clams with ’nduja pack heat in all the right ways, thanks to the spicy sausage. The one thing I wish for was some bread to soak up the leftover sauce.
The grilled artichokes are another smart move: smoky, seasonal, and well-balanced with pearl onions, croutons, and sorrel. The chopped salad is a must. Even if you’re not a salad person, you’ll find yourself keep returning to it. It’s crisp, tangy, hearty, and hits way above its weight.
From the pasta section, the corn fagottini stands out. It’s sweet from the corn, savory from the speck, and feels like a summer version of comfort food. You’ll want to be a corn lover to truly get into it, but if you are, this one’s for you. The only letdown? The lamb ribs fra diavola. They weren’t bad, per se, just underwhelming compared to everything else. Some sauce or side could’ve helped round it out.
Finish with the chocolate budino, a rich, smooth pudding topped with hazelnut, salted caramel, and crème fraîche. It’s salty-sweet, not too heavy, and exactly the kind of dessert that should close out a meal like this.
Perfect For: That dinner with someone you want to impress. Celebrations. Or a Tuesday night when being out feels better than eating in. Any night, really.
Pro Tips: Reserve exactly 30 days ahead when slots drop at noon. If you miss that window, check Resy the morning of: cancellations happen and pop-up seats show up.
Expect to Pay: Around $150 per person with drinks and a few shared dishes.
How's the parking? There’s a decent-size lot out front. It’s a strip mall, and the area can feel a little rough around the edges, but parking usually isn’t an issue.
@boiaderestaurant // 5205 NE Second Ave., Miami