The 10 Best Late-Night Food Spots in South Beach

Miami may still be on the come-up when it comes to high-profile restaurants and avant-garde cuisine, but one thing it consistently does well is feed its beach-bound club kids into the wee hours of the morning. From greasy Cuban delicacies to Japanese dishes, the nightlife capital of the Southeast has it all.

Start fighting that hangover early. Here are the 10 Best Late-Night Food Spots in South Beach.

RELATED: First We Feast - The Boozehound's Guide to Late-Night Ramen in NYC

Written by Matt Balmaseda

Address: 920 Alton Rd.
Website: chowdowngrill.com

Joshua Marcus and Joseph Bracero's Chow Down Grill is one of the more recent additions to South Beach's late-night dining scene. It's open until 5 a.m. daily, and eschews greasy food and cheap beer for a Japanese-inspired menu backed by American microbrews.

Start things off with juicy dumplings stuffed with shrimp, fennel, and corn; add a steaming bowl of wonton soup with spinach and chives. Then graduate to some fresh sushi, or entrees like steamed whole snapper, braised beef moo shoo, or the Chow burger, served on a house-made bao bun.

Address: 235 14th St.
Website: t-mex.net

The “stupid sauce” that put this late-night Mexican joint on the map deserves the lion's share of credit for enabling Tyrannosaurus Mex (T-Mex, for short) to live up to its name: It'll knock you on your ass, and then some.

For those stumbling out of Club Deuce, or one of the equally liquor-leaden establishments nearby, T-Rex is a welcome sight. Until 5 a.m. (6 a.m. on the weekends) you can choose from tacos, burritos, nachos, or quesadillas loaded with fillings. And don't forget to pile on the stupid sauce, a super-spicy concoction that even had Anthony Bourdain sweating. You won't soon forget it.

Address: 700 Collins Ave.
Website: n/a

Puerto Sagua may close earlier than the rest of the eateries on this list (they're only open until 2 a.m.), but they still offer unbelievable Cuban food well into the night.

This is the place to go for a casual sit-down experience that won't break the bank. Dine on juicy shreds of ropa vieja, sizzling bits of chicken, traditional black beans and rice, and the sugary temptation that is flan before a night on the town, or, if you're in the mood, for a pick-me-up during a pub or club crawl. It's a local favorite for a good reason.

Address: 1608 Alton Rd.
Website: ginospizzamiami.com

There are few better things than a big slice of pizza to soak up a night's worth of booze, and in South Beach, Gino's Pizza & Brew delivers 24 hours.

Here you can get traditional New York style pizza any way you want,with classic and specialty pies including a dense and cheesy chicken cordon bleu, and a massive 22” Napolitano. There are even fat-free pizzas by the slice.

If you want to ditch the crowds, Gino's delivers until 5:30 a.m. Slurring your words on top of that? You can order online. No excuses.

Address: 157 Collins Ave.
Website: mylesrestaurantgroup.com

Big Pink has the airs of a friendly, neighborhood diner, but with copious helpings of much better food. Go on the weekend, when it's open to 5 a.m.

Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating caters to a regular mob of customers during the day, but it's the late-night hours that make this a go-to for prime people watching. Grab a drink from the full bar to keep the night going, then pair it with some breakfast-served anytime-a side of “world famous” Nemo polenta flies, or one of a variety of 10 oz. Angus beef burgers.

Address: 34 SW 8th St.
Website: lasandwicherie.com

One of the older late night establishments in town, La Sandwicherie's has offered French fare with a twist since 1988.

The location off Washington Avenue's strip makes it prime territory for club kids and hipster types, but it's the stellar quality of their sandwiches and salads that make it a popular spot for locals, too.

Fight the crowd for a spot at the plein aire counter and you'll be treated to fresh veggies, smoked salmon, saucisson sec (that's French salami) and more, all pressed between a croissant or tossed with their famous house vinaigrette. J'adore!

Address: 800 Ocean Dr.
Website: newscafe.com

Mark Soyka and Jeffrey Davis opened News Café back in 1988 with little more than a newsstand, some bookshelves, and an espresso machine. Since then, this 24-hour European-style café has grown to offer a liquor bar, a full service kitchen, and plenty of indoor/outdoor seating.

Stop by anytime and you'll find a menu loaded with breakfast munchies, traditional Middle Eastern dishes, goat cheese pizza, grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwiches, and more. What else could you ask for to chase that bottle of tequila with? Maybe some jazz? You got it.

Address: Multiple locations
Website: davidscafe.com

Miami is well known for its nightlife and abundant Cuban influence. David's Café combines both

With two 24-hour locations on South Beach-one on the world-famous Lincoln Road mall, the other south on Collins Avenue-David's has been serving up greasy Cuban delicacies since 1977. Have a seat inside or grab a spot at the outdoor counter and enjoy crunchy Cuban sandwiches, pillowy croquettas, frita cubanas (Cuban hamburgers), and a shot or two of Cuban coffee, loaded with enough caffeine to make sure you catch that sunrise on the beach.

Address: 1065 Washington Ave.
Website: eleventhstreetdiner.com

Housed in a '40s Art Deco dining car that spent more than 40 years in Pennsylvania before coming to South Beach in the '90s, you can't miss the 11th Street Diner.

Dine on greasy-spoon staples like onion rings, jalapeño poppers, and heaping platters of eggs and bacon 24 hours a day. Sandwiches, salads, and home-style specials like crispy fried chicken and gooey mac'n'cheese await the hungry (drunk) diner. As an added bonus, the weekend bar stays open until 5 a.m. As if you need that extra shot.

Address: 218 Espanola Way
Website: alibi.me

They call it “Food for the Innocent,” but even if you've spent all night proving you're anything but, the folks at the Alibi will still let your order from the menu. Operated out of Lost Weekend, a bar known for its pool tables, juke boxes, and popular midweek ladies' night. The Alibi is the last word in late-night food in Miami.

The operation is a two-window counter deal next to the bar, but there's also a curb-side pick-up option for diners on the go. Grab a Philly cheese steak on an Amoroso roll, a shrimp po boy, or one of many vegetarian options, plus a side of hand-cut fries. The best part about this place goes without saying: You don't even have to leave the bar.